9cm to 6cm Forehead Reduction

Hello RealSelf community!
I am thrilled to be less than a month away from my forehead reduction procedure with Dr. Aharonov. I've had this forehead for 24 years. I'm done with it!!!!
It's hard to explain to people who have "conventional" features how isolating and anxiety-inducing having an obvious non-conventional feature is. It's kept me from leaving the house on windy or rainy days, choosing tops and sweatshirts without wide collars or zippers to maneuver over my bangs, or just feeling like a "normal" person. I've been bullied at every age about my huge forehead, precisely-kept bangs, and protective measures to keep my covered appearance up. Hearing the word "forehead" in conversation would make me sweat. I've never felt "beautiful", no matter how well-meaning or sincere the compliment has been said to me. Over my lifetime, I've spent what Must be thousands on extra-strength hairspray. I'm never without my supply of thick headbands or hats, and I've never been comfortable with my photo being taken. Between the time I became cognizant of my large forehead and when I had the skill to carefully cover it, there are virtually no photos of me.
My parents and close friends insist this procedure is unnecessary, but to me that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm sick of requiring an hour to wash, blow-dry and "set" my bangs in hairspray before I leave the house. I'm tired of planning my life around inclement weather. I want to stop walking down grocery story aisles and envying other women's hairlines (!!). I want to push the hair off of my face when I work out. I'd like to wear a helmet and ride a bike. Trimming my bangs every two weeks like clockwork has become rather tedious. I really won't miss nightmares about my hair falling out and exposing my greatest insecurity to the world. I especially want to ditch the pre-teen "helmet hair" hairstyle. I'm ready to no longer feel like a helpless victim of genetics.
Chances are if you're reading this then you feel a similar insecurity as well. You're not alone!! The reviews and users on this site have been enormously helpful in this process, both emotionally and medically. I may be biased, but I think Dr. Aharonov is the best choice out there and I feel extremely privileged to be going to him. I can hardly wait for my big day!!
My goal is to provide as much information about my process as possible. Those who have done so before me have been wonderfully informative and I know have really helped a lot of people. I'll try to post photos from pre-surgery, surgery day, within my two-week recovery, and monthly check-ins.
So far, I've had a great Skype consultation with Dr. Aharonov, started my vitamin regimen (a bit earlier than needed), and booked two weeks off from work to relax and heal. I've been in contact with the office--run by the amazing and sweet Faye (totally lives up to the hype!)--a few times and have had all my questions and concerns answered in a thorough and timely manner. Especially great was the carefully worded doctor's note that safeguarded my privacy to provide my employer with. It's now just a matter of booking the nearby hotel (I'll be driving to the surgery center), meal-planning to make sure my body is properly and happily fueled, and saying goodbye to this "condition" once and for all!!
As you can see in the photos, I'm currently at a full 9cm height. My hope, and the goal of the surgery, is to bring it down to 6cm. Fingers crossed this is confirmed possible in the pre-op appointment (the day before surgery), and becomes reality in the procedure!! My hair is definitely on the thin side and my scalp laxity not-all-that-great, so I'm guessing that's what led to my higher than average quote. As far as I'm concerned, it's worth every penny- and the potential for temporary hair loss!
If you have suggestions, questions, or just want someone to relate to, please feel free to contact me! So far I've been lagging on response times (shoutout bellapeach!) but will download the app to be more plugged in~

10 Days Away!!!
I can hardly wait for the big day. But waiting is pretty much the name of the game right now!
I do have another positive update about Dr. Aharonov's office. A few days ago I received a call from Faye checking in with me and confirming the pre-op instructions and appointment times. The instructions may vary by patient, but it's essentially following a specific set of vitamins, avoiding others (just within the week before surgery), eating healthy, and making sure I have everything setup to facilitate my recovery.
This is what I've put together for the surgery:
- Purchased the recommended vitamins and started the regimen (see pic)
- Booked an AirBnb by the beach for Sunday night, Monday (pre-op appt) night, Tuesday (op day) night, Wednesday (post-op appt) night; leaving Thursday. Airbnb was cheaper than any hotel in that area!
- Purchased an elevated pillow, as recommended by other reviews on here! I love it already https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HHLBKK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Purchased a cooler (to store ice packs at the ready), extra strength alka seltzer (in lieu of ibuprofen, which I normally can't hold down), and a couple cheap scarves to wear when I'm going to and from the surgery center
- Prepped my partner with realistic before and after photos from RealSelf so she knows what to expect!
- Packed books, blankets
And that's about it, I'm ready!

Pre-op appt done! I'm officially set for surgery tomorrow :)
The pre-op appointment takes about an hour, and is of course filled with Faye's sincere kindness and sense of welcoming. Dr. Aharonov's honest assessment of my situation was truly appreciated and put my mind all the more at ease!
Here's what happens:
- Sign a couple forms (nothing crazy, very simple)
- Receive and pay final quote
- Official pre-op with Dr. A, where he goes over similar before/after cases, risks of surgery, the schedule tomorrow, and my potential for lowering
- Receive medical kit (antibacterial rinse, antibiotics, anti-nausea, pain-killer)
- Visit operating room and get final instructions for the next morning!
I'm so excited!! It's really less intimidating then one might think, and So professionally operated. At the same time, I feel like my personal considerations and desires are tended to and that I'm in the best of hands! I don't think Dr. A could be more transparent or honest about expectations. Basically, don't expect to look 100% mark-free until about 6 months down the line. That said, I think months 2-6 just show minor evidence of surgery and compared to what I've been dealing with (all these years) that sounds completely doable!!
Now it's just relaxing, drinking tons of water, eating lots of protein, avoiding excess salt, and getting a good nights rest! No eating after midnight and no creams or products above the eyebrows in the morning. From start to finish, it should be about a 5-hour day! It's then recommended to eat ASAP, prepare pillows for elevated resting, and ice the eyes and neck as much as possible.
This was the advice for my case, and any case could be different, but I want potential patients who feel more comfortable with more info to really see what it's like. I can honestly say I feel great about it and am not even nervous the night before! In my case, I have thin/curly hair, have thin/fair skin, and have a full 9cm of forehead at the present. Dr. A thinks 2.5 to slightly over 3cm can come off! Fingers crossed :) :) :)