Phenol Peel: Stories

I am going to attempt to give as much knowledge to those considering a croton oil/phenyol peel as possible. Prior to having mine, I researched all types of face enhancement procedures and became well acquainted with every procedure and product that one might choose for face enhancement. I believe knowledge is power and as a consumer, you must give yourself this knowledge before you allow anyone to complete any procedure on your face. After much research, the considerarion of what was financially possible, my age,determining what bothered me most about my face, and a realistic outcome, I chose to have a the deepest level chemical peel performed on my face. Currently,I am on Day 9 of the procedure. I would like to provide details and photos of each day's experience so that anyone choosing this procedure is aware of the realities.

I am going to submit pics of myself prior to the peel and each day of the process. These pics are not pretty. The procedure is painful and one looks worse before better! I will include a "decent " pic of myself prior to the peel and the ugly truth of the wrinkles, sun damage, and smoking damage prior to the procedure. It's not easy for a gal to do, but sites like these really helped me prepare!

Day 1---Arrived at Dr. G's office at 7:30. Mostly, I was excited and wanted to get going! The nurses and staff are WONDERFUL!!!! They made me comfortable and confident and continue to do so daily.
Soon, I was fast asleep. When I woke, there was not much pain. I am blind in my right eye, which you may notice in pics. I think the brown spots were worse in that area as that eye was already swollen. I arrived home at 10:00 and had a soda. The pain and swelling didn't begin until about 1:00 and then continued rapidly through the next morning. It was difficult to get comfortable. I was to sleep with my head at a 45* angle. It felt like I was on fire. Vicoden did little to to take the edge off. I was given an ointment which was similar to Aquaphor to which they added lidocaine.....herein referred to as "goop". It was my good friend and it was slathered on frequently for days to come. On day 1 I ate a yogurt, a few saltines, and sipped on Sprite. Dr. G had given me local antesceptic while I was asleep. I believe it was done through injections to my face. It made th top of my head numb. That began to wear off around 5:00 P.M. The pain increased after that time.
Although it was awful, I was prepared. No surprises.

Day 2........Rocky Horror Picture Day!

Woke at 4:30 A.M. Went to the bathroom and put more goop on my face. No Vicoden since midnight. Not taking any. Going to try and sleep. Pain is less intense, but the swelling is horrific. 9:30-Pain is still less intense, but the swelling is....WOW. Hurts more now from the tightness of the swelling. Yesterday the swelling was mostly around and under my eyes. Today it is my entire face. My lips are quite swollen. Today it will be harder to eat and drink. I have an appointment with Dr. G at 11:00. I am taking 2 Vicoden before I go. Will have to cover my face with a scarf or towel because it looks so bad. No regrets though.
Went to see Dr. G and Annette. They assured me it looked fine. He prescribed a Prednisone pack to reduce the swelling. He used Q-tips to remove any loose skin that had already peeled. Assured me that all was well and said that today was usually the worst day. Always feels good for him to reassure me things are fine. I am soooooo glad I did my research!!!! Exactly what I expected. Nothing shocking.
Very uncomfortable day. Couldn't rest due to the stimulation of the prednisone. Used lots of goop today!!! Ate yogurt, part of a scone, some mashed sweet potatoes, and an Ensure. I know.....poor diet choices! Drank a lot of Diet Sprite. Goop runs down my face and crusts under my neck. Yucky day.

Reminder.......I did look better at the start!

Day 3-----Woke at 7:00 A.M. Slept pretty well, but the build up of goop is feeling awful! Can't wait for a shower!
Took a shower using a hand held shower head. Allowed water to drip on my face by placing the shower head above my head. (lukewarm water) Actually, it felt good and not too painful. Getting some of that goop off felt great. Patted face dry and left my face dry long enough to comb out my hair. Without the goop, the burning sensation returns. Re-applied goop.
Went to see Dr. G. They unlocked the back door for me!!! I wrapped a scarf around my face.I wouldn't want a prospective patient to see me; I'd scare them to death! Dr. G used Q-tips again to remove any peeled skin that was lying on my face. Today, some areas have peeled, revealing very pink skin. The Prednisone has really helped the swelling. My face is still about twice it's size, but much better than yesterday. I am to continue using the goop over the weekend. I will see Dr. G again Monday A.M. Everyone on the staff is genuinely kind and helpful. I always feel good when I leave. I am so glad I picked Dr. G. I know he is an excellent plastic surgeon.
Today's pain was tolerable. I took Vicoden prior to my shower and appointment, but none the rest of the day. Just a note....due to reasons I won't go into, Vicoden doesn't affect me much more than Ibprophen. Perhaps others would find greater relief from it.
Pain was worse in the evening. It was a throbbing pain.

