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I CAN NOT believe it's been a week. It has really gone fast for me. When I mentioned this to hubby he said "Oh Kim, you're kidding right - it feels like months" I guess I haven't been the easiest person to live with.
I have a couple of questions. I am scared of not sleeping so have taken the Ambien every night which has worked great. I sleep from like from 11:00 to around 6:00. At 6:00 I wake and keep wanting to change positions (in recliner), but can't - so just get up, which is fine. I only have 4 more Ambien and feel like I am going to need to go into rehab. How are you guys sleeping? Do you still use sleep aids? Hubby suggested a s/mmh/product/wigs/index.vm?procid=55" target=_blank>wig of vodka, but worried about the swelling or whatever alcohol does to you.
I am no longer wearing the chin thingie - per PS instructions. It feels weird no having it - kind of like taking off my bra except when I do that, it all does fall, hang But, I keep reaching for it to "adjust" it because it get's uncomfortable - just to realize, it's not there That's the best way I can describe the "numbing feeling in my neck, cheeks and ears.
Bromalein (sp). I only have 4 more pills left over, however am still pretty swollen. Should I go to the GNC and buy more? How many are you vets taking and for how long?
Arnica. They gave me 250. Why? I have minimal brusing under my chin. Is it only for the brusing? Again, how long do you take this and how often?
I have lots of other questions, but I truly have concluded that the majority will be answered as swelling goes down - i.e., still feel like I have fat under my chin, have what looks like indentations on each cheek area running length ways, etc.
For those who may ever consider a phenol /mmh/product/chemicalpeel/index.vm?procid=4" target=_blank>peel with surgery......It definitely took away a lot of /mmh/product/beauty/index.vm?procid=13" target=_blank>wrinkles I had under my /mmh/product/eyelidsurgery/index.vm?procid=6" target=_blank>eyes due to sun damage as well as deep crows feet on corners. Amazing. I think it's going to end up being one of my favorite changes, however, I had to keep a thick white /mmh/product/beauty/index.vm?procid=13" target=_blank>cream on it up to yesterday. That was a pain because it was messy, and the chin wrap kept going onto it. I had to be careful only to ice my top lids which wasn't easy. It caused a great deal more swelling than is normal in eye surgery, caused eyeball irritation (mostly due to the cream seeping in) and it's making it more difficult to get a sense as to how I will look because I have these 2 big red half moon shapes from under my bottom lashes to tops of cheeks (low enough that my new "fashionable big glasses don't cover it). So when I look at my face, it's the first thing I see. I can not wear sun screen for 6 weeks so absolutely no sun can reach it (virgin /mmh/product/beauty/index.vm?procid=13" target=_blank>skin) and we are boating people. Should have thought about this in terms of timing. It's in the 70's and beautiful here. Anyways, as usual, I digress. I have an appointment on Monday with a woman in the PS's practice who is going to teach me how to use /mmh/product/makeup/index.vm?procid=54" target=_blank>makeup to cover up the "pinkness" which could last for some months. The biggest complaint about these is that it takes all pigmentation away from the area which can be evident against untouched skin. I can certainly see a difference now and don't really know how it will all "heal", but I was also on a cruise in last February and got a pretty deep tan so maybe that hasn't totally faded yet. When I decided to do this, I had to make a decision that I would be okay with NEVER tanning my face the way I have in the past. Well, I'm okay with that. This past cruise really did different things to my skin than any other year. I have "spots" on my arms, legs, etc., I've never had so it's time - past time. I'll keep everyone informed. I just haven't read much about this, at all, so thought I'd put in my experience - so far.
