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Hey Real Self community. I'm chronicling my...
Hey Real Self community. I'm chronicling my experience because this site has been invaluable to me and I am grateful for all the people who took time to post their accounts here. I want to contribute more experiential information.
DOCTOR: After consulting with four doctors I decided to go with Dr.Ben Talei for my chin/neck lipo. He was the most personable of the doctors I had consulted with and I found pictures of his results to be impressive. I was looking to get septo-rhinoplasty as well, though I wasn't ready to pull the trigger with him as his work is a little conservative for me. The pictures of his lipo, however, showed dramatic change. He says he approaches chin/neck lipo aggressively and that appealed to me. I felt entirely confident in his abilities.
BACKGROUND: I am a generally thin, fit woman who just turned thirty. The fat in my chin is genetic and makes me look heavier than I am. While I have found it cute, it visually congested my face and I was tired of seeing how it added weight in pictures - that was not so cute. In many pictures my jaw looks defined (a combo of intentional head positioning, makeup contouring, and not having a huge double chin), but there are many where the extra chin fat is apparent and unable to be hidden.
PROCEDURE: Dr.Talei injected my chin and neck area many, many times with a solution that had lidocaine and epinephrin (among other things I cannot recall.) I found the injections to be a high pitched kind of sharp pain that actually worsened with each one. He says it is usually the opposite. Let me add I am a highly sensitive person. My wonderful cousin was there and let me squeeze her hand for each one. This part was not the funnest thing I have ever experienced.
Dr.Talei was casual, not stiff at all. We were all making jokes. I told him the epinephrin was making my heart beat harder and it was making me irritable. (I don't even drink coffee - uppers affect me very intensely and make me uncomfortable.) He offered me a valium, which I accepted and then left for a while as the numbing set in. During this time I did a couple meditations - one of which was a self-hypnosis to relax the body and release any negativity. It was great.
Next, the lipo began. He went through three areas: under either ear and the chin. By this time the valium kicked in. The lipo process was extremely vigorous, but not painful. When entering under the right ear, however, it was sometimes a little painful, like I could feel pressure in my ear. I felt like he was very thorough. We were all talking throughout the whole thing, which I mention to express that it was pretty casual and I was more or less lucid. Afterwards my cousin and I asked a couple questions and Dr.Talei said that if I had any questions to call or text him any time, even at 5am. I told him he needs better boundaries, but truthfully I am comforted knowing I can reach out if I have any concerns. He also wrapped my head with this gauzy thing that will compress the area.
AFTER CARE: I will not be taking the prescribed antibiotics (God willing) - I am interested in holistic and alternative medicine. Dr.Talei preferred that I take antibiotics; noted. I have colloidal silver and oregano oil, which are natural antibiotics. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes. As detailed in the post-op instructions I have vitamin C, bromelain, methylprednisone, percoset, and arnica. I will also be taking several different probiotics and slowly begin my supplement regime again.
PRESENT: It's been four hours since the surgery. I feel good but my right ear is killing me, as if it's bent out of shape and smooshed against my head, but it isn't. My neck is already bruised. I am happy to be feeling generally good, though a little sleepy. After the surgery my cousin and I went to a couple of CVS's before being able to get the percoset prescription and while waiting for it I may have gone to Marshall's and went shopping. So I was feeling good enough to feel shopping, even though I was told to go home and relax all day. Now I'm at home and will do my best to take it easy and nap.
I've taken my time in writing this and I want to update that my right ear feels a little better. I am feeling more and more sleepy. Feeling generally sore but am not in a lot of pain. I took one percoset two hours ago.
PICTURES: Full disclosure, I edited the color and *only* the color of all of these pics because I want to maintain my privacy.
DOCTOR: After consulting with four doctors I decided to go with Dr.Ben Talei for my chin/neck lipo. He was the most personable of the doctors I had consulted with and I found pictures of his results to be impressive. I was looking to get septo-rhinoplasty as well, though I wasn't ready to pull the trigger with him as his work is a little conservative for me. The pictures of his lipo, however, showed dramatic change. He says he approaches chin/neck lipo aggressively and that appealed to me. I felt entirely confident in his abilities.