Day 4-----Sleeping and getting comfortable last night was very difficult. Didn't sleep well. My face seems to be drying out more quickly by early morning. It wakes me and I feel as though my face is crusted. Got in the shower to run water from my head down my face. The build up of goop feels awful. Different areas of my face have more skin peeling than others and are very raw.
Afternoon--My face is burning and throbbing. It hurts more than yesterday, but the swelling is less due to the Prednisone. I can't read or use the computer yet. I couldn't stand to have my glasses on my face and my vision is blurry because a film of goop gets in my eye.
Taking more Vicoden today. Doesn't help. Still eating things like yogurt, Ensure, soup, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. Still taking Valtrex, Keflex, and Vicoden.

Day 5 (Sunday)---Worst day so far, which I didn't expect. My face burns and hurts worse than any other day. Feels raw. Taking Vicoden as soon as allowed and it doesn't begin to take the edge off. I am worried that maybe I let too much water run down my face. I can't relax, can't sleep, and can't ease the pain. I am running a fever of 100*.
I try to use Saran wrap, towel, and ice to relieve some of the throbbing. My face is starting to itch as well.
I wish I could sleep this day away!!!!

Day 6---Bad night last night! The burning was so bad that I only slept about 30 minutes at a time before the pain woke me. Took a quick shower. My face is very raw this morning and burning.
Just saw Dr. G. He said it looked fine. He prescribed Percocet to replace the Vicoden. Only one day left of Prednisone. He said I could add Ibprophen 3 times a day. I was worried as well as in pain. Seeing Dr. G made me feel so much better. As long as everything is good, I can deal with the pain. Once again, Annette and all of the staff make me feel welcome.
Feeling better as the day progresses. The Percocet does take the edge off. All in all, feeling much more comfortable than last night and this morning. Took an evening shower. Water feels good running down my face.

Day 7--- Felt pretty good most of the day. My face is swollen, but a good bit of the peeling skin is gone. I am even using a small mirror to look at different areas for the improvements!!
By late afternoon, my face is throbbing. I guess I waited too long to take Percocet, but I don't want to take it if I can avoid it. However, it took 2 cycles (doses) from afternoon until late evening to get pain relief. I am surprised I am hurting this much, but nothing else is unexpected.
My research and preparation allows me to stay positive because I knew to expect everything that I am seeing and feeling!!!!!

Day 8----Woke early again because the Aquaphor dries out while I'm sleeping and wakes me. (I switched from the mixture with the lidocaine to Aquaphor 2 days ago. No longer needing numbing topical.) I feel pain, crust under my neck, and layers of goop. Yuck!!! I get up and re-goop and try and sleep a little longer.
Took a shower. Still feels better when water runs down my face and cuts threw some of the grease. It should take weeks to get it all out of my hair!
I DROVE myself to see Dr. G today! I tried not to stop where a person in the car beside me could see me. I still took a towel to drape over me and went into the office through the back door! Dr. G said everything was continuing to look good. I will see him again on Friday.
My face is still swollen and bright red. Pretty good day. I talked with friends and even read for awhile. Throbbing worsens as the day progresses and I take a dose of Percocet before going to sleep.

Day 9-----Slept in this morning! Dr. G told me it was ok to lye flat on two pillows, but to expect more swelling. It felt wonderful!!!!
Today was a good day. No pain meds needed or taken. I was up and about in the house all day. I was able to wear my reading glasses and spent the day on the computer starting my review on RealSelf.

A few notes: I will be 52 in a couple of weeks. Life has thrown some great challenges my way the past ten years. Those challenges include great loss and extreme illness with weight loss. The effects of the past ten years were evident on my face. In addition, I was a smoker most of my life and, until about 2 months ago, a sun worshiper. I felt that my face made me look at least 10 years older than I am. My main reason for choosing a chemical peel was to remove the sun and smoke damage and get rid of all of the brown spots. Any reduction in wrinkles will be a plus! I didn't expect Dr. G to transform my face into that of a 30 year-old! I'll settle for looking 52 (or 45!). I am hoping for a refreashed and brighter me! I can see her peeping through already!

