So I've been expecting the wall of depression, the "what have I done" torture, but I don't know that it's going to hit.
I've been fighting to make this happen for a while now, and things finally clicked and came together a few weeks ago, and I got onto the OR schedule for 13 Nov 2012 in the morning. I'm currently in Boston, and am now 3 days post op from Dr Spiegel. The only thing that's been bad thus far is that I freaked out in the early hours Thursday morning (combination of couldn't breathe, overheated, dehydrated, etc.). I went up to the hospital and they were able to see me, checked everything out to be sure, said I was healing surprisingly well, and gave me a few pointers on what to do. The main reason for the breathing troubles is that I didn't quit smoking until Monday, so literally had the surgery just in time for my body to start producing massive amounts of phlegm, heh.
Anyway, even immediately after the surgery, before any swelling really started showing up, I was feeling along my face, and instantly noticed a few things, and over the last few days I've noticed some other things.
Now I know that everyone says you can't see the changes until way later, and not to dwell on how things look now, etc.
But has anyone else been able to spot positive changes this early?
For example, one of the things I liked about my jaw was the