So as a preface, I'm in my 30's, been on hrt for a bit over 2 years and had ffs not too long ago. (sorry, this is long)
The procedures I had done were:
Rhinoplasty
Type III remodeling
Orbital rim contouring
Lift lift
Tracheal shave
Jaw contouring
Chin implant (basically took the bone from my jaw and reshaped it before placing on my chin)
I stayed in Belgrano in Buenos Aires for about a month and just want to say that I felt incredibly safe and relaxed there. My daughter and I walked to do our grocery shopping, eat dinner, or do errands and even when we took walks in the evening, she mentioned how it felt safer there than it did in the US. After about a week and a half after the surgery, my daughter and I used Uber and pretty much went everywhere to sight see.
One thing I recommend is that you should take someone with you at least for the first week. My ex came with me and she pretty much took care of me for the first week. Taking daily pictures, making sure I took my medication on time, making sure that I had enough soft foods and she even helped me bath the first time I was able to do so after the surgery. Seriously, I don't think I could have done all that by myself.
Anyway,
Day of surgery:
I was taken to the hospital at about 7am and had to make sure that I had my passport as you need it to register with the hospital for surgery. The hospital itself was top notch, like it felt pretty upscale. (Also, pretty much all the doctors looked like soap opera stars. Seriously, either they all had plastic surgery or being hot is a requirement for medical school. My ex was joking about how she was going to fake an injury just to get seen. )
I get wheeled into the operating room and as soon as I'm on the operating table, I can't stop shaking and next thing you know, I'm awake and told that the they are done with the operation. The surgery started at about 7:30 am and ended at about 4:30pm. All I can say is that the first day was the most miserable day I've ever experienced.
Since I had to fast (no food or liquids) for about 12 hours before surgery, by the time I woke up, my throat was raw and all I wanted to do was get some water and spit the phlem out of my mouth. I pretty much couldnt move anything other than my eyes and although I didn't feel any pain, just the discomfort was, well, extremely discomforting.
I just want to say that the after care was excellent though. I had an orderly constantly checking on me, someone came with water and meals (I didn't eat until a doctor told me that I needed the calories to help the recovery process), and in the evening, a doctor from the surgeon's office stayed in the room the whole night, she was really nice and spoke impeccable English.
Day 2:
One of the surgeons came into the room, asked me how I was doing, removed the little blood bags attached to my bandages and told me that I would be sent back to my apartment. I was taken home via Uber by liasion and pretty much slept most of the day. I have to admit that being back in the apartment was so much better than the hospital, especially the bed, it must have been the most uncomfortable bed I've ever slept on. I've also started feeling a bit better than the first day although I started swelling and still really couldn't move my mouth to eat or drink easily.
Day 3:
My swelling became so bad that 2 of the surgeons came by the apartment at about 2pm and gave me a cortisone shot. I felt like I was going to faint, vomit, and became incredibly nauseous immediately after the shot. Anyway, after that went away, I felt a bit better and the swelling started to go down after getting some sleep. They also took off my face bandage.
Day 4-7:
I started feeling better and even though I was still swollen and only on soft foods, I was able to start chewing a bit, although not that well, and still had a problem with drooling due to the lack of feeling in my lower lip.
Day 8-11:
Pretty much stopped using pain killers that they gave me and felt somewhat human again. Pain did come back but it wasn't too bad. I took the maybe a pain killer if I really needed it. The surgeon came by to check on me at the apartment and removed my nose cast.
Day 12+
At this point, I felt good enough to go out and do some sight seeing with my daughter. My face was still swollen, especially my nose, and the visible stitches made me self conscious but since she was getting bored, we decided to explore a bit.
I finally had all my stitches removed about 3 1/2 weeks after the surgery and flew home the next day.
I just want to say that I am very happy with the results. My surgeon was recommended to me by my GP doctor and my therapist who both mentioned that they have a clients who went to him with beautiful results. (My GP called him an artist with ffs) and I have met a few women who went to him. I initially looked into 3 different surgeons but went with him after research and consults. (Please please make sure you really do your research and talk to people who went to the surgeons if possible before deciding)
Anyway, sorry for making this so long. If anyone wants pictures, I might post the lower portion of my face and maybe the forehead since I prefer not to post full photos for privacy sake.
