Female 41 Years - London, GB

Hair lowering diary

Hi, this is a long post but I've been constantly reading people's posts and like to hear all experiences etc as its a massive step for any of us to take and I wanted to read as much as I could to get a true picture. I will be posting photos but this is my diary and feeling so far X

Originally I wanted to go to the best surgeon for this procedure and that's dr Kabaker in Los Angeles but for me it wasn't an option to travel there so for 6 years I've been researching for a surgeon in the uk that was capable and familiar with this procedure, many said they could do it but for me I wanted someone who does it weekly (at least) not few a year as we're talking about your face, you can't hide it if it's wrong!! Finally after many appointments and loss of deposits I found my surgeon Dr Chris Inglefield :-)

This Thursday I arrived at Queen Anne medical centre in London at 7.30am bricking it. A very caring Nurse took me through and explained all, i was very teary and scared stiff as never had any form of surgery before. The anaesthetist then came in and talked me through what she was going to do and ask if I had any questions, I realed loads off lol and she had all the time in the world to assist, I felt very comfortable with her and knew I was in safe hands. Then dr Chris inglefield came in he greeted my mum who was there every step with me and came over and hugged me, he sat cuddling me and holding my hand, he is soooo caring and really does have the patients best interest at heart. He spoke of every step of the procedure and drew the previously agreed hairline and discussed any alterations, all was done and again my questions rolled off my tongue again, the day before my procedure I was eating breakfast and put This Morning on to find a doctor and patient sitting and a phone in.........OMG was it a sign as it was about people waking on the operating table or paralysed so we're unable to let them know they could feel everything!!! This was a a massive scare of mine like anyone's dr Inglefields reply was............yes that could happen but not in this case as id be having a deeper level of annithecia which you will definitely not be waking from. Well time had come and I went into theatre, thought we were having a party as there were 9 lovely caring assistants to assist Dr Inglefield, through my tears I new I was safe. As I laid down Dr Inglefield came in and gently held my shoulders and explains that all will be fine and that I'm safe, I cannot tell you what a fantastic surgeon he is. I felt the wave of drug working round my body wow what a lovely feeling and before I knew it, it was done. I'm now in recovery and apparently mum and dad have been here twice and sent away as they couldn't wake me lol they had obviously given me lots of anethesia lol I was drowsy very pale mum said I looked like Frankensteins bride........great!!! we eventually left the hospital at 6pm, we stayed at a hotel round the corner as I wanted to be close incase I had any problems. 

Well first night I had NO sleep the drugs had worn off and firstly sleeping completely upright is strange so clock watching every 10 minutes, it was a long night it got to 2am and I needed honey for my thoat it was very dry from the tube and at 3.10am I needed ice pack for my head but reception were closed and nothing to be found without waking mum and asking her to traipse the streets looking for an all night convenience store........mmmm so next best thing, we had a fridge so not the best but I borrowed the coke cans and placed them on my head. Day after surgery we came home on train at 1pm wore a trilby hat, definitely suggest that as you would feel to constricted with a beanie or bobble you need something that gently covers but doesn't touch the front of head as you don't want any pressure a silk scarf or something light would be ok I just felt frumpy lol anyway I'm drugged up I've got so many pills to take! I've actually had to date and time all of the boxes and tick them when I've taken them as you get so confused but they all help but they do make you feel drowsy. Mum and dad said the stitching and hairline looks very neat and I will be happy. Your probably thinking same as I was how painful is it? How does it feel? Well I'm shocked really I had read so many bad effects that I'd imagined the worst which isn't a bad thing as your prepared but for me it's not as bad as I thought, but it's still early days, I wouldn't say I have had bad pain it's been more of headache pain and uncomfortable and my worst part is the temples they are very very tender but bearable the painkillers help, 

I must say I haven't had to use the extra strong painkillers the hospital gave me I've been ok with paracetamol, so that says a lot, I'm lucky as its now just over 2 days since surgery and I haven't had any bruising or swelling (that my mum, dad and partner have said) I haven't looked at myself yet!! It still feels like a strong headache And i think the nerves are trying to connect or somethings happening as every few hours or so I keep getting a sensation odd places like a slim snake sliding across sections of the top of my head or a drop of water dripping down the side of temples or another sensation is when your recovering from pins and needles, these only come randomly for about 4 seconds a time but again early stages, people have said that the itching can be really frustrating (something to look forward to! ) oh the one thing that I really don't like is the touch of the top of your head, everyone said it will be numb with no feeling, well that's what I expected, or maybe I didn't imagine how it felt but I would describe it as yes numb but when you touch it it feels no word of a lie like a plaster cast like when you brake a bone it feels heavy and very thick and horrible, it doesn't hurt as you can't feel anything but I'm hoping the feeling won't be upto 2 years as surgeons have said. mums coming over today to wash my hair for the first time, I'm dreading it as my left temple is sooo tender but I've been told to wash it today. Also I forgot to mention they recommend manual lymphatic drainage before the operation to clear the body from toxins and it makes it easier for surgery, Dr inglefield includes 3 of these in your surgery costs but I also had my own treatments locally to me for convenience I had 3 the week leading upto it and I believe it really has helped so definitely do that if you go ahead with this procedure. Also forgot to say you have contact number 24/7 for the nurse and although I haven't used it they have called me on first night, and twice yesterday to see how I am, I'm surprised by there aftercare I couldn't ask for more. Hope this section has helped and I'll update soon xx