pre sugery stress

[allie0365]

hey hi,

I'm having FFS with Di Maggio Nov 26, what do people do to deal with fears/anxieties about having FFS? I'm not really worried about the quality of his work, just a little scared about doing such a big surgery...forehead, nose, face lift, cheek implants, brow lift, upper lip lift. Any ideas? I'm doing everything I can to be in the best possible shape physically, but also need to be in a good place mentally. I've never had surgery before.

If there's anyone who's been to Di Maggio recently please say hi!

-Allie

[Laura_7]

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,190515.msg1712238.html#msg1712238

Exercise might help.
Working off stress hormones.
Like taking a walk, a few exercises, a bike ride, swimming...

A mental picture of a god outcome might help...
relaxing and building a mental image.
Like sipping on a fruit juice, being in a relaxed surrounding, after all went well.
If a few minutes every day are spent on this, can be accessed at will... for a few monments... for relaxation...

[allie0365]

Hi Laura,

Thanks for the link and idea of coming up with a mental image and practicing everyday. I friend recommended hypnosis, she said it helped her access that calm mental state right up til the moment. I'm looking into giving it a try. I really need something that's going to keep me from getting into a panic attack situation, I want to be somewhat calm, confident and strong the morning of surgery. Right now I'm trying to focus on the outcome, the fact that the pain and discomfort is temporary and that if I don't do it now I'll probably regret it later. Also I have several friends that have gone through the same thing, 3 of them with Di Maggio, and they all survived and look amazing.

I guess I just gave myself a pep talk. I'll report back about how the hypnosis goes...

-Allie

[deeiche]

So, I'm in the midst of 2nd day post recovery.  Once I made my decision to have FFS done I concentrated on doing the things I needed to get there.  Making travel arrangement, airfare, lodging, making sure my passport was still valid, ordering various things I knew I needed for my trip.  Power adapters, extra ice bags, upgraded to a smart phone, setting up Skype on my partners ( she stayed in the states ) and my laptops, tablets and smartphone.  Coordinated extended medical leave from work, covered under FMLA, etc, etc...

In other words there are a whole bunch of things you need to setup before you go. Concentrate on these and it will take up a bunch of your time.  I left my Argentina reciprocity fee for last.  Once I did that I had ~ 10 days to go, then I started thinking in 2 week time frames.  At that point it was "in 2 weeks I'll be 4 days post surgery."  YEA  I did not sleep well on the trip to Buenos Aires, but slept great the first night I arrived.  The second night was the night before surgery, stupid me made coffee that afternoon.  Oh, well, I figured tomorrow is the big day, if I don't get sleep tonight oh, well, nothing I can do about it.

So that is how I did it, two days post surgery.

good luck

[allie0365]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Are you day 2 post op with Di Maggio? How's it going!!?? I hope you're doing ok and getting good treatment by the staff.

I had no idea about the reciprocity fee, thank you for mentioning that and your our idea of thinking in 2 week chunks is interesting.

-Allie

[deeiche]

I went to Dr Rossi.  I am a long time member of the Yahoo FFS group and I followed Amanda;s posts over the years.

I am doing well,considering the amount of bone and soft tissue work done.  I'm on the downhill slide to 60, so my face was getting old too.

[RaptorChops]

FTM here and I had my first major surgery June 16th 2015.  I was so nervous and I could barely sleep that night. I had so many bad thoughts run through my head. I took Xanax (this was prescribed to me by the surgeon) about an hour before my surgery and it calmed me down A LOT. It didn't even faze me when they had me walk into the operating room and lie down on the table. They put the IV in me and I was talking about my insurance for some reason. I felt tired within seconds, then I remember just closing my eyes and then opening them. When I opened them I was tucked in a bed in the recovery room. I was a bit woozy and drugged up but I felt pretty good.

[allie0365]

FTM here and I had my first major surgery June 16th 2015.  I was so nervous and I could barely sleep that night. I had so many bad thoughts run through my head. I took Xanax (this was prescribed to me by the surgeon) about an hour before my surgery and it calmed me down A LOT. It didn't even faze me when they had me walk into the operating room and lie down on the table. They put the IV in me and I was talking about my insurance for some reason. I felt tired within seconds, then I remember just closing my eyes and then opening them. When I opened them I was tucked in a bed in the recovery room. I was a bit woozy and drugged up but I felt pretty good.

Thanks for your story! I've been wondering about Xanax on the day of surgery, going to ask my surgeon if it's possible to have it on hand in case I'm freaking out.

