Dream come true - this procedure changed my entire life

Like most, I have struggled with having a large forehead most of my life. I really started noticing it in 2nd grade but of course my mom didn't think so and would pull my hair back and up out of my face. Once I had autonomy over my hair I have never not worn a full or side bang or swoop. Hats and scarves are a must. I have never swam without a scarf and wind is definitely kryptonite. A fellow big forehead friend had hair transplants several years ago and I looked into it but thankfully didn't qualify because I keloid. Looking back, I'm so glad I didn't qualify especially with the uncertainty of the procedure and the number of grafts I needed. The procedure didn't work for my friend either. Fast forward 5 years later, I saw the viral Tik Tok of the girl that had her forehead reduction and honestly I was NOT impressed with her results. The scar was prominent and her forehead still looked big so I kept it moving. A month ago I was just sitting around thinking of my next hair style knowing that it was going to be the SAME side part swoop and was pissed that I am so insecure with my forehead that I refuse to do anything else, so I decided to google forehead reduction. I found a doctor in Beverly Hills and scrolled through his Instagram and really liked this results but there were very few. Eyebrows seems to be his specialty. I then started searching hashtags and that's when I found Dr. Gal. I saw 100x more before and afters on his page and website than anyone else. After all of these years of being insecure I was resigned to the fact that I was going to have to wear bangs forever. After looking at Dr. Gal's work I felt like his technique was impeccable and he's truly an artist. I sent pictures on a Saturday. Faye responded Sunday. I set my consultation for Monday. Dr. Gal was very personable and answered all of my questions. His years of experience and knowledge were exhibited effortlessly. I didn't sense any arrogance, only confidence in his abilities. I asked to see other black women who have had the procedure and he had plenty of examples, which was great! He told me I was a candidate and the next day I paid the deposit. I was offered a date in April and May. Only due to my professional obligations did I choose the May date, otherwise I would have been getting it done next Thursday lol. I have no doubts that Dr. A is going to change my life for the better. I didn't bother looking at other doctors and although his fee is higher than any other doctor out there, I would never let cost be the reason I choose a less qualified or experienced doctor. I am paying $12,500.00 for anyone wondering.
Faye has been amazing as well. She ordered all of my prescriptions (except the narcotic) beforehand as I am traveling from out of state. I am really nervous about the anesthesia because I have not gone under since I was 5 and I don't really remember that but it's still a scary thought. I was told it is twilight sedation which is safer than general anesthesia. I talked to Faye about it and she was comforting and encouraged me to schedule another meeting with Dr. A. I also reached out to a couple of the ladies here who had their surgery with Dr. A and that gave me comfort as well.
I already purchased Arnica (which I will start taking one week before) all of the vitamins recommended by Dr. A (C, zinc, biotin, alpha lipoic acid) in addition to taking a multivitamin, iron, and elderberry. I started taking all of those at the beginning of this month. I used to take Silica which is great for strengthening the hair, so I'm going to start taking those again as well.
I'm wondering if I need a wedge pillow or if the ones I have at the hotel will suffice. Please let me know if you purchased one that is small enough to travel with but still effective. We are flying in on Wednesday for Pre-op and flying home on Friday after post-op. We are then flying back the following Wednesday to have my stitches removed. I just don't trust anyone other than Dr. A to remove the stitches. I'm soooo excited and cannot wait. If there's anything that helped anyone during any part of the surgery, please let me know. I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible. I am currently 9.5 cm and I would love to have 3.5 cm taken off. Of course Dr. A can't promise anything but I'm hopeful that he can get me close to that number without compromising the integrity of his work and my forehead. I will keep you all updated as I have read almost every review which has given me great insight. Come on 5/13, I'm ready for you!!!

