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POSTED UNDER Fraxel Repair Reviews

2 Weeks Post!

UPDATED FROM Rebex

2 weeks post now. Still peeling and pink. I blush...

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RebexDecember 9, 2008
WORTH IT$5,200

2 weeks post now. Still peeling and pink. I blush super easily, too. I can feel my face get buring red (and see it) No hiding any emotions anymore.

Humidity is higher, which is helping the dryness. I feel like my skin doesn't absorb moisture very readily, but seems to be improving. Right now the worst is my eyes--still feels like another layer to peel off.

My bleph scars are heeling nicely, but still affected by dry eyes (the worst side effect of it all--I had Lasik 8 years ago and maybe that affects the severity)and occassional significant (to me at least) swelling at night. My eyelashes still feel numb (yes, a side effect) but today were a little sore, so I think the nerve is waking up.

here's pics--note my eye dynamic wrinkles--much smoother I think!

 

Rebex's provider

Cameron Craven, MD, FACS

Cameron Craven, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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UPDATED FROM Rebex

One more thing--except for mascara and blush...

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RebexDecember 9, 2008

One more thing--except for mascara and blush (believe it or not, seems to help with overall look-I'm using a more peachy color but sometimes a light pink highlight looks good on the cheekbones) and lip gloss --- I'm really not wearing make-up. Tried mineral powder over my moisturizer/zinc oxide sunblock and it didn't work out well. With the white over the pink it looked odd.

And the good news is--I don't need any. My skin is beginning to take on a nice texture and glow (maybe that's the pink!).

If you're trying to cover the red with make-up, you may get the same bad result as I did--all my colors were totally off.

Replies (5)

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Rebex
December 9, 2008
thanks--you all are so sweet. hmm--I don't know the specs-I can ask. I'm posting pics in the blog section now and updates...
Boston Girl
December 10, 2008
Looking at your pics I wish I had done an upper upper blepharoplasty at the same time I did the Fraxel:Repair. Can you give a little more info on that procedure such as bruising and how long before they took out stitches and so forth. (Trying to figure out how long I'd need to be out of work before I could go back without the questions.) Thanks for all your answers. Your my blog hero.
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Rebex
December 10, 2008
The bleph was easy--I am glad I did both, not only for results, but for simultaneous downtime (was in the plan-can't be out twice!). I'd say realistically you could go out to lunch with good friends in 5 days. I had mine Monday morning and went to dinner Friday night with friends. I was more self-conscious about my peeling face and dirty hair than my stitches. I came away with a single thread stitch with ends that extended out near each corner (inner and outer) of my eyes about an inch (thin blue thread) and then had tape covering them. The tape fell off Friday morning--hard to keep on with aquaphor and vinegar soaks. My dr. would have preferred it stay on till my week follow up, but hey. I did go to a little get together that Saturday with tape bandaids of my own devising on my eyes--was with a good friend who is recovering from cancer, so she's understanding of looking funny! I had very little bruising--some purple lines along the incisions and some greenish discoloration--mostly it was masked by the tape... A little over 2 weeks post-op the scars are still pinkish-purple and the exit areas are raised bumps--this will resolve in time and is not very noticeable. Here's my biggest hurdle--the dry eyes that accompany the surgery. I'm still using ointment at night and several times a day rest my eyes under a warm washcloth. And use drops. So if you do any close work, like on a computer, you'll need to account for some rest as your eyes get tired. Being outside helps (I think it's focusing on distant things). Also your eyelash line and lids will be numb. It's weird. They cut near a tiny nerve and it takes awhile for it to come back to life. Mine is slightly starting to waken. Some people never get the feeling all the way back. I'm being gentle with the make-up, but you can wear it a week later. Also--be aware your exercise downtime is LONG. First week post (7 days after) my Dr. said I could walk. In the shade. Second week post (14 days after) I've graduated to upright exercise--like jogging and been cleared to ride horses. Will have to wait another week till I can return to yoga (and inversions will have to wait yet another week). Hope this helps. The procedure itself was easy. Under local and felt nothing, although was definitely aware of everything going on up there. :)
FairestOfAll
December 11, 2008
Rebex, Good for you. You look amazing! Thank you for sharing your journey. This definately helps me relax a little more now that i'm getting closer to my journey (Fraxel Repair in January) Which I will post as well.
Boston Girl
December 12, 2008
Rebex -thanks for the detailed explanation on bleph. All the little details do help because I do detailed computer work. I didn't even think about the nerve you mentioned, I just assumed it was skin/fat over the eye. Seems like this is something I could only consider over an extended Thanksgiving break.
UPDATED FROM Rebex

Whew--had a day yesterday that was rough. My eyes...

