FFS Recovery Time

[Valerie Elizabeth]

I know all the stuff that Dr. Zukowski told me.

I'm just curious, how long after FFS did you begin to look semi-normal or normal again?

Are we talking 3 weeks?  2 Months?

Let me know.

[Sandy]

Most of the swelling goes down after just a few weeks.  I seem to recall about five to six weeks.

However I had some discoloration of the skin that lasted a bit longer.

Months after surgery, though, people would remark that my face was still changing.  The tissue reforms around the muscle and bone after surgery and that takes a bit of time.

-Sandy

[Valerie Elizabeth]

thats cool.  in the 1.5 weeks since surgery, i have come down quite a bit in swelling.  I am not really discolored at all.  I just have a big bruise under my right eye, a small bruise under my left, and a random bruise on my right cheek.

OH, and this massive hickey on my neck.   Hmmmm....  Just kidding.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Valerie

[mmelny]

thats cool.  in the 1.5 weeks since surgery, i have come down quite a bit in swelling.  I am not really discolored at all.  I just have a big bruise under my right eye, a small bruise under my left, and a random bruise on my right cheek.

Valerie

Hi Valerie!   1.5 weeks post op, congratulations on surviving *huggs*.   Naturally it all depends on what kind of a healer you are, procedures you had done, a roll of the dice, age, and the old saying that everyone's mileage varies, eh?

I'm 4 months post-op tomorrow, and, the only remnants I have are numbness, and a bit of scarring that will keep getting better as I continue to barrage 'em with silicon, bio-oil and vitamin E.   

But for me, I think the number was about 8 weeks, to where I felt that I looked 'normal' again.   I was presentable after three, and went back to work that way,  but  I still had bruising under the eyes that I had to *try to* cover with concealer.   It was weird bruising too, where the fluids had drained and collected from the various forehead procedures.    It literally took about 5-6 weeks for the purple coloring to go away, that was an annoyance.   The picture in my avatar was taken at 8 weeks, my first night out after FFS, when I started feeling better about my appearance.

The remnants of swelling really started going down for me from about weeks 5-10.   Presently, I have noticeable swelling in my chin only, but it's almost comical, but kind of cute, at least it's acceptable

Take Care, Happy Healing Girl!
Melan

[Valerie Elizabeth]

WELL, you look AMAZING!

I would like to say that I think I am a quick healer.  Maybe not, but I feel that way.  I am regaining sensation pretty quickly.  It was kinda weird after surgery because a good portion of my face wasn't numb.  It went from normal, to prickly, to numb.  Dr. Z was surprised at how slowly I swelled up.  He said most people have at least one eye that is swollen shut out of surgery.  It took me nearly a day for that to happen, and I only lost vision in both eyes due to swelling for about 30 minutes.  Seriously.


My swelling has gone WAY down in one week.  I went from no definition, to being able to see my new cheek implants (barely - if you tilt your head and the lighting is right hahahaha).

I feel great, I am at work right now - shhhh don't tell anyone.  Ok though, I work at a rock climbing gym at the desk at a college.  I seriously sit here, and handle maybe a couple hundred bucks over a five hour shift.  I sign in 50 people tops.  Other than that, I am sitting at my laptop, doing homework or messin on the internet.

I'm hoping that I can look awesome soon!


On a side note, I really can't do anything that requires energy.  If I have to do something (even like opening a massive barn door) I get overheated and feel sick.

Thanks for the advice!

Valerie

[Virginia87106]

Valerie-  It is normal for your energy levels to be way down for a while.  It took me 2-3 months to get most of it back.

I am a year post op, and I still can feel some slight tightness in the neck and still have some numbness around the ears.

But the bruising will be mostly gone in 5-6 weeks

[Meshi]

Just had it done 6wks ago in San Fran.  5wks...but it all depends on how  much work you have  done.  the jawline can, chin etc can take up to 2yrs even.  I mean the brusing will not be there but ive heard of continuing changes even up to 2yrs.  It is not abnormal to have to get a facelift after 4-6 month either, because as the bone is displaced they will be some looseness of skin under the  neck.  It  is an option tho  and some ppl dont necessarly need it.

[Valerie Elizabeth]

Well, all I know is the bruising goes way down on a day to day basis.  Today and tonight I felt like my normal self again (minus this stupid head garment).

I am making the most awesome roasted red pepper tomato soup.

YAY!

[MeghanAndrews]

Yeah, you are recovering, woo hoo! I was pretty much all done with bruising 1 1/2 - 2 months in. I had quite a bit of facial hair come out of nowhere after FFS and I couldn't get electro so that made me sad. I would say that you'll really start to see changes at six months. I think I gave this advice before, but I'll say it again. TAKE PICTURES EVERY DAY!!! You won't see changes in the mirror. You need to put pre and post op pics next to each other and in sequence, then you'll start to see the difference Meghan

[Buffy]

Good to hear your recovering Valerie.

As others have said, It can take a few weeks for the soft tissue to recover and the brusing to leave, but the bone work can take longer. It was about a year before my jaw felt and looked ok.

9 years on I still have some numbness in my bottom lip and a place on my scalp which has no feeling, I guess the nerves in those areas will never heal.

It was a fantacstic feeling the first time I went out without the sun glasses, blood shot eyes and a load of make up covering bruises!

Buffy

[Valerie Elizabeth]

Oh man!

I'm at work right now with staples in my head, and "the flying nun" head garment on.

I have the bruises under my eyes, eyelids that are bruised.  I have a bruised right cheek. 


It's all good though.



One question, did anyone notice any bruising migration?