[charlotte15]

Or even the days before! Or something stronger!!

I'm approaching 4 months post op with DiMaggio. I was going crazy the weeks before. I had never been to Argentina. I was so afraid of the country!! You know the Simpsons episode about Brazil? I thought it was like that.

Dr DiMaggio is a great person - very human and understanding. He prescribed me Xanax to help me sleep, and went with me to the pharmacy because I felt very uneasy. The Xanax wasn't super helpful, as I popped a few and couldn't sleep at all the day before the surgery. But the kindness was very welcome until my friend arrived in Argentina.

Find what soothes your soul, and do that. Easier said than done, but maybe it's some piece of music that always take you to the zone? I was given a lot of advice, and I got the best results by cleaning up and going outside instead of sitting in front of a computer!

[allie0365]

Hi Charlotte15,

Congratulations on being 4 months post op, I hope you're happy with the outcome! It does add a bit more anxiety going so far away for such a big surgery. I've been there before for work and done a fair amount of traveling so at least I'm ok with that part. Weird how xanax works for some and not for others, been thinking about taking some valium with me in case I can't get myself calmed down without meds. I think I can do it, and maybe just knowing I have it just in case might be enough, who knows..thank you so much for responding.

-Allie

[kittenpower]

My surgeon gave me a prescription for Valium to be taken after my surgery, but he visited me a day before my surgery and told me that I could have half a pill that evening if I wanted it. Just check with your surgeon before taking any medicines before your surgery that he does not already know about.

[charlotte15]

Thinks are not perfect (I'm still waiting for sensations to become normal in my lower lip) but I have no regret whatsoever.

I'm fully satisfied by Dr DiMaggio work and would totally recommend him. In fact I'll see him this week during his travel!

About xanax and valium, ask your surgeon, test that before surgery. I'm one of those people to which it does nothing. I can pop a few, it feels at best like I had a beer.

Charlotte

[allie0365]

Hi Charlotte,

I'm going to Di Maggio too, I leave in 8 weeks..deposit is in, plane tix, apartment. It's starting to get really real! Yea, I'll ask him about xanax and valium, he's a bit hard to get a hold of cause of his travels right now.

I have to say, the email communication isn't the greatest. How was your pre surgery communication with him? I'd really like to post about my experience so far but I'll wait til I'm through the surgery..I completely trust Di Maggio as a surgeon.

-Allie

[Christine Eryn]

My situation was very odd to me when I got my first FFS a few months back. Up until the surgery day, I had almost no emotions about it at all, not excitement or fear or any anxiety. Even that morning I felt it was just something I had to do and I was just along for the ride that day. The only time it hit me was when when the anesthesiologist put the IV in my arm. I was way past the point of no return and I just had to go through with it. As far as I was concerned it would be a life saving and life improving event, which it was.

You'll be fine! Concentrate on the healing and prepare for what's after instead of the surgery itself. Focus on the outcome. Plenty of us have been through it and while it wasn't easy and yes there's pain, it's so worth it you cannot even imagine.

[Hannahh]

Hi Allie,

I totally understand you. I know that everything is / will be ok, I trust the surgeon, but panic attack come with all consequences. For, because of a long time to understand myself, i know how to manage : I take Bromazepam. during one day, one week, depend. Finally Before it would be one or two pills per year. So, it is safe with this quantity, no addiction, and it is really efficient. However, you need a prescription. If you live in USA this medication seems to be impossible to get. Then try in the country of your surgeon.
I wish a wonderful and quiet surgery.
warmly
Hannah

[allie0365]

Hi Christine,

Yea I'm trying to not think about the actual surgery or the hours leading up to it. I'll get through it like you and a few of my friends did. I decided not to do my jaw/chin but I'll be getting a facelift so it's still a big surgery. Thanks for the support and calming words!!

-Allie

[deeiche]

You will be okay, just concentrate on getting prepared for the trip and your daily routine.

From the perspective of 6 days postop, it is major surgery.  It's not fun, it's not enjoyable, but the results are what make it worth it.  While saving for FFS I became an older woman too, my combined procedures ended up with an 8 hour surgery.

FFS
Type III forehead reduction ( coronal incision )
Brow lift
Upper Blepharoplasty
lower eyelid fat transfer
cheek fat transfer
upper lip lift
face lift (upper,lower)
neck lift
rhinoplasty including reconstructive nasal valve
What I see so far is pretty damn good, it will takes months for the swelling to subside from all the procedures.

May you have a safe and uneventful trip.  :-)