Forehead Reduction Sydney 2019

Not sure why my photos did not upload but here they are. I added in a dotted line to show where the scar is and where new hair is growing. I wanted to get my hairline starting at where my forehead protrudes. I didn't want to go too low as l wanted it to be in line with the rest of my features. Dr Martinick was really good at listening to what l wanted.

It has been 2 weeks and l couldn't be more happier with the results. Here's a summary of how it's been so far:

- Have 80% of feeling in my forehead
- Was still sleeping on my back with the travel pillow under my neck for 2 weeks - highly recommend this so you don't irritate the area
- Had been applying aqueous cream to the scabby areas (area cleared after 12 days) - do this! It will help soften them and get rid of them
- Have been using bepathen cream morning and night - please use this!! It has healed my scar so quickly.
- Scar: Almost invisible on the left side but still a little bruised in the middle. But l can see that it will be almost invisible in 3months time!

Hairloss
- thought to dedicate a section as this is what l was worried about before undergoing surgery

- Only had a little on the right side where the incision cuts into my hair (0.5cm into the hair)
- l've seen images/procedures where they make an incision across your forehead and a line going into your hair on either side. I think because my procedure was simple, with just a line going across, l didn't disrupt the nerves around my hair which is probably why l don't have patches of hairloss around the sides of my head
- Hardly experienced any other hairloss! I'm happy about having a little as they say in the notes that initial shockloss is a normal and good sign as it is just from the surgery which most likely would be the only hairloss that you would experience. They do say it does happen from week 4 onwards so keep an eye out during this time for excessive loss
- l have new hair growing where there was a little gap on the right side which is good :) the shockloss didn't last for long and l can see little hairs growing through the scar!

What have l been doing to prevent further shock loss:

I believe the following has really helped me so far with not having shockloss. Will be different for everyone but here are my thoughts:

- No to Hair-A-Gain/Rogaine: l did not apply this even though they advised me to. From my research it is part of the process for your hair to fall out when you apply this, with hair growing back 2-3months later. I did not want to take any chances and decided to it another way. As l thought my hair will grow back naturally in the first couple of weeks anyways. Sometimes it's better to just be patient. I think use this once you see excessive hairloss.
- Biotin & Zinc: l believe this has helped me tremendously. My hair around my hair line is growing and the ends of my hair have been growing pretty quickly too. I've never had my hair grow this fast.
- Water: l drink 2.5L of water every day and feel this has helped with my hair growth and overall healing time
- Be gentle!: I haven't put direct heat around my hairline and have been lightly brushing my hair. Even when l wash my hair l try not to pull or be rough with my hair
- Opalex: l've been using this and it has made a difference in detangling my hair ( making it easier to brush, thus not pulling my hair from my hairline). I also think it has helped with hair growth
- Massages: l have been lightly massaging the top of my scalp which l feel has helped and keeps me relaxed
- Positive Affirmations: l have been saying positive affirmations everyday about quick healing and hair growth to help me stay positive and know that l will not experience shockloss and new hair will grow in quickly. I think this is important because stress can cause hair to fall out even when you haven't had surgery. Stay positive and know your body will listen to you. I also prevented myself to look up posts about shockloss online as this can feed into your negative thoughts. I think look up positive results and know you will have the same, great result
- Healthy diet: l have been on a high protein intake for healing and ensuring this stimulates new hair growth

To cover up:
- Have been using concealer for the parts that are bruised and have styled my fringe so it covers the scar - no one has noticed anything! :)
- Order this if you do have shockloss or just as a precaution. It will blend into your hair: Color Wow Root Cover Up


Will post again at the 1 Month mark with updates :) l will be better at answering questions x

So sorry for the late update. Here is a summary of how the 9 days that l had stitches it went:

- Felt very tired since being on the post op meds given
- Took the entire week off work and was bed bound - l would suggest doing this as l think me resting and not moving much/putting strain on the stitches helped the healing time later
- After day 2 l did not take any panadol, l was lucky that l did not experience any headaches
- Had no feeling in my forehead and the last stitches on either side was a little painful (meaning l had twitches here and there)
- Had no bruising under my eyes or forehead, just along the incision
- I used a travel pillow and slept on my back - had no side effects. They do advise to sleep upright as this can cause bruising and affect healing time but l was ok
- Washed my hair (using detol wash around the stitches and the top of my head and normal shampoo on the ends of my hair) and took the bandage off on day 3
- Did not blowdry my hair just let it airdry
- Used Aqua cream given to soften the scabs as l did have a little build up of bleeding in some parts of the stitches
- Day 9: Went in to get the stitches out. You don't feel anything - plus you forehead is numb anyways haha

Overall: 1st week of recovery was a breeze! There was hardly any pain and the numbness isn't that bad. You get use to it ;)

Result: 2cm taken off