Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Ok, so my wife and I have talked it over and I got an OK to confirm the 29th of next month for Dr. Z.  Neil is going to call back tomorrow and we'll finalize it all then.  This will put my GCS way behind, but my hairline is a serious issue for me right now and just not having as much passing anxiety is worth a delay.  The cool part is that I was already taking half of the days and this means that it won't hurt my vacation time as much for next year.

I'm planning on skipping the cheek implants.  I also got quotes for breast enhancement, but it isn't in the budget right now and while I've been on some level of HRT for over a year, I've only been full strength for a few months, so maybe I have a bit more growth left.

Apart from the cheek implants it is a full FFS suite.  I considered dropping the rhinoplasty, but now I'm trying to make it work.  My nose isn't that bad, but it is a bit thicker at the bridge and slopes outward instead of inward.  And to be honest I like the upturn that most FFS rhinoplasties give.  I also have a deviated septum which this should repair.  Hmm, I think I've talked myself into it now, but anyone want to try and talk me out of it?

Is skipping the cheek implants a bad idea?  I have fairly pronounced cheekbones anyway (enough partially native american ancestors).  I also thought that many of the cheek pictures on Dr. Z's site were grossly overdone.  I've also seen others that seem to consider his cheek recommendations a bit much.



edit: trying to change thread title

I strongly approve of skipping the cheek implants. They seem to create the "I have had facial surgery" look more than any other procedure. It's also one of the areas most affected by HRT. Also, careful if you are doing lip work, that's the other one that can have some problematic results if the surgeon goes too far. I won't talk you out of the nose though. Nose jobs seem to make more of a difference than you'd expect just cause it's right in the middle of your face. There is a reason it's such a common procedure. If you are really struggling, maybe try out http://www.virtualffs.co.uk/? (http://www.virtualffs.co.uk/?) I found it helpful.

Anyway, congrats and best of luck!

Skip nose and cheek with Z, you'll regret it trust me. Find a nose surgeon that does great work period. And can really give you a feminine symmetrical nose, dr Z doesn't have much skill in noses. they are all a bit piggish.

thats great. now you can start the count down  :)

It is official booked. I also stopped by my Edward Jones agent office and put in the sale order. If the market stays up the rest of the day I may even have some shopping money for the day before

CONGRATS! My surge with Dr. Z is a week after yours. I'm skipping the cheek implants as well. I already have nice, full cheeks. And I got my nose done already by another surgeon a few years ago so no need for that. I wish you the best and please keep us posted.

How much and how are you financing it?

Quote from: Mahsa the disco shark on November 29, 2011, 08:16:05 PM
How much and how are you financing it?

I'm budgeting 27-28k for all the expenses. Unfortunately I had to raid some IRA accounts I had from a 401k rollover.   They will be totally gone so now I have 0 savings for GCS. I'm betting that I'll have to wait for a couple of years to raise the funds.

I'm actually the first trans person my therapist has worked with so she is playing by the book strictly so I couldn't have had GCS until the fall anyway. And since my wife teaches I'd have had to wait till the following summer. Or at least that is what I tell myself so I don't let my dysphoria about THAT consume me because of the delay.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on November 29, 2011, 08:11:26 PM
CONGRATS! My surge with Dr. Z is a week after yours. I'm skipping the cheek implants as well. I already have nice, full cheeks. And I got my nose done already by another surgeon a few years ago so no need for that. I wish you the best and please keep us posted.

Congrats! to you too.   When are you getting in?  Where are you staying?  Maybe that is better in PM than an open post.  I'm staying up there till the following Friday since it was easier to get a ride back home from the airport. If you want to pick my brain about how it went just shoot me a PM.

I've got a flight and room now. I've got to go through ATL on the way up, but I managed a nonstop for my trip back so I didn't have to rush from concourse to concourse. It was a touch more but I'm sure I'll feel bad enough that I'll be happy I did. It also doesn't get me home until close to 10pm.

BTW for anyone looking to use Dr Z his rate for the stay bridge is $20 cheaper a night than online.

Ok, now I've confirmed the caregiver service since I'm going up alone.

I keep looking for something else to do so I don't keep thinking about how close it is.

So today is my medical clearance appointment. I've been so excited, but now I'm a bit anxious about this. I had thought nothing of it until my wife made me promise to try not to crash hard if something happens and my pcp can't approve it for health reasons. So now of course I can't think of anything else.

I don't know of any reasons it should be a problem and I understand it is for my own safety, but it is hard to fight that fear.

Quote from: Jeneva on December 08, 2011, 11:15:34 AM
So today is my medical clearance appointment. I've been so excited, but now I'm a bit anxious about this. I had thought nothing of it until my wife made me promise to try not to crash hard if something happens and my pcp can't approve it for health reasons. So now of course I can't think of anything else.

I don't know of any reasons it should be a problem and I understand it is for my own safety, but it is hard to fight that fear.

I know exactly how you feel. My appointment is next week and all I can think about is if I'll be cleared for surgery or not. Let's try not to worry. I'm sure everything will be fine.

BTW, I came across a site of someone who had FFS with Dr. Z back in August of this year, I believe. Take a look at it. http://www.jolind.com/jolind/WebPages/FirstSet/FFS.html (http://www.jolind.com/jolind/WebPages/FirstSet/FFS.html)

I just thought I'd share.

Ok, so all done now.  The EKG was fine and my PCP had no issues.  We'll still have to wait on the blood tests, but she said that since I've never shown any issues on blood tests that I should be fine.

JenJen2011 thanks for the link.  When you see her medical history and that she was approved it does help relieve a bit of tension.

This was my first appointment since my name change and starting RLT so basically I was coming out to a lot of the support staff. 
My lab person is someone I went to elementary school with and we usually talk when I have lab work.  So I started out with "So I guess you noticed the name change."  She was very supportive. 
The nurse that I've been afraid was anti-trans because of her brusqueness didn't react badly to my breasts when she did the EKG and then later when she was talking to the Dr she slipped and used a he and immediately corrected it to she and genuinely apologized to me.

Sometime I let my anxiety get the better of me and assume things are so much worse than they really are and this was another of those times.

I've sort of reworked this thread to be a countdown for me.  Posting every so often helps me feel like it's getting closer and keeps me from just feeling like I'm stuck waiting.

Ok, I had my second consult with Dr. Z and we nailed down everything and got my final costs.  I am definitely not doing the cheek implants but I am going to get breast implants because the market was a bit up when I cashed out my IRA and I was able to get a 2 year 0% loan to help give a cushion for extra costs.

They still don't have my Dr's test results for final clearance so I'm still not sure, but my PCP Dr didn't think there should be a problem.

At this point I have the flights, hotel, caregiver, and ground transportation all arranged.  I'll fill his prescriptions as soon as I get notice that they have fully cleared me.

Quote from: Jeneva on December 14, 2011, 01:16:11 PM
I've sort of reworked this thread to be a countdown for me.  Posting every so often helps me feel like it's getting closer and keeps me from just feeling like I'm stuck waiting.

And know that you are not alone. I have you in my thoughts.

QuoteThey still don't have my Dr's test results for final clearance so I'm still not sure, but my PCP Dr didn't think there should be a problem.

I'm the one worried now. I meet with my PCP tomorrow.

QuoteAt this point I have the flights, hotel, caregiver, and ground transportation all arranged.  I'll fill his prescriptions as soon as I get notice that they have fully cleared me.

Cool. Have they sent you a DVD booklet with pre/post-op instructions? I believe they send you this after making a payment of half the total amount.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on December 14, 2011, 02:07:33 PM
And know that you are not alone. I have you in my thoughts.

I'm the one worried now. I meet with my PCP tomorrow.

Cool. Have they sent you a DVD booklet with pre/post-op instructions? I believe they send you this after making a payment of half the total amount.

I wish you fast healing and great results for yours as well!  I'll be around the Staybridge until 5pm on the 6th since I managed to get a non-stop flight and it didn't leave until later in the day.  If you are in before that, I'll probably be killing time in one of the public areas of the hotel.


I was really worried too, but now I think it was more me than any real reason to be worried.  When I went to see my PCP she said that it was almost just busy work to rerun the tests.  If you've had prior surgeries then I can't imagine this one will be a problem since your previous EKGs had to have been ok.  So if you've had recent bloodwork done that they weren't worried about it probably isn't a big deal.  Hopefully that helps keep your nerves down.

I got my booklet about a week ago and I've skimmed the book once and then we watched the video.  The video is a bit scary in terms of how bad I'm imagining I'll look.  Although I was really pleased with all of the results on it.  Several of them had really nice noses and the rest of the facial features looked pretty good too.  I think he would be SO much better off if he switched some of them with his main site pictures.

I fully agree with skipping the cheekimplants. It doesn't scream 'plastic surgery' only but it can look weird to see  a 'cheekimplant' face animated.

You don't want to wind up with a strange, wooden face, barely able to move when you're speaking. Makes me wonder if that's because of 'obstructed' facial muscles and/or they will 'stretch' and adapt over time.

Besides that: it surely is one of the facial things most affected by HRT as Sarah7 points out. If your face changes with HRT after having cheekimplants....you run a risk of ending up with an even stranger overstuffed looking matronly 'pillowface'.

I fully agree on the 'the dr Z piggynose' as well.

Saw some hideous  MTF dr Z piggynose pics a couple of days ago. She had a revision but not fully to her satisfaction. Her nosetip is still to high.

Quote from: Dahlia on December 15, 2011, 01:09:51 PM
I fully agree on the 'the dr Z piggynose' as well.

Saw some hideous  MTF dr Z piggynose pics a couple of days ago. She had a revision but not fully to her satisfaction. Her nosetip is still to high.

Hmmm, I'm having him do it to fix my deviated septum since I have enough breathing problems as it is.  I also like a bit of a curve on a nose.  The pictures I've seen all look ok, but I'm sure there are some that are too far gone.  Has she done the recommended massage while it was healing?  The breathing help makes it worth the chance for a bad nose for me though.

And now for the latest step in my progress.  They have all my test results.  I decided to trust Dr Z on the sizing and went with the 700cc breast implants.  I had an old set of forms that were 40D and wore those over my existing growth and we felt it looked good and not too much.

And I've finished shopping for the trip.  I went ahead and bought most of the food I'll use just so I don't have to run around Chicago without a car trying to grab it last minute.  Hopefully tomorrow I can go ahead and pack everything away.

I know it is still a bit away, but there is the whole holiday season coming up so I'll be busy with that and it is something for me to do ;)

It's getting closer and closer Jeneva! It's good to be well prepared than unprepared!

Well I heard back from Dr. Z's office today and my tests were all good EXCEPT I had some blood in my urine. Dr. Z's nurse that told me about it said it wouldn't affect my clearance, but I have to take a set of antibiotics just in case it is a UTI. I just hope it isn't another round of kidney stones, but either way I'm all set for the 29th.

1 week left. :)

Thanks JenJen.  Every day mine gets closer is another day for yours too.

I had to stop HRT this morning and I'm trying to not dwell on that.  But knowing it I can be one step closer to my real self in just a few days certainly helps.

I still haven't fully packed.  The dog attack kept me from doing it on Sunday, and I just haven't had time yet, but it isn't like I need to pack for a few more days.

My wife brought home the school iPad she was issued over the holiday break (lots of people have access to the building and unfortunately some aren't entirely trustworthy with something they can hide in their coat).  We experimented with FaceTime between ours and the school's so we can keep in touch with video even.  Of course I don't think I'm going to be using video for a few days and may not even be coherent enough to use it at all for the first few days.

I did get another big pre-surgery task completed today.  I stopped by the bank and got the cashier's checks for both Dr. Z and Lisa Lopez.

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to stopping mines on the 31st. But yes, it will be worth it in the end.

I've heard only good things about Lisa. If I were going alone I'd definitely use her services but my mother will be helping me with my recovery.

I will be praying for both of you, for good results and a quick recovery !

Jen61

Quote from: Jen61 on December 22, 2011, 06:07:41 PM
I will be praying for both of you, for good results and a quick recovery !

Jen61

Thank you!

Quote from: JenJen2011 on December 22, 2011, 05:57:35 PM
Yeah, I'm not looking forward to stopping mines on the 31st. But yes, it will be worth it in the end.

I've heard only good things about Lisa. If I were going alone I'd definitely use her services but my mother will be helping me with my recovery.

I saw a lot of positive comments about Lisa too and Dr. Z was very supportive of her. 

My wife was actually fairly concerned about getting the surgery now until she saw some of the comments about Lisa and saw her on the video.

We tried really hard to justify my wife going, but it just didn't work out.  She was going to have to take a few days off and the new superintendent for the school system doesn't want them to miss around holidays even if they have sick days.  And then there was our oldest son to deal with.  He has type 1 diabetes and the only people we could trust to watch him are totally useless when it comes to helping him dose enough insulin and stay around 70 grams per meal.  So we would have ended up with 3 extra plane tickets (for our daughter too) + another room so it was just too much.

Because of when my surgery is (just before the new year) I told Lisa I could be very flexible so she is covering until noon on the 31st and then will be back on the morning of the 2nd.  She said it would be ok to slide the dressing removal and shower until that early that morning.  I may have someone else for coverage, but we haven't nailed that down yet.

Well, it is REALLY REALLY close now.  So I'm grabbing a few of the more recent pictures that I'm willing to share openly so we can have a before and after.  At first I wasn't going to do this, but the pictures that others shared before this were so helpful to me so it's my responsibility to share now.  Although it is REALLY hard to post those Dr Z relaxed face back no makeup pictures.

I will always have these and more on this page FFS Summary (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/FFSSummary.html) on our farm website (www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com)), *EDIT* We have decided to create a Family Happenings page and this is now link off of that page *EDIT*.  This is only for the T community and I ask that these pictures not be spread around without prior approval from me.

Today on the way to the town (Tractor Supply for chicken/waterfowl feed and then quick grocery).  Loading 350lbs of feed so I was wearing a sports bra instead of something flattering.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FFFSSummary_files%2FMedia%2FIMG_0381%2FIMG_0381.jpg&hash=5f41ca49f236388a07ab85c9aa5ac33b1af76b67)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FFFSSummary_files%2FMedia%2FIMG_0384%2FIMG_0384.jpg&hash=fc713f4c9e9544600f8e1c8814492b66876fe6cb)

Halloween [extensions in so massively flat ironed hair]
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FFFSSummary_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_6799%2520-%2520Version%25202%2FDSC_6799%2520-%2520Version%25202.jpg&hash=82a16f84e4408bc8eb0a039a351f51501a338093)

Picture after second wave of extensions (pre-eyebrow shaping/no makeup) [extensions in so massively flat ironed hair]
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FFFSSummary_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_6744%2FDSC_6744.jpg&hash=50a8c8868311063506578c09e8fc8fae184690e4)

2 FFS shots I sent to Dr. Z
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FFFSSummary_files%2FMedia%2Fface%2520left%2520no%2520makeup%2Fface%2520left%2520no%2520makeup.jpg&hash=d18544cbdab0e0f2550ac94ff7ace0ed20467fff)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FFFSSummary_files%2FMedia%2Fface%2520center%2520no%2520makeup%2Fface%2520center%2520no%2520makeup.jpg&hash=2e432e982ee771497d4f5b9ca35383b02b27adbb)

Ok, I just got a call from Dr. Z's office telling me that my pre-op consult meeting may not be tomorrow after all.  I'm supposed to call after I catch the taxi to find out for sure.  I supposed he has an appointment sometime that afternoon and isn't sure when I will get in.  I don't know if that means my surgery may be delayed or if it just means I'll be awake a little longer on surgery morning without food.  I'm desperately trying to not panic.  I'm sure it is no big deal, but any changes this last minute are odd.

Maybe if I try to go and finish packing so I can stay calm. 

I've also got to run by my therapist's office and pick up a carry letter.  We've not bothered until now, but this is my first flight with my changed name and since TN won't let me change the gender marker until full GCS, I have a female name and a M marker so we thought it might be safest to have a letter from her attesting that I am in a gender reassignment process (and not a terrorist).  I have a printed copy from a scanned letter she signed, but she has the original's in her office mail box for me to pick up today.

In order to get there tomorrow early enough for the planned pre-op consult I was flying out at 7:10.  Since the airport is a bit of a drive, we are planning on getting up around 4am and then they will drive me there.  We don't expect I will be able to drive "safely" when I get back to that airport so we don't want to leave a vehicle in the long term parking. 

I'm not likely to be able to post again until tomorrow evening with an update about what the deal about the pre-op consult was.  After that it will probably be my wife that posts since I'll be too loopy.  She finally joined Susan's even though she has lurked on and off for three years.  Since she introduced herself I can now use Shannon instead of avoiding her name.  Shannon's login name is Dragonfly and she will likely be the only one that posts for the first three or so days.  I'm the normal website editor so I doubt she will update our website FFS page either.

If you couldn't tell from the rambling here I'm only a "little" bit hyper  :icon_dance: :icon_joy:

I wish you the best!!!! You'll be in my thoughts. :)

we all wish you the best. if you does not see you wed. he may just see you before surgery. every so ofter that happens

Wish you all the best, I hope it goes even better than planned!  :D

I'm very interested in the final look.

Goodluck Jeneva

Hugs

Cindy

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I am seriously considering Dr Z for my FFS so I will be very interested reading about your journey.
When I was searching for Dr Z results throughout the web I discovered the following blog of a former Dr Z patient. The moment where the inner self became congruent with the outer self was so beautifully captured in this entry.http://victoriacantons.livejournal.com/107932.html (http://victoriacantons.livejournal.com/107932.html)
Cara

Just minutes before we were due to get up and start getting ready to drive to the airport, I got a call from Delta saying my flight had been moved until TOMORROW.  I'm on the phone with Expedia right now trying to get this resolved.  It may be good he wasn't going to do the consult today. 

Unfortunately they are trying to tell me that they can't get me there till tomorrow at all.  Even though I know there are a dozen flights out of TRI today INCLUDING a non-stop to O'Hare.  Not really happy with airlines right now.  As a last resort I can drive up in a rental car one-way, but it is an 11 hour drive for me so I REALLY don't want to go there.

Whew, they finally agreed to pay the extra and put me on a non-stop that gets there at 6:10p CST.  Delta kept wanting me to drive two hours to another airport or wait until tomorrow, but they finally caved.

BTW: this was not weather related, they simply consolidated flights to save money since they weren't full enough on any of the existing 4 flights.

I was a bit worried about my pre-op consult, but Dr. Z's office said he was just going to swing by the hotel when I got in so I guess its all still ok.

At least I get a silver lining out of this and get more time with my family since I don't have to leave the house until 3pm now instead of 5am.

I can imagine how you felt with those last minute obstacles but I'm glad everything seems to be back in order for you. Keep us updated when you can. :)

I'm at the StayBridge now. Already got all my calls home and facebook updates done. I really should be in bed since I have to get up at 4am tomorrow, but I'm too excited. Dr. Z came by my room for the preop consult. He wasn't sure he was going to do a trachea shave since I have a fairly fat neck and it doesn't show right now. he did say that he was sure the saline implants would be fine based on the tissue I had now and I also asked about weight loss and he thought it should be OK and not look bad or expose them if I lost the weight I need to lose later.

I've been excited, but after he left it really hit me and I had a bad case of the shakes for a few minutes. It is almost here. Sure this isn't THE surgery, but it should help me be accepted so much more. Now I'm just jittery with excitement but I am afraid to take anything since sometimes I don't wake easily if I take the anxiety meds. I feel like I could make a dozen trips around the hotel and not even feel the cold.

I hope things go well for you tomorrow!  :)

Congrats ! I wish you the best of luck!

Best wishes both of you. You'll be just fine and Lisa was great and looked after me really well.
XXX

Wide awake and hungry but still excited. It took me over an hour to get to sleep last night. 15 more minutes and my ride is here.

My piercings only took 15 minutes, but I hadn't used the pliers before and I wasn't sure how much work it would be so I estimated longer.

The soap actually make decent suds for my hair but it is nasty feeling now since it is so stripped.

Can't wait to see the new you. :)

Good luck with everything!  I, too, can't wait to see the new you. :)

Hi everybody!  This is Shannon, Jeneva's wife. I just heard from Lisa Lopez. Jeneva got out of surgery around 8:45 CST.   She said Jeneva is still in recovery and that everything went well.  This has been the longest, most stressful day of my life!  Lisa seems so sweet and she told me I could call her any time to check on Jeneva. 
I would like to thank everybody who has been so very wonderful to Jeneva on here.
Shannon

Thanks so Much Shannon for updating us. I'm so glad to know everything went well. Now let's hope for a speedy recovery.

Best wishes for recovery! Hope those first 2 days aren't too bad.

Jeneva was able to have a conversation at 10 this morning through texting.  She was uncomfortable with all the packing and dressing, but not in too much pain.  She said Dr. Z was supposed to come tonight to remove the packing from her nose.  I hope to get another text later, but with the meds and all that is gong on, she may not feel like it.
Today was a much nicer day for me than yesterday.  I didn't think yesterday would ever end.  It's hard being away from the person you love.  With two kids and one of them having type 1 diabetes it was just too hard to be up there. I'll   post more probably tomorrow when I hear more. 
Shannon

Good to hear that everything went well :). Cant wait to see the end result.

