Nervous -Biloxi, MS

My face was swollen and is still numb near the incisions. My neck still feels tight. But to be honest I'm glad is does. That's what I paid for. I'm assuming that as the swelling subsides it will feel normal. My PS was adamant that I wear my chin strap 24:7 for the first week and then only at night and when I eat for another week. He said that the skin was separated and needs to adhere back in the right place. I know every surgeon is different. But I think I would wear it a little more.

@gettingalittlehelp, I'm also having a lower facelift, upper blepheroplasty and BA on May 13th. How are you feeling? I'm nervous about the recovery process. I should mention I also have two little ones; a 2 1/2 yo son and 6 mos old daughter (!). I'm 44 years old and also want to interrupt my genetic destiny (turkey, "hooded" eyelids and post-baby boobs!). I can't see your full profile but would love to see pics!

So glad you're felling ok! Do notice improvement day by day? Are you pleased? Your pics look great as I've said before! Can't wait to see the healing as you go on!

Hi Twobabies, Definitely understand the "genetic destiny" scenario. :-) Are you going to have some help with the babies after surgery? You are getting a lot done at once and it takes a few days for most people to shake off being "under" for that amount of time. I found the next day or two (partially from surgery and partially from medications) that I kept getting tired and couldn't keep my eyes open. Took many cat naps. I know with little ones that's going to be hard to do. I haven't been in a lot of pain except the first night (which had to do with swelling in my mouth pressing on gums and made all my teeth hurt) but have been restricted a lot. Not allowed to bend over, weight restrictions and can't drive myself for a few more days. I did a neck lift...and it doesn't look like you are doing that..so maybe your head movement won't be as restrictive as mine. My biggest advice it to get as stocked up on everyday items, and some special items you will need to be comfortable (straws, liquid smoothies, soft food, extra pillows for sleeping at a 30 deg angle and anything else you PS has mentioned having on hand) so you don't need to worry about going to the store before you are up to it. And, if you have some help that can stay with you (at least for a few days) or stop by daily to help with the little things that come up. These really are "big" surgeries and you want to be able to heal and get your best results possible. Good luck and I look forward to seeing some before & afters if you post them.

Yes I will have lots of help for the first 10-14 days (my husband is taking off work for me) and even after that, I think between my husband and my in-laws, we should manage (I say, teeth chattering!). I've been under general several times before and the only reaction I suffer from is vomiting in the recovery room (regardless of anti-nausea meds :( ). I'm not having a neck lift like you did per se in that there will be no incision beneath my chin. He says I only have mild "turkey" and he can rectify it by the behind and in front of the ear incisions. Thanks very much for the reminders of what to have on hand...I remember things and then forget to write them down. I should just sit and make a master list. Again, I am astounded with your results! You're a gorgeous woman (before AND after)

Having that support will make all the difference in the world for you. I can't imagine having gone through this trying to watch after 2 little ones at the same time. :-) I don't have an incision under my chin (yay) but do that lots of stitches in front of and behind ears and into my hair line. Then under the breasts. Other then trying to do the stretching exercises the breasts are kind of forgotten about. Get a little achy when the advil starts to wear off and have to be mindful of lifting but other then that I kind of forget about them. Then again...the face is kind of the "bigger" surgery and is taking the most TLC. I'll post some pics soon.

Funny up until now, I have been obsessing about the breast augmentation. Now the reality of having my face and eyes done is setting in! My ps told me the biggest complaint from his patients is the burning around the ear incisions and eyelids. I'd imagine a ton of sutures; it will feel good to get those out! Sorry, I thought you had the chin incision...I've looked at so many profiles I'm getting loopy! Can't wait to see your pics if you post more!