Day 10--Slept really late! It is so nice to lie down flat and sleep on my side! I went to see Dr. G. I drove again. I entered through the FRONT DOOR!!! However, no one, but the staff were in the waiting room. We talked and chatted and I felt well. Dr. G said I looked RED!! All is ok. I am to use less Aquaphor over the weekend. He brought in his skin care specialist. She will consult with the chemists and order a lighter serum to use next. I have an an appointment with the skin care specialist next Friday to discuss future skin care and make-up. Dr. G told me that as we begin to use different skincare products, it is important to try them on a small area of the face first. I will see him again on Monday. There were a few guests in the lobby when I exited through the FRONT DOOR! They probably wondered what had happened to the lobster red looking woman!
Today has been a good day. I'm feeling a bit cooped up, but I am too red to consider going out. I am feeling really good and have used no medicines for a couple of days.

Day 11----What a difference a couple of days makes!!!! I feel pretty much back to normal. My face is still bright red and swollen. I am not sure how much swelling is left. I hope not much. Unfortunately, much of the aging was due to weight loss from illness that has continued over a 4 year period. The volume loss in my face has been quite drastic. There is a huge difference in my photos from just 4 years ago.
Today, I look more like I have always looked. I have cheeks and a round face. I started sending photos to family today. They say "WOW". I have a few areas on my forehead where the skin never really peeled. I have little whiteheads like baby acne in some areas. I can't really smile fully.I started the day with a shower. I blew dry my hair and put on something besides jamie pants. All dressed up, too red to go!
I am going to post several before and today photos of my face. The difference is quite drastic.
I know that I am going to be extremely pleased with my results!!! This is only 10 days post-op and my skin will only continue to improve. Perhaps some of the volume loss in my cheeks and under my eyes will come back, I'm not sure. However, I know already that I will not regret having this procedure.
One person I forgot to mention early on was Linda. She was my nurse anesthesist (sp......I know that is incorrect)). She called me the evening prior to the proceedure and she was the first to greet me the day of the procedure. If not for her and her ability to use IV sedation, I would not have been able to have this procedure!! I never felt or remembered a thing!
I am finished with my review as of today. I'll post a pic a week apart for the next few weeks.

I did not originally use my surgeon's full name because he was unaware of this review. His name is Ralph R. Garramone, M.D.,Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. His practice is located on the corner of Winkler and College Parkway, Ft. Myers, FL.
He has a website as well, and you can find it by searching his name.
I failed to tell you that I am from Columbus, OH. My closest friend lives here and I spend a lot of time in FL. I have been here on a vacation since March and will return home in November. She was by my side during this entire procedure. I appreciate her help through this process. However, this process of selection was more difficult because I am not in Ohio. At home, I'm aware of the top 3 plastic surgeons, but in SWF, I knew of no one. I'm glad I did my homework and I am so happy with my choice of surgeon. He spends most of his days completing much more invasive surgeries on all areas of the body.My procedure was not considered invasive, but without his knowledge and ability, my face and my life could have been scarred beyond repair. I'm a retired educator and money is far from unlimited. This was a huge gift to myself. If ever I wanted, needed, or could afford another procedure......Dr. Ralph Garramone would be performing it!!!
I'll be 52 in a couple of weeks......this is my belated 50th birthday gift to myself !!!! I feel fortunate to have been able to give it to myself.

WORTH IT!!!! WORTH IT!!!!!!!! WORTH IT!!!!!!

2 weeks following the peel----I feel back to normal. The improvement from a week and one half to two weeks is huge. Today, I went shopping for a little while. I used a light bb cream to cover the red and put on some eye make-up and lipstick. I only used the bb cream because its only ingredient is that of a cream I am trying from the skin care specialist. I can defininately see why a loose mineral make-up will be needed. My skin is still so very dry and shedding. When I put on a tinted moisturizer, it clumps, peels, etc.and shows. My skin is not smooth enough yet to use anything resembling a liquid foundation.
As the swelling goes down, I notice some forehead wrinkles at rest and some wrinkles on my forehead and a few on my cheeks are noticeable when I animate my face. I think I notice them more because there are fewer of them! Again, my primary reason for selecting this procedure was to get the best bang for my buck over the long haul and to even my skin tone which will allow me to use less make-up. I don't have the financial resources to pay $20,000 for a full face lift and I would still have needed the peel. I also don't have the finances to use fillers and injectables for the next ten years, and again, I would have still needed the peel for my complection. So, this was the best choice for me and I am happy with it!

Please see my repy to a post written today, October 4. It describes my current condition three weeks post procedure. I will post pics today as well.