What have I done?

[MeghanAndrews]

5 days? Ohhhh Joanna Joanna Joanna! 5 days is but an infancy in your FFS journey, lol. You'll be fine. I was a mess at 5 days. It all settles down. Give yourself 90 days to resemble normal, k?

Here's a few of me at 5 days so you know you aren't alone:







It get better Hang in there Joanna, you'll get through it Meghan

[Joanna]

Ladies and gentleman thank you again for your supportive and encouraging words. I promise to take a chill pill and calm down down. When recovering from FFS you are off work with time to spare so it is natural to spend that time in thought analysing and critiquing yourself and your new face.

It's flattering that some of you couldn't see what all the fuss is about. To me my nose looks and feels like an abhiration as does my chin. The photo doesn't look too bad though.

I have never seen footage of FFS surgery taking place and it would probably be wise for me never to see it. We girls always come out looking like we have been in a car crash. It must be quite brutal.

Megan, thanks for your photos. It's good to have a comparison. I follow your vids and can see how now your jaw and chin is so much more smaller and rounded as opposed to what can be seen in the pics. 90 days eh, well roll on. I promise to post some update pics perhaps in a couple if weeks time. I don't go back to work until the 26 th Nov, so should be well on my way to looking almost normal by then. Xx

[GendrKweer]

One thing I didn't read here (tho I did only skim): avoid alcohol for a while, and NO SMOKING. I say this because I went from a 3 pack a day chimney to cold turkey 4 months before my SRS, never to look back and extraordinarily thankful that SRS saved my life in more than one way.... BUT was also shocked at how many patients were puffing away a week after surgery. That will ruin a lot of expensive work. If you don't smoke or never have, nice!

[MeghanAndrews]

90 days eh, well roll on. I promise to post some update pics perhaps in a couple if weeks time. I don't go back to work until the 26 th Nov, so should be well on my way to looking almost normal by then. Xx

Thanks for watching my videos    And you have plenty of time. I had 40 days between ffs and when I went to work. No real bruising anymore, the only kind of visible thing was the raised area on my forehead where the staples were, but it was behind my hairline. Joanna, you know, I'm sure, you are already looking awesome. Make sure you take a lot of pics from all angles so you can track the changes, if you are into that kind of thing. I think you'll notice your profile changing first. Also, if you look at pics every two weeks, I'll bet you notice a lot of changes vs. every day. So happy for you

[Ave]

Ladies and gentleman thank you again for your supportive and encouraging words. I promise to take a chill pill and calm down down. When recovering from FFS you are off work with time to spare so it is natural to spend that time in thought analysing and critiquing yourself and your new face.

It's flattering that some of you couldn't see what all the fuss is about. To me my nose looks and feels like an abhiration as does my chin. The photo doesn't look too bad though.

I have never seen footage of FFS surgery taking place and it would probably be wise for me never to see it. We girls always come out looking like we have been in a car crash. It must be quite brutal.

Megan, thanks for your photos. It's good to have a comparison. I follow your vids and can see how now your jaw and chin is so much more smaller and rounded as opposed to what can be seen in the pics. 90 days eh, well roll on. I promise to post some update pics perhaps in a couple if weeks time. I don't go back to work until the 26 th Nov, so should be well on my way to looking almost normal by then. Xx

Do they have you taking pain pills? If so, you MUST eat your fiber+lots of water and light food, sometimes pain pills can *really* gunk things up

(Mom's a nurse )

[Joanna]

Ave - yes I have been on pain killers and yes they do bung you up quite a bit.  I have taken a little senna to get things moving down there.

I was taking pics today as it is day 10.  I added a little Instagram magic to make me feel better.



My chin and nose are still swollen.  Bruising is only around my eyes now.

I still cant smile as my mouth feels like its stuffed with cotton wool.  I am losing hair now due to the shock to the scalp I was told to expect this.  It will grow back (hopefully)  Its like a general shedding from all over.  The skin on my face is also peeling.  Just goes to show what a trauma this surgery is to your body.

I am happy to report feeling more positive
Jo xx

[Tristan]

girl....you are gunna be trouble. lol
them looks is going to draw in  alot of guys/girls

[swatch]

girl....you are gunna be trouble. lol
them looks is going to draw in  alot of guys/girls

True !

[Shantel]

girl....you are gunna be trouble. lol
them looks is going to draw in  alot of guys/girls

And another amen to that! ((Hugs))

[Carlita]

Ave - yes I have been on pain killers and yes they do bung you up quite a bit.  I have taken a little senna to get things moving down there.

I was taking pics today as it is day 10.  I added a little Instagram magic to make me feel better.



My chin and nose are still swollen.  Bruising is only around my eyes now.

I still cant smile as my mouth feels like its stuffed with cotton wool.  I am losing hair now due to the shock to the scalp I was told to expect this.  It will grow back (hopefully)  Its like a general shedding from all over.  The skin on my face is also peeling.  Just goes to show what a trauma this surgery is to your body.