We're taking picture but they will take a week or so to show up since we have to post them on our site first.  It really isn't do bad now. Just uncomfortable at times. Right now I'm on my own because of the holiday, but Lisa will be back tomorrow for. A shower and to show me how to take care of the newly. Exposed switches. Dr Z, Lisa, and Jennifer have been awesome. Sorry for the sporadic typing but my focus isn't 100% yet. Going to eat my third unsupervised meal and 7th overall. It does hurt nearly as bad as I feared just an awkward sense. Sleeping is hard because it hurts my back up that straight.

Dr Z said everyone was go e till you get here JenJen I think I remember.

Wow it was hard to wake up after anthesia.

Good to hear things are going well. I found it was just those first couple days that were really uncomfortable, and then it started getting better pretty fast.

And ya, sleeping on all those pillows sucks!

Quote from: Sarah7 on January 01, 2012, 02:29:10 PM
Good to hear things are going well. I found it was just those first couple days that were really uncomfortable, and then it started getting better pretty fast.

And ya, sleeping on all those pillows sucks!

Just got up because dr Z said he was coming over in an hour.  For sleeping I found the couch more comfortable. I can fully sit up with out any sore muscles. Just mosltly board now because I can not read for long. But it is defntaely better. That first night I told Lisa there was no way a could stand into that wheelchair because I'd just fall asleep halfway there. I did make it, but I was SO dopy for so long it has kinda turned me off anthesia if there is any other option. I know I'll need it for GCS but I'm going to be doing locals when I can for other stuff.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 01, 2012, 02:50:13 PM
I know I'll need it for GCS but I'm going to be doing locals when I can for other stuff.

I'm doing an epidural + a sedative for my bottom surgery. No general anesthetic.

Quote from: Sarah7 on January 01, 2012, 08:36:30 PM
I'm doing an epidural + a sedative for my bottom surgery. No general anesthetic.

When are you scheduled?  That really shut me down so if it works for you then I may have to go there.

It was just so hard to wake, but I had never been under before.

Unfortunately I'm out of surgery funds for a bit over a year now

I'm glad your experience is going well so far.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 01, 2012, 12:00:57 PMDr Z said everyone was go e till you get here JenJen I think I remember.

Huh? I don't understand.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 01, 2012, 10:41:50 PM
When are you scheduled?  That really shut me down so if it works for you then I may have to go there.

It was just so hard to wake, but I had never been under before.

Unfortunately I'm out of surgery funds for a bit over a year now

February 22, 2012 in Montreal with Dr Brassard. Apparently it's pretty standard with them now. They prefer the local, cause you recover much faster.

I've had general three times before the FFS, and it always sucks, though the FFS was the worst. Spent the first night in hospital puking up blood, and then couldn't keep anything down for the next couple days.

You need to have a decent time gap between major surgeries, so I wouldn't feel too bad about delaying a bit. Got to spend some time recovering and then enjoying the changes from the facial work first, nah? ;)

Ive keep everything down,but was JUST SO DOPE UP that first night. Shower today since the holiday was yesterday. I'm hopping that helps the lingering pitchy feel


Sorry JenJen I typed badly he had no one still here. Evidently he like like 3-4 people when when I got here. I think you are the next one up.

Good luck it doesn't hurt nearly as bad as my kidney stones did WHILE I was on pain med for them. This is just obnoxious.

I've already decided it was well worth it though. Hopefully pics on our site and here Saturday I have a munch but just don't have the right tools or level of concentration to do it here.

Btw these people that claim no pain meds after 3 days, are they really serious is it it no EXTRA pain meds. Lisa is thinking I'll be taking until 3 or 4 weeks total, but I had a TONS DONE.

Hey Jeneva I'm thinking of getting surgery with Dr Z what type of tests did the doctor require? I'm concered I may not get clearance, I hope your recovery is going well

Doing ok now. Finally up to real food so Lisa made a grocery run for me.  Because of the holiday I had her 1, 2, and 4.

At the time of MY test it was 12 lead EKG, SMA 20, CBC, and UA. But YMMY please contact him directly for more info.

Weight was NOT a problem since I was pushing 240. I've been around 180 and really don't ever expect to be less just because of frame size, but 240 at 5'11" was no too obese.


BTW the massages HURTHURTHURT!!!  They are supposed to get easier though. I've got to run and find my bedtime food for those meds.


Good luck JenJen and anyone else that uses Dr Z after this. It is funny that JenJen's thread was one of the ones I drew on heavily and made me decide to share some of this.

Thanks. Only 3 days now.

How's it going on day 5 post op? Has Dr. Z let you start re-taking your hormones yet? How bad are the massages really? Like 10 out of 10 painful?

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 03, 2012, 04:39:10 PM
Thanks. Only 3 days now.

How's it going on day 5 post op? Has Dr. Z let you start re-taking your hormones yet? How bad are the massages really? Like 10 out of 10 painful?

Ok, I'm up right now because a sleeping wrong head ache and nothing more so don't let this scare you.

The massages AFTER the first two only hurt when I hit the drain tube in some way. The first two were 7 ish.  Now it is actually pleasant in a few places and 8 ish on the tube. Along my jaw where he did muscle work it is a very pleasing massage.

I'm off massages for a bit though because I just got my fat grafts. It was over very quickly so please don't panic, but the shots AFTER the numbing shots were at 8-10. It was clearly worse than when I had kidney stones. Now having said that part of it s my fault because I had a panic attack as it started because of the pain.  I was expecting the dull throbbing/tightness I had that rarely even reach 5. This was a shar piercing. But I don't feel it at all now. Just be aware that is is a different type of pain and you'll be fine.  If you get panicked tell him that Jeneva told him to tell you about me and I'd almost bet money you can stay calmer with your laughter. I was in Mage terms and my legs were spamming like crazy.

If possible get you grafts done while under. If not then just be aware it is a sharp piercing not a throbbing or tearing.

I did restart hrt yesterday and when not massaging the drain tube area or not getting grafts I felt awesome. It was great to have on street clothes and eat with everyone. The oatmeal and the peaches were both good so you may want one of you parents to get it for you.

Sorry I only have my iPad with me. Here is a picture on my FB timeline. Normally I'd crash the actual picture URL but on safari on an iPad I don't know how.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204461152979948&l=33466b1a33 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204461152979948&l=33466b1a33)


Feeling a lot better today. I just overdid it rushing through a shower and rushing off to breakfast.  I had to lye back down to recover some, but I'm up now.

It looks like you're healing quite nicely. I see the changes already. :)

Sorry for posting again but school was finally in session today.  The first part of the week we had enough snow in the Appalachians that Shannon was off work and we txted or FaceTimed a lot.  So today I'm bored.

Two massages down already today. Neither hurt terribly badly. The drain tube must have settled in since is is only a 5-6 now. The forehead is no pain. The neck is minimal. The jaws where he cut down a LOT of mass actually are in that weird hurts so good mode.  You know when trading back rubs with a partner and something mes them catch their breath, but then definitely don't want you to stop.  I actually am getting a touch of lymph or blood squirt into my mouth on the right side.

One of the girls on the floor below had returned my call, but was still waiting to hear back from Dr Z about her friend so when her cell rang she had to take it.  Hopefully her friend gets then results she wants.

Dr Z has promised to remove my drain tube tonight so I'm fairly excited since it is awkward and while not quite as painful anymore it does still hurt sometimes.

Just as a side note if you are doing FFS and going to do a BA. Do them together. For the most part I have had NO pain from the BA that wasn't overshadowed by the facial/neck pain. Of course I should qualify that with the fact Dr Z said my neck was extra tricky and took a lot of work.   The other perk to doing them at the same time is that even when my face is swollen I have a visible sign of being that much more myself.   It really helps you stay positive. I can say that except for a brief period yesterday morning because of a wrongly applied bandage after my fat grafts I have had ZERO depressive thoughts.  Even when I was upset it was because of the pain of hair under constant tension and Shannon talked me out of the hole.  I have to agree with the posters on another thread that with FFS/BA you get post op happiness not depression.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204740039618726&l=06bd496719 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204740039618726&l=06bd496719)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204740382952025&l=db827635b5 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204740382952025&l=db827635b5)

I have my nose splint off.  And I'm EXCEPTIONALLY pleased. Personally I am glad I let him do my nose too. Not only can I breath so much better but I like it so far.

So Dr Z critics tell me what he did wrong? I'm not a nose expert so even though I like it it may not be 'technically' correct. Don't post just to be hateful, but if something is wrong please let me know

BTW when I get home and upload these to our personal farm website I will fix them to be inline but all I have here is my iPad.

ALSO please please please don't mock the hair growth. I actually begged him and said I'd be extra careful but he said no shaving yet. I've only had 5 laser sessions and still get some growth without daily shaving and this is a weeks worth.

Time to pack. I've been surfing because I wore myself out with a shower and rushing around. I also had about a two hour lag between painpills and needed to let this one kick in before the nose massage.  Probable few pictures taken today and I doubt anything makes it onto the site.

The big rush that keeps me going is knowing that I get to see Shannon and the kids tonight.

I'm headed over to Dr Z's office at 2 and heading to the airport from there at 4. He wanted to leave this drain in until the last minute because of the massive work he did to my big fat hog jowls.  It may still be big but at least it is more sow like now.

I was looking forward to putting a real person with your account JenJen but it looks like I'll be gone before you get here now. I haven't even met the other couple the floor below but I'm going to offer them all the rest of my food.  I'm a firm believer in pay it forward.

Apart for the guest losers last night and this morning this has been a dream trip. Everyone has been awesome with pronouns and you can tell they aren't just doing it for show.

Sometime late Sat or Sun I'll update our personal website and then link in more pictures here. Because I'm timing this account to that site I will likely start using my full name since it has always been reachable from the www link.

I can smell a very good result here. I had my FFS done by Dr. Z. He is a fantastic doctor

Hi Jeneva,

I just had my surgery with Dr Z too, left chicago on the 31st of dec so we probably just missed each other. 

The massages are hurting me even after 3+ weeks, although nowhere near as the first few days.  One thing I've found is that having facial hair growth makes my massages hurt more, so if you can shave then do it.  Shaving is still a bit difficult with the numbness in my chin area, and I think I've cut myself at least once so don't make that mistake!

Quote from: atheuona on January 07, 2012, 05:22:24 AM
Hi Jeneva,

I just had my surgery with Dr Z too, left chicago on the 31st of dec so we probably just missed each other. 

The massages are hurting me even after 3+ weeks, although nowhere near as the first few days.  One thing I've found is that having facial hair growth makes my massages hurt more, so if you can shave then do it.  Shaving is still a bit difficult with the numbness in my chin area, and I think I've cut myself at least once so don't make that mistake!

Were you part of the group from Australia?  Sorry the timings just didn't work out.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 07, 2012, 10:44:40 AM
Were you part of the group from Australia?  Sorry the timings just didn't work out.

Yeah I was part of that group, I thought about getting in contact with you but as you'd just come out of surgery that day I figured you'd be pretty out of it and sleep a lot (just like I was my first day or two I guess)

Sorry I did take more pictures today and I do finally have my narrative written, but the picture layout is going to take several hours more and I just don't have it in me tonight.  Sometime tomorrow I will update our website and then relink stuff here.

Ok, our website is updated.  The primary location for these pictures (first to get edits and updates) will be www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com)

Specifically the "Family Happenings" (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/Family_Happenings.html) link under that.

Any major family stuff will be posted there.  Obviously a transition related surgery is major stuff.  Other things you might see are prep for GCS, a potential half step with an orchidectomy or other major transition milestones like approval letters there.

On that page there is a link called 12/29/2011 Jeneva's Facial Feminization Surgery and Breast Augmentation (FFS/BA) (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/FFSSummary.html)

This page will periodically be updated with new pictures at an irregular schedule.  It shows little progress to show pictures on day 21 and day 22 for example.  We are thinking weekly for a while and then maybe biweekly or even monthly for a year and a half, so we can be sure all the swelling is down.

Attached are a few cherry picked pictures, but EVERYTHING is on the FFS Summary page.  Even including a page Shannon wrote on how things went here while I was gone.

Facial picture after first wrapping was off
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSDay1_files%2FMedia%2FIMG_0002%2FIMG_0002.jpg&hash=368e59650b95bfd58672d526164fce8c2b0c405d)

And then picture after nose splint was off (shared above via FaceBook, but linked here for ease of viewing)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSDay7_files%2FMedia%2FIMG_0063%2FIMG_0063.jpg&hash=327b059d0d44e260e94b051fddba2d58155f1339)


As we add new content to the page I will ttt this thread with a message about what we have added.

I know there was discussion on another thread about losing piercings.  I put back in all 4 lobes (2 each ear), both helixes and my industrial with very little problem after them being out since 12/28/2011.  I did need Shannon's help for the industrial since it is sometimes hard to line up just right by yourself.

He has ok'd putting back in my eyebrow, but I still have swelling there and don't want it in the way for the massages, if I lose it then I'll just re-pierce it.

He has not ok'd my 2 lip rings (snake bites) or my tongue barbell or my nose YET but said he will when let me know when I can.

He specially asked me to NEVER replace my tragus.  Because my tragus is so small he actually cut in FRONT of my ear for some of the incisions.  It is no great loss to me since the "starter" jewelry was too plain and when I found something I liked it was actually BIGGER than my tragus and looked a bit odd.  It was also rough on the back and had made numerous scratches which occasionally got infected.  The piercing itself was helped and no infection, but Dr Z said the area around it looked bad so he would prefer I let it fully heal.

Shannon asked me to not replace the snake bites because she felt it made kisses odd.  I figure that is fair enough.  I liked them, but I'm not sure they will fit my new look so they are out.  I did ask (with irony) if that since the effects of the snake bites on her meant she didn't want them, then did that mean that the effects that the tongue barbell had on her meant I should leave it out, but other than looking away and turning bright red she just muttered please keep it.

I think the nose is going to be even cuter so I will definitely be replacing it when it is all healed.

BTW I'm typing this while she is at work or she'd never let me, but this is a test of how quickly she notices and what my punishment will be  >:-)

Here is another tip for later FFS surgery recoverers.  Massage as ABSOLUTELY HARD as you can.  I had gotten used to a certain level of gliding in Chicago.  And it worked there, it was forcing the fluid up into the tube.

AND THEN I flew.  And swelled up like a balloon.  And that same strength massage didn't really work anymore.  It had gotten bad enough that I had sent pictures of this weird creasing I was getting.  On Dr. Z's 13 day phone followup he scolded me good about not massaging.  The thing is that I had actually done all 3 each day for at least 30 minutes.  I just had done them the way I did in Chicago before the flight messed up my swelling.  He suggested I get it professionally massaged, which was weirdly ironic because I'd already asked my therapist about someone that works upstairs from her in the same building and was going to ask him if it was OK to use a pro for a couple of massages as week and do the rest myself.

Anyway after he said make sure they use deep pressure I decided to try an experiment.  It was time for my second massage.  So instead of using the firm finger sliding he demos in the video.  I took an individual finger and pressed inward as hard as possible and walked it down my jaw line.  BINGO, fluid moved like crazy.  I'm still trying to get a professional appointment and may even see if she will do a couple a week for me until the end of next month, but at least I understand what went wrong now.

It was so odd.  Because I was doing the massages my forehead, brow, and nose and even most of my neck are all fine.  It was just my jawline that was the issue.

So if you are doing your massages and it just isn't working out then try the single finger press in with FULL STRENGTH and walk down technique. 

  Jeneva you look good already! Can't wait to see your results after a few months. Your nose looks really cute too, has it always been tiny like that?
  I'm having a hard time deciding who I should choose for my FFS surgery, I was thinking either Dr. Spiegel or Dr. Z but idk.

  Oh btw a friend of mine who actually recommended Dr. Z to me had FFS surgery with him a few days ago and is still recovering maybe you saw her there? Her name is Ryder, she's already so gorgeous I can't wait to see what she looks like now! 

Quote from: Danielle×o on January 11, 2012, 05:18:25 PM
  Jeneva you look good already! Can't wait to see your results after a few months. Your nose looks really cute too, has it always been tiny like that?
  I'm having a hard time deciding who I should choose for my FFS surgery, I was thinking either Dr. Spiegel or Dr. Z but idk.

  Oh btw a friend of mine who actually recommended Dr. Z to me had FFS surgery with him a few days ago and is still recovering maybe you saw her there? Her name is ryder monroe, she's already so gorgeous I can't wait to see what she looks like now!

Thanks for the compliment!

I haven't posted any pics lately because I'm really fighting jaw swelling right now.  Tomorrow is the 2 week mark so I will update our site and here even if I'm still swollen, but I'd rather have it be mostly normal.

He was really aggressive with my nose and neck/jaw (and I truly appreciate that).  You can sort of see the size diff in one of my consult pics I posted earlier in the thread.

Did your friend stay at the StayBridge.  I know there were 2 or 3 that were local or stayed somewhere else so I wouldn't have run into them.  I did meet a nice couple at the end of a wing on the second floor of the StayBridge, but drugged up that much I've already forgotten their names.  Did she have her partner and dog with her for support?

I know exactly what you are talking about Jeneva. Massages are CRUCIAL!!!

Quote from: Jeneva on January 11, 2012, 05:44:28 PM
Thanks for the compliment!

I haven't posted any pics lately because I'm really fighting jaw swelling right now.  Tomorrow is the 2 week mark so I will update our site and here even if I'm still swollen, but I'd rather have it be mostly normal.

He was really aggressive with my nose and neck/jaw (and I truly appreciate that).  You can sort of see the size diff in one of my consult pics I posted earlier in the thread.

Did your friend stay at the StayBridge.  I know there were 2 or 3 that were local or stayed somewhere else so I wouldn't have run into them.  I did meet a nice couple at the end of a wing on the second floor of the StayBridge, but drugged up that much I've already forgotten their names.  Did she have her partner and dog with her for support?

  Can't wait to see your updated pic's girl!

  Yeah i'm not sure but that was probably her and her bf noah and their black labrador retriever.  :D

Dr Z usually advocates fat transfer for the cheeks, and I have seen it done on a person and myself and I know they are not "overdone".  He is very easy to talk to, and if you do not want alot put in, he wont.  I do not know where you  are getting this "piggish look" for the nose, as it is just not the case.   Not many have the endoscopic experience of Dr Z even in the world, let alone the USA.  He is a very good surgeon with FFS and aggressive.  I have had him also do my BA and imo, he is the best at doing MTF BA in the US, because he takes into account the rib cage and frame of a MTF is different than in  a genetic females and most of the surgeon's in the USA do not know how to do them appropriately. which will make you end up with a huge gap between your breasts.  Dr Z was the only surgeon that got it right and with mine you can barely put one finger between them, even without a bra on..I went with the Mentor Brand medium profile smooth round 600cc  implants, but i am 5'6".. If you are taller and broader than that is perhaps the reason for larger ones, unless you are just wanting them larger.  Dr Toby Mayer did revision on my nose, as I initially had Dr. Ousterhaut in San Francisco do it and it was not what I wanted.  Dr. Toby Mayer of Beverly Hills, CA in my opinion is the very best at rhinoplasty and in doing anything with the eyes.  The very main thing to think about before doing anything is if your wife is really conducive to you doing this,  or is she just appeasing you, because she knows you want this.?  If she is doing it only because she loves you and wants you to be happy, please consider her.  I know you may think you are, but as all pre ops know..after you transition, there is no going back, and your wife's feelings for you may very well change, even if she says she is ok with it.  After, she might likely switch completely.  I am not saying you have not thought this out, but transition is a very selfish thing and many overlook the potential ramifications that could happen after.   Take heed in what I am saying, because unless your wife is bi, she will most likely not want intimacy later or even consider separation or divorce later after you have transitioned.  You have to ask yourself "Is this all worth it"??  Is the potential for loosing everything you had with her worth it?  I do not, nor would I ever judge anyone's relationship, as I do not know, but speaking from experience, even if your wife seems agreeable now, later she can and may very well change her feelings, especially if she is hetro.   Think about what you had as man and wife and about her true feelings inside and not just the me part..Other than that, Dr. Z is about the best FFS surgeon in the US.  The only other FFS surgeon is Dr. Di Maggio in Buenos Aries.  My face is a product mostly of Dr. Z and Dr Mayer for the rhinoplasty. If you would like to see profile and other pics of my face, just pm me. 

Quote from: Michelle Hayden on January 12, 2012, 10:14:50 AM
Dr Z usually advocates fat transfer for the cheeks, and I have seen it done on a person and myself and I know they are not "overdone".  He is very easy to talk to, and if you do not want alot put in, he wont.  I do not know where you  are getting this "piggish look" for the nose, as it is just not the case.

I did in fact let him add fat to my cheeks I just didn't want the plastic implants which I thought were over the top.  I do agree that as you said he doesn't keep pushing.  He asked twice about the cheek implants (on different calls and only after I'd changed my mind about the nose that I had originally refused (because of $) so it was just to be sure).  Once I said no to both, he didn't mention it again.
I did not originally say he had piggy noses, that came from a couple of posters earlier in the thread.  I actually very much like the work he did on my nose.  Earlier in this thread when I first posted a pic of my nose I asked those posters to tell me what was disproportionate.  Personally I suspect maybe a few were just bad cases for Dr. Z (it happens to everyone), but most of the "bad" noses were probably not massaged enough, but I wasn't there so I can't know.  All I know is that I'd gladly recommended his nose work to anyway.  He actually fixed a major breathing and smelling issue for me too.