Hello Twobabies, Everyone is different...but for me (an Aug w/o lift) the breasts have def taken the back seat. I get twitches and the incisions (located at the bottom crease of each breast) burn a bit now and then but all seems pretty minor. Was very careful the 1st few days not to use my arms to hold up my body weight when I was trying to scoot back to a reclined position in bed or on the sectional. Biggest obstical for me right now is getting the mobility back in my right arm. It's def tighter then my left arm but doc said it's normal because I am right handed. PS was going to trim skin on my upper eyelids only but in surg PS decided that he would have to be ext conservative that he opted for the laser resurfacing (as I was already getting below my eyes) as a better option. So..I never have had stitches on the eyelids but have to use the ointment and moist to protect and keep the newly exposed skin from drying out. That does kind of blur my vision (prob a thin layer gets on my eyes). The other stitches from the face/neck lift are many but really don't bother me much. Had one night I didn't sleep much and pillows felt hard..which was really incisions..but since I have not been able to take any of my RX pain meds I have to think that prob would have cured it for me. Feel them getting a bit tighter but other then cleaning with hydrogen peroxide a few times a day don't think a lot about them either. Tightness in face, swelling in my mouth (from fat transfer and maybe lifts) and the oozing gunk from the laser resurfacing have seemed the hardest to me. One a really good note...I am feeling more energetic today. Even though I still have a lot of swelling and bruising my eyes have seemed to make it over the hump and look much better today and I feel I can smile and chew easier then I have been since surgery. Have seen many posts saying that the 1st week is the most difficult and I seem to be one more with the same experience. My surgery was Tue and today is Sun and I am feeling much better! You are going to do great. Sounds like you have a lot of help (which I didn't..1 night a hotel with nurse and my husband stayed home a little late to help me wash my hair and take me to post op appt on Thur morn) and that will make such a difference for you. You are also younger then I am which can't hurt! :-) Will be anxious to see your pre and post op pics if you post some and keep tabs on your progress. BTW...if you go to my profile I created a review so I could add some photos.

Thanks so much for all your information Gettingalittlehelp! It's really helped me with perspective since I've never done this before. Sounds like the resurfacing may have been the worst part for you? I anticipate pain and suffering to some degree, but listening to others' augmentation stories, I was so afraid that I would be completely immobile forever! I like to believe I have a very high pain threshold (had jaw surgery in 2004 and was wired shut for 6 weeks--no pain meds except for T3 the first two days). So, I guess this will test my limits so to speak. It sure is nice to hear these views from you though. It truly does help a lot. :)

GettingALittleHelp, I think you'll see the pulled look in my photos (along my left jawline). It has been the thing that has freaked me out the most, but I'm afraid it's the thing I'll have to wait the longest to see resolved. I'm trying to wait it out calmly, but you do worry, because it improves soooo very slowly!

Thank you, I'm happy with my results. Anxiously waiting to see how much of the fat transfer survive.

Thank you so much..that's an awesome compliment. I had acne at a teen and surely wasn't a beauty queen in jr. and high school lol My PS said the same thing about my bone structure. Thanks again! you are too kind!

Thanks, The surgery really isn't that bed. I went today to have my stitches removed and the PS and staff were amazed at how fast I had healed. I think it has to do with 1) I'm am still fairly young, 2) I eat healthy foods, 3) I exercise (My husband and I walk 3-4 miles a day on most days and 4) I avoided alcohol and drank a lot of water...oh yeah, and 5) I moved around a lot after surgery, lite house keeping, walked around my yard, things like that.

Hey Devrie, I am sitting in recovery and I am feeling really good considering what happened, lol ;) I am approaching my recovery with the same attitude an efforts you listed. Hope is enjoy a good recovery, too!

Hang in there Kanobe! I know what you're feeling...my FL is at the end of May and last month I had a few panic attacks over the thought - but lately I've been pretty calm. I'm sure I'll get neurotic again as the time approaches. However, that seems pretty natural. :-)

I totally understand the panic feeling you are experiencing. I think that's totally normal.

Did he show any before and after pix of his own work? Does he have any to show? A friend mine had used Dr. Diaz and he's well-known and liked so I trusted him from the get go. Good luck!

Yes a few. He has a decent website. Not typical plastic surgeon site. He is Eng. Only does face. Does a lot of reconstruction facial work. I think it will be ok but face work is terrifying. Reading posts have helped. I feel better prepared for recovery ...swelling 2 or 3 days. Hope scaring isn't too bad. 4 days.

Where is Dr. Diaz located/

I have not heard that...My PS has not put any restrictions on me since the surgery. I did drink plenty of water though...and didn't eat a lot of salt either.

does the Mederma really help?

Not sure about the Mederma. I put it on the scars anyway. 4 months now , the scars on the ears sides are still red, perhaps it takes longer to shrink. I hide them with concealer. The scars on the eyes lids and the chin are very light, barely there.

Thank you I feel great too...

Thank you PattyO..I thought about you today...no so bad huh??? One thing, and this is just my opinion; I think washing my hair in the shower everyday being careful to avoid the incision and blowing my hair dry helped my healing...something about the warmth of the hair dryer...as sick as this may sound it's like after you have a baby and have a sitz bath and a heat lamp...that helped so much and felt nice too LOL

Could not agree with you more. Already looking forward to tomorrows....