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RebexNovember 30, 2008

Whew--had a day yesterday that was rough. My eyes were really dry and red and making the swelling feel worse. I had slept the night before without the eye ointment and that was an error.

And the tightness around my eyes wasn't helping with the dryness. So I resorted (on my own devices-not doctor recommended) to my favorite skin product, olive oil. Started with it near my eyes and then just ended up smearing it all over  my face and neck. (I do this anyway--I love it and no, contrary to what you'd think, it clear ups zits rather than creates them and makes skin sooo supple. Some people think it increases hair growth but I don't think so.. digression..)

Then last night put the lacrilube ointment in my eyes and went to bed with a warm cloth on my eyes and woke up today great! Eyes still get tired, but better. And my skin much less red! Olive oil helps with the tightness (I'm still using the Remergent Barrier repair and sunscreen--Blue Lizard is my favorite. I work outside a lot and it holds up through sweat, water, long hours. I  use the one for sensitive skin that is only zinc and titanium oxide, no chemicals. personal preference).

I cancelled a date today, more due to the stitches in my eyesthan anything else, but getting close to date worthy. ha.

And I bet I'll get carded (when I can finally have a glass of vino!)

Replies (5)

Boston Girl
November 30, 2008
Wow, your Day 5 picture looks like my Day 9. The crusting was all over in 4 days and the smooth skin appeared but my face color was intense red. I mean intense until Day 9. I'm very fair skinned Irish decent(= ghost pale)so perhaps it makes a difference in the recovery time or perhaps the contrast between my pale skin and this new skin is just extreme and is visually unsettling. I put makeup on yesterday and went Xmas shopping and didn't scare any small cildren so that's a positive, must be on the road to recovery! Thanks for sharing, very helpful.
annon7777
August 15, 2009
Boston Girl, I am Irish also & just had the fraxle repair yesterday. I am wondering if your face was swollen & distorted with blatant blotches of white & red. I am worried that the blotches of white may be scars. thanks
Boston Girl
August 18, 2009
Hmm...I don't know. Definitely should go back to Dr ASAP if there's anything that seems unusual to you. My face face was more red/purple with these yellow oozes/aquaphor spots that would clean up everytime I used the vinegar rinse. I did have one whitish line on my face that was slightly different but blended overtime. Most Dr. won't charge you anything for post treatment visits especially if you think something is wrong. I know mine doesn't. Call them, you'll feel better that you did. Oh..yeah..there will be areas around your eyes and lips that will be white because the lazer purposefully didn't touch them. But nothing like hat say on my check or forehead.
annon7777
August 22, 2009
Day 8 -- happy to report that all is well with me. Now signs of scarring. Just really red. By the way, what healing creams did you use after you were done w/ aquaphor & vinegar soaks?
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Rebex
November 30, 2008
My skin is pretty fair, and the redness isn't coming out so much in the photos, but yes, I'd imagine you don't have much pigment to cover up the red. And I was red, like Santa Claus red. So happy this is helping -- it is helping me to write about it as well. thanks!!
Wes
November 30, 2008
I believe the age factor plays a signifcant role in the healing process..We may be talking apples and oranges. It is obvious that a 56 year old (my age) will not heal as fast as a 36 year old(girl you look way too good even with the pics to have any surgery)just my 2 cents. Doctors please comment on age and recovery time.... Thank-you
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Dr. Steven Weiner
December 1, 2008
Age certainly plays a difference in healing. Younger people will obviously heal faster because they are usually treated at lower settings, and they generally have healthier skin. I have also noticed long time users of Retin A heal faster (we tell our clients to stop using Retin A 2 weeks prior to the procedure).
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Rebex
December 1, 2008
I also took the VitaMedica vitamins--who knows if it helps, but there's Vitamin A in it, so maybe like the Retin A patients that helps... And I've asked for Diflucan--yes yes yes--after anti-biotics course very helpful. Been through that cycle one to many times. My Dr. prescribed (and I'm about done with all meds) Omnicef and Valtrex. I'm a week out and really look okay. Saw my young god-daughters last night and the 5 yr old asked why my face was orange and I replied it was red and that was the end of it. So passed the 5 yr old test, although still red and puffier than normal.
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