Quote from: Michelle Hayden on January 12, 2012, 10:14:50 AM
he is the best at doing MTF BA in the US, because he takes into account the rib cage and frame of a MTF is different than in  a genetic females and most of the surgeon's in the USA do not know how to do them appropriately. which will make you end up with a huge gap between your breasts.  Dr Z was the only surgeon that got it right and with mine you can barely put one finger between them, even without a bra on..I went with the Mentor Brand medium profile smooth round 600cc  implants, but i am 5'6".. If you are taller and broader than that is perhaps the reason for larger ones, unless you are just wanting them larger. 

I am 5'11" and fairly big shouldered so he was suggesting a 700cc implant.  The final implants ended up being 715ml right and 760ml left.  They are not overly large compared to my frame as I was originally afraid.  I probably have a finger and a half, but they have yet to fully settle so I'm sure that will change.

Quote from: Michelle Hayden on January 12, 2012, 10:14:50 AM
The very main thing to think about before doing anything is if your wife is really conducive to you doing this,  or is she just appeasing you, because she knows you want this.?  If she is doing it only because she loves you and wants you to be happy, please consider her.  I know you may think you are, but as all pre ops know..after you transition, there is no going back, and your wife's feelings for you may very well change, even if she says she is ok with it.  After, she might likely switch completely.  I am not saying you have not thought this out, but transition is a very selfish thing and many overlook the potential ramifications that could happen after.   Take heed in what I am saying, because unless your wife is bi, she will most likely not want intimacy later or even consider separation or divorce later after you have transitioned.  You have to ask yourself "Is this all worth it"??  Is the potential for loosing everything you had with her worth it?  I do not, nor would I ever judge anyone's relationship, as I do not know, but speaking from experience, even if your wife seems agreeable now, later she can and may very well change her feelings, especially if she is hetro.   Think about what you had as man and wife and about her true feelings inside and not just the me part.

Actually my wife Shannon's username here is Dragonfly and you can see that she posted several times earlier in this thread.  When I came out to her around 3 and a half years ago I was fully prepared to lose everything.  It wasn't something I wanted to happen, but I had no ability to continue to deny.  After a few days we were able to talk about it and decided that we didn't want to walk away from each other.  We have taken it fairly slow in the beginning, but recently it is speeding up.  Mostly because I consider that my "real life test" started on Monday, September 5, 2011 (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/My_blog/Entries/2011/9/5_J_%3D_Jeneva_NOT_Jeremy_(coming_out_as_trans).html) when we posted the linked blog entry to the world and Shannon shared it on her Facebook profile.  I will not speak to her sexuality because I'm not focused that much on labels and especially not on someone applying them to someone else.  I will say that my therapist originally wanted to meet with her for several private sessions to make sure she understood the consequences, but surprisingly after their first meeting she said that she didn't need anymore and told us both we were lucky to have each other.  Since I've got to wrap this up soon since lunch almost over. I'll ask her to drop by the thread tonight.

That's wonderful Jeneva, glad everything is coming along for you.  :)

Quote from: Michelle Hayden on January 12, 2012, 10:14:50 AM
Dr Z usually advocates fat transfer for the cheeks, and I have seen it done on a person and myself and I know they are not "overdone".  He is very easy to talk to, and if you do not want alot put in, he wont.  I do not know where you  are getting this "piggish look" for the nose, as it is just not the case.   Not many have the endoscopic experience of Dr Z even in the world, let alone the USA.  He is a very good surgeon with FFS and aggressive.  I have had him also do my BA and imo, he is the best at doing MTF BA in the US, because he takes into account the rib cage and frame of a MTF is different than in  a genetic females and most of the surgeon's in the USA do not know how to do them appropriately. which will make you end up with a huge gap between your breasts.  Dr Z was the only surgeon that got it right and with mine you can barely put one finger between them, even without a bra on..I went with the Mentor Brand medium profile smooth round 600cc  implants, but i am 5'6".. If you are taller and broader than that is perhaps the reason for larger ones, unless you are just wanting them larger.  Dr Toby Mayer did revision on my nose, as I initially had Dr. Ousterhaut in San Francisco do it and it was not what I wanted.  Dr. Toby Mayer of Beverly Hills, CA in my opinion is the very best at rhinoplasty and in doing anything with the eyes.  The very main thing to think about before doing anything is if your wife is really conducive to you doing this,  or is she just appeasing you, because she knows you want this.?  If she is doing it only because she loves you and wants you to be happy, please consider her.  I know you may think you are, but as all pre ops know..after you transition, there is no going back, and your wife's feelings for you may very well change, even if she says she is ok with it.  After, she might likely switch completely.  I am not saying you have not thought this out, but transition is a very selfish thing and many overlook the potential ramifications that could happen after.   Take heed in what I am saying, because unless your wife is bi, she will most likely not want intimacy later or even consider separation or divorce later after you have transitioned.  You have to ask yourself "Is this all worth it"??  Is the potential for loosing everything you had with her worth it?  I do not, nor would I ever judge anyone's relationship, as I do not know, but speaking from experience, even if your wife seems agreeable now, later she can and may very well change her feelings, especially if she is hetro.   Think about what you had as man and wife and about her true feelings inside and not just the me part..Other than that, Dr. Z is about the best FFS surgeon in the US.  The only other FFS surgeon is Dr. Di Maggio in Buenos Aries.  My face is a product mostly of Dr. Z and Dr Mayer for the rhinoplasty. If you would like to see profile and other pics of my face, just pm me. 

I am so sorry that your marriage didn't work out.  I wouldn't wish that on anybody.  I do feel very insulted by your faulty analysis of me and our marriage.  Just because your marriage didn't work out, doesn't mean that you have to project an atmosphere of gloom and doom to the rest of the community.  I am perfectly fine with Jeneva's COMPLETE transition, including GRS.  As a matter of fact, I can't wait until I can give her the physical pleasure that she gives me all the time.  Love and marriage is about more than labels and the way people have sex.  I think labels are irrelevant.  Call me bi, lesbian, or whatever new term you want to invent.  I really don't care. As far as your comment about thinking about what we had as a man and women, thanks to hrt, we haven't had THAT type of relationship in over a year.  As I've told several close friends and her therapist, "We've had better Lesbian sex than we ever had Hetero sex!"  All I know is that I married my best friend over fourteen years ago.  I am still married to that same sweet soul. Yeah, I'm sure there are some wives who just can't handle the situation, but I'm not one of them.  I have never seen Jeneva as happy as she has been just before and since FFS.  I'm so glad that she is so happy.  Sure, there will always be people who are total ->-bleeped-<-s to us because of the transgender issue.  Believe me, I have dealt with plenty since we came out to the world on September 5, 2011.  I am getting really tired of defending why I didn't divorce the person that I love.  We live in upper East TN., in the middle of the f@#$@ bible belt.  I don't know where you are, but hopefully you are not somewhere as backwards as this place. By the way, there is such a thing as self-fulfilling prophesy.  I do believe a positive attitude goes a long way.  Thank you for allowing me to put on line some of the stuff that has been seething just under the surface.  This was an awesome way  to vent. I'm a teacher with a very challenging group of kids and when I got home today and saw this, I decided that it was time to totally blast you.  Then I decided not to be mean and do that, so this is the nice version of what I was originally going to post.

Wow, you are badass! Jeneva is a very lucky woman. Now I want to see the mean version...

I think we do tend to assume the worst with relationships persisting through transition, just 'cause it doesn't seem to happen very often for one reason or another. Though you are right of course, nobody should be making assumptions. My own terminated before transition, and I was with a girl who identified as bi and had known I was trans before we got together. Stuff happens, and transition rips up some relationships and improves others. Glad you are on the improves side of things.

Hope Jeneva's recovery continues smoothly for you both. :)

Quote from: Sarah7 on January 12, 2012, 05:00:23 PM
Wow, you are badass! Jeneva is a very lucky woman. Now I want to see the mean version...

I think we do tend to assume the worst with relationships persisting through transition, just 'cause it doesn't seem to happen very often for one reason or another. Though you are right of course, nobody should be making assumptions. My own terminated before transition, and I was with a girl who identified as bi and had known I was trans before we got together. Stuff happens, and transition rips up some relationships and improves others. Glad you are on the improves side of things.

Hope Jeneva's recovery continues smoothly for you both. :)

She was going to post and say thanks for the compliment, but the kids jealously watch for together time while they are awake and had a slight altercation to get some attention ;-)

OK, so I don't have the update for the site yet.  I'm going to go ahead and push one in a bit with the staple removal pictures.  I am going to try and make myself include the after the second massage pictures even though I dislike the swelling amount in them if for no other reason than to show what happens if you aren't careful. 

I have had yet another day of MASSIVE swelling of my jaw and to be honest it is starting to wear on me.  I woke at 5 unable to sleep anymore so far upright.  If I sleep upright it gives me a back and neck ache after a while.  At this point I'm considering anything to reduce swelling so I'm back to mostly upright sleeping.  With all this swelling I'm starting to spiral downward.  Once I realized I needed more pressure with each massage of the day I get a little better.  And most nights lately it has been looking OK by bedtime, but then in the morning it is back to so tight it hurts. 

Part of what makes this so bad is it is my own #%$#  fault.  It turns out the homemade rosemary chicken and rice soup (HUGE pot because we have a freezer full of chicken) we've had most nights this week was LOADED with salt.  We don't directly add salt to anything at the table and use it sparingly in the kitchen and Shannon checked the cream of chicken we add to make it a bit richer, but neither of us thought of the chicken base we add too.  Then on one of the nights we didn't have soup, we did breakfast for dinner.  We didn't have any sausage on hand so Shannon fried some of our black forest ham.  I figured since it was a sugar cured ham it would be lower in salt.  WRONG!  I could feel the swelling as I ate it even.  Then another night we didn't have the soup, our son brought in his leftover pizza (he wouldn't eat the main meal) and I had to have it.  So basically I've been stuffing myself with salt.

So in order to break the spiral downward before it gets moving too fast I need to do something.  I'm thinking of switching to a radical diet for the next week.  The nutritional numbers add up cleanly so it should be safe especially just for a week, but it is ULTRA low in sodium.  I know this is a knee jerk reaction and likely isn't needed but if I don't do something soon, it is going to get to be too much to wake with the massive swelling.  This isn't just the normal swelling this is much more painful than Chicago was and Dr. Z has already said my swelling is outside of normal.

I'm posting the proposed diet in the nutritional section if anyone wants to comment.

OK, the idea of actually doing something that MAY have some impact on the swelling, and more importantly after my first massage some pictures of me by Shannon doing normal stuff instead of posed and ultra close up helped me climb back up out of the hole.

The page for day 14 is on our site www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com).  It is under "Family Happenings" and then from there the FFS entry.  That page has a list of all of the entries for this FFS recovery so far.  Here is a direct link to the Day 14 page (http://dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/POSTFFSDay14.html).  I cheated a bit and it is really day 15 as well, but I didn't want to post two pages.

Here is a tip I will share.  If you get to feeling that swelling is too much or that nothing has changed.  Change your perspective.  Stop looking directly at yourself in a mirror.  Stop taking personal closeups.  Get someone to take candid pictures.  Then look at those.  When we look too closely all we see is the bad parts, but in the random ones it isn't just about the swelling.  This helped me TREMENDOUSLY.

Here are a couple of pictures inline, but these and more will be on the web page linked above.
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Hi babes..I'm having swelling issues as wel. Well, I guess all patients do but especially those like us that get neck, jaw, and chin work. We drove 5 hours from Chicago to Ohio and decided to stay in a hotel. I blew up like a balloon and I tried doing the massage one last time for the evening but it was unbearable so I stopped after 5 minutes. I think I'm starting to see an actual human face again though, you know, some of my features coming back which is good.

What do you think of your results thus far?

Oh by the way I told rina what you wanted me to tell her this morning. She was like ohhhhhh yea yea yea, I remember her. She said she teased you about being from tennessee and not a redneck. Ha.

Great timing JenJen, I was just posting this comparison after my third massage of the day.  I've been mega swollen since the flight and have been eating entirely much sodium.

Anyway, after a day of the ultra low sodium diet and my third massage I figured I'd post comparisons so people understood why I was so freaked out this morning.

First massage this morning is on the left.  Notice how swollen my jaws are and especially how swollen the incision site on my neck is
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Third massage today is on the right.  Notice that the swelling is still present, but massively reduced.  Especially compare the neck incision.  It didn't even show parts of it this morning.  And even the parts that are still swollen are much less so now.

Up till now i have had a reduction by the third massage, but this is the most dramatic change yet.

This has definitely helped me shake off any downward spiral.  Now I can only hope for a similar drop tomorrow without too much swelling overnight.

*EDITED TO POINT TO PUBLISHED PICTURES*

Wow, what a difference that obviously made. Awesome!

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 13, 2012, 07:31:55 PM
Hi babes..I'm having swelling issues as wel. Well, I guess all patients do but especially those like us that get neck, jaw, and chin work. We drove 5 hours from Chicago to Ohio and decided to stay in a hotel. I blew up like a balloon and I tried doing the massage one last time for the evening but it was unbearable so I stopped after 5 minutes. I think I'm starting to see an actual human face again though, you know, some of my features coming back which is good.

What do you think of your results thus far?

I've always liked the work he did for my hair line and removing the brow bossing and my nose.  But like you said t he neck, jaw, and chin work is killer.

After today I'm happy, but I was fairly down this morning because I woke at 5 because of the swelling pain on day 15.

As far as massages go I am having to use individual fingers or my thumb and REALLY dig in to get any sort of results.

It is funny I don't feel like any of the forehead work or the nose work is swelling, but that neck and jaw are swelling like crazy.  I'm going to try and stay on my ultra low sodium diet tomorrow and see how much more of the swelling i can knock off.  For the last three days I have also drunk more than 80oz of water.  It makes for a lot of trips, but I'm hoping it is helping to flush the surgery after effects.

On Tuesday I switch from Tylenol to the Motrin for the extra swelling relief according to my discharge papers.  I guess it has been long enough after surgery to not worry about the increased bleeding risk then and I could certainly use a stronger anti-inflammatory.

OK, today was another day.  Either the ultra low sodium helps, it is just time passing, I'm getting better at the massage, or this diet plan has given me a way to focus my will to enact change [So mote it be!].

I did in fact wake at 5am again today, but I was not in pain.  Even thought I was raised up in bed (which makes it hard enough to sleep as it is), my neck had gathered fluid and it was too uncomfortable to continue lying down. 

As a matter of fact I have been exceptionally late with each pain medication and my last set of Tylenol (extra strength OTC) was taken at 10am.  I did my third massage at 6pm.  So they should have worn off yet I felt no excessive pain.  I still have not taken any more pain meds.  I probably will just because any level of uncomfortableness makes it hard to sleep, but I'm slowly weaning myself from ANY pain meds.  Today i got to feel a new thing.  The pushing liquid along is a pretty cool feeling and you can easily tell when you've lost it and go back to pick it up.  But today i got to feel the scar tissue formed at my neck breaking up.  It has much more ripple than the fluid glide.  I'm thrilled to be breaking it up because I've had that massive mismatch at my throat scar every since I flew and now it is almost flat.  I actually rubbed a few sutures loose and they are very visible now while before it wasn't something you could see.  I'm going to post last night and tonight's side by side again.  This should not impact bandwidth since it is the exact same image loaded as just a few posts above, but I feel that it is easier to see side by side.

Left is 3rd massage yesterday.  Right is 3rd massage today.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSDay18_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_6960%2FDSC_6960.jpg&hash=62ddf253892abc124e375f818f29e8af13a64b08)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSDay18_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_6967%2FDSC_6967.jpg&hash=4a3c8e1d2d45fd4562683995ae076bd0e44531af)
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This has been a WONDERFUL day.  I am definitely back into the post-op happiness range.  To see so much change overnight is exactly what i needed.  I have zero regrets now (not that I really ever did, but I was impatient).   

Some of those early massages HURT badly.  The fat graft injections were easily a 10/10 and I had an anxiety attack while taking diazepam.  But Dr. Z and his nurse were both trying to calm me and then Lisa and Jennifer came in and help and before long I was back under control.  I hurt getting around the airport just from the cafe and back to the gate.  I've had couple of sleepless nights.  I had to cash out an IRA to pay for this (however there are some politics there in that it was an early disbursement of an inheritance. If I still had it I would be asked to return it to the rest of my family since I'm not welcome anymore).  But in the end these are all temporary things. 

Making it more likely I get Mrs,Ms,Ma'am in public is SO much more valuable.  He has squared off my hairline nicely.  Yes it is still high, but that is my genetics and not any of his fault.  He actually got me a full inch more than I had.  I received my survey for how I was treated and when I was contacted and was easily able to fill it out perfect with a glowing written recommendation.  Dr. Z may not be for everyone, but he did wonders for me.

I know it hurts at times, but don't give up.  IT DOES GET BETER!  I know I have months before everything is settled out, but once the major swelling is gone I can leave the house again as myself.

*EDITED TO POINT TO PUBLISHED PICTURES*

Hi Jeneva,

The swellings you are having are due to gravity. They will subside over time. I had the same problem after my FFS. When I returned back to Europe I used a medication called Chymoral which reduced the swelling like a magic. Your results are stunning and you will look super feminine when the swelling is gone and the healing is over.

xxxxx

Dear Jeneva and Shannon,

Thank you so much for the photos. Jeneva, you're looking great already! I totally agree about wanting a surgeon who is aggressive. Since you're going through all this, might as well see a real difference afterwards, from going with someone who has the confidence to make noticeable changes.

I am so inspired now. (Also I've finally completed 15 postings which means I can show you two my tattoo. Not as many tattoos and piercings as you two have but I wanted to get at least ONE.) Thank you for being role models - also in the way you handle negative energy and turn it positive.

Hugs,

Maddie

I managed to sleep until 6 today.  If I didn't get tired in the middle of the day I'd just wonder if the extra swelling is preventing me from oversleeping.  Looking back I've been getting 7 hours pretty consistently.  Yes I know that means I was falling asleep at 9 before, but the first few days I went ahead and fell asleep during our reading time.  I wasn't in huge pain, but I did go ahead and take the Tylenol today since I felt like i needed it.  I can't wait till Tuesday and I can switch to Motrin since it is so much better an anti-inflammatory.  I had to go out specifically and buy the Tylenol for this but we have tons of Motrin on hand since it is our headache med of choice.

BTW before anyone asks I try to keep my facial expressions neutral since that is how the consult pictures are done.  I've also found that with much swelling at all a smile makes it look worse close up.  I know I look unhappy/angry/stoned, but I want to keep the same neutrality across the board so the pictures compare better. 

Quote from: madwoman in the attic on January 15, 2012, 02:23:50 AM
Dear Jeneva and Shannon,

Thank you so much for the photos. Jeneva, you're looking great already! I totally agree about wanting a surgeon who is aggressive. Since you're going through all this, might as well see a real difference afterwards, from going with someone who has the confidence to make noticeable changes.

I am so inspired now. (Also I've finally completed 15 postings which means I can show you two my tattoo. Not as many tattoos and piercings as you two have but I wanted to get at least ONE.) Thank you for being role models - also in the way you handle negative energy and turn it positive.

Hugs,

Maddie

Your tattoo looks great.  You know they say it takes miles to get your first tattoo, but only inches for the second.  I've actually downgrading piercings as I posted earlier, and unfortunately my leg sleeve is on hold until early February just so I can be sure I am mostly healed and over the major swelling before I ask my body to heal something else.  I explained why I had to take a break to my artist and he was cool with it.  I've told my artist as long as it is done by summer I'll be happy since Shannon and the kids love the beach and I don't want to be a stick in the mud with a fresh healing tattoo session when they go.

I keep trying to get Shannon to post on stuff so she can get to 15, but she isn't as much as forum person as me.  Her avatar will either be her custom dragonfly tattoo or the other Fae in my leg sleeve since it represents her (that is her FaceBook avatar now).

You are welcome  to try anything that has worked for us (and we'd be honored you did), but as a role model always remember we are only people too  :).  When I first started getting serious with this site (before I left for a year or so), there was a couple that was sticking together and they were SO inspirational.  It really helped Shannon and I work through things.  Unfortunately the GG had been married previously and had children from that marriage she had custody of.  The ex decided to be a jerk and fight for them.  Because of the prejudice of the area they lived in, then ended up apart because it was her children or her wife.  It was actually heartbreaking to see a couple that had clearly been working together so much have to split.  In our case neither of us has been previously married (or even had MAJOR relationships) so that won't get in the way.  Neither of us knows of anything that will break us apart right now but there is always the unknown.   I know we will both fight to the bitter end to stay together, but if something does happen that doesn't mean the same will happen to others.