BACKGROUND: I am a generally thin, fit woman who just turned thirty. The fat in my chin is genetic and makes me look heavier than I am. While I have found it cute, it visually congested my face and I was tired of seeing how it added weight in pictures - that was not so cute. In many pictures my jaw looks defined (a combo of intentional head positioning, makeup contouring, and not having a huge double chin), but there are many where the extra chin fat is apparent and unable to be hidden.
PROCEDURE: Dr.Talei injected my chin and neck area many, many times with a solution that had lidocaine and epinephrin (among other things I cannot recall.) I found the injections to be a high pitched kind of sharp pain that actually worsened with each one. He says it is usually the opposite. Let me add I am a highly sensitive person. My wonderful cousin was there and let me squeeze her hand for each one. This part was not the funnest thing I have ever experienced.
Dr.Talei was casual, not stiff at all. We were all making jokes. I told him the epinephrin was making my heart beat harder and it was making me irritable. (I don't even drink coffee - uppers affect me very intensely and make me uncomfortable.) He offered me a valium, which I accepted and then left for a while as the numbing set in. During this time I did a couple meditations - one of which was a self-hypnosis to relax the body and release any negativity. It was great.
Next, the lipo began. He went through three areas: under either ear and the chin. By this time the valium kicked in. The lipo process was extremely vigorous, but not painful. When entering under the right ear, however, it was sometimes a little painful, like I could feel pressure in my ear. I felt like he was very thorough. We were all talking throughout the whole thing, which I mention to express that it was pretty casual and I was more or less lucid. Afterwards my cousin and I asked a couple questions and Dr.Talei said that if I had any questions to call or text him any time, even at 5am. I told him he needs better boundaries, but truthfully I am comforted knowing I can reach out if I have any concerns. He also wrapped my head with this gauzy thing that will compress the area.
AFTER CARE: I will not be taking the prescribed antibiotics (God willing) - I am interested in holistic and alternative medicine. Dr.Talei preferred that I take antibiotics; noted. I have colloidal silver and oregano oil, which are natural antibiotics. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes. As detailed in the post-op instructions I have vitamin C, bromelain, methylprednisone, percoset, and arnica. I will also be taking several different probiotics and slowly begin my supplement regime again.
PRESENT: It's been four hours since the surgery. I feel good but my right ear is killing me, as if it's bent out of shape and smooshed against my head, but it isn't. My neck is already bruised. I am happy to be feeling generally good, though a little sleepy. After the surgery my cousin and I went to a couple of CVS's before being able to get the percoset prescription and while waiting for it I may have gone to Marshall's and went shopping. So I was feeling good enough to feel shopping, even though I was told to go home and relax all day. Now I'm at home and will do my best to take it easy and nap.
I've taken my time in writing this and I want to update that my right ear feels a little better. I am feeling more and more sleepy. Feeling generally sore but am not in a lot of pain. I took one percoset two hours ago.
PICTURES: Full disclosure, I edited the color and *only* the color of all of these pics because I want to maintain my privacy.
Day Two: So far pretty chill
Today was not bad. As far as pain goes I felt soreness, especially on the right side of my neck and also just under my chin. I took a percocet, and no complaints. I was able to take a walk to cvs to pick up some nitrile gloves, so I was feeling pretty active, though I managed to stay home otherwise. I tried to rest, but that can be boring. It's like, there's only so much I can do right now because the reality of this momentous thing I put my body through, but part of me feels good enough that I want to be busy and it's wrestling with the part of me that wants to continue watching Netflix.