For example with me, I noticed it today that I see a little bruising at around my collarbone area, like just a hint of skin discoloration.



And yes, I know I should have taken two or three weeks off of work and school, but well, school would be over and I need the money - plus I am woman and I can do anything.

[mmelny]

One question, did anyone notice any bruising migration?

For example with me, I noticed it today that I see a little bruising at around my collarbone area, like just a hint of skin discoloration.

Hi [again] Valerie,

Bruising migration.. heck yes!   I had bruising and swelling "stuff" for lack of better terms move all the way down my chest. from the collarbone to just about breast level, actually going into the top half of my bosum (yikes).   But it was amazing, I had never known that bruising could move.   I had no procedures done on my chest, but for about a week it looked like I had been hit by a Mack truck in my upper chest

It goes away, like everything else, and mine never really hurt, just looked ghastly!

*huggs*,
Melan

[Valerie Elizabeth]

How about sleeping?

I could sleep all day.  Like, normally I can sleep like 10 hours - 8 or 9 being prime but I can stretch it to 10 without feeling like crap all day.  Now, that it is post surgery, I could sleep all day.  I slept for 13 hours yesterday, and I think I took a nap in the afternoon.

I feel like the answer is obvious - "you're healing, and your body needs rest", but I just wanted to know how some other people's sleeping was after surgery.  I mean, I am two weeks post op today.

Let me know.

Valerie

[Sandy]

Yeah, you're healing.

Your body has been traumatized and is recovering.  I would sleep about 8 hours a night then take a 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon.  I did that for about 3-4 weeks post surgery.  Also if you are still taking vicoden for pain that too will give you the sleepies.

The effects of general anesthesia and major surgery are far reaching.  It is not unusual to feel the effects, lack of energy/stamina, for 8 weeks or longer.

You really *have* been hit by a truck.  Your body will take time to recover.  Don't push yourself, but try to, very gradually, start exercises.

-Sandy

[Valerie Elizabeth]

I know.  It's just sometimes you feel a little worried and it's nice to hear you're not alone with symptoms.

Thanks.

Valerie

[Renate]

Enjoy that you can now take a nap with impunity!

When you are recuperating your whole world should revolve around this.
It's a full time job.
Getting plenty of sleep, eating right and light exercise are all important.

[KerstinVienna]

Hi valerie!

after my ffs i slept for 15 hours and more every day ... i was really tired and just took the time to sleep, so i spent most of my stay in chonburi in my hotel.
I had no bruises etc (that was luck) and yes, like meghan wrote, take pictures! even now, 8months afters FFS my face looks diffrent than the month before
But afters 3 weeks my head shrunk to its normal size, I was able to eat properly (without the fear that it will fall out again *G) .. it takes time, but it's worth to wait and see the changes

yours kerstin

[Valerie Elizabeth]

Numbness.   It's been 4.5 weeks since surgery.

Can I get some insight into any lingering numbness?  The top of my head is numb (my scalp), and I have some numbness on the right side of my face that starts a little right of center of my chin and extends about 1.5 inches along my jawline, and goes up to about the corner of my mouth.  It's not complete numbness, and I feel like I had feeling there for a while, and then it got numb, and then came back, and is now numb again.  I could also be losing it, and its just been numb the whole time. 

What I mean by "not complete numbness" is that, its almost like it lost some sensation to the skin.  I feel like I can still feel touch, and I experimented with a toothpick by poking myself gently and could definitely feel the poking pain of the toothpick. 

So, can I get some feedback on peoples experiences with numbness as it relates to FFS?

Thanks!

[Sandy]

Numbness.   It's been 4.5 weeks since surgery.

Can I get some insight into any lingering numbness?  The top of my head is numb (my scalp), and I have some numbness on the right side of my face that starts a little right of center of my chin and extends about 1.5 inches along my jawline, and goes up to about the corner of my mouth.  It's not complete numbness, and I feel like I had feeling there for a while, and then it got numb, and then came back, and is now numb again.  I could also be losing it, and its just been numb the whole time. 

What I mean by "not complete numbness" is that, its almost like it lost some sensation to the skin.  I feel like I can still feel touch, and I experimented with a toothpick by poking myself gently and could definitely feel the poking pain of the toothpick. 

So, can I get some feedback on peoples experiences with numbness as it relates to FFS?

Thanks!

That sensation will go away almost completely most likely.  But it can take a year or more.  And there is a possibility that you will not regain full sensation.

You may recall that the doctor advised against using a blow dryer on your hair for at least six months.  That is because you cannot feel heat completely and could easily burn yourself.

It as been almost two years since my FFS and I still do not have full sensation on my scalp, parts of my face, or neck.  Much as you describe it is a partial numbness.  As of my last consult with Dr. Z a couple of months ago, I was told that I may never regain full sensation.

As an aside, Dr. McGinn, who did my SRS also went through extensive FFS, and seven years following her surgery, she still has numbness on her scalp and parts of her face.

That is part of the cost of what we pursue.

-Sandy

[MeghanAndrews]

Hi Valerie,
I'm glad everything is going well One year later and my scalp and parts of my forehead are still totally numb and my chin and bottom lip are a little numb. I know Dr. O severs a lot more nerves than Dr. Z. but like others said, the numbness will be there for a long time and may potentially never go away. I wouldn't trade the numbness for the results. It's funny I was just thinking that the other day too. You'll see in two years, if you are still numb you'll be so pleased with Dr. Z's work that it won't bother you much. I don't even remember what it was like not having scalp numbness. I'll bump my head on things sometimes and go "oww" just because I know it's supposed to hurt, even though it never does Meghan