FFS 2 weeks post-op : Headaches?

[Debra]

Ok I'm 2+ weeks post-op now and still experiencing [tension?] headaches of a sort. It's mostly in the forehead and nose areas (the areas operated on).

They seem to start at night....I can get like 5ish hours of sleep before I can't stand them anymore and I have to get up. Ibuprofen was helping at first but today the headache never really went away...just dulled slightly.

Now getting ready to go to bed again and wondering if I shouldn't just try to sleep laying up again or something, even tho the doc said I could sleep lying down now.

Anyone else have similar experiences with headaches after FFS? If so, how long did they last?

[Dena]

I never had one but it sounds a bit like a sinus headache/infection. Because of the area where the work was done, I suggest you have a medical professional check it out to be sure there are no complications from the surgery.

[Debra]

I never had one but it sounds a bit like a sinus headache/infection. Because of the area where the work was done, I suggest you have a medical professional check it out to be sure there are no complications from the surgery.

Interesting thought. Doesn't feel like a sinus infection though....

The surgeon's assistant said that tension headaches were possible but I was wondering what everyone else's experience was.

[deeiche]

Was the corrugator muscle severed or minimized?  Mine was and I have almost no headaches any more, whereas prior to surgery sinus and tension headaches were pretty common.

I realize it might not seem like a sinus headache, but I recall when I used to get them often they could trigger tension headaches, even migraines.  Do you have a local ENT?

[Debra]

Was the corrugator muscle severed or minimized?  Mine was and I have almost no headaches any more, whereas prior to surgery sinus and tension headaches were pretty common.

Hmm not sure. I never had a lot of headaches before.

I realize it might not seem like a sinus headache, but I recall when I used to get them often they could trigger tension headaches, even migraines.  Do you have a local ENT?

Yeah hmm. Last night I took a valium and slept 10 hrs . This morning, headache is very minimal.

I have a friend who said she as on narcotics for a month (zukowski patient from 10 yrs ago) so maybe this is just part of the healing process?

Also feeling kinda burning/tingling sensations in my forehead which I have to manually distinguish from the headaches sometimes. I assume that's some feeling coming back.

I don't have an ENT but I can probably get a referral to one from my family doc if I need to.

[EmilyMK03]

Debra, I never had any headaches or tension in my head at any point during my recovery period.  I'm now a little over 2 months post-op from FFS with Dr. Zukowski.  Like your friend, I also took narcotics (hydrocodone) during recovery, but only for about a week.

I met a girl recently who had FFS with Facial Team about 6 months ago.  She said she still has noticeable tension in her forehead.  She had Type III forehead work done.

[Debra]

Debra, I never had any headaches or tension in my head at any point during my recovery period.  I'm now a little over 2 months post-op from FFS with Dr. Zukowski.  Like your friend, I also took narcotics (hydrocodone) during recovery, but only for about a week.

I met a girl recently who had FFS with Facial Team about 6 months ago.  She said she still has noticeable tension in her forehead.  She had Type III forehead work done.

Thanks, good to know I'm not alone. So weird how different our experiences can be sometimes

[Debra]

Quick Update: No headaches really for a couple days. Haven't had to use ibuprofen at all....but I am taking the last of my valium to sleep. We'll see how things go when I run out of that.

Still general tightness and some tingling off and on in the forehead/eyebrows area.

[2cherry]

Quick Update: No headaches really for a couple days. Haven't had to use ibuprofen at all....but I am taking the last of my valium to sleep. We'll see how things go when I run out of that.

Still general tightness and some tingling off and on in the forehead/eyebrows area.

Have the same here: forehead feels like I wear a hat. Also tingling and tickling sensation in it. And the tightness... yes. I am off pain meds also.

[Celia0428]

I got strong headaches after my FFS for at least 2 weeks. Icepacks were a great relieve. Have you tried them?

[Debra]

I got strong headaches after my FFS for at least 2 weeks. Icepacks were a great relieve. Have you tried them?

Good to know, thanks!! I had not but if they come back I will. Yeah I didn't really have a lot of pain until they took the cast off at week 1 ...seems like I had somewhat ongoing headaches for that 2nd week post-op and now they've kinda subsided. (so far)

[kittenpower]

I had some really bad headaches during the first week after type 3 forehead with rhinoplasty, and only occasionally after the second week.

[kittenpower]

Have the same here: forehead feels like I wear a hat. Also tingling and tickling sensation in it. And the tightness... yes. I am off pain meds also.

Yeah the forehead feeling like you're wearing a hat; good times