44 Y.o. Mom of 2, Happy with Tear Trough Implants and Neck Lipectomy

Well, little by little, I can see things changing. I have gone through a bit of frustration lately with weird, unpredictable, off and on swelling around one or both eyes. Some mornings I wake up and look pretty "normal". Others, I wake up (even after a good night of sleep), and I look like Quasimodo....one eye all puffy and looking 1/2 the size of the other. Also, the numbness has only worn off of the right side of my upper lip and smile line area (nasolabial fold). Both of my upper cheeks, my entire nose/nostrils, my left nadolabial fold and upper lip are still entirely numb. My smile looks very uneven and distorted in pictures currently. Again, I was told this is all to be expected and that full healing is truly a 6 month process. It still hurts a bit when I laugh or smile really big. I am ready to have my face feel normal. My husband thinks my tear troughs look hugely improved, and I agree that there is improvement. I just cannot tell how improved yet due to the off and on swelling that is still occurring. I also still have faint bruising under both eyes.

Feeling a bit down today about the turkey gobble...di not even want to take a pic of it. :-( Also, I tried to put on a little make up, but it felt weird touching my face as it doesn't even feel like me. By that I mean it is still super tight, swollen, and numb...so applying makeup feels very strange. I also di not sleep well last night. Dr. A said I should continue to sleep at a 45 degree angle to help with the swelling. I have done this since the surgery and it is getting old. I am usually a side sleeper. Last night I tried to sleep slightly on my side, but up at that angle. When I woke up I could tell that by doing that I had increased me swelling....especially on the side I was laying on (left side). Trying to realize it has not even been 2 weeks yet, but wondering when I will look and feel like that "new and improved me" that I have been hoping for. I have a follow up scheduled for May 22. I plan to address the neck big time if that gobble is still there. I am going to let some time pass and I will likely wait and post pics at the 2 week mark.

I went in for a follow up today and had stitches removed from under my chin. Dr. A agreed that my neck is a bit lumpy and some "lax skin". He said that if it does not seem to fix itself in the next 3 weeks, he can inject a steriod in there to smooth it out....but not quite clear if that helps this stupid gobble thing. I overdid it a bit on the weekend and I think caused a bit more bruising to pop up, and poked my face on the left accidentally. Not really icing anymore as Dr. A said it would not help the swelling much at this point...just needs time. I can feel the right side of my upper lip, but the left side is still completely numb. Upper cheeks and nose/nostrils are all still totally numb too.