Negative energy just breeds more of the same.  As Lucas through Yoda said in "The Phantom Menace", "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

As far as being positive, the real trick there is becoming aware of where you are and what is around.  When you see the world around you how can you not be positive.  It doesn't have to be "Stop and smell the roses", it could be as simple as "Look at that bee working so hard to gather pollen", or "See how well that preying mantis blends in", or "Do you hear that bird, it is like it is singing just for us."  For the people in the city it may be things like "Look how pretty that neon light shines in the darkness", "Isn't that street musician playing well",  "Isn't that a beautiful building."  I'm in a quoting mood, I'll steal from Sarah McLachlan next.  We're both big fans so we track down everything we can find.  She has an album called "Rarities, B sides, and other stuff".  The first song on that album is easily on the desert island iPod must have list for both of us.  It is called "Ordinary Miracle."  The first verse (or for that matter most any of them show why when you want to be positive it is there for you to find). 
"It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today"

Sorry I've got to stop now since I just got proof that my HRT is working again even though I had to stop for the surgery almost two weeks for the surgery.  The only music that will bring me to tears faster than that song is Beethoven's 9th symphony the 4th movement (Ode to Joy).

I was going to post more pictures tonight and actually "officially" update the website.  The current pictures are just ftp'd into a standalone dir (which I think is technically against my free hosting policy, but it is a temporary thing).

So I thought I'd do a follow up page since the last page on our site mentions the new low sodium diet.  I'm not sure if I can or not now.

Guess why?  When I was massive swollen I had been eating a lot of the homemade chicken soup Shannon made.  At the time I just figured we forgot to add in the chicken base and the extra sodium from there was what got me.  So tonight I was going to have chicken and rice for dinner.  I was updating the PS3 firmware so we could get the kids to stop fighting by watching Mr. Popper's Penguins.  PS3 updates take FOREVER and well.... maybe I fell asleep.  When it was finally done and I woke, I came into the kitchen.  Shannon looked over at me and said sorry but I don't know if you can eat this chicken or not.  We are getting low from our last batch we raised.  Because we brined the chicken and the smaller pieces absorbed more because of surface area.  And of course the last of the bags have those smaller pieces because they weren't as easy to grab and pop in the zip lock.  Brining is great for the flavor and moistness of the meat and how it cooks, but it more than TRIPLES the sodium content in a chicken breast.

That soup while delicious and very easy for me to eat, was literally blowing my face up.  Now wonder I was so swollen.

And now I'm eating it again for dinner.  Luckily I'm only having rice and a couple of breasts so it will still keep my total to around 900mg under the RDA of sodium, but that totally blows away some of the meals I planned later in the week.  I've been doing oatmeal, yogurt, slim fast shake, oatmeal, and then something a touch bigger.  My last post on in my thread in the nutrition sub forum showed a few options.  I couldn't handle 5 bowls of oatmeal a day.

As long as it doesn't have even more sodium that I thought I'll be updating everything, but if not then you will know I ate too much again.

Not enough of a change to bother posting pictures.  I'm kind of at that stage where it is going to take days to see much difference now I guess.  The massive swelling from when I first got off the airplane is finally worked down, so maybe I'm just down to the day to day fluxes.  Most pictures were slightly better, but some of the swelling had moved and a couple were worse.  Overall it was just another day of healing with no major swings.

The rice with grilled chicken breast and onions was excellent and I did still come in around 900mg under the RDA for sodium for the day.

I'm starting to lose the sutures on my neck like crazy now.  I think I rub it more vigorously so they are coming out faster.

I'm also noticing that I have to lotion the other area of my body Dr Z worked on multiple times a day because they are itching like crazy now.  I hate this crazy seam just off center of each cup because I always end up with a crease there each time I open it up to do a massage or lotion.  It seems like a bad design, but maybe there was some reason it was needed.

OK, a new page is up now.  It is still in the same place but named for day 18 or you can just follow this link (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/POSTFFSDay18.html).  The link of course is the full page with more pictures and a bit of narrative.

I know it is hard to see in these pictures, but the full on face with a larger view you can actually see a lot more definition because things just aren't as swollen all around.  In the full sized version you can see a bit more of the cheek dimple and line.  And the nasal line is much cleaner.  You may be able to make out the sharper jaw line instead of the circular one in the Saturday picture.  Sorry I didn't realize these wouldn't show that once scaled for the web.

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I've sent these in to Dr. Z's staff to see if I still need the professional massage since the place I wanted is booked solid, and the other place wants a letter from him authorizing them to do the massage.  Once we learned that the three find glide just wasn't enough I've not had nearly as many problems.

No major appearance changes so no website update, but another piercing update.  Earlier in the thread someone mentioned losing a piercing so I became concerned and we had a mini discussion.  The general consensus was there was little risk of losing a piercing.

I had already put in both lobes and the industrial for one each and both lobs and both helixes for the other.  Dr. Z said to let my tragus go because it wasn't healing well.  The piercing hole was ok, but I have a small tragus and all the good looking jewelry was too big.  The piece I wore day to day had a very rough back and it often scratched the outside of my tragus.  Evidentally it had done that enough that it was fairly infected and Dr. Z felt it was better to let it go.  Since I couldn't really wear the nicer jewelry because of the size and the small curved barbells aren't my style I agreed readily enough.

He did ok my eyebrow and offered to help put it in while I was in the office getting my drain tube out the last day, but I thought it might get in the way of the massages.  I put it back in tonight since those massages don't go that far down and I'm not really moving much fluid up there anyway.

All that was yet to ok was my nose, tongue and lips (snakebite pattern).  Shannon asked me to lose the snakebites since they made kissing odd so they are going to heal all the way up.  But I was curious about my nose and tongue.  Both had PARTIALLY healed but it was very obvious where the piercing went.  With a MINOR amount of pain even compared to one of my massages now I managed to get both pushed through.  I went ahead and inserted the tongue with a metal bar but silicone balls so I don't bruise anything in there.  Unless he is just worried it may catch in my stitches I'm not sure why it wasn't ok'd yet.

The nose I got re-pierced, but after removing it and rechecking every 30 minutes for a while I'm just going to keep it open until I no longer have to clean my nose at the end of the month.  Then I'll put the diamond back in.  I actually can't wait because I think it will make my new nose pop even more.

Anyway all this shortened I lost nothing I couldn't get back unless I am choosing to lose it.  Don't worry about piercings and FFS.

WEEK 3!!!!!!!   :icon_rockon:

Ok, it gets better and better.  I fell more swollen tonight but Shannon swears it doesn't show as badly.  I've felt fine the past few days.  I did end up early today but that was more just a getting comfortable in bed thing.

I made an update to our farm site under family matters / ffs surgery or you can just go directly there here (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/POSTFFSDay21.html)

Lots of words on that page because I like to ramble, but there are also other pictures I'm not linking here just because I don't want to slow the page for everyone.

Frontal view
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I can wear T-Shirts NOW!!!!  And while it is from their latest album, instead of the even more awesome first, I love that band.  The first album has a lot of songs that could almost be read as our kind of transition related.
I know she doesn't mean these lyrics this way, but to me this really speaks to the denial and suppression we all go through and as we way we know we much call her out to live for us and become something real, because we have no more life left.
Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
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And I can almost smile normally now.
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I can't wait until week 4.  This week other than switching to Motrin in the middle I had no restrictions lifted like I did at week 2.  Well week 4 has a LOT of restrictions lifted and I'm really looking forward to them.

I'm trying something new with my eyebrow piercing.  I used to wear barbells, but I've seen several people with hoops and really liked it.  Is it a younger person thing so at 38 I look stupid with it?  Does it mean anything significant (like a silver ring on a middle finger)?

I don't think it looks stupid at all. My ex has one; she's the same age as you.

Most facial piercings are "I'm gay" tells. All those things are like critical mass though, you have enough and you are readable basically. And where I live, it gets complicated 'cause all the cute straight hipster girls have enough tells to pass as gay. This is the side effect of lesbian style getting assimilated. Mass confusion. :(

Also silver ring on middle finger is just a fairly standard "I'm gay" tell or did I miss something?


You are starting to look a lot better there. Especially in the shot where you are smiling. :)

Mid week update, just a post here not on the site.  We'll save that for Thursday (week 4).

I talk to Dr. Z on Wednesday and have several questions for him.

Here is my biggest concern.  I still can't speak well.  I can whisper fine.  I can talk with a higher pitch (not really falsetto and with more practice might be great passable voice, but probably not for someone my size).  But if I try to talk with my usual voice it is too rough and scratchy.  I did some digging on the web and I did see that some people just have a reaction to the breathing tube and as long as 4 weeks isn't unheard of.  If it is still there Friday and/or Dr. Z suggests it I am going to ask my PCP for an ENT referral just to be sure it isn't a more serious problem.

I still can't sleep for more than a 7ish hours.  I'm been up since 5:30 today.  At around 7 I tried to go back up and doze, but the swelling behind my upper neck hadn't dissipated enough and I just got right back up in a few minutes.

No pain really at all anymore.  Still can't open my mouth more than 2 fingers wide.  Not sure if that will stretch or is like that forever.  As I joked on another thread this may just be Dr. Z's way of telling me I had better eat like a lady (small bites).

I have gathered a bit of fluid in my right breast implant cavity.  I know it isn't leaking because I noticed it yesterday afternoon and it is still full size and firm today.   Is there any special massage I can do to move that fluid or do I just need to wait a few days for it to be reabsorbed.

I am starting to see some real definition after massages now.   After seeing the chin/jawline with the swelling soothed I am VERY happy.  Over all everything he did has turned out great. 

I'd have preferred more lift on my eyebrows, but if that is how he got me 1" of new hair line then it is a fair tradeoff.  I also know that when I had them shaped the waxer too from the top instead of the bottom because she didn't want me to change too much.  I tried to tell her I was out and had been for months, and on top of that I worked from home, but she was insistent.  I wonder if I let them grow back out and wax from the bottom I can get more arch?

As far as physically I am finally being let out of the house and allowed to do some smaller things.  I was even allowed to go to the grocery yesterday and walk around with them.


**sidebar**

Quote from: Sarah7 on January 19, 2012, 09:52:47 PM
I don't think it looks stupid at all. My ex has one; she's the same age as you.

Most facial piercings are "I'm gay" tells. All those things are like critical mass though, you have enough and you are readable basically. And where I live, it gets complicated 'cause all the cute straight hipster girls have enough tells to pass as gay. This is the side effect of lesbian style getting assimilated. Mass confusion. :(

Also silver ring on middle finger is just a fairly standard "I'm gay" tell or did I miss something?


You are starting to look a lot better there. Especially in the shot where you are smiling. :)

Thanks!  I knew they were lesbian tells and that is fine with me.  I have a decent amount of metal in my ears too and the industrial is a rainbow anodized spiral.  I just wanted to make sure it didn't mean more than just that (BDSM or for rent, etc).  Speaking of lesbian style getting assimilated our waiter at a local restaurant a week before I went in for surgery had silver rings on BOTH of his middle fingers and then what appeared to be a wedding band.  We didn't realize it was LGBT friendly, but there did seem to be several alt couples there and the ones directly behind my wife were having a meet the parents dinner.  The dad kept quizzing her girlfriend and she kept saying "oh dad!".  It was so funny seeing that traditional right of passage with a non-traditional couple.
**sidebar**

I have no regrets with choosing Dr. Zukowski to do my surgery.  Yes it was a long procedure (much more than 9 hours), but I would rather gamble once than a three or four times.  So far he has been extremely communicative and my aftercare was superb.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 22, 2012, 08:02:00 AMHere is my biggest concern.  I still can't speak well.  I can whisper fine.  I can talk with a higher pitch (not really falsetto and with more practice might be great passable voice, but probably not for someone my size).  But if I try to talk with my usual voice it is too rough and scratchy.  I did some digging on the web and I did see that some people just have a reaction to the breathing tube and as long as 4 weeks isn't unheard of.  If it is still there Friday and/or Dr. Z suggests it I am going to ask my PCP for an ENT referral just to be sure it isn't a more serious problem.

I hope it's not a serious problem. My speaking has gotten better. I can even sing somewhat now. But it's definitely not back to normal yet.

QuoteI still can't sleep for more than a 7ish hours.  I'm been up since 5:30 today.  At around 7 I tried to go back up and doze, but the swelling behind my upper neck hadn't dissipated enough and I just got right back up in a few minutes.

I still wake up about 2-3 times at night, always because of pain in the jaw/neck area, even if I take my pain meds. Did this ever happened to you and if ever when did it stop? I'm 15 days post op now. I go to sleep around 10pm. Then I wake up at 2am, fall back to sleep within 30 minutes and then wake up around 5am. Then I turn on the TV and sit up because I can't stand the pain usually. And sometimes fall asleep or not. I can't wait until the pain at night goes away.

QuoteStill can't open my mouth more than 2 fingers wide.  Not sure if that will stretch or is like that forever.  As I joked on another thread this may just be Dr. Z's way of telling me I had better eat like a lady (small bites).

I can open my mouth so much more now. I can chew and eat solid foods for the most part. But I still can't yawn. Sometimes I try and it hurts.

QuoteI am starting to see some real definition after massages now.   After seeing the chin/jawline with the swelling soothed I am VERY happy.  Over all everything he did has turned out great.

Yeah me too. I'm really happy with everything. The only thing is my lower lip. Its going down but still too big. I hope it goes down to where I'll like it soon.

QuoteAs far as physically I am finally being let out of the house and allowed to do some smaller things.  I was even allowed to go to the grocery yesterday and walk around with them.

I'm still scared to go outside. I don't want to swell up. For now I'm letting everyone else run my errands, lol.

QuoteI have no regrets with choosing Dr. Zukowski to do my surgery.

+1

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 22, 2012, 09:34:41 AM
I still wake up about 2-3 times at night, always because of pain in the jaw/neck area, even if I take my pain meds. Did this ever happened to you and if ever when did it stop? I'm 15 days post op now. I go to sleep around 10pm. Then I wake up at 2am, fall back to sleep within 30 minutes and then wake up around 5am. Then I turn on the TV and sit up because I can't stand the pain usually. And sometimes fall asleep or not. I can't wait until the pain at night goes away.

I don't really have a lot of pain.  When I wake it is because of sleeping around a 35-45 degree angle and the fluid finally builds up in my neck enough to be uncomfortable.  Not pain, but just not conducive to sleep. 

I'm not taking any Vicodin or Tylenol.  I dropped the Vicodin a day or so before the two week mark and then I had a few days of Tylenol.  But now I'm in the Motrin phase he documented in my after care instructions.  At 15 days you are too aren't you or is it a day or two more?  Or was that even soothing different he did for me.  It is 3 pills twice a day?  It works out to the max daily safe dose, but it is not going to provide 24 hour relief.  I'd guess his goal is to hit our bodies with as much anti-inflamation medicine as possible at a time.

Now in terms of getting up, I do get up three or four times, but that is a function of spiro and LOTS of water, but I can go right back to sleep after that.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 22, 2012, 09:34:41 AM
I can open my mouth so much more now. I can chew and eat solid foods for the most part. But I still can't yawn. Sometimes I try and it hurts.

I've been able to eat anything I want, I just have to cut it into small bites.  I should have mentioned that I don't have pianist fingers, mine are fairly larger.  I can open it between an inch and 3/4 or two inches.  I can even yawn, although I do feel the stretch in those muscles when I do.  It just makes eating things like salad a bit more work.  Where before a larger leaf might be spiked in the middle and then you let it fold over with your teeth, I actually have to cut it now or I get dressing everywhere.

Continued good luck healing and I hope your lip keeps going down.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 22, 2012, 08:02:00 AM
I just wanted to make sure it didn't mean more than just that (BDSM or for rent, etc).  Speaking of lesbian style getting assimilated our waiter at a local restaurant a week before I went in for surgery had silver rings on BOTH of his middle fingers and then what appeared to be a wedding band.

Pretty much all the BDSM/sex tags are exclusively for guys, they don't mean anything on girls. And the reverse is also true, I don't really know any of the guy's tells, but I'm pretty sure the silver ring on middle finger only has a meaning for girls.

QuoteWe didn't realize it was LGBT friendly, but there did seem to be several alt couples there and the ones directly behind my wife were having a meet the parents dinner.  The dad kept quizzing her girlfriend and she kept saying "oh dad!".  It was so funny seeing that traditional right of passage with a non-traditional couple.

That's adorable. Yay progress!


Glad the both of you are coming along and healing - I hope the voice sorts itself out, mine was raspy and breathy for the first couple of weeks, and then went back to normal. I think I got off super easy now after reading about you both going through it.

Nice to find this thread.  Used Dr. Z in November 2011 for FFS.  Had deviated septum and nose looks pretty good.

Really been having problem with scalp advance threads.  Constantly hurt.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Threads still coming out 10 weeks later.

Wanted philtrum reduced from .75 inches to about .5 inches.  It remained .75 inches which might have been logical since my nose was reduced.

Did not get a jaw reduction which might be neither good or bad.  Dr. Z felt it did not need to be done.  Did reduce chin.

Look like a prettier male.  Excellent surgeon and Lisa was great help.

Dr. Z did oversell BA.  They look great but seem centerfold size.  They are well balanced but FFS was all surgery I should have gotten.  Too much surgery for this old human.  Had BA two weeks after full FFS and I remain on low energy side.

Bottomline:
1.  Any suggestions on forehead scalp advance stitches?  They are still bothering me.
2.  How long before your energy returned to close to normal?

Quote from: wendy on January 26, 2012, 02:19:12 PM
Nice to find this thread.  Used Dr. Z in November 2011 for FFS.  Had deviated septum and nose looks pretty good.

I thought I had a just a deviated septum, but it turns out it had been broken and healed badly.  He fixed it and I can smell and breath so much better and I also love the nose he gave me

Quote from: wendy on January 26, 2012, 02:19:12 PM
Really been having problem with scalp advance threads.  Constantly hurt.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Threads still coming out 10 weeks later.

Are you swollen?  Perhaps they are being stretched.  I still have some loose skin at the back of my head so mine aren't tight and don't hurt.  When I was swollen they did hurt a bit.

Quote from: wendy on January 26, 2012, 02:19:12 PM
Wanted philtrum reduced from .75 inches to about .5 inches.  It remained .75 inches which might have been logical since my nose was reduced.

Did you get a vertical lip lift?  I had to look up what the philtrum was, but to me the lip lift seemed to reduce that.

Quote from: wendy on January 26, 2012, 02:19:12 PM
Excellent surgeon and Lisa was great help.

Dr. Z did oversell BA.  They look great but seem centerfold size.  They are well balanced but FFS was all surgery I should have gotten.  Too much surgery for this old human.  Had BA two weeks after full FFS and I remain on low energy side.

I agree 100% percent with Dr. Z and Lisa both being great resources.

I think that the BA he gave me matches with my body size well, but I was surprised to see today that I should be buying somewhere around 42DD (or 44C) as that is bigger than I expected.  I had been wearing a 38B simply because it fit in the cups, but it was clearly a tight fit using the last set of hooks.  I knew i would jump to a 40 band, but 42 or 44 seems more like swelling to me.  I'm going to stick with sports bras mainly for the next few months anyway and that way I will only have to buy and toss a couple of nicer bras as the swelling goes down.

Quote from: wendy on January 26, 2012, 02:19:12 PM
2.  How long before your energy returned to close to normal?

Sorry can't really help on the scalp stitches.  As far as energy level it still isn't back to normal.  These past few days I've had to break the 10 pound limit for things that just HAD to be done, but I'm always wiped out afterward.  Today it is officially over, but I'm nowhere near 100% yet.

Maybe someone else will post with some suggestions.

Today is 4 weeks to the day.  I will try to get another post on our site up later and cherry pick a few pictures for this thread.

Jeneva, thank you very much for your reply.

Actually I wanted a mastopexy to lift my very trans breasts.  They were 40c and I would have been happy with nice 40b.  They are easily 40DD and none of my 40c bras fit.  In fact all of my blouses and shirts that are female extra large have buttons on top near popping.  I am heavy but remain around 180 at 5'10".  Genetic females would rarely have breasts this balanced.  His work is excellent but I currently wanted smaller breasts.  Surgery was done about 8 weeks ago on breasts.  My nipples were super sensitive and still hurt.  He told me that would happen because he would preserve nerve sensation in nipples.
........

My forehead stitches are swollen and have little sores.  It hurts and I am not sure of proper procedure.  It was done 10 weeks ago.  When do these forehead stitches dissolve?  Jeneva are you still aggressively messaging scalp stitches?  I feel scalp skin seems loose enough.  My advance was only .75 inches.  THis is normal but I did want more since I have a receding hairline.

............
I had a vertical lip lift and I am not pleased that philtrum (space between bottom of nose and upper lip) remains male length.

All work seems nice.

thanks.

Wendy

Quote from: wendy on January 26, 2012, 04:55:32 PM
My forehead stitches are swollen and have little sores.  It hurts and I am not sure of proper procedure.  It was done 10 weeks ago.  When do these forehead stitches dissolve?  Jeneva are you still aggressively messaging scalp stitches?  I feel scalp skin seems loose enough.  My advance was only .75 inches.  THis is normal but I did want more since I have a receding hairline.

Are the sores places where your sutures are trying to pop out of the skin?  He did tell me to work more on getting them out when they start popping last call.  Maybe those bumps are what happens if the skin grows around one that is sticking up.  I think the video talks about how they can look like blood blisters or just bumps doesn't it?  Maybe it has more suggestions.  Sorry but mine have all be clear just sticking out of the skin (no bumps).


