It is too soon to tell anything so just posting a start and will continue to post as I progress. The wrap is tight so I just feel smooshed. I had a reduction from DD to I think a small C. Time will tell. Also had a bit of Lypo on sides (side boob) and had sling tightened under noon above the upper abs. In addition I had a lower facelift. I’m a bit nauseous and am sleeping a lot.I think the worst part is the strap is so wide it hits my neck and I hate turtle necks so I feel that is what is making me nauseous. I have walked around, have had a smoothie and am attempting to eat a well blended soup through a. Straw after realizing I was not going to be able to chew. As far as boobs go, my right under boob hurts worse than left; it does not hurt to lift my arms nor walk around.
Updated on 16 Nov 2022:
If you feel any nausea take the pill for it and stay on top of your pain meds. I had thought I could take a 1/2 pill every 3 hours rather than a whole every six and that was a mistake. Just take the whole thing and set an alarm for every 6 hours. I did push to 6 1/2 hours today. I feel MUCH better today. Pain pill makes me a little dizzy but I’m able to walk around and do a few things around the house. I managed to get down some eggs I had pre made for breakfast but they had to be in small bites. I went to my post op appt at 10:00 and had the bandages taken off and the drains pulled out. The feeling on getting the bandage off was amazing! When drains were being taken out it burned a bit but not too bad. I took a shower about noon, washed my hair and feel much better. I decided to clean my ears with a qtip although I had no reason to suspect my ears would be dirty. Well, thank God I did! There was soooooo much blood inside and on the outer ear. I used about 10 of them. It is about 1:30 and I am currently eating soup. It has larger pieces in it but not having too much of a problem chewing it; I just have to go slowly. I cannot feel the area where the staples are nor the sutures in the fold of the ear. I am swollen, look like a chipmunk and am pretty sore. I had a bit of lipo done under my chin and area around mouth from what I am told. Those areas are very tender. I can see my face is much tighter and my mom said I look 20 years younger (a bit of an over exaggeration but appreciated).
Updated on 17 Nov 2022:
Swelling has gone down a bit more but clearly still swollen. I am keeping my scars moist with Aquaphor and keeping my wrap on throughout the day. I was able to eat food a little more comfortably this morning and ate a grilled cheese and tomato bisque for lunch. Thank God for friends, I’ve never seen my fridge this full and with such a variety of soups and other meals. Still taking pain meds but every 7 1/2 hours rather than 6 and no more nausea meds needed.
Updated on 18 Nov 2022:
Well, swelling seems to be down a bit more today and I was able to take bigger bites of food which was nice. I eased up on the meds and had an outing for a few hours. My cheeks feel tight, hard to explain but I don’t want to make any big facial expressions for fear of tearing something.
Updated on 19 Nov 2022:
Woke up in the middle of the night with heartburn, a slight burning sensation in my chest and constipation. I think they were all related because as soon as I was able to finally go to the bathroom I felt MUCH better. I had not taken a pain pill but when I woke up hurting I took one and felt fine later. Face is still swollen but not as much; I started using ice although I was told I did not need to; I figured it could not hurt. It does seem to help. Wearing the chin strap is starting to make my cheeks hurt so I interchange between the wide one and the thinner one to help. Ther is still tightness behind the ears, in front of ears and under chin. I don’t have any bruising still and attribute it to taking the arnica and bromelin pills. I put makeup on today (not on scars) and went out for lunch. I kept my hair down and felt fine but anyone that knows me would be able to see the swelling. I still look like a chipmunk although the pictures do not show it as much.
Updated on 20 Nov 2022:
Today was a good day! I took the dogs in a long walk, went to lunch and a farmers market with hubby and went shopping. I am pretty tired now and it’s only 6 but I’m sure time change has a lot to do with that also! Face feels tight everywhere except the skin on the sides of my lips. I can still feel a few lumps but next appt is tomorrow so plan to ask about that.
Updated on 22 Nov 2022:
I have noticed yellowish bruising appearing where there was no bruising so I think I’m a late bruiser lol. Had my 2nd post op appt and they took half of the sutures and staples out. They mentioned I was healing nicely but still had a lot of swelling. Told me to come back in two days to get the rest of the sutures and staples out. I am pleased thus far but cannot wait for swelling to go down to see true results.
Updated on 23 Nov 2022:
Not much change from yesterday. I am still swollen, I feel like there are cardboard inserts on either side of my face but my scars are healing nicely. I am using Aquaphor and started adding vitamin e to the mix. There were no incisions behind ears just in front and staples into scalp.
Updated on 24 Nov 2022:
All staples and sutures are out! Feeling good, I have a few spots that I am concerned with (slight sagging on right cheek and a little area that is kind of folding almost under right ear). I also have some lumpy areas. Trying not to freak out. I am told all is fine so staying positive :). Oh and lines on face are from the chin wrap, I take pics when I wake up before showering so they typically disappear later.
Updated on 25 Nov 2022:
My swelling seems to have decreased quite a bit today. I don’t look as puffy and I can see more of an outline in my cheeks. It feels nice to have the staples and stitches out, now if I can just keep myself from picking at the small scars ! Still have a few lumpy spots and such but I have confidence that will smooth out as my doctor mentioned.
Updated on 25 Nov 2022:
Forgot to add pics
My swelling seems to have decreased quite a bit today. I don’t look as puffy and I can see more of an outline in my cheeks. It feels nice to have the staples and stitches out, now if I can just keep myself from picking at the small scars ! Still have a few lumpy spots and such but I have confidence that will smooth out as my doctor mentioned.
Updated on 26 Nov 2022:
Swelling has gone down quite a bit. I still feel puffy but not as much as before. The scars still need quite a bit of healing and I continue to put Aquaphor on them. The scars from stapes are starting to loosen and I’ve noticed if I pick at it hair comes out with the scab. It kinda freaks me out even though it’s not a ton of hair, it’s still hair. I’ve been wearing chin strap at night for 12 hours but am ready to not have to. It’s very uncomfortable. There is a small bubble underneath my skin where drain was pulled out. Not sure what that is all about.
Updated on 6 Dec 2022:
Had 3 week check in yesterday. Doc said all is coming along nicely and once sweeping dissipates there will be more lift. Scars are improving day by day and I am continuing to use Aquaphor as well as vitamin E in the evenings. You cannot see them when hair is down