I am happy to report feeling more positive
Jo xx

Wow! You look great and I don't know if you've worked wonders with make-up or Instagram or whatever, but to me what's striking is how little obvious 'damage' there is to your face from all the surgery. I don't see bruises, stitches, obvious swelling, scars ... It's actually a real encouragement to anyone worrying about the after-effects of FFS ...

... and heaven only knows how hot you'll look in six months' time! 

[Joanna]

girl....you are gunna be trouble. lol
them looks is going to draw in  alot of guys/girls

Seriously.......really well I am flattered.  If that is true well look out guys cuz im boy craaazzzzy most of the time.  Could make for an explosive cocktail    Tristan, I too think you are very beautiful I can't imagine you have too much trouble in the attraction department

Carlita - I kept my self fit in the months leading up to surgery.  I think it has helped especially with the bruising.  I do still have quite a bit of swelling some of which I know is going to be stubborn in going especially on the nose and chin.  I am still only 10 days post op and when I smile it looks really odd because my swollen cheeks stop the corners of my mouth from lifting.

Thanks to everyone for their kind and encouraging comments xxxxxxxx

[Tristan]

lol well thats good because the guys will be all over you. and i must say nope not alot of problems in the guy dept. although it does suck i have to wait so long after this srs to use my magic snatch 

[Shantel]

lol well thats good because the guys will be all over you. and i must say nope not alot of problems in the guy dept. although it does suck i have to wait so long after this srs to use my magic snatch 

Hehe love it! How long has it been and how soon until you go girl day?

[Tristan]

not that long since i had srs. i want to wait at least 3-6 months before i try sex, since i have never had it and all. i want to make sure im all ready down south of the boarder

[Shantel]

not that long since i had srs. i want to wait at least 3-6 months before i try sex, since i have never had it and all. i want to make sure im all ready down south of the boarder

Sounds like a wise plan hon! "Haste makes waste!" You don't need any grief!

[Tristan]

yeah. your right 

[Joanna]

Aw Tristan I hope your first time is good.   It will hopefully be quite a liberating experience for you.  Sex as it should be.

Well I couldn't resist but post an updated picture of me 14 days post op.  As you can see I am sooooooooo puffy and swollen.  However its not too bad. 



Sadly I have had a bit of a setback.  I woke up a couple of days ago with a painful swollen lump on the right side of my head above the scar.  The lump as about half the size of an egg and sore to touch.  I went to see the nurse at my surgery who said it was nothing to worry about just swelling from a trapped stitch or I had aggravated the wound slightly.  She said the wound was intact so nothing to worry about. 

I spoke to the hospital where I had my surgery and they said monitor it over night and if it gets worse my surgeons registrar can take a look at it the next day.  Well it more swollen and so very painful it reduced me to tears.  I went for a biopsy and it is a hematoma.  It full of blood.  I am going back to see my surgeon today so he can drain it and dress it.  They think I caused a small bleed some how at the wound site internally, or it was a slow bleed following the removal of the clips.  Either way its not nice.     They have asked me to go Nil by mouth from 7 am just incase they have to put me under again.  Oh I hope not.  Wish me luck. (feedback on the pic would be good too)

Thanks
xxxxx Jo

[Shantel]

Wish me luck. (feedback on the pic would be good too)

Thanks
xxxxx Jo

Looking much perkier already, there was always a pretty woman there and it's improving. Good luck with the lumpy thing sweetie, you'll be fine! I had some similar stuff following my neck job, it gets cleared up and goes away with a little tweaking!

[aprilrain]

How are you feeling now? It's gunna take months! I had FFS with Dr Spiegel about 10 months ago and my face was still changing even a couple months ago! They say it takes at least a year for full healing but you already know all this your just freaking out LOL. I did the same thing when I got home from Boston, I was freaking out because I got called HE at a restaurant like 3 weeks after surgery my avatar is me about 3 months ago. When I get a chance I'll post some pics from right after surgery. You look better than I did that is for sure!

[Joanna]

Hey April, thanks for your message.  You look radiant in your picture, I cannot believe anyone would mistake you for male.  However like you say that was 3 weeks post op.  Now you look 110% female.  Just lovely.  It just goes to show how a face can continue to change post FFS.

I am now just over the 4 week mark and feeling better.  My nose and chin still bother me as they have pockets of obvious swelling on them.  My profile looks a little odd due to the swelling on the tip of my nose, however I shouldn't be too hard on myself.  I look better than I did 2 weeks ago for sure.  I must admit I am looking forward to a few more months of recovery as I can see I will be very happy.  What we also sometime forget to factor in is that we continue with HRT which also contributes to increasing feminisation of the face at the same time.  These 2 factors combined can only make you look for feminine and not more masculine.

I have a Youtube blog here .......
http://www.youtube.com/user/JennaArriving1

I try and post only when I have something worthwhile to talk about.  Feel free to drop by

Thanks xx