Okay - I'm obviously needing to get more active with my entire body versus just my fingers typing for so long. I still can't talk very easily so I guess this is my substitute
Love to all -
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If you have trouble sleeping just take the pills, that is what it is for, to get us thru this difficult period. The day after surgery when I saw my PS I asked him for more vicadin and restoril for sleep, he gave it to me. I would keep taking the arnica too also the bromwlain. I am taking extra vitamin c., rutin and Quercetin since that is supposed to help healing and /mmh/product/scar_reduction/index.vm?procid=42" target=_blank>scars.Kim I didnt realize its only been a week for you,The /mmh/product/chemicalpeel/index.vm?procid=4" target=_blank>/mmh/product/chemicalpeel/index.vm?procid=4" target=_blank>phenol /mmh/product/chemicalpeel/index.vm?procid=4" target=_blank>peel sounds like its going to be a real winner,thats great to not have crows feet! I dont think I can do a phenol since I am chinese and Italian I dont think I am the right race,I think it works best on fair /mmh/product/beauty/index.vm?procid=13" target=_blank>/mmh/product/beauty/index.vm?procid=13" target=_blank>skinned people.Yeah avoiding the sun is SO important,I try to never let the sun hit my face it will age you as fast as smoking and drinking.I refuse to work outside and got a special note from my dr saying I needed to stay out of the sun!Sometimes I will lightly tan my body, but never face and neck, I just use bronzers,there are so many good fake tanners out there too....Kim can you see a difference in your face or are you too swollen? I dont plan to look at my face for 3 weeks,not sure how to do it but I am going to try....
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Hi - I just wrote you on your other post. You are correct about the peel. I am brunette (or was at one time ) with brown /mmh/product/eyelidsurgery/index.vm?procid=6" target=_blank>eyes so he used a "lighter" version of the full /mmh/product/chemicalpeel/index.vm?procid=4" target=_blank>phenol peel. It is my hope - and he said, he believes after the healing is done, it will be a little lighter, but no real noticable. Well see.
We love the outdoors (lakes, oceans, beaches) and spend a lot of time outside, but I am going to make a religion of using screens in everything I have - make-ups, etc.
Can I see a difference in my face. Yes, today is the first day that I really felt I could see a difference, but I know I have a long way to go - or I should say, I hope I have a long way to go If I look at my day to day pictures, I see a huge difference.
It's really kind of an interesting process to watch. If I didn't feel confident that things were going to dramatically change, I'd freak, but from this forum, I know what to expect.
You are 3 hours behind me so I'll say goodnight and sleep tight. Tomorrow is a new closer day to a more beautiful you. Kim
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Hi Kim
About the sleep meds ... this is only my humble opinion: ... TAKE THE PILLS. If you want, back off to half a pill and try a Tylenol PM. You're only one week out. Yes, I HAVE to keep my head up, up, up, so I am doing whatever I need to do. (Basically whatever will get me through the night). I have been this route once before with a different type of non cosmetic surgery, and I didn't get addicted or anything - just slowly backed off when it was safe to toss and turn more. Do NOT try alchol to sleep better. In actuality, alcohol will interupt your REM sleep and becomes a stimulant after you have dozed off.
Arnica & /mmh/product/vitamins_supplements/bromelain/index.vm?procid=44&catid=635" target=_blank>Bromelain (sp??) - Per my "on call PS" (just another PS's opinion):
Arnica: She said yes, take it! It helps bruising! Keep on until bruising subsides.
Bromelain: No (as in naw, it's really only effective for more before surgery) ... But fresh Pineapple and icing (ongoing) will still help. It certainly does not hurt (unless overdone).
(Note: My PS doen't give a rip about Arnica one way or the other, and just said no to Bromelain before .... )
HTH
(((hugs)))
Kaye
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Thanks Kaye - I did exactly as you suggested last night - took 1/2 ambien and a tylenol p.m. and although it took a little longer to fall asleep - I stayed asleep.
My ps returned my call this a.m. and said continue the ambien until bruising is gone and the bromalein would most likely do any good at this stage, so don't buy anymore. The only difference in our PS is that he said ice doesn't really help after 2 - 3 days except to possibly feel good.
How are you doing this a.m.?
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I find it odd the PS would say ice doesn't help after a few days. Yes it still feels good, but it also seemed to bring my swelling down. I'm glad I used it as needed, even if it was a coincidence my swelling subsided at the same time. I suppose if anything seems to work, we use it.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were certain standards of post-op care for all?
Guess it would make it too simple for recovery.
