36 Yrs, Forehead Lift, Lower Bleph., and Breast Augmentation

Today is week 3 and 4 days. Around my eyes the skin still feels tight especially when it's dry. I am still numb on my forehead in a vertical strip slightly off center to the right. I also seem to be a little swollen too. I can raise my eyebrows the same as before.
The scar on my scalp is heeling. It's not to bad just above my ears. Must tender along the hairline on the top (the scar is too). I believe this will improve as the scar heals.
I have had some hair loss probably from the scar area.
The scars on my lower lids are getting better, my right is healing much quicker than the left. I'm now (week 3) using a little scar cream on the crows feet part of the scars. I need to pick up some vitamin E oil. I've also lost some eye lashes which does not help especially when I can't wear mascara. I hardly ever not wear mascara!
I can't wait to start wearing makeup, I'm not yet but patiently waiting. I would hate to get an infection. My skin is breaking out pretty bad on my forehead, more so than I typically do. I have been lacking on my regular cleansing especially the first two weeks.
Squinting feels a little strange because some of the numbness & tightness. But it is getting better especially in the past few days.
I'm not sleeping quite as elevated, tried sleeping on my side but woke up with my eye scar tender. Most of the time it's the head scars that will hurt a little if I rest to much head weight on them. Thank goodness I'm a back sleeper most of the time.
The most strange thing is that my right lower eyelid keeps twitching! I think this is due to stress (work) and not taking my supplements (starting back on hem tonight). Much more noticeable with the tighter skin. Still no regrets!

I found a "before" picture but the quality is not great. I can tell a big difference with the the hooded eyelid (top) and the shape of my eyes.

After researching plastic surgeons I met with Dr. Tholen at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery for a consultation for Breast Augmentation and knew he was the Dr. for me. A year later I revisited Dr. Tholen, still had the same confidence that he was the surgeon for me. I spent the year obsessed with reading reviews on RealSelf. I decided at my second consultation to ask about blepharoplasty for both my lower and upper (hooded) eyes. He recommended lower blepharoplasty and to my surprise a forehead lift. I thought it over, booked the surgery, after three days of consideration I confirmed to do all three.

Day of Surgery: (17 days ago)
Four weeks later I had to arrive at the surgery center by 7:00am, surgery at 8:00am. Prepped for surgery, chatted with my DR, confirmed breast size, shaved a line on my scalp then walked to the operating room, climbed onto the table, the nurses covered me with a super warm blanket and out I went. Surgery took about 4 hours.

I don't remember much when I woke, I was very tired and I had very low blood pressure which caused me to faint when I tried to move from the bed to the wheelchair. Felt okay once home. My forehead was numb, Head fully wrapped. I drank water, ate apple sauce and tried to eat crackers took my meds and took a nap. Husband woke me up every 3-4 hours to take my meds. I would say about a 4-5 on the pain scale. Much more discomfort with my head than my chest. I think I had about 40 staples in my scalp running from ear to ear. This was uncomfortable sleeping if my head turned to the side (putting pressure on the staples). I had a drain in my head to decrease bruising and my eyes were swollen and crusty from the stitches making my vision a little blurry.

Day1:
I had to return to the Dr office to have the drain removed at 10:00. This was nice to have a follow up so soon so we could ask questions. I had gotten sick once the night prior when I refused to take the anti nausea med. after taking the anti nausea med I was fine and only needed to take a ½ dose, stopped taking it by the end of day 1.
The removal of the drain hurt but it was quick. I spent the rest of the day/night with a cycle of sleeping for 3 hours, waking to pee & take meds & eat.
Pain was still tolerable 4-5. It was more pressure/stiffness and tensions headaches. Much more pain in my right then left. I was concerned with blood clots (no actual medical issues) so I wore compression socks and got up every 4-6 hours to walk to the bathroom.

Day2
Another morning trip to the Dr. Office to have the head bandages removed and my hair washed. This was a little uncomfortable because we hit the end of morning rush hour. Had a long wait at the Dr. office, quick visit with the Dr. Removed the head bandage, got the a-okay. Had a nurse wash my hair which hurt a little but felt good to have it clean. Still felt tired and out of it due to the meds.

Day3:
Starting to feel a little better. Moving around on my own. Head staples are tender but still numb forehead, face is pretty swollen breasts are too. Some light yellow bruising under my eyes.
Since my “job” is to allow my body all of its energy to heal I fully utilized my husbands 5 full days of taking care of me. Ate healthy meals of veggies and protein, low sugar, low sodium and lots of water (I think the meds made me thirsty). For the first 4-5 days I was having pain in my temple from chewing. Sore jaw muscles/tension from the head sutures. I think I was noticing much more of the pain & discomfort associated with the BA. Took a shower today, used a handheld shower sprayer which made it easier.

Day5:
Husband is back to work. I'm able to set my alarm and administer my own meds. Done with the anti-inflammatory & anti-biotic, reduced pain killers & muscle relaxer to ½ a pill per dose. My face looks strange with the swelling, my cheeks are also swollen. My forehead is bigger. Very minimal bruising, slight yellow under eyes. No bruising on chest. A read line appeared on my right upper lid (like eyeliner). Just my body's way of healing. Eye sutures are crusty which is hard to resist picking, waiting for stitches to dissolve. Applying an ointment helps. Ice feels good on my head/staples and chest.

Day 7:
Tried to work in the computer knowing I have to work from home for the next two days. Not very successful. Mousing and typing seemed to hurt my right boob. Tension headache and aggravated back pain. From the tightness and sleeping on my back my upper back is in pain. I have been sleeping pretty elevated (30% incline?) trying to get the swelling down. I have to sleep with my head straight too. Using a rolled up hand towel around my neck helps. I have tried 5 different pillows to get the best support (feather pillow wins). I have to sleep elevated for 3 weeks to reduce swelling. Every day is better than the last.

Day9:
Another Dr. Visit this morning. I have to drive myself, first time driving since surgery. I'm a little nervous in part because of movement restrictions and not wanting to be on meds! Took two extra strength Tylenol on my way (30 minute drive) to get the staples removed. The nurse, Tracy, was great in answering all of my questions. She removed the staples- painless! Forehead is still numb. Finally feeling a little more energy today. Went to the grocery store too. Working on the computer was much better yesterday and today. It felt good to focus on something else. I took lots of breaks. Including a 3hr nap yesterday.

Day 12:
Back to the office. Tough day. Tired and lots of right boob pain. Some tension headaches but very management with one dose of extra strength Tylenol (no muscle relaxers until bedtime).

Day:16
Still can see my scars on my lower eye lids but healing well. I've worn my glasses all week to try and hide it. Luckily I didn't see many coworkers this week.
Pain is very manageable. Not taking anything. Head is tender along the scar, little scabs are flaking off. I really don't touch it. Very lightly brushing with a hairbrush once a day will release the scabs.

So far I am happy with the results, very subtle. I think all of the stitches have dissolved. In 4 days it it will be 3 weeks from surgery. I can then start using scar cream.