In other news I bruised one of my lymph nodes (back left jaw) with a too strong massage.  Since I can't firmly massage that side right now I didn't take pictures last night.  I may hold the month update until Saturday since I am going to henna/indigo my hair to get it back to consistent black.  I have dark brown hair, but I usually dye it black.  I was going to do it the weekend we had the stray dog so it never got done before surgery so my roots are making it all appear lighter (dark brown doesn't show through black too bad though).  Also my "new" hairline is blond because of all of the peroxide.

So I may dye my hair and use that for the month after update.  And one picture will have to have sunglasses since I can now wear those again.  I've only had a couple of days that I wished I had them, but that is more because other than walking around outside I've not gone anywhere.

My voice does seem to be finally healing up.  It isn't totally there, but it is progress so maybe in a week or two it'll be back to normal.


****EDIT****  I still don't have full hair clearance.  I have had 4 laser sessions, but some of it is clear and the laser doesn't get those.  So I have stubble.  Something happened yesterday morning and I didn't shave.  When I posted this I hadn't shaved yet because I was up before everyone yet another morning.  Magically after I shaved I could massage that area without pain.  I don't know if there is a connection or not, but it is an odd coincidence.

OK, so this evening rolled around and I'm actually in the best place I've been in a long time and really feeling good about myself.  Each time I finish a massage I look in the mirror and see more and more of the person trapped inside.  Post FFS Month 1 (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com/Dragonfly_Dreams_Farm/POSTFFSMonth1.html) is up there now.  It is technically 1 month and 1 day, but "let's not quibble about who killed who" or something to that effect.  So here is another update with the best pictures picked for this thread, but again you can either use the direct link above or go to our site at www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com (http://www.dragonflydreamsfarm.com) and choose "Family Happenings" and then the FFS entry and then the Month 1 entry.  I may do normal blog entry tomorrow about the henna/indigo since it is the first time we've used it, but I wanted to go ahead and update the FFS site now.

Lets do the "fun" picture first this time.
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Frontal
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Profile
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Neck and Chin incision and swelling
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Every day that passes I grow more and more pleased with Dr. Zukowski's work.  Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it is a nuisance, but eventually it will be just a memory while the changes remain.  So I guess I should again say Thank You to him!

I'm soooooo happy for you. Happy, happy, joy, joy! ;D

Jeneva you look freaking good after one month!  I am 10 weeks.  Dr. Z always pinched my nose and told me you need to message like that.  He told me that I do not message aggressively enough.  I told him well I'll pinch your nose next time and see if it hurts you.  My scalp has little bumps and it appears their is a stitch under each.  My goodness I have rubbed my scalp so much that I created sores in spots.  Your scalp looks better in 4 weeks then mine does in 10.  When I work out a stitch from forehead it looks as if has not even started to dissolve.  I have watched video four times.  How much pressure do you place on forehead stitches?   Do you pull hard on stitch when it surfaces?  I pull lightly then cut it flush.  I still use a lot of pain meds because my forehead hurts.  Nothing else really hurts but forehead.  Next time I talk to him I am going to ask him if he used fishing line in my head instead of dissolving line.  Did he tell you how long it takes for thick forehead stitches to dissolve?

................
I wore surgical bandage for two months solid.  I stopped wearing it after two months or about two weeks ago.  My scar under chin still looks swollen.  I message it about one time a day.  It does not hurt but remains "droopy".  I did not get mandible shave but did get chin reduction and neck lift. 

.....................
I look ten years younger but probably am a lot older than you and do not think I am very feminized.  I am critical of myself and friends do say I look younger and my nose is nice but that is about it.  I think I look more feminine from side angle.  Breathing remains much better from nostril that was deviated and corrected.  Was your philtrum reduced from lip lift?   

People talk about pig nose but nose continues to drop and at 10 weeks is still upturned but is rather feminine.  Still message scar under nose but it is still a scar and those stitches seemed to have dissolved as thread was thinner than that in forehead.  Do you do a lot of work messaging nose?  It hurts to pinch end of nose and it hurts to try to adjust cartilage on sides.   Do have some fun with Dr. Z and tell him he has a patient that is just itching to pinch his nose real hard.
..............

Brow ridge reduction came out nice.  My left eyebrow was a little lower than right eyebrow and Dr. Z adjusted.  I am pleased with eyes.  They were rather feminine as a male and really feminine now and evenly balanced.

.............
My left side of mouth has taken longer to become mobile.  I can smile more on right side than left side at 10 weeks.  Chin still is rather numb at 10 weeks.  Have seen improvement on left side each week.
.................................

Actually I have light brown hair and it has white hair if I do not color it.  Have not used coloring since my scalp hurts and did not want to aggravate sore areas.  Am interested in how you will color your hair in one month.  It would be nice to color my hair again.

............................

Dr. Z is an excellent surgeon but I can't wait to pinch his nose.  Jeneva look forward to your updates!  Ask him if he ever used monofilament fishing line in any of his patients.  If he says only one in 14 years then we know why my forehead hurts!

Hugs,
Wendy

Wendy, the massaging and pinching of the nose is so interesting to me because I had feminizing rhinoplasty in 2007 by another surgeon and he never said anything about needing to massage/pinch it ever and it turned out perfect (at least in my eyes).

As far as stitches showing at the surface, I'm confused about that too. I mean, it looks good and there doesn't seem to be any problem but I don't know if I'm overlooking a stitch and mistaken it for my own thin hair. I feel no pain though so I guess that's a good sign.

The forehead stitches seem to be plastic to me too.  I have several that are trimmed as flush as possible, but none of those want to come out.

Now the thread on my nose seems to be totally gone and on my neck last night I pulled a huge string loose and I think that may be clear.  But the forehead stuff???   Nothing seems to be moving at all.

When he told me to watch the sutures more it was specifically about my nose because I still had some loose thread like material on either side and it just pulled right out when I tried.

Today has been a REALLY busy day.  We started the day off at the new Krispy Kreme that opened a few weeks ago.  In the past we had one for 20+ years but they just closed about it 10 years ago.  Surprisingly the sodium in their doughnuts isn't too bad.  It was a special treat for us all and everyone had a blast.  Then we ran to Sam's.  We were out of almost everything so we hit pretty much the entire store.  They had several different nice jackets marked down and I need a new medium weight jacket, but it seems I'm a 2x now after BA and most only went to 1x and then the one brand that did have a 2x was ultra short sleeves.  *SIGH*  I did have the stamina to do the entire store, but Shannon loaded the car and drove home.  We rested a while and then it was time to get feed and something to fix our kitchen sink (handle broken loose yesterday).  Tractor supply wasn't too bad, but Shannon had to load/unload the 50 lb feed bags.  But Lowe's was KILLER.  The person that was helping us at the faucets said that they probably didn't have that part, but he took us over there to look.  The problem is that he seemed to be sprinting.  They in fact didn't have the right part, but we looked for parts we could jury-rig until Moen ships us the proper replacement.  Unfortunately our kids take being in Lowe's as an excuse to be skid along the slick floors or play with the buggy.  This time they did it back and forth behind me (in and out of my personal space and almost hitting me multiple times).  And of course that is one of my major anxiety triggers.  So here I'm doing my best to find something to make do with since  a kitchen sink is important and I can just feel how tense I'm getting.  Which just wears me out even faster.  I honestly wasn't sure I had enough energy to make it back to the truck.  I don't really remember any of the ride back I was so tired and just zoned right out.

I keep spacing out as I try to type this even.  So I guess the moral of this story is pay attention to how you feel and don't try to push past it.  I see a REALLY early bed time today.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 27, 2012, 09:04:25 PM
Wendy, the massaging and pinching of the nose is so interesting to me because I had feminizing rhinoplasty in 2007 by another surgeon and he never said anything about needing to massage/pinch it ever and it turned out perfect (at least in my eyes).

As far as stitches showing at the surface, I'm confused about that too. I mean, it looks good and there doesn't seem to be any problem but I don't know if I'm overlooking a stitch and mistaken it for my own thin hair. I feel no pain though so I guess that's a good sign.

Jen other friends that have used other surgeons for ffs do not do all this massage work.  Dr. Z is probably one of most aggressive surgeons on soft tissue.   Patients that use Dr. Z work real hard on massage for a long time such as 6 months.  I have met several of his patients at SCC and they looked really nice.  I know a couple of ladies that are 60ish and should pass most of time.
.....................

Jeneva where are you getting all this energy?  My pecs hurt for at least 6 weeks from modest manual labor.  I now can use a gas powered push lawnmower and mow about 1/3 acre of grass will minimal effort.  Not ready to do push ups.

I am encouraged that you find forehead stitches have not dissolved.  Please quiz him on how long it takes to dissolve.  Must take several months.

I did volunteer work for reading bowl for elementary students today.  Was up at 5:30AM and will probably go to bed by 9PM.  It has been 10 weeks until I am finally starting to need less sleep.  Prior to surgery I was high energy and needed 7-8 hours of sleep.   Last week I needed 10 hours of sleep a day and still lacked energy in day.
..............................

On lip lift I actually wanted to see some of my upper teeth when mouth is relaxed.  I really have nice teeth and they do not show when mouth is relaxed.  Did anyone get some upper teeth to show from lip lift when mouth was relaxed?

Quote from: wendy on January 28, 2012, 07:55:20 PMDid anyone get some upper teeth to show from lip lift when mouth was relaxed?

I'm sorry you're not happy with the lip lift. For me, the lip lift is one of the procedures I'm most happy with. Dr. Z did a good job. When I open my mouth slightly, I can see my upper teeth where as before I couldn't.

Quote from: wendy on January 28, 2012, 07:55:20 PM
Jeneva where are you getting all this energy?  My pecs hurt for at least 6 weeks from modest manual labor.  I now can use a gas powered push lawnmower and mow about 1/3 acre of grass will minimal effort.  Not ready to do push ups.

Keep in mind that I'm really just doing a lot of walking.  Anything of any size that I reach to pick up is intercepted by Shannon.  Somehow after getting home from Lowe's and sitting for an hour I was able to gather up enough energy to rig a fix up for our kitchen faucet.  It is pretty hard to cook without water in the kitchen.  It turned out that I was able to superglue the plastic piece that broke and it seems to be working for now.  When I shut off the water I used my arms to pick myself up out of the floor and instantly was reminded that I was recovering still because it made a nice sharp ache.

If you are using a push mower than you've got a lot more energy than me.   My arms have nothing right now.  Especially over my head.

Quote from: wendy on January 28, 2012, 07:55:20 PMOn lip lift I actually wanted to see some of my upper teeth when mouth is relaxed.  I really have nice teeth and they do not show when mouth is relaxed.  Did anyone get some upper teeth to show from lip lift when mouth was relaxed?

I can see the bottom of my front teeth if I open my mouth a bit, but they are much longer than the surrounding teeth.  To me I focus more on the shape he gave me.  I think the arch and extra plumpness look so much better.


Is everyone else still having problems with full range of jaw motion?  I had to use a fork on my doughnuts this morning.  I couldn't fit the larger ones in my mouth.  Is that something that will come back with time or it is a side effect of the jaw muscle reduction?  I have no problems with chewing even hard foods, I just can't open it much.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 28, 2012, 09:24:20 PMIs everyone else still having problems with full range of jaw motion?  I had to use a fork on my doughnuts this morning.  I couldn't fit the larger ones in my mouth.  Is that something that will come back with time or it is a side effect of the jaw muscle reduction?  I have no problems with chewing even hard foods, I just can't open it much.

Yes! Definitely! I have no problem chewing solid foods but I can only open my mouth so much. I have to cut big pieces of food up into little pieces. To give you an idea, the most I can open my mouth is being able to stick my thumb between upper and lower teeth. I can't any bigger. And I'm still experiencing jaw pain. Right now on my right side. Are you?

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 28, 2012, 10:33:37 PM
Yes! Definitely! I have no problem chewing solid foods but I can only open my mouth so much. I have to cut big pieces of food up into little pieces. To give you an idea, the most I can open my mouth is being able to stick my thumb between upper and lower teeth. I can't any bigger. And I'm still experiencing jaw pain. Right now on my right side. Are you?

I can do a bit more than that so perhaps it is getting better.  I haven't had any pain in a while so maybe yours will slowly dissipate.  I did have medium sharp pains on my right side the night before I couldn't hardly massage that side, but that turned out to me from where I had moved a lymph node.  I don't know if this is normal or just where he removed some much bulk from my neck but I can feel both the mid jaw node and the one behind the jaw.  I managed to get the one behind the jaw pushed next to the mid jaw one and until I got it gently stroked back into place it just HURT.

Everyone else is still in bed (we sleep late on weekends) so I haven't had breakfast yet so see if I can today.

The jaw opening thing gets better if you work it a lot, or at least that's what I found.  I couldn't stand baby food so after a week I was trying to force solid food into my mouth, especially really chewy things.  I'm 6 1/2 weeks post op now and I can almost open my jaw fully.

The forehead stitches are still a pain for me.  I've found that if you can pull them out until you see a knot, and then cut the knot, the rest comes out more easily.  I just pull and pull on the stitches until it either a) hurts a lot or b) comes out.

My nose stitches all came out after about 2 weeks, I've got a nasty habit of picking my nose so this may have something to do with it!

Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 28, 2012, 08:07:21 PM
I'm sorry you're not happy with the lip lift. For me, the lip lift is one of the procedures I'm most happy with. Dr. Z did a good job. When I open my mouth slightly, I can see my upper teeth where as before I couldn't.

As I stated Dr. Z did nice work.  I look 10 years younger but I look "feminized" male as opposed to "female". 

Mouth shape looks good but my space between nose and upper lip was 18mm or .75 inches before surgery and it is now 18mm after surgery.  I can see a little of my two middle upper teeth if my mouth is slightly open.  This was same for prior to surgery.  My lower lip does not show my lower teeth which is very good as prior to surgery my lower teeth were clearly visible.  I had asked Dr. Z to reduce philtrum from .75 to .5 which he said he would do.  Dr. Z works at making your face look nice as opposed to meeting a specification.  However I really wanted to have some upper teeth show when my mouth was slightly open but my face looks very nice.

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I had neck lift and chin reduction.  I wanted a mandible reduction but he said that was not needed on my face.  Again face came out very nice but I missed my chin for at least a month when I looked in mirror and my jaw looked like a chipmunk.  I had an oval face and now it is more of rounded face.  Many of my trans friends think I look more feminine with slightly rounded face.  I still think I should have had a mandible  reduction but after 10 weeks face is looking better.

I never got an upset stomach and was hungry day after surgery.  I could not open my jaw wider than a spoon and could not chew.  But I would eat scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, diced canned fruit, yogurt and soup every meal.  I also drank protein shakes.  I could open my mouth about .5 inches after surgery and mostly just swallowed food.  It was real boring but I did not go hungry.

After about one month I could each saugage links and chew a little.  My mouth opened about half an inch.  My left lower jaw had poor range of motion.

At 10 weeks I eat and chew foods.  I ate a whole apple a day ago without cutting it into sections.  It was first apple I had eaten unsliced in months and it was nice.

Left side of month continues to increase in mobility but still is not equal to right side.  Dr. Z said it could take six months to gain full mobility of your smile.

My chin is still partially numb.  My forehead never lost feeling but part of scalp that was advanced did lose feeling.  It is already starting to feel a little.  My nose never lost feeling and that is why it hurt when Dr. Z always pinched it hard.  My ears are still partially numb after ten weeks.

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Atheuona I did find that it was good to pull stitch out up to knot and cut knot.  At first I just cut edge of thread.  Then area would bother me again and I would work out knot a week later.  Then a I would work out a loose piece of thread a week after that.  It has been real pain (literally)!  Now I appear to be too aggressive trying to find threads and I create a sore in area of bump.  I am not pleased with this forehead thread thing!  Nose threads were problem for about one month.  Ear threads for about 5 weeks.  But scalp thread are still ugly.  Do you still message scalp scar every day?  I am going to guess you do it lightly?

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Jeneva sounds as if you got mandible shave.  Did anyone else?  I did not have mandible muscles cut or jaw shaved and I could barely open my mouth for mouth.  I did have neck lift and that is what I think lessened my mouth mobility.  Anyone not get a neck lift but a mandible reduction and have trouble opening mouth?

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Look forward to your other thoughts and ways to improve progress.  I think at 12 weeks I can restart on vitamins!  I also want to learn tricks to reduce scar reduction which I think also starts at about 12 weeks.  Also I will guess some of you are much younger than me and typically younger people recover faster than older people. 

Quote from: wendy on January 29, 2012, 04:46:05 PM.
Jeneva sounds as if you got mandible shave.  Did anyone else?  I did not have mandible muscles cut or jaw shaved and I could barely open my mouth for mouth.  I did have neck lift and that is what I think lessened my mouth mobility.  Anyone not get a neck lift but a mandible reduction and have trouble opening mouth?.

I had both major neck work and lift as well as the jaw angle reduction and masserter excision. I just assumed it was the jaw work that made it hard to open my mouth, but I guess it could be the neck work too or instead.

Quote from: wendy on January 29, 2012, 04:46:05 PM

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Atheuona I did find that it was good to pull stitch out up to knot and cut knot.  At first I just cut edge of thread.  Then area would bother me again and I would work out knot a week later.  Then a I would work out a loose piece of thread a week after that.  It has been real pain (literally)!  Now I appear to be too aggressive trying to find threads and I create a sore in area of bump.  I am not pleased with this forehead thread thing!  Nose threads were problem for about one month.  Ear threads for about 5 weeks.  But scalp thread are still ugly.  Do you still message scalp scar every day?  I am going to guess you do it lightly?

I try to massage the scalp scar every day as hard as I can, but it hurts like hell.  I've created bumps and scabs as well, I think the best thing is just to massage with picking at the scar too much.  Just let the stitches come out when they are ready.

I've hardly had any of the ear threads come out yet, it's really annoying as they seem to be causing swelling just below my ear where the lymph drains.

Quote from: wendy on January 29, 2012, 04:46:05 PM
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Look forward to your other thoughts and ways to improve progress.  I think at 12 weeks I can restart on vitamins!  I also want to learn tricks to reduce scar reduction which I think also starts at about 12 weeks.  Also I will guess some of you are much younger than me and typically younger people recover faster than older people.

I'm in my 20's so I'd guess I am probably recovering faster.

I found that after the forehead lift I couldn't move the left side and couldn't feel the right side.  Movement and feeling are slowly coming back now though.  One thing that is really good is that I can now raise one eyebrow independently of the other (a neat little trick I've always wanted to be able to do).

I've found that the incision underneath my chin is still leaking fluid, I sleep with the head garment on and every morning I wake up yellowy gunk on the gauze.

What would happen if I don't do anything to forehead scar, except massage, and just let it heal? I haven't noticed any stitches or maybe I'm not looking close enough, I dunno. I'm 3 weeks and one day post op. haven't felt any pain there either.

Jeneva I think it is cut under chin that causes mouth not to move.  Grinding jaw will not bother mouth too much.  Shaving jaw muscles will make your bite weaker but still should allow mouth to open.

Quote from: atheuona on January 29, 2012, 07:59:38 PM
I try to massage the scalp scar every day as hard as I can, but it hurts like hell.  I've created bumps and scabs as well, I think the best thing is just to massage with picking at the scar too much.  Just let the stitches come out when they are ready.

I've hardly had any of the ear threads come out yet, it's really annoying as they seem to be causing swelling just below my ear where the lymph drains.

I'm in my 20's so I'd guess I am probably recovering faster.

I found that after the forehead lift I couldn't move the left side and couldn't feel the right side.  Movement and feeling are slowly coming back now though.  One thing that is really good is that I can now raise one eyebrow independently of the other (a neat little trick I've always wanted to be able to do).

I've found that the incision underneath my chin is still leaking fluid, I sleep with the head garment on and every morning I wake up yellowy gunk on the gauze.

Atheuona I am reasonably aggressive on scalp massage but I get a bump I keep rubbing it and rubbing it and if I can not feel a stitch I rub it more until it is real sore and then I start rubbing it because it is sore.  This is not working.

Today I got one of big black threads and a knot out behind my left ear.  Ear is fairly numb so that bumps behind ear are massaged but do not bother me.  It is 11 weeks and I still have several bumps behind ears that need to be worked out.  I just massage them and process seems to work.  Black thread behind ears are not stiff life monofilament in forehead.  Ear bumps take a while to surface and skin to be rubbed off to get at thread; however no one sees them and I seem to leave them alone.  I wear a hat when I leave house because I am self conscious with scalp blemishes.

I had pain on right side of my forehead when I rubbed my right eyebrow but that stopped in about one week.  I have full mobility of forehead below scalp advance.

I had yellow fluid on gauze pad for about a month but my chin was numb and it did not have pain.  I still feel stitches and knots in chin area and skin sags on edges past scars.  At 11 weeks I can see a grove in my chin and starting to see a slimmer jawline.  I had been very displeased that Dr. Z advised me not to have jaw reduction.  I still think I wanted a jaw bone reduction but now it is starting to look nicer.