Yesterday Ms. Faye called to check on me and to remind me of some things I needed to bring to the appointment, which was really nice and unexpected. Today was my pre-op with Dr. Gal. I met with Ms. Faye and she showed me the surgery center, gave me the prescription for the Percocet and walked me down to the pharmacy to fill it.
Afterwards I went to Dr. Gal to talk about my desires for the surgery. Let me just say, I thought I would walk in and show him where I wanted to have my new hairline and he would say yes. We would take pictures and I would be out of there. NOPE!! Lol. I told him I wanted 3.5 cm off and his immediate response was, “that’s way too low”. I couldn’t believe it lol. I’ve read so many times that a face should be split into thirds and in order for my face to be proportionate, that I needed 3.5 cm off to bring my face into balance. Dr. A said the “thirds theory” is a misnomer. He said for those that are not happy with the results, 99% of the dissatisfaction with the surgery is that the hairline was too low. He said he would never go past the line that both he and the patient agrees to. He wants everyone to be happy but he understands that what he sees as perfection may look completely different in the eyes of his patient. He shared a couple of stories with me regarding patients wanting revisions immediately after the reveal because it was too low. To date, Dr. A said he has done approximately 4,000 surgeries. I believe he’s the best at the surgery but I was convinced he was wrong. He told me to think about it tonight and we will revisit tomorrow. He also mentioned that the whole conversation may be moot because he may only be able to move it an inch because I have a big head and sometimes that’s the best he can do. We took before photos and I signed paperwork. He answered all of my questions. He was kind, personable and patient. He’s also very honest and extremely genuine in his responses.
We did discuss hair loss and he said that he has had patients with temporary loss and he actually doesn’t suggest Rogaine because sometimes it can cause the loss to be worse. I asked about keloids, in the event it happens and he said kenalog would be the thing to do ASAP. I asked if the vitamins will help the recovery process and he said he’s not sure but he started suggesting it for his patients about 8-9 years ago because if he had surgery, that is what he will take.
After the meeting with Dr. Gal, Ms. Faye went over the prescriptions and their uses and instructions for tomorrow (wash hair with Hibiclens, no lotion etc.) I spoke with my husband and mom and they both agreed that 3.5 is too much and they like the position that Dr. A is suggesting. The reviews here keep playing in the back of my head too that you should listen to the doctor. I’m afraid of waking up and my forehead is still huge but I’m paying a premium to have the best doctor and I truly trust his opinion. Because of my receding hairline, he said he would like to reshape my hairline which will be lower than an inch on the sides. I am going to listen to the most important people in my life and Dr. A’s opinion regarding the position. I’m feeling nervous but excited. I’ll post pics once the bandages are removed. Surgery is scheduled for 7 a.m. tomorrow.

Yea, I definitely underestimated the pain I would be in :(. Quick update. I arrived at 6:50 a.m and I was taken back immediately to change. The nurse came in to give me paperwork. The anesthesiologist came in and answered my question. She tried to start an IV in my arm but it wasn’t a good site. It was then put in my hand. Dr. A came in and we discussed the position. He felt like getting the receding parts down would be the best option down and that would be 4cm. The center he felt shouldn’t be lowered a full inch because it would make my forehead look masculine. I didn’t want that so we ended up meeting in the middle. To my surprise, he shaved the front of my hair since it would be cut off anyway revealing the new thicker hairline. I knew there was no turning back because I looked like Fire Marshall Bill hahaha (In Living Color reference). He sectioned my hair off and left. A couple minutes later I was taken back to the OR. I was given the sedation medication. I told Dr. A to go with his suggestion. The last question the anesthesiologist asked me was who do I work for. I woke up on the other side of OR with my nurse. I remember I kept touching the back of my head because it hurt so bad. Nurse told me it went well and she was waiting on my husband.
I took the Percocet back at the hotel and it didn’t feel like it was working. I fell asleep eventually but woke up from the pain. Now my temples are hurting really really bad. I’m waiting for Dr. A to finish his surgeries so that he can call me to discuss if there’s anything I can do. Tomorrow is post op. I’m going to try to rest some more. Oh, I’ve been icing my neck because it’s swollen on the left side. My face doesn’t hurt but I’m icing that now.