POST-OP CARE: Post op instructions for day 2 say to take the bandage off, cleanse the area and apply bacitracin to the wounds. I wasn't sure what 'cleanse' meant - cetaphil and water? just water? hydrogen peroxide? maybe a colloidal silver compress? - so I called the office (twice) and waited about 3 minutes each time - no answer. I will say, that has largely been my experience with trying to reach his office and it is annoying. I texted Dr.Talei. About an hour later I tried the office again and reached someone. I asked her if she could clarify what "cleanse the area" means and she said flatly, "It means clean the area." I wish I had an emoji to adequately express my bewilderment. Thank you Oxford, if only the words were more closely related I could have guessed that 'cleanse' means 'to clean.' I asked her specifically how to do it and she said 'clean it like you clean your face and don't use the hydrogen peroxide.' A side note, on the instructions they give the patient it says 'Do Not Google your questions, always call the office!' Frankly, google has been a better resource so far. Dr.Talei did text back not too long after.
Cleaning the wound, applying bacitracin and reapplying the bandage was fine. I did this 3 times today. However, I cannot tell if I have wrapped the bandage too tight. It's really uncomfortable. Is that because of the nature of the swelling or because I wrapped too tight? And what is the consequence of wrapping too tightly? I think I wouldn't be experiencing some of this pain right now if I hadn't wrapped it this tightly-- real time update I just rewrapped it and am more comfortable. I am still experiencing pain (or a good amount of discomfort) though and I may take a percocet if the pain keeps me from sleeping; if I do, it will be the second one I have taken today.
The chin area is largely numb to the touch. And the area has begun to itch. The incision site under the chin is looking fine though and I hope it will continue to heal up swiftly with this bacitracin.
I have continued taking the medrol, liposomal vitamin C, arnica, bromelain, and colloidal silver. I ice it every now and then. I've eaten vegetable soup with fat from bone marrow that I made last night, green juice, and this coconut oil peanut butter fat bomb that is insanely yummy but a little hard to eat because I keep it in the freezer and chewing hurts. Yeah, chewing hurts! I don't know why my teeth feel like this, perhaps with this bandage compressing my head it is making me clench my teeth and I am unaware of it until I go to chew something.
Well, day 2 down and I am very grateful that this experience so far has been both smooth and interesting. I pray I will continue to heal swiftly. And if you have any good vibes you want to send my way, leave 'em in the comments. Good night, all.
POST-OP CARE: Post op instructions for day 2 say to take the bandage off, cleanse the area and apply bacitracin to the wounds. I wasn't sure what 'cleanse' meant - cetaphil and water? just water? hydrogen peroxide? maybe a colloidal silver compress? - so I called the office (twice) and waited about 3 minutes each time - no answer. I will say, that has largely been my experience with trying to reach his office and it is annoying. I texted Dr.Talei. About an hour later I tried the office again and reached someone. I asked her if she could clarify what "cleanse the area" means and she said flatly, "It means clean the area." I wish I had an emoji to adequately express my bewilderment. Thank you Oxford, if only the words were more closely related I could have guessed that 'cleanse' means 'to clean.' I asked her specifically how to do it and she said 'clean it like you clean your face and don't use the hydrogen peroxide.' A side note, on the instructions they give the patient it says 'Do Not Google your questions, always call the office!' Frankly, google has been a better resource so far. Dr.Talei did text back not too long after.
Cleaning the wound, applying bacitracin and reapplying the bandage was fine. I did this 3 times today. However, I cannot tell if I have wrapped the bandage too tight. It's really uncomfortable. Is that because of the nature of the swelling or because I wrapped too tight? And what is the consequence of wrapping too tightly? I think I wouldn't be experiencing some of this pain right now if I hadn't wrapped it this tightly-- real time update I just rewrapped it and am more comfortable. I am still experiencing pain (or a good amount of discomfort) though and I may take a percocet if the pain keeps me from sleeping; if I do, it will be the second one I have taken today.
The chin area is largely numb to the touch. And the area has begun to itch. The incision site under the chin is looking fine though and I hope it will continue to heal up swiftly with this bacitracin.