Atheuona I was married to a wonderful woman and have three beautiful children in their twenties.  I am probably older than your parents and I thought these surgeries would be a cake walk even though several friends told me it would not.  Lisa Lopez helped me for three full days and then I used her for seven hours a day for another week. She said see had never seen a patient have no nausea and be very hungry next day.  She also never saw a patient down that many pain pills.  Guess no pain allowed me to eat and sleep.  I found facial surgery very painful without lots of pain meds.

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Quote from: JenJen2011 on January 29, 2012, 11:02:08 PM
What would happen if I don't do anything to forehead scar, except massage, and just let it heal? I haven't noticed any stitches or maybe I'm not looking close enough, I dunno. I'm 3 weeks and one day post op. haven't felt any pain there either.

Jen I think you have process correct.  You just massage each day and when a stitch surfaces you try to remove as much as you can.  You do not create sores but need to be patient.

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Did anyone get a rhinoplasty and have Dr. Z  pinch their nose every day after split was removed.  I would scream when he pinched my nose.  He said stop screaming you are such a sissy.  I told him it is my nose he is pinching not his nose.  He would say if it hurts that much you are not being aggressive enough on massages.  He told me I was not aggressive enough.  Actually I remain rather aggressive on massage to nose after 11 weeks.  It no longer looks like a pig nose.  My ex saw my nose after surgery and thought I would have a pig nose for rest of my life.  My nose is still larger than many female noses but it has a slope and is much smaller and might shrink in few more months.  I think Dr. Z does pretty good job with noses that have healed.  They do look like pig noses after surgery.  I do not like all this massage work and stitch popping. 

One big difference with Dr. Z and other surgeons is that many surgeons cut nerves and let them re-heal over 6 to 12 months. 
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That day I worked 16 hours straight required 10 hours sleep for next day.  I also took a vitamin tablet today which I think I am supposed to wait one more week.  I just got to get back some energy.  Funny thing is I look 10 years younger but feel 10 years older.    I colored white hairs last night and had no adverse effects.
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My nipples were extremely sensitive before second surgery and still hurt.  They were done two weeks after first surgery or about 9 weeks ago.  Left nipple area "spit" stitches as Dr. Z calls it while right nipple are did not.  Scar area is about 1 inch.
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Thanks for input.  Wendy

I never had any leaking fluid from my chin.  However I was EXCEPTIONALLY swollen after flying and it took a long time to work that all the way done.  Is that normal for everyone or just something that part of the patients experience?

My forehead is littered with sutures that are ALMOST enough to snip, but I just can't get them out enough to catch with the scissors.

Here is a HUGE tip.  DO NOT forget to take your ibuprofen regimen that he prescribes.  I forgot this morning and have had a MAJOR voice relapse.  I can't talk worth a hoot and I can definitely tell that I'm more swollen especially since my sports bra feels tight and it was fine yesterday.

Quote from: Jeneva on January 31, 2012, 04:58:16 PM
I never had any leaking fluid from my chin.  However I was EXCEPTIONALLY swollen after flying and it took a long time to work that all the way done.  Is that normal for everyone or just something that part of the patients experience?

My forehead is littered with sutures that are ALMOST enough to snip, but I just can't get them out enough to catch with the scissors.

Here is a HUGE tip.  DO NOT forget to take your ibuprofen regimen that he prescribes.  I forgot this morning and have had a MAJOR voice relapse.  I can't talk worth a hoot and I can definitely tell that I'm more swollen especially since my sports bra feels tight and it was fine yesterday.

Jeneva, I think Jen has forehead procedure correct and it sounds as if you do to.  Rub stitch area and do not pull on it until it surfaces.  I aggressively work area when I feel stitch under skin and create a sore.  Then I end up with a sore and still do not find stitch. I worked forehead gently not aggressively and then used a little concealer on scar areas.  Every thing seems a lot better and it looks better from concealer.  I did cut stitches with a nail clipper as opposed to a scissor.

I wore  surgical chin bandage for two solid months.  Only took it off to take a shower.  Then I used new gauze pad with petroleum jelly on chin and neck.  I did not fly to Chicago so that I was not on plane.  Chin is still swollen at 11 weeks and massage one or two times a day.

I found ibuprofen to really reduce swelling however I had bad stomach pains within three days with only 600mg for entire day.  Had to stop.  Can take 400mg every few days or get stomach bleeding. 

Quote from: Jeneva on January 31, 2012, 04:58:16 PM
I never had any leaking fluid from my chin.  However I was EXCEPTIONALLY swollen after flying and it took a long time to work that all the way done.  Is that normal for everyone or just something that part of the patients experience?

From what Dr Z told me it's normal to have swelling after flying.  When I told him I didn't see any increase in swelling he was very insistent that I did have swelling.  He didn't seem to believe me that I really didn't have any extra swelling, despite 30 hours of travelling.

Yeah, I always take my ibuprofen. It has helped a lot. I'm 25 days post op and my jaw area is still pretty swollen. I haven't had any chin leakage as well. I've been using mederma scar gel for my scars and it's working well. I didn't fly but the 12 hour drive back home (even though we split the hours in half for two days) swelled me up like a balloon. My lower lip was huge but is starting to look good now. It' finally looking quite normal. I was hoping all the swelling would be gone by the time I go back to work which is Monday but I'm sure makeup will help me look better. So, is everyone's forehead incision closed up by now?

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 01, 2012, 06:49:29 AM
Yeah, I always take my ibuprofen. It has helped a lot. I'm 25 days post op and my jaw area is still pretty swollen. I haven't had any chin leakage as well. I've been using mederma scar gel for my scars and it's working well. I didn't fly but the 12 hour drive back home (even though we split the hours in half for two days) swelled me up like a balloon. My lower lip was huge but is starting to look good now. It' finally looking quite normal. I was hoping all the swelling would be gone by the time I go back to work which is Monday but I'm sure makeup will help me look better. So, is everyone's forehead incision closed up by now?

All of my incisions were pretty much closed before I left Chicago.  They are still healing of course.

Did Dr. Z ok the Mederma?  I thought they were limited to only that specific lotion.  We've got a bit here from before and if it is ok according to him them I'm going to start using it right away.

I'm glad your lip is finally down. You still got a few days before next Monday so don't panic yet  ;)

Quote from: Jeneva on February 01, 2012, 07:45:15 AMDid Dr. Z ok the Mederma?  I thought they were limited to only that specific lotion.  We've got a bit here from before and if it is ok according to him them I'm going to start using it right away.

Yes, he okayed the Mederma. I've been using it under my nose from the lip lift for like a week so far. Today I'm going to start using it on my forehead scar and Dr. Z said it's fine.

QuoteYou still got a few days before next Monday so don't panic yet  ;)

True. :)

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 01, 2012, 10:57:57 AM
Yes, he okayed the Mederma. I've been using it under my nose from the lip lift for like a week so far. Today I'm going to start using it on my forehead scar and Dr. Z said it's fine.

Ok, that is great.  My lip/nose scar is a bit uneven looking and I was a little worried to be honest.

Thanks!

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 01, 2012, 06:49:29 AM
Yeah, I always take my ibuprofen. It has helped a lot. I'm 25 days post op and my jaw area is still pretty swollen. I haven't had any chin leakage as well. I've been using mederma scar gel for my scars and it's working well. I didn't fly but the 12 hour drive back home (even though we split the hours in half for two days) swelled me up like a balloon. My lower lip was huge but is starting to look good now. It' finally looking quite normal. I was hoping all the swelling would be gone by the time I go back to work which is Monday but I'm sure makeup will help me look better. So, is everyone's forehead incision closed up by now?

My forehead inciscion still has the odd part that hasn't closed up, it seems that the bits that arn't healing yet have spitting stitches in them, after I pull the stitch out it heals up.

Quote from: atheuona on February 02, 2012, 12:16:05 AM
My forehead inciscion still has the odd part that hasn't closed up, it seems that the bits that arn't healing yet have spitting stitches in them, after I pull the stitch out it heals up.

Actually incision healed in two weeks but stitch spitting areas still look bad.  Did good job with concealer and people asked how did I heal up in one week.

Quote from: Jeneva on February 01, 2012, 11:50:48 AM
Ok, that is great.  My lip/nose scar is a bit uneven looking and I was a little worried to be honest.

I do not like my lip nose scar.  Dr. Z did not give me approval for anti scar cream.  Jen, Dr. Z gave you permission to use anti-scar cream after 25 days?  Well I guess I will start using it.

I also started using vitamins after 11 weeks.  I became very run down and vitamins help when you become run down.

Lower back part of ear lobes have been spitting stitches and blood.  Ears are still numb and stitches are in back of ear so that is easier.

Jen are you really pressing hard on lip scar or is it just a mild pressure and then you apply Mederma?

My neck scar still has not spit stitches.  I feel I have done something wrong.  It still swells and I still massage it but my chin remains numb and massage is in painful.

My lower right lip continues to gain mobility. 

FFS is major surgery and we each have different successes and different issues, but it does take time to heal.  For those that work how long did you take off from work for surgery?

Quote from: wendy on February 02, 2012, 10:25:41 AM
Actually incision healed in two weeks but stitch spitting areas still look bad.  Did good job with concealer and people asked how did I heal up in one week.

I remember Dr. Z told me I could wear makeup 1 week after surgery (I haven't put any on since then tho) but not to put any on my forehead incision. Did he tell you otherwise or you just wore the concealer without asking?

QuoteI do not like my lip nose scar.  Dr. Z did not give me approval for anti scar cream.  Jen, Dr. Z gave you permission to use anti-scar cream after 25 days?  Well I guess I will start using it.

The scar under my nose is not that bad. It's a bit pinkish though. Yes, he approved the scar gel.

QuoteLower back part of ear lobes have been spitting stitches and blood.  Ears are still numb and stitches are in back of ear so that is easier.

As far as I know my ears haven't been spitting anything. They are a bit numb still. My left ear is more numb than my right.

QuoteJen are you really pressing hard on lip scar or is it just a mild pressure and then you apply Mederma?

I haven't really been massaging the scar under my nose anymore. Don't know if that's a bad thing. And I just rub in the mederma gel on the scar with my finger or q-tip.

QuoteMy neck scar still has not spit stitches.  I feel I have done something wrong.  It still swells and I still massage it but my chin remains numb and massage is in painful.

The neck scar you're referring to, is that from a tracheal shave or from chin work? The scar from my chin work is healed/closed so nothing is coming out from there. I don't feel any pain when I do the massages although two days ago I did feel a sharp jaw pain on the right side but that's gone now.

QuoteFor those that work how long did you take off from work for surgery?

I go back to work this upcoming Monday. That would make it 4 weeks and 1 day off. I wish I could take more time off though since I'm still swollen. But oh well.

Jeneva and anyone else who applies, are you still swollen in the jaw area? My jaw swelling is taking forever to go down. Dr. Z told me I have thick skin therefore I need to massage really hard.

Quote from: wendy on February 02, 2012, 10:25:41 AM
Lower back part of ear lobes have been spitting stitches and blood.  Ears are still numb and stitches are in back of ear so that is easier.

I've not lose any ear stitches.  I did have a flap pop loose (somehow lost its suture) on my left side that you can see in some pictures, but it seems to be healing properly and flattening down now.

Quote from: wendy on February 02, 2012, 10:25:41 AM
My neck scar still has not spit stitches.  I feel I have done something wrong.  It still swells and I still massage it but my chin remains numb and massage is in painful.

My neck spit its thread as my week 2 swelling went down so I suspect that the swelling forced it.  They were the thread type so maybe they don't need to be removed like the forehead.

Quote from: wendy on February 02, 2012, 10:25:41 AM
FFS is major surgery and we each have different successes and different issues, but it does take time to heal.  For those that work how long did you take off from work for surgery?

I took 11 days and it was considered "inconvenient" by my boss.  But he is a micromanager and is trying to push everyone for more hours per day and to just give up time off.  I work at home though.  If someone had to see me then I'd have taken longer.  And since my laptop is the heaviest thing I have to lift once I was clear of the pain meds it wasn't too bad.  I did have a few days, but I've already spent a few sleepless mornings working extra.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 02, 2012, 11:01:19 AM
The scar under my nose is not that bad. It's a bit pinkish though. Yes, he approved the scar gel.

Thanks for passing that along I honestly think I can already tell a difference.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 02, 2012, 11:01:19 AM
The neck scar you're referring to, is that from a tracheal shave or from chin work? The scar from my chin work is healed/closed so nothing is coming out from there. I don't feel any pain when I do the massages although two days ago I did feel a sharp jaw pain on the right side but that's gone now.

Watch the lymph nodes.  Can you feel yours?  Often they'll "pop" when you move over them, but if you manage to push one out of place then it is a VERY sharp pain.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 02, 2012, 11:01:19 AM
Jeneva and anyone else who applies, are you still swollen in the jaw area? My jaw swelling is taking forever to go down. Dr. Z told me I have thick skin therefore I need to massage really hard.

I got the thick skin line too.  And I did in fact have to massage a LOT harder early on to move the fluid.  I'm really not moving that much fluid now.  I'm maybe a bit puffy in the jaw/chin area, but it isn't from trapped fluid.  The center of my neck scar is pretty much healed clean now, but both sides are lumpy looking and I'm trying to work them down as part of my jaw massage, but they don't respond quickly.

Also one thing we do that seems to be helping is that Shannon does my evening massage from behind me and she is able to pull the fluid around the back of my neck and down.  That way it doesn't just flow right back after the massage is over.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 02, 2012, 11:01:19 AM
I remember Dr. Z told me I could wear makeup 1 week after surgery (I haven't put any on since then tho) but not to put any on my forehead incision. Did he tell you otherwise or you just wore the concealer without asking?

The scar under my nose is not that bad. It's a bit pinkish though. Yes, he approved the scar gel.

As far as I know my ears haven't been spitting anything. They are a bit numb still. My left ear is more numb than my right.

I haven't really been massaging the scar under my nose anymore. Don't know if that's a bad thing. And I just rub in the mederma gel on the scar with my finger or q-tip.

The neck scar you're referring to, is that from a tracheal shave or from chin work? The scar from my chin work is healed/closed so nothing is coming out from there. I don't feel any pain when I do the massages although two days ago I did feel a sharp jaw pain on the right side but that's gone now.

I go back to work this upcoming Monday. That would make it 4 weeks and 1 day off. I wish I could take more time off though since I'm still swollen. But oh well.

Jeneva and anyone else who applies, are you still swollen in the jaw area? My jaw swelling is taking forever to go down. Dr. Z told me I have thick skin therefore I need to massage really hard.

Jen good comments.  Dr. Z told me make-up was OK but no concealer on scars.  No he did not give me approval but forehead blemishes are very embarrassing to me and I am tired of wearing a cap every time I go to group meeting.  I put on Lancome Maquicomplet without any makeup.  It looked as if my scar was near gone.  I now use it every day.  Stitches continue to spit but concealer makes things look better so that I do not keep obsessing with how bad they look.  Lancome sealer should have been used a month ago for me.

Dr. Z did not approve scar gel for me.  He approved it for you in 25 days so that I started using it on all scars today including forehead.  It is 11 weeks.  I think I should have used scar gel a month ago.

Dr, Z did not want me to use vitamins for 12 weeks.  I did not get approval and started them this week and I am feeling better.

Actually Dr. Z gave me a trac shave and reduced chin.  He did it through same incision.  I had a small Adam's apple and it was only noticeable when I swallowed so that he shaved it just because he could access it.  My chin reduction did not hurt because my chin is still partially numb at 11 weeks.  Dr. Z did not want to reduce my jaw and I listened.  I think I still would have reduced jaw but all looks nice.

I got a lip lift but my philtrum was and still is .75 inches or 18mm.  Work also looks nice but I wanted some of my teeth to show.  I wore braces as an adult to fix a cross bite and my teeth never looked this good and no one sees them.

At 11 weeks my jaw area and upper neck still swell.  I massage one or two times a day.

Wow.  I could not have gone back to work in 4 weeks.  Maybe 8 weeks.  It is 11 weeks and I am starting to do better.  It took me three months!  I guess swelling will last for six months.

Remain very aggessive with nose as that swells big each day.  Massage about two times a day and it does shrink.
................................................

Quote from: Jeneva on February 02, 2012, 11:58:12 AM
I've not lose any ear stitches.  I did have a flap pop loose (somehow lost its suture) on my left side that you can see in some pictures, but it seems to be healing properly and flattening down now.
My neck spit its thread as my week 2 swelling went down so I suspect that the swelling forced it.  They were the thread type so maybe they don't need to be removed like the forehead.
I took 11 days and it was considered "inconvenient" by my boss.  But he is a micromanager and is trying to push everyone for more hours per day and to just give up time off.  I work at home though.  If someone had to see me then I'd have taken longer.  And since my laptop is the heaviest thing I have to lift once I was clear of the pain meds it wasn't too bad.  I did have a few days, but I've already spent a few sleepless mornings working extra.
Thanks for passing that along I honestly think I can already tell a difference.
Watch the lymph nodes.  Can you feel yours?  Often they'll "pop" when you move over them, but if you manage to push one out of place then it is a VERY sharp pain.
I got the thick skin line too.  And I did in fact have to massage a LOT harder early on to move the fluid.  I'm really not moving that much fluid now.  I'm maybe a bit puffy in the jaw/chin area, but it isn't from trapped fluid.  The center of my neck scar is pretty much healed clean now, but both sides are lumpy looking and I'm trying to work them down as part of my jaw massage, but they don't respond quickly.

Also one thing we do that seems to be helping is that Shannon does my evening massage from behind me and she is able to pull the fluid around the back of my neck and down.  That way it doesn't just flow right back after the massage is over.

I have an ear flap at bottom of each ear and right side spit a stitch a month ago and I felt my ear flap would not reconnect.  It all went fine.  Left side spit stitch about 10th week and it is healing.  Appears it takes a while to heal and I am glad each of you have shared these details.

No way could I have worked at 11 days.  I did second surgery at 2 weeks which is what I think did me in.  My pecs hurt for two months and this was too much surgery for me.  I took enough pain meds and anti-anxiety drugs to feel no pain.  I met several nice girls and had a few nice times.

Wow I had lymph node on right side of neck swell a day ago.  It hurt when I massaged.  Thanks for sharing that small detail.

At 11 weeks I still feel knots on scar line on neck.  In fact I have a big knot from neck scar that I can feel in center of my shaved chin.  These knots are not working out and I wonder when they will dissolve.  Does anyone know when neck knots dissolve?
...............
I am doing better and only tend to take pain meds in morning and at night.  I have stopped using pain meds during day.

......

Hey I met a friend last night where I live that is going to use Dr. Z.  I am going to ask her to pinch his nose for me.  She is 57 and is going to do a less aggressive set of procedures.  I totally agree with her and will chat with her outside this forum.

............

Massages are only done by me.  Jeneva it is nice that Shannon does some massages for you.

Hugs,
Wendy

Quote from: Jeneva on February 02, 2012, 11:58:12 AMWatch the lymph nodes.  Can you feel yours?

I'm not even sure what that is. What I can say is that I feel something weird just before getting behind my ears when doing the massages. Might that be what you're talking about?

QuoteI'm really not moving that much fluid now.  I'm maybe a bit puffy in the jaw/chin area, but it isn't from trapped fluid.

I'm not moving fluid either. I'm just swollen in that area. Can't wait for it to go down.

QuoteAlso one thing we do that seems to be helping is that Shannon does my evening massage from behind me and she is able to pull the fluid around the back of my neck and down.  That way it doesn't just flow right back after the massage is over.

Yeah, my mom use to do that for me as well but I've been doing them myself for the past week.

I'm thinking we're going to have to wait a good 2-3 months before most of the swelling is down and we look completely normal although I know Dr. Z said it takes up to one full year to see the final result.

Quote from: wendy on February 02, 2012, 08:35:27 PMDr. Z did not want to reduce my jaw and I listened.  I think I still would have reduced jaw but all looks nice.

I think the jaw work was the worst to deal with. And it's the one area that is still swollen and taking forever to go down. It's good that he didn't do it because he felt you didn't need it. So many people like to say that he's like a salesman and will try to get you to do everything. Obviously, not true.

QuoteWow.  I could not have gone back to work in 4 weeks.  Maybe 8 weeks.  It is 11 weeks and I am starting to do better.  It took me three months!  I guess swelling will last for six months.

Unfortunately, I have no choice. 4 weeks is all the vacation time I have.


I'm still on the fence about wearing my head garment to work or not. Dr. Z told me I could take it off for work and put it back on when I'm home but I'm so swollen in the jaw area still, I don't know if I'll be comfortable without it on. The plus side is that I don't deal with patients face-to-face, only on the phones. We'll see how I look Monday morning.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 03, 2012, 06:58:48 AM
I'm not even sure what that is. What I can say is that I feel something weird just before getting behind my ears when doing the massages. Might that be what you're talking about?

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aafp.org%2Fafp%2F2002%2F0901%2Fafp20020901p831-f2.gif&hash=5a3d7eb4863da711e863392389fb18a50d672678)
After surgery for a month or so I could feel two of these on each side easily.  [Upper jugular and Submandibular] The behind the ear one and the one in the middle of the jaw.  When I massaged over the one in the middle of the jaw line it often made a "popping" sound.  I did manage to mess up my right side upper jugular (behind the ear) one for a few days and when I stroked across or down its path I was in agony unless I stoked up the its path.

