bfillmore

I've just blown close to $100. on a product called Viviscal that claims to be the "secret of beautiful hair" I'd settle for not thinning! It's a tablet that you take 2x/day. Does anyone have any experience with this?

It's been many years since I had my total lift, but, if you can find my original comments here, you'll see that recovery really isn't a slam bang deal. Like someone else on the forum, it took me a little while to drive [maybe a week or two?] but I think that after 10 days or so, it was as much because I didn't want to terrify the population as that I couldn't move my head and eyes well enough to be safe.
The good news is that the lift really did take 10 years off of my looks and kept them off for a good ten years. They're catching up with me again, now and, if I could afford it and could feel certain of the surgeon [my other guy died :={ I'd bite the bullet and do it again.

Zeke....I haven't looked at this site for months, and am shocked at how many of the same people are still struggling with after-effects! Makes me realize what a very good surgeon I had. I had the whole shebang, and the scars that took the longest to heal were the ones in front of and behind my ears; so yes, wearing your hair up [as I do, too] becomes a creative exercise. Have you tried Calendula gel [gel, not cream] on your scars? I didn't know about it at the time of my lift, but had I, I'd have used it to speed healing and as a barrier under make-up which I think can really irritate the scars. I used Aloe Vera, but like Calendula, too.
I think that the biggest roadblock to feeling like your face is your own again is that you're soooo aware of it every minute! None of us can help it. You're lucky to be starting school again; when you get immersed in the rat-race, and people don't stare in horror at your face, your own focus will change, too. Be happy.

I agree. This is like childbirth.....you'd never do it if the women you talk with were truthful with you about the pain involved.

The first few days are miserable and scary. Stitch removal is painful and, for a while, you do look like you were hit by a truck.

I'm sorry to hear that this hasn't improved any since I had my major lift many years ago. I want another one, but it's like that second child.........

This is such a good forum you've found to use. Too late to help you find a better surgeon in the first place, but, if you really use the site, you will probably find some good answers to your issues and even the names of Drs. in your area who might be able to help you make repairs.
By 6 months, you should be looking and feeling much better than you seem to be. It really did take me a full year to be 100%, but by six months, no one but me was aware of anything and I had only v. minor complaints myself.
Good luck; I'm sorry for your rotten experience.