I have continued taking the medrol, liposomal vitamin C, arnica, bromelain, and colloidal silver. I ice it every now and then. I've eaten vegetable soup with fat from bone marrow that I made last night, green juice, and this coconut oil peanut butter fat bomb that is insanely yummy but a little hard to eat because I keep it in the freezer and chewing hurts. Yeah, chewing hurts! I don't know why my teeth feel like this, perhaps with this bandage compressing my head it is making me clench my teeth and I am unaware of it until I go to chew something.
Well, day 2 down and I am very grateful that this experience so far has been both smooth and interesting. I pray I will continue to heal swiftly. And if you have any good vibes you want to send my way, leave 'em in the comments. Good night, all.
Day 3: Still Chill
Today I was more tired than yesterday. (I did not end up taking that percocet last night, btw.) It was a very relaxed day, no complaints. I keep going to bed past midnight, which I know doesn't help the healing. I'm a night owl and it's frustrating how hard it is to get myself to bed at a good hour. It's 11:53pm now. Oh well, I can try again tomorrow haha.
The chin and neck area look better today than yesterday. I am surprised because I usually bruise like a [RS bleep] but the bruising has been minimal, maybe because of the medrol, arnica and bromelain. Probably largely because of the medrol. Also I have been applying something called Inflamyar to the neck a couple times a day too (not to the incision sites.) I believe it has helped with the tenderness. Icing has been great too. I read you are only supposed to ice an area for up to 72 hours. Is this true? Does this mean I can't keep icing it for 20 minutes like every 5 or 6 hours? I feel like I've been doing it pretty sparingly enough that it wouldn't be detrimental to continue.
CLEANING: The bandage has had some blood on it every time I have cleaned it, particularly from the chin site. And there was a little yellow there too. I'm going to reserve freaking out for when it seems more dire. So far this seems like it's par for the course.
I took a shower tonight (finally.) I had been worried about the water hitting the incisions and the tender area of my neck so I'd been avoiding it. Turns out it was fine and very nice. I then let the area dry completely, applied the bacitracin and rewrapped the bandage.
PAIN: Today the pain was minimal, more like discomfort. I did not take any percocet. My right neck and shoulder hurts every now and then and when it does I ice it and it improves.
PICS: You can see the area looks a little 'baggy.' This doesn't concern me. I feel like I'll give it at least 3 months before I have an opinion on the outcome due to the swelling and the healing process.
I hope this is helpful and informative. At the very least, know that you aren't alone in your experience. Good night, all. <3
The chin and neck area look better today than yesterday. I am surprised because I usually bruise like a [RS bleep] but the bruising has been minimal, maybe because of the medrol, arnica and bromelain. Probably largely because of the medrol. Also I have been applying something called Inflamyar to the neck a couple times a day too (not to the incision sites.) I believe it has helped with the tenderness. Icing has been great too. I read you are only supposed to ice an area for up to 72 hours. Is this true? Does this mean I can't keep icing it for 20 minutes like every 5 or 6 hours? I feel like I've been doing it pretty sparingly enough that it wouldn't be detrimental to continue.
CLEANING: The bandage has had some blood on it every time I have cleaned it, particularly from the chin site. And there was a little yellow there too. I'm going to reserve freaking out for when it seems more dire. So far this seems like it's par for the course.
I took a shower tonight (finally.) I had been worried about the water hitting the incisions and the tender area of my neck so I'd been avoiding it. Turns out it was fine and very nice. I then let the area dry completely, applied the bacitracin and rewrapped the bandage.
PAIN: Today the pain was minimal, more like discomfort. I did not take any percocet. My right neck and shoulder hurts every now and then and when it does I ice it and it improves.
PICS: You can see the area looks a little 'baggy.' This doesn't concern me. I feel like I'll give it at least 3 months before I have an opinion on the outcome due to the swelling and the healing process.
I hope this is helpful and informative. At the very least, know that you aren't alone in your experience. Good night, all. <3
Provider Review
I'm not ready to make an overall review; I am writing this on the day of the procedure. So far so good. I hope I can update this section later as more time goes by!