Now that I don't have all the fluid I can't feel them so maybe they were only enlarged to absorb the fluid.  I did see that it is supposed to take about a month for them to go down and that we shouldn't actually be squeezing or pressing on them (oops).

Now keep in mind I am NOT a doctor.  I just know that I felt lumps in the places where these nodes were supposed to be and they were pea-sized like a normal lymph node.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 03, 2012, 06:58:48 AM
I'm thinking we're going to have to wait a good 2-3 months before most of the swelling is down and we look completely normal although I know Dr. Z said it takes up to one full year to see the final result.

I know, I supposed at this point the massage is more about the scar tissue than fluid moving.  I've started working my side neck scars much harder.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 03, 2012, 07:16:56 AM
I think the jaw work was the worst to deal with. And it's the one area that is still swollen and taking forever to go down. It's good that he didn't do it because he felt you didn't need it. So many people like to say that he's like a salesman and will try to get you to do everything. Obviously, not true.

I'm still on the fence about wearing my head garment to work or not. Dr. Z told me I could take it off for work and put it back on when I'm home but I'm so swollen in the jaw area still, I don't know if I'll be comfortable without it on. The plus side is that I don't deal with patients face-to-face, only on the phones. We'll see how I look Monday morning.

Dr. Z is a salesperson for what he thinks he should do.  BA under pecs two weeks after major surgery was wrong by both Dr. Z and me.  Big saggy breasts would have been fine until face healed.  Work all looks nice and I look good for my age group. 

Actually head garment is very good for first two months but then ago I am a lot older and take longer to heal.  Head garment does not look bad.  I wore it to stores and when I visited people and when I went to group meetings for two months.  Basically i wore it for 24 hours a day for two months.  Took it off each day to shower and always did a massage after shower with some lotion.  People treat you real nice when you wear head garment.  They think you were injured and you get no negative comments.  Even if they know you had FFS they still will treat you nice because they can see you are swollen.  I could remove garment for an hour but then I would look like a chipmunk.  Take it off for an hour.  If you look like a chipmunk put it back on.

.................
Jeneva it was upper and midjugular chain that swelled.  Also submental triangle under chin may be lymph node instead of big knot?  Thanks for diagram.  My jaw was not shaved but my jaw still swells.

........
Fading gel  "itched" today on forehead scar.  It was fine under nose, around ears, and on neck scar.  Still had stitches spit at end of day but concealer worked very well.  It had no vitamin E in products and I am at 11 weeks which is only one week from three months. 

Quote from: wendy on February 03, 2012, 06:35:04 PM
BA under pecs two weeks after major surgery was wrong by both Dr. Z and me.  Big saggy breasts would have been fine until face healed.  Work all looks nice and I look good for my age group. 

Was there a reason they couldn't be combined?  He did my BA as soon as I went under and then he did my FFS while I was still under.

Quote from: Jeneva on February 03, 2012, 07:04:18 PM
Was there a reason they couldn't be combined?  He did my BA as soon as I went under and then he did my FFS while I was still under.

I never asked or wanted a BA.  I did want a mastopexy if that could be done.  It would take my saggy 40c breasts and make them perky 40b breasts.  He did not want to scar up my breasts and I was high on pain killers and anti-anxiety.  I was doing well two weeks after surgery so that he told me my breasts would be easy to hide if that is what I wanted and I would be real pleased.  My pecs hurt for two months and my extremely sensitive nipples are still sore.  My breasts have a one inch scar under nipples and saline implant is under each pec.  My breasts are now perky 40DD.  I am a very physical person and I could not do anything with upper body.  I think second surgery caused me huge anxiety, then severe depression and total lose of energy.  Dr. Z had not seen breasts like mine in five years and he wanted to do surgery.  I wanted nice 40b or 40c breasts.   I now have centerfold breasts.  I told him no but he kept selling until he got his yes.  It was wrong time and wrong procedure.

His work is great as I look 10 years younger.  Jeneva are people on this site going for perky 40DD?

.........
Anti scar gel made my forehead scar itch.  I think I may stop for another week.  Anti-scar gel is fine under nose and under chin.  Spread fertilizer on lawn today and did some gardening.  Under chin was swollen and sore this evening.  I took 400mg of ibuprofen and will take some pain meds before bed.

Hope you are well and healing!

Thanks.
Wendy

Quote from: wendy on February 04, 2012, 09:14:45 PM
His work is great as I look 10 years younger.  Jeneva are people on this site going for perky 40DD?

Well..... I'm a bad one to ask that.  I've ended up with 42 big D or small DD.  He was shooting for 40D based on his recommendations because of my size.  I'm 5'11", VERY big framed, and obese.  They don't look disproportionate, but yes they are LARGE.  I do wonder if it will reduce to size or two as I lose the excess weight.

It all depends on the height/weight/rib and shoulder size of the person.

--------------------------
On the recovery front:
I've had a TON of forehead spitting this week.  It's made my forehead scar a little more noticeable since the knots tend to open the incision a bit wider.  I've probably cut around 8 or 9 knots and I've been able to pull out 3 decently long
sections of the "fishing line" stuff.

I do have to confess I've done something that was probably stupid.  My neck scar closed before I left Chicago even and both Dr Z and Rena warned me that I'd have to massage it firmly to get keep it from being permanent.  The other day when Shannon was helping with my dinner time massage she accidentally scratched the scared area and it got roughed up badly.  The next time I shaved I found that it cut the roughed up area clear away and didn't hurt at all.  Unfortunately when I get under high stress I tend to tear my cuticles halfway up my fingers and pick at scabs and stuff.  This week at work was awful and I ended up scratching with just fingernails away pretty much all of the scar area.  It just crumpled and peeled away and didn't really bleed at all, it was all just clear fluid.  It is almost like I had a hollow tube with fluid in it.  Needless to say it looks awful now since it is a huge raw place now.  On the plus side I can now see the threading that hadn't spit before and the deepness of the scar is GONE.  I know I shouldn't have done it, but I know I shouldn't pull fingernails into the quick and rip up cuticle but I still do when I get too stressed.  I've got a follow up call with Dr. Z on Wednesday and I am expecting that he will freak over what I've done, but at least I'll hear from him how to best care for this now.

Quote from: Jeneva on February 05, 2012, 10:51:53 AM
Well..... I'm a bad one to ask that.  I've ended up with 42 big D or small DD.  He was shooting for 40D based on his recommendations because of my size.  I'm 5'11", VERY big framed, and obese.  They don't look disproportionate, but yes they are LARGE.  I do wonder if it will reduce to size or two as I lose the excess weight.

It all depends on the height/weight/rib and shoulder size of the person.

--------------------------
On the recovery front:
I've had a TON of forehead spitting this week.  It's made my forehead scar a little more noticeable since the knots tend to open the incision a bit wider.  I've probably cut around 8 or 9 knots and I've been able to pull out 3 decently long
sections of the "fishing line" stuff.

I do have to confess I've done something that was probably stupid.  My neck scar closed before I left Chicago even and both Dr Z and Rena warned me that I'd have to massage it firmly to get keep it from being permanent.  The other day when Shannon was helping with my dinner time massage she accidentally scratched the scared area and it got roughed up badly.  The next time I shaved I found that it cut the roughed up area clear away and didn't hurt at all.  Unfortunately when I get under high stress I tend to tear my cuticles halfway up my fingers and pick at scabs and stuff.  This week at work was awful and I ended up scratching with just fingernails away pretty much all of the scar area.  It just crumpled and peeled away and didn't really bleed at all, it was all just clear fluid.  It is almost like I had a hollow tube with fluid in it.  Needless to say it looks awful now since it is a huge raw place now.  On the plus side I can now see the threading that hadn't spit before and the deepness of the scar is GONE.  I know I shouldn't have done it, but I know I shouldn't pull fingernails into the quick and rip up cuticle but I still do when I get too stressed.  I've got a follow up call with Dr. Z on Wednesday and I am expecting that he will freak over what I've done, but at least I'll hear from him how to best care for this now.

Jeneva I can relate to all written.   TG does not go away with age.  I was a big strong male.  My male figure was 48-38-38 and I was off radar of all.  I actually digested about 50 pounds of muscle off my body.  Dr. Z saw a 40c-32-38 androgynous person with no facial or body hair.  He told me if you have saggy 40c breasts that you can hide you most certainly can hide 40d.  Hello I just wanted my breasts to be lifted without all this implant stuff.  I am going to guess he gave you a small scar under your aureola and breasts are anatomically correct for your size.  I do not think GG's have nipples that are as sensitive as mine.  Mine still hurt.  Dr. Z did what he thought was right but I needed to heal and adjust.

My forehead still spits but you sound as if you have process correct.

Dr. Z and Rena told me I need to massage scar under neck.  It has not spit stitches and I have not rubbed it raw.  I seem to be doing to my forehead what you just did to your neck.  I am aggressive on massaging neck.  Tell me what Dr. Z has to say because neck is not spitting stitches.  Is it supposed to spit stitches?  My incision was closed in two weeks and feeling is coming back into my chin as it is numb.  Left side of mouth continues to improve on mobility.

Jeneva did you see any of fishing thread in your neck area?  Has it spit stitches?  My neck leaked fluid into gauze pad for at least one month.  Please share what you learn.

Sorry you neck is messy.  Think it will heal fine. 

Thanks for sharing!
Wendy 

Quote from: wendy on February 05, 2012, 11:51:09 AM
Jeneva did you see any of fishing thread in your neck area?  Has it spit stitches?  My neck leaked fluid into gauze pad for at least one month.  Please share what you learn.

My neck sutures that I pulled before and that I saw in the raw areas were the ones that looked like braided cotton thread and not the "fishing line like" stuff in the forehead.  I suspect it is a self dissolving suture, it is the same material I had in my nose and mouth and they are pretty much just gone.

Ok, so I had  to "clean" the neck area.  I was pretty vigorous to get rid of the scabbing that had started.  It is actually almost smooth now and didn't really bleed at all.  I did rub away quite a bit of flesh (originally it was a smooth scar over top the groove.

This is what it looks like now and I'm not nearly as worried about it.  I'm just going to keep moist with neosporin and see what happens.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7015%2F6826542731_5ab10bcf45_b.jpg&hash=d8252957bfd6091868c2c00cc736df6883023994) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenevasamples/6826542731/)

I'm almost to 6 weeks.  I will try to update the website on Friday and will pick some of those pictures for here too.

I've got a call with Dr. Z on Wednesday and am going to ask him about my neck and if it is too soon to restart working on my leg sleeve tattoo (I want it done for shorts weather).  I'll probably also confirm that I can restart laser on Thursday.

I actually feel like I'm mostly recovered now.  I was able to keep a 3mpg average for a 30 minute hill climb on an elliptical at lunch.  It'll be a week or two before I start doing the cardio setting again (it is a lot of spikes vs just 1 spike in the hill climb), but it felt good to know I've got a lot of my energy back.

Still more forehead suture spitting.  WOW, I grabbed one today that REALLY hurt, but that knot is gone.  My neck isn't scabbing over at all with the Neosporin use.

I'm going to try and get in my laser hair removal place as soon as he gives an OK and Wendy has an opening.  I joked with Shannon the other day that I may just have a day of pain and have laser and another tattoo session on the same day.

Quote from: Jeneva on February 06, 2012, 05:30:20 PM

I've got a call with Dr. Z on Wednesday and am going to ask him about my neck and if it is too soon to restart working on my leg sleeve tattoo (I want it done for shorts weather).  I'll probably also confirm that I can restart laser on Thursday.

When I asked Dr Z about restarting hair removal he said that that I had to wait until 2 months post op.

Jeneva, I am glad sutures seem to be dissolving variety in neck!

My forehead continues to spit but have not seen fishing line in couple of days.

I do walk a big Irish Setter every day for two miles so that I get a little exercise.  DO not have your level of energy.

Your neck actually does not look too bad.  I will guess it will heal up nicely.  I would keep gauze pad on at night with ointment.

Have you been using laser treatments on face prior to FFS?

Look forward to your updates.
......................................

P.S. Does an administrator have to give permission to post pictures?  I have never been able to figure out how to insert a picture on a post.

Jeneva your neck looks like the skin is very healthy and healing! Also glad your energy is coming back. Thank you to you AND WENDY for inspiring us all!

QuoteI do wonder if it will reduce ... as I lose the excess weight.

I can reassure you that when most women lose weight, THE FIRST 5-10 POUNDS come straight off the breasts. I expect you'll have that plus the same "gradual reduction of everything" that I got (in my case after gastric bypass surgery).

ROFL re the tattoo: my partner has a new tattoo she plans to get after her next surgery and watching that heal will be a nice distraction from the dilations. At least, that's the plan.

Quote from: atheuona on February 06, 2012, 08:20:31 PM
When I asked Dr Z about restarting hair removal he said that that I had to wait until 2 months post op.

2 months is what he told both JenJen2011 and me on the phone for eyebrow plucking and waxing.  But previously I had gotten a 6 week for facial laser.  Are you using electrolysis?  Perhaps  it is 2 month because he is worried that if they don't zap it well enough they end up plucking the hair?  I'm going to ask for sure now and I'll post back his answer.

Quote from: wendy on February 06, 2012, 08:26:38 PM
Your neck actually does not look too bad.  I will guess it will heal up nicely.  I would keep gauze pad on at night with ointment.

Have you been using laser treatments on face prior to FFS?

Thank you for the suggestion, that should have been obvious, but I've just been putting it on by hand and of course it is dried and scaly in the morning.  I'm going to ask Dr. Z if I can just buy some silicone strips for it on the call since that should remove/minimize the scars.

I'm on my 6th laser treatment, but I'm not honestly sure that she was using enough power on the first few settings (based on what I saw on the machine and what I read on HairTell).  Of course it hurt even with the numbing cream, but I've gotten a decent amount of grow back.

Quote from: wendy on February 06, 2012, 08:26:38 PM
P.S. Does an administrator have to give permission to post pictures?  I have never been able to figure out how to insert a picture on a post.

They have to be hosted somewhere else.  Most of the pictures I use are up on our farm website, but I occasionally use Facebook hosted pictures or even Flickr.  Once you have it hosted somewhere else you grab that URL and use the [img] tag or just click the picture icon (underneath bold) and paste in the URL.

Quote from: madwoman in the attic on February 06, 2012, 08:56:27 PM
I can reassure you that when most women lose weight, THE FIRST 5-10 POUNDS come straight off the breasts. I expect you'll have that plus the same "gradual reduction of everything" that I got (in my case after gastric bypass surgery).

ROFL re the tattoo: my partner has a new tattoo she plans to get after her next surgery and watching that heal will be a nice distraction from the dilations. At least, that's the plan.

In this case that would be fine with me.  They look proportional right now only because of the size of my tummy so as I lose weight it is going to "seem" bigger.  I did ask Dr. Z if that would cause problems with the implants and he said because he was going under the muscle and the amount of tissue I already had (because of my weight and HRT) it shouldn't be a problem.

How quickly is your partner planning on getting the new one after SRS/GRS/GCS [we all have our favorite acronym]?

I skipped the last tattoo session before my surgery and haven't had any more work because I wanted to make sure all my energy went to healing from FFS and i worried that it might make the tattoo take longer to heal and it would mess something up.  The crystal and its light beam/rainbow will likely take a longer session and the apple is probably a session (going to use a green to red gradient since Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter are represented by the branches and the apple is right in the middle of the summer/fall break.  And then of course I have a lot of tree limbs (from 4 different trees in 4 different seasons) framing it all together.  Between the greenery and general touch ups I figure at least 2 sessions, so that is 4 right there.  If he is flipping sides he thinks he can tattoo as often as every two weeks, but the same side is taking almost 4 weeks to heal enough for another session without risk to the last session's ink.  I didn't understand that sleeves (or any large piece (like the back) is a serious investment in time and money until I got started on this.  The design is still very significant to us both so I'm happy, but I didn't fully understand how much work this was going to be when I came in with the concept pictures.  I already have a design in mind for my water element in memory of my FFS, but we've got to finish the earth first.

Since surgery, I haven't seen any "spitting" or "fishing line" in the forehead. Are we suppose to be trying to find the stitches? I look at myself in the mirror and try to feel for it but I just don't see it. No knots, no nothing.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 07, 2012, 08:38:53 AM
Since surgery, I haven't seen any "spitting" or "fishing line" in the forehead. Are we suppose to be trying to find the stitches? I look at myself in the mirror and try to feel for it but I just don't see it. No knots, no nothing.

If you don't have it then great.  It is only if it DOES spit that you have to do anything as far as I understood him and the video.  Eventually they must dissolve, but once part breaks the skin it has to be removed.

I had visible "fishing" line from the first day I could see my forehead.  But I also had a VERY aggressive forehead reduction.

You would know if you had it when you massage the forehead scar.  They are very stiff plastic and are obvious.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 07, 2012, 08:38:53 AM
Since surgery, I haven't seen any "spitting" or "fishing line" in the forehead. Are we suppose to be trying to find the stitches? I look at myself in the mirror and try to feel for it but I just don't see it. No knots, no nothing.

My fishing line is starting to slow down but areas still spit.  It still looks messy.  I think I over massage areas that are sore.  Only got .75 inch advance so that I will think it was pulled tight.

Neck scar never spit and is starting to look better.  Still swell at three months.

Thanks Jeneva and Wendy. I'm over here touching my forehead trying to see if I feel something, lol. I remember right before I left Chicago, he was like, "feel this" and put my fingers on it. It did feel stiff and weird. I'll continue to be on the lookout.

I have an appt tomorrow to speak with Dr. Z. I'll ask him about it too.

Have any of you recently skipped a massage or two, and if so, did you swell up more?

I'm asking because I went back to work yesterday and it threw my scheduled times for massages off. So, I ended up doing only 1 massage yesterday and I missed this mornings massage. And I feel like I may have swelled up in the jaw area. It could all just be mental but I need to make time for them massages!! Aargh!!

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 07, 2012, 10:40:34 AM
I'm asking because I went back to work yesterday and it threw my scheduled times for massages off. So, I ended up doing only 1 massage yesterday and I missed this mornings massage. And I feel like I may have swelled up in the jaw area.

Not sure about the effect of missing massages, but I did notice yesterday that when I exercised it caused much more swelling.  Could you be more active at work than you were at home and that is the reason for the extra swelling?

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 07, 2012, 10:40:34 AM
Have any of you recently skipped a massage or two, and if so, did you swell up more?

I'm asking because I went back to work yesterday and it threw my scheduled times for massages off. So, I ended up doing only 1 massage yesterday and I missed this mornings massage. And I feel like I may have swelled up in the jaw area. It could all just be mental but I need to make time for them massages!! Aargh!!

I've missed a few massages and have definitely noticed an increase in swelling afterwards.

My mouth is way more active. I answer phones all day. By the end of the day, I'm exhausted and my jaw/neck area feels strained. So, that could be part of it. And the fact that I've missed a few massages could be the other part. I guess it doesn't matter what time I do them as long as it's 3 times a day.

I was going to ask him about exercise. But I'm afraid of swelling up so I think I'll hold off on that for a while longer.

Anyway, sorry Jeneva. I don't mean to hijack your thread with my questions. Lol. :P

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 08, 2012, 07:30:35 AM
I was going to ask him about exercise. But I'm afraid of swelling up so I think I'll hold off on that for a while longer.

Anyway, sorry Jeneva. I don't mean to hijack your thread with my questions. Lol. :P

Hijack away.  There are several recent Dr. Z patients listening in and I'm sure a lot of us have the same questions.  And I'm sure many future patients will have the same questions too, so it may be useful that they are here.

Had to wait until lunch, but I did confirm several things this morning.  Tattooing is fine.  Laser is only 6 weeks, but he said to ask her to go slower since it is still somewhat swollen.   Exercise is ok, but go with a slow buildup.  He didn't know what to think about my neck scar, but said just keep it moist.   I did ask what to do about scabbing on my forehead when I pulled a suture out and he told me to keep it covered with Vasoline until healed.  That may have been in the video or paperwork somewhere, but it wasn't something I knew to do.  He asked me to wear the garment a lot more than I was.  I mentioned that I mostly wore it while out and about to keep the scars hidden and he said just use makeup so I get the impression that makeup is ok to cover the scars (at least at 6 weeks it is).

JenJen when I said I did swell with exercise, it wasn't that bad and it did go away.  Maybe if you exercised in the evenings, it would be gone by morning that way?

I just finished speaking with Dr. Z. It was a short call because I didn't really have any questions prepared for him.

Yeah, he told me tattooing and hair removal is fine at 6 weeks. He said exercise is also okay at 6 weeks. He said I basically finished the first stage post op but that I still got ways to go. My tissue is apparently thick so I need to massage aggressively still, 3 times a day. He said I could go down to 2 times a day at 6 weeks. He also told me to wear the garment only around the house. One last thing he said was to continue to take Ibuprofen for another two weeks.

I'm upset at myself because Monday and yesterday I only massaged once. Today I haven't done a massage yet. I'll try to get at least 2 in before bed. I know it's important so I need to do it.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 08, 2012, 12:04:50 PM
I just finished speaking with Dr. Z. It was a short call because I didn't really have any questions prepared for him.

