65 Year Old, Caucasian Female First Time Doing Ablative Face Procedure

With combination of excitement and concern, my procedure is tomorrow with Dr. Jodie Reinertson of Cosmedic in Seattle. She has been my go-to skin doc for all injections (Botox, fillers) and all non ablative treatments (IPL, Viora) over nearly a decade. Planning on Halo and BBL tomorrow. Have arranged up to 5 days off work in case I look like walking dead post op. Started antibiotics, anti viral and prednisone today. I am a bruiser, swell easily and slow healer so I have stopped alcohol one week prior, limited salt and sugar, started on arnica and bromelain last weekend in hopes to limit bruising and swelling and to encourage healing. Purchased a couple of face ice masks and a dozen muslin cloths for saline and white vinegar soaks.

Procedure went well, definitely glad I had taken both a pain pill and a xanax one hour prior. Started with BBL for redness and such then Lisa applied the numbing cream. Strong stuff even numbed inside my mouth and tongue. Halo was set at 20 for face and neck with an additional bout at 30 for around the mouth. Definitely at my edge the last 30-40 seconds of each area. By the time she was to the neck forehead was on fire. Cool air hose is a god send. She put makeup with sunscreen on for long car ride home. Heat was pretty uncomfortable until late in evening. Woke today with significant swelling. Would not be able to put in contact lenses even if I needed to. But using cool muslin clothes to just touch and remove Avene Cicalfate barrier cream 2-3 times a day. Face is very tight and a bit achy.

Day 3 with lots of tightness and crusty all over. Really, really want to try and soften the skin but I know it is the healing process so must wait it out. Not going in public yet, don't want to frighten any children! Still slathering cicalphate 2-3 times a day for some relief.