Becca's FFS with Zukowski 2018

[Michelle_P]

he uses individual sutures that dissolve on their own.  They can't be pulled out until the knot below the surface dissolves.  Some of them dissolve completely below the skin and you never see them. These are like the sutures that are used internally. There's nothing another doctor can do.   

some people react to these sutures differently than others.  It's not going quite as easily for me than i think it does for some people.  They seem to be dissolving in me, but very slowly.  I've talked to people who said that within two weeks they were all out.  I'm at almost 4 weeks and still have partially open incisions because these sutures are still dissolving

Yeah, it takes a while.  I'm 7 weeks post-op, and I just had one of the knots from the inner layer of sutures on the lip lift surface last night, along the outside edge of the right nostril.  A little whisp of fiber and a lump just under the skin...   Gone now thank goodness. 

This morning I have a tiny bit of nylon poking out of my head in the left side of the forehead incision. I'll leave it alone for a few days and wait for the knot to show itself.

None of this stuff is visible or obvious to others.  We can feel it, though, and our habits treat it as a foreign object irritating us.  It will work it's way out and be gone soon enough.

[Becca Kay]

Yeah, it takes a while.  I'm 7 weeks post-op, and I just had one of the knots from the inner layer of sutures on the lip lift surface last night, along the outside edge of the right nostril.  A little whisp of fiber and a lump just under the skin...   Gone now thank goodness. 

This morning I have a tiny bit of nylon poking out of my head in the left side of the forehead incision. I'll leave it alone for a few days and wait for the knot to show itself.

None of this stuff is visible or obvious to others.  We can feel it, though, and our habits treat it as a foreign object irritating us.  It will work it's way out and be gone soon enough.

It is icky though.  I have to go back to work in a week and the incision under my nose is very visible and irritated.  I can't cover it with make up because it's not healed.  It's frustrating. 

I still have a wad of stitches on either side of the inside of my mouth too.  I'm surprised they haven't fallen out yet

[Michelle_P]

It is icky though.  I have to go back to work in a week and the incision under my nose is very visible and irritated.  I can't cover it with make up because it's not healed.  It's frustrating. 

I still have a wad of stitches on either side of the inside of my mouth too.  I'm surprised they haven't fallen out yet

Yeah.  I feel like a Rageddy Anne doll coming unraveled when this stuff pops up.  Tug on the wrong one and zippppp!

The stitches in my mouth startled coming out at 4 weeks, and the last couple of big ones on the front and right came out last week, six weeks post-op.

[Becca Kay]

here is pic from today.  no make up.  25 days post op.

as the swelling goes down my jaw seems to look smaller and smaller.  Which was the point of half my surgery. 

[Northern Star Girl]

here is pic from today.  no make up.  25 days post op.

as the swelling goes down my jaw seems to look smaller and smaller.  Which was the point of half my surgery. 

@Becca Kay
Dear Becca:
Thank you so much for sharing your latest photo with your followers....
... aside from the discomfort that you have to deal with until the healing progresses more, you must be very happy when you view yourself in the mirror... 

I most certainly think that you are looking beautiful and terrific with your new very feminine face.  I am eager to keep following your updates as you continue in your healing process.  Please keep them coming.

Hugs and hugs...... and well wishes,
Danielle

[Another Nikki]

BeccaIalreadyforgotyourrealname-  the results are really visible in your latest pics and you look great.

[Donica]

You are looking great Becca. Your recovery is coming along nicely. From day 1 to how well you look at day 25 is very encouraging.

Donica.

[Becca Kay]

over the past 10 days i've been esperiencing weird discomfort in my gums of my lower jaw.  it started with my front bottom teeth.  i can literally feel tension on them when i do my facial messages.  Now I am feel weird discomfort all the way back to my molars most of the time, not only when messaging.  It reminds me of when i was younger and I had braces.  Like the feeling right after having my braces tightened.

I'm sure this is caused by all the jaw work.  Part of my masseter muscle was removed and a lot of tissue and muscle was moved around to reshape the bottom of my jaw.  It's probably not surprising that there's a change in tension on my teeth

[Becca Kay]

i had a really bad under bite as a child.  I had nearly 5 years of braces, starting late in elementary school.  i remember having profile photos taken before i got braces.  My jaw was flush with my upper and lower lips.  Braces lliterally moved my jaw forward.  And then puberty made my chin grow.  This surgery kind of erased all that.  My teeth still line up.  But my profile now reminds me a little bit of my prepubescent face. 

[Maybebaby56]

Went out for brunch today with another "Z Girl" who lives here in the DC metro area.

full make up for the first time

I thoroughly enjoyed your company, sweetie.  I hope we get a chance to do it again soon!

With kindness,

Terri

[Veronica J]

over the past 10 days i've been esperiencing weird discomfort in my gums of my lower jaw.  it started with my front bottom teeth.  i can literally feel tension on them when i do my facial messages.  Now I am feel weird discomfort all the way back to my molars most of the time, not only when messaging.  It reminds me of when i was younger and I had braces.  Like the feeling right after having my braces tightened.

I'm sure this is caused by all the jaw work.  Part of my masseter muscle was removed and a lot of tissue and muscle was moved around to reshape the bottom of my jaw.  It's probably not surprising that there's a change in tension on my teeth

yup that would do it, also the feeling from the nerves is coming back as well. since the muscles were swollen and bruised with possible slight wear to outer sheathing of the nerves while they more moved around is repairing themselves. also your training the muscles again, they are repairing as well, they wont regrow just do the normal repairing. swelling is also coming down, all of this and sensation returning to your nerves. dont forget your brain got kind of used how everything once was and its alerting you to a change in this area. pretty sure in time you will get used how it feels and it wont be a conscious thing. i bet once the swelling is a fair way down, the stitches will start dissolving faster.

i have done loads of research into the medical field, still do, and also did it in uni. its truly fascinating.. i am not a doctor, but i like to be fully informed about everything i can be. medical text are fascinating, and its funny when go to the doctor and he mentions abc, looks and me and surprised to see comprehension.. he now knows i read this stuff like often myself and we do lots of medical speak, no simple words required 

[Becca Kay]

Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

[Lacy]

Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

You look beautiful!
Also, that shirt is definitely your color.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Allison S]

Wow, what a difference. Enjoy it.[emoji6][emoji4]

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[Breeze 57]

Sophie:  What kind of tape are you using to hold your glasses up?  Your latest picture is phenomenal.  You are truly beautiful.  I can only hope for half the results you got.  3.5 weeks until my surgery with Dr. Zukowski.

[josie76]

Becca, you are just beautiful!

[Becca Kay]

Sophie:  What kind of tape are you using to hold your glasses up?  Your latest picture is phenomenal.  You are truly beautiful.  I can only hope for half the results you got.  3.5 weeks until my surgery with Dr. Zukowski.

clear medical tape.  the type you use with gauze.

Dr Z will give you a list of supplies to bring to Chicago with you.  4x4 gauze pads, cotton swabs, hydrogen peroxide, etc. etc.  The tape should be on that same list.  It will come in the ring binder that Dr Z sends to you 2 weeks before surgery

also a couple of pro tips

remove your nail polish before you go to chicago.  you can't wear it into surgery.  I had gel nails and had to go the day before to a salon near the hotel to have the gel taken off

the Day before the surgery Dr Z will give you a prescription for Tramadol or Vicodin and Dyasapam.  You have to fill it at a local pharmacy.  If you have private insurance for prescriptions make sure you bring your prescription card.  The Target a quarter of a mile from the Staybridge Suites has a pharmacy that can fill your scripts asap.

[JudiBlueEyes]

Hi Sofia, what an improvement from those scary earlier photos.  The doctor's work is clearly showing, Wow Whee!!!  You look great.  I hope you're feeling the same.   All my best.
Judi

[Veronica J]

Pic from 5 weeks ago and one from today

holy crap, beautiful and wow what a difference.

time to add a tracker to your sig, days since FFS

[Kendra]

WOW!  You look amazing.  What a beautiful change, you go girl!