Yeah, he told me tattooing and hair removal is fine at 6 weeks. He said exercise is also okay at 6 weeks. He said I basically finished the first stage post op but that I still got ways to go. My tissue is apparently thick so I need to massage aggressively still, 3 times a day. He said I could go down to 2 times a day at 6 weeks. He also told me to wear the garment only around the house. One last thing he said was to continue to take Ibuprofen for another two weeks.

I'm upset at myself because Monday and yesterday I only massaged once. Today I haven't done a massage yet. I'll try to get at least 2 in before bed. I know it's important so I need to do it.

Jen is antiscar gel O.K. on forehead?

Do you feel a bunch of little bumps inside neck scar?  I do.  Just under middle of chin I feel bump size of "pea".  I think that would be too small for a lymph node.  Neck is looking better.  I still massage about twice a day.  My nose I probably do three times a day.  My forehead I massage but it still looks yucky.  Eye areas are nice and just give quick massage..

Quote from: wendy on February 08, 2012, 12:17:20 PMJen is antiscar gel O.K. on forehead?

Each case is different but yes, he did give me the okay so I suppose it is for you too. I'm at 4 1/2 weeks post op.

QuoteDo you feel a bunch of little bumps inside neck scar?  I do.  Just under middle of chin I feel bump size of "pea".  I think that would be too small for a lymph node.  Neck is looking better.  I still massage about twice a day.  My nose I probably do three times a day.  My forehead I massage but it still looks yucky.  Eye areas are nice and just give quick massage..

I feel small bumps along my jaw when I'm doing the massages. Don't know what that is. My jaw, chin, and massator area looks quite swollen but normal according to Dr. Z. I just got to do my massages religiously. I think my forehead scar looks quite good. Very neat and I haven't had any issues that I can tell anyways. I don't massage any of my scars though. I'm mainly focusing on my jaw/chin/massator area.

Quote from: wendy on February 08, 2012, 12:17:20 PM
Do you feel a bunch of little bumps inside neck scar?  I do.  Just under middle of chin I feel bump size of "pea".  I think that would be too small for a lymph node.  Neck is looking better.  I still massage about twice a day.  My nose I probably do three times a day.  My forehead I massage but it still looks yucky.  Eye areas are nice and just give quick massage..

Lymph nodes can be ultra tiny.  It is only when they are irritated that they swell big.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 08, 2012, 12:52:30 PM
Each case is different but yes, he did give me the okay so I suppose it is for you too. I'm at 4 1/2 weeks post op.

I feel small bumps along my jaw when I'm doing the massages. Don't know what that is. My jaw, chin, and massator area looks quite swollen but normal according to Dr. Z. I just got to do my massages religiously. I think my forehead scar looks quite good. Very neat and I haven't had any issues that I can tell anyways. I don't massage any of my scars though. I'm mainly focusing on my jaw/chin/massator area.

Dr. Z told me he thought I would look better without jaw and muscle reduction so that I feel no bumps along jaw.  I will guess he works from incision under chin.  My scar is less than 2.5 inches.  It has small bumps under scar area and I think peas size bump under chin is only bump that is large.  I think after three months skin is starting to loosen up.

Quote from: Jeneva on February 08, 2012, 01:14:21 PM
Lymph nodes can be ultra tiny.  It is only when they are irritated that they swell big.

O.K. chin one might be lymph node and I should not keep massaging it.

How does it feel when you pull out a suture with tweezers? I found a stiff, plastic-like suture last night and I'm scared to pull it out myself. :-\

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 09, 2012, 02:10:32 PM
How does it feel when you pull out a suture with tweezers? I found a stiff, plastic-like suture last night and I'm scared to pull it out myself. :-\

With the exception of 1 suture that was just hideous, none of mine have hurt too badly.  If it is just a loose string then it doesn't really hurt at all, but usually there is a knot just under the skin so it hurts a bit as you pull it through.

But even then this is no where near hair plucking pain levels.  Most are around the level of picking at a scab.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 09, 2012, 02:10:32 PM
How does it feel when you pull out a suture with tweezers? I found a stiff, plastic-like suture last night and I'm scared to pull it out myself. :-\

Jen feel like a teenager with acne with my forehead.  Just pull suture out with reasonable tug and clip it.  I like to use a sterile nail clipper cleaned with rubbing alcohol to clip suture.  Then try to leave things alone.  Mine continue to spit dissolved whitish material.  Maybe threads are starting to dissolve?  Maybe this isn't fishing line?  I am self conscious of forehead blemishes.

.........
Bottom back of each ear leaks out clear fluid.  Must be lymph node drain at bottom back of each ear.  You might feel some stitches behind ears.  These stitches were black when they come out.  Still have few bumps back there.

Ok, I'm going to try and dye my hair this morning.   I STILL haven't even though I said I would 2 weeks ago.  Somehow life keeps getting the in way.  If the dye works out then I will actually get my 6 week site post up this evening (only 2 days late).  I'm done with the surgical look pictures.  No more scar closeups.  From here out it is going to be real life pictures (IE: "town" clothes, smiles, makeup and hair actually somewhat styled).

Check out my Henna experience (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,115426.0.html).

As far as healing goes, I'm feeling great now.  I have almost all of my voice back.  My forehead scar hasn't spit any more sutures since Wednesday morning and where I have kept it covered with Vasoline it is healing nicely.  My neck scar is starting to close up without scabbing too.  Behind my ear where a suture popped loose and I had a flap sitting up has almost healed back down flat.

After the hair dye I'm also going to play with my hair and see if fillers like topix can help make it look a bit denser so I can avoid hair transplants.  He brought my forehead down a LOT, but I still have a bit of a empty circle on each temple that my hair is too fine to cover completely.

OK, the week 6 update is on our site now.  I feel great.  I'll still keep with updating it at 2 months, but I think I will drop to monthly after that.  You can see that I still get some swelling/sag in my neck.  The scar is almost completely healed now.  But for 5 or 10 minutes after a massage it looks great.  You can sort of see my new jawline in the second picture and my chin in the first.

Here are the better pictures from our site.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSWeek6_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_7139%2FDSC_7139.jpg&hash=c418e714c97b1a4cc4abe0a0fa188c5d9e455a88)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSWeek6_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_7144%2FDSC_7144.jpg&hash=5cb149940bad21a1e8fb54e7a92d90ed15ad47b3)(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdragonflydreamsfarm.com%2FDragonfly_Dreams_Farm%2FPOSTFFSWeek6_files%2FMedia%2FDSC_7146%2FDSC_7146.jpg&hash=a11a7731e6b25590486c69c0ab8316ea0a7e581f)

I had my first laser hair removal appointment since FFS today.  Since I can't pluck my eyebrows yet I just had her zap them.  I was actually planning on increasing the areas we were working, but we only had time for my regular face/neck, eyebrows, and hands.  I've got a follow up appointment for my lower arms, under arms, and chest on Friday.

I've had another one of the mega serendipitous occurrences that I've been blessed with through my transition.  It turns out that just this week, they acquired a RN/LMT to offer massage services.  And he specializes in lymphatic drainage and deep tissue massage for scar reduction.smoothing after surgery (they use him for their laser lipo all the time).  He uses cupping, which is lighting a flame inside a jar and then putting it out and while it is still at negative pressure pressing it against the skin like a suction cup.  Sounds a whole lot like Rina's suction cup looking thing she used on the face doesn't it?  So I start with him Friday before I get my arms and chest fried.

She turned up the juice when she did my hands and forgot to turn it back down before starting my face, but I convinced her to leave it set higher (I was worried it was a bit low).  It was more intense at the lips and jawline, but I found that while I have touch sensitivity in my neck, I didn't feel the pain of the laser treatments so I must have more nerve repair to go yet.

Cool. Dr. Z told me to find a local masseuse. How's the jaw swelling? Still noticable? Mine definitely is. That's all I'm practically waiting for. Waiting for it to go down. The nurse where I work removed the suture that had spitted to the surface of my forehead yesterday. I didn't feel a thing.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 14, 2012, 03:07:22 PM
Cool. Dr. Z told me to find a local masseuse. How's the jaw swelling? Still noticable? Mine definitely is. That's all I'm practically waiting for. Waiting for it to go down. The nurse where I work removed the suture that had spitted to the surface of my forehead yesterday. I didn't feel a thing.

My jaw isn't so bad.  I guess it is technically swollen, but it is smaller than before because of all the work he did to the flab and muscle.  It is the same with my neck really.  I am swollen, but he reduced it so much that I still look so much better.

Most sutures aren't bad at all, you'll get the hang of it soon enough.  Once mine started popping it was almost non-stop.  They've stalled out now though.

My jaw is still swollen to the point where I can't see a difference from before yet. Because of the swelling, I don't look normal, for lack of a better word. So, I continue to wear the head garment out in public 5 1/2 weeks post op. I can't wait til I feel comfortable enough to go out without it.

Ok, I learned something new today.  I had my massage appointment and he worked mostly on my scars and then taught me a few things I can do for my limited jaw opening.  While I was there I opened enough to clear 3 fingers, while normally 2 is all I can open.  It is back down to 2, but he said over time it will relax and working it will help.

This person is an ICU RN, but he does massage therapy on the side.  He said that we can't open our mouth that wide because all of the trauma in our chin and necks has caused the muscles attached to hyoid bone to become tense.  This supports Wendy's theory that it is neck work not the jaw work that messes with our jaw range of motion.

He told me to put a finger in my mouth at the gum lines and push from tooth to the roof of my mouth.  This makes a crunchy sound and feels really odd.  You do that all the way around.  That relaxes one set of the muscles.  Another exercise he showed me was to turn my finger sideways with nail against the tooth and then bend it streching the skin away from the jaw.  Just doing this massage over each part of my mouth twice was enough to get another finger width. 

He also told me to try and manually stretch my jaw.  You grasp upper and lower teeth and pull apart WHILE resisting as much as possible with your jaw muscle for 8 seconds.  Then you relax that muscle and stretch it open as wide as you can for 5 seconds.  He said after 3 or 4 self treatments it will start relaxing back to normal all the time.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on February 15, 2012, 03:24:01 PM
My jaw is still swollen to the point where I can't see a difference from before yet. Because of the swelling, I don't look normal, for lack of a better word. So, I continue to wear the head garment out in public 5 1/2 weeks post op. I can't wait til I feel comfortable enough to go out without it.

Wore head garment for 8 weeks and removed for shower each day.  Wore for 16 hours for ninth week.  Wore at night for tenth week.  No head garment for past 4 weeks.
...........................

Quote from: Jeneva on February 17, 2012, 02:13:52 PM

He told me to put a finger in my mouth at the gum lines and push from tooth to the roof of my mouth.  This makes a crunchy sound and feels really odd.  You do that all the way around.  That relaxes one set of the muscles.  Another exercise he showed me was to turn my finger sideways with nail against the tooth and then bend it streching the skin away from the jaw.  Just doing this massage over each part of my mouth twice was enough to get another finger width. 

He also told me to try and manually stretch my jaw.  You grasp upper and lower teeth and pull apart WHILE resisting as much as possible with your jaw muscle for 8 seconds.  Then you relax that muscle and stretch it open as wide as you can for 5 seconds.  He said after 3 or 4 self treatments it will start relaxing back to normal all the time.

Jeneva you should start seeing pieces of stitch separate as you massage inside mouth.  Do not pull on them as they will dissolve.

At 14 weeks jaw opens wide but my neck is still swollen.  I aggressively worked under chin and I now have swollen lump on right side of neck.  Think I have a swollen lymph node as you explained.
.........

Have not seen piece of thread from forehead for over a week but spots keep spitting whitish dissolved stitch.  Front area of forehead scar seems to be stabilizing.  Back half of forehead scar still yucky.

...........
Lower back part of left ear still scabbing and annoying.

...........
Starting to see a chin and skin under chin in front of scar is starting to move but is partially numb.

Still have not gained full mobility of left side of lower lip.

Nose swollen each morning.  Massage nose 2-3 times each day.  Pig nose is gone and nose looks better.  Right nostril has not gained full air flow.

Ok, I understand why he kept pushing me to see a massage therapist.  After that ONE session, I've got no more extreme droop on that one side of my chin.  I could massage it up, but it only lasted for a short time.  Today after 5 hours out and about in town it was still balanced.

If anyone has any problem spots that just won't firm up, it might be worth a shot.

He worked around the stitches in my mouth until I could ask Dr. Z if it was ok to work that area.

Wow, it has been 8 weeks since I had FFS.  It seems just like yesterday.  The swelling is down tons.

I got to talk to Dr. Z yesterday and he did confirm that Seth's (massage therapist) push out along the jaw line massage to increase jaw motion is fine to do now. 

I'm going to try and update our website with pictures either tonight, tomorrow, or the next day (it depends on what else is going on here).  I'll pull out the better ones and share them here too.  I finally had to give in and buy a hairpiece for the center of my head.  Even with the lowered hairline, I still had half circles on each side and it was so thin on top.  I found a mono filament human hair one from Estetica (http://www.esteticadesigns.com/product_details.asp?mid=2&index=20&sid=&category_cd=C010&cat_lev=1&pid=139) that I'm experimenting with now.  We found that color 4 blends almost perfectly with my longer hair and It stops just before my curls really start so it doesn't look too fake.  I may try for a transplant to fill in later, but I want SRS/GCS first.

I found a great tool to use for working on scars is this roller pen with silicone.  I don't know if the silicone is going to do anything or not, but the design of the pen is AWESOME.  I've been able to break up the thick lump on my left side of the neck scar with just using this tool as a massager.  If I'd known that this was so useful I'd have bought this just for the massage utility.  It is also breaking up some of the smaller lumps in my lip that I've not been able to do before.  The rollerball design makes it incredibly useful.

Here is a picture of it from Amazon
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41yRIe2ZcvL._SS420_.jpg&hash=5d9aa5b9dea8a02f0007afcc1fc7cdca83767c66)

I had a hair appointment last night and we decided to use those pictures for the 8 week update.  I've already posted them up on Susan's in this thread (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,94280.msg891364.html#msg891364).  The pictures do have a couple of decent facial profile so you can see the work he did on my forehead/nose/chin.  The frontal picture does make my chin look a bit squarer than it is (or even was before FFS), but I think that is because I still have a bit of swelling/droop in my neck because of the amount of work he did there.  It gets better all the time, but isn't yet totally gone.

The Joan Jett look hair actually fit my outfit yesterday pretty well since I a nicer black blouse with jeans and my black suede boots with silver buckles.  I had my long black wool coat instead of my black fake leather motorcycle jacket, but even the long coat went ok with it.  I think I'm going to run with that hairstyle for a while since it does fit well with my tattoos and piercings (even if I got rid of my snake bites).

Almost to three months so I asked Shannon to take a few pictures for me since I was dressed nicer for a Dr. appointment.

The neck scar is continuing to get smaller.  My nose scar is very light now.  I've been using a modified cupping technique that the massage therapist recommended.  He pointed me to a pistol grip plastic cupping set and it is working wonders on breaking up the cross links and thinning the scar.  I've had itching in my forehead and the last night I actually had minor pain for a few minutes (nerves are reconnecting).

I absolutely love the work Dr. Z did for me.  The difference in my neck alone was huge and I'm very happy with my nose.  His recommendation for the breast augmentation was also a very good fit for my frame.

I hate that this will impact how quickly I can afford to have GCS, but I would do it again in a heartbeat because it has made a HUGE difference in my appearance and confidence.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/538942_258279124264817_100002481953011_553757_1637696628_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/485894_258279167598146_100002481953011_553758_1285107251_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/522244_258279074264822_100002481953011_553755_2125397666_n.jpg)

You look awesome! I can see how happy you are. Congrats!  :)

Jen,

Is that you on your avatar?

Yup. However, that pic was taken a month before my FFS.

You look VERY feminine and VERY good there. I wonder what do you look like right now. ;) You must have a hollywood looks  :)

Haha! No but thanks :)

You are a modest girl. I am sure you do :)

Last set of pictures for my three months.  Also the last set I'll be posting here.  I may update our site again at 6 months or maybe wait until 12 or even 18 since he suggested that it may be 18 months before my neck work really shows without some degree of swelling.

I had some errands to run in town so I went ahead and dressed nicely today.  When I got home I realized that they would make great 3 month pictures too.  I just put these up on Facebook and will be updating our site later this evening I hope.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/389582_265312366894826_100002481953011_571368_1456847214_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/551332_265312396894823_100002481953011_571369_630828000_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/543166_265312570228139_100002481953011_571376_1460336203_n.jpg)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/556093_265312440228152_100002481953011_571370_1786013465_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/553532_265312470228149_100002481953011_571371_30870380_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/530359_265312496894813_100002481953011_571372_206392177_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/526907_265312520228144_100002481953011_571374_744687959_n.jpg)

wow. you look great :o

Jeneva,

Wow.  You look really great.  My goodness I have not looked at this thread in a while!

...........

Jen somehow I thought your avatar was after FFS.  I am not sure what Dr. Z could improve.

............
My face looks nice.  Stitches still spit on forehead after 5 months.

Jeneva your comment to massage under tongue and chin at same time has helped.  Chin is still numb and full mobility has not yet returned to lower left side of jaw.  I actually have a chin.  I was wondering if I would ever see a chin again.

Nose is settling nicely; however, I continue to have trouble on air flow on right side.  I snore.  Anyone else have breathing difficulties at night?   Dr. Z said I have reached half way point on healing.

You look adorable in those pics, Jeneva. Especially the last two. :)

Quote from: wendy on April 10, 2012, 01:49:24 PM
Jen somehow I thought your avatar was after FFS.  I am not sure what Dr. Z could improve.

Thanks.

QuoteDr. Z said I have reached half way point on healing.

I spoke to him last week and he told me I have only healed about 30%. That doesn't seem like much. I'm a little over 3 months post op.

I still feel a couple stitches behind my left ear. My jaw/chin area still feels weird. My hairline and the top of my head has become very itchy.

I don't remember your old face Jeneva but you do look good! :)

Thank you ladies.  I am so happy with how this has turned out.

Quote from: wendy on April 10, 2012, 01:49:24 PM
My face looks nice.  Stitches still spit on forehead after 5 months.

Jeneva your comment to massage under tongue and chin at same time has helped.  Chin is still numb and full mobility has not yet returned to lower left side of jaw.  I actually have a chin.  I was wondering if I would ever see a chin again.

Nose is settling nicely; however, I continue to have trouble on air flow on right side.  I snore.  Anyone else have breathing difficulties at night?   Dr. Z said I have reached half way point on healing.

I haven't had any face stitches in a while, but I did have some for my breast incisions.  Actually my laser tech today was concerned that one was looking less healed, but just a week and a half ago I pulled a 3-4" stitch out.

I can see my chin now, but between my weight and the work he did on my neck I still have a bit of a double chin.  But then before it was more like a double neck ;)  One side of my jaw is still a bit tight, but Seth has been gradually loosening it up.  On our recent road trip when I crossed the mountains in NC headed back to home, my right jaw popped VERY loudly.  It didn't really hurt, but was a bit sore for a day or two.  However that side is totally loosened up now.  I'm just waiting for the left side to pop and it'll be all back to normal mobility wise.  I will say that I've gotten used to eating smaller bites because of it and it has greatly helped my diet.

My nose has been an unbelievable change.  I can breath so much better, but then I had septum issues on one side prior to surgery.  Until allergy season kicked in I could even smell better, but that is gone now since I'm continually stopped up.  I actually used to have periods of sleep apnea before, but it is all gone now.

Quote from: JenJen2011 on April 10, 2012, 02:03:58 PM
I still feel a couple stitches behind my left ear. My jaw/chin area still feels weird. My hairline and the top of my head has become very itchy.

I have a few that can be felt behind my ears, but Seth said that the visible parts were gone now.  My chin is still numb, but my hairline/top of head is driving me crazy.  I don't get the brief spikes of pain often, but it itches terribly.  I can't wait for it to fully heal and stop itching.

Quote from: Jeneva on April 10, 2012, 02:57:46 PM
....
I haven't had any face stitches in a while, but I did have some for my breast incisions.  Actually my laser tech today was concerned that one was looking less healed, but just a week and a half ago I pulled a 3-4" stitch out.
.....
My nose has been an unbelievable change.  I can breath so much better, but then I had septum issues on one side prior to surgery.  Until allergy season kicked in I could even smell better, but that is gone now since I'm continually stopped up.  I actually used to have periods of sleep apnea before, but it is all gone now.

Jeneva my left breast incision continues to spit stitches.  My right breast incision has never spit any stitches.  Both breasts give occasional shooting pains as if a knife just cut them.  I am glad they shrunk two sizes in past five months.

I also had deviated left septum and had sleep apnea.  My left nasal passage is much better but right one is now constricted.
............

Jen and Jeneva my scalp has been iching for two months.  It is still partially numb about three inches behind scalp incision as I did have scalp advance of about 3/4 inch.

My eyes have been nice for about two months.

Never spit a stitch from under chin but it still has small bumps along incision.

Ears have not spit a stitch in about a month but behind ears still have small bumps and below each ear is a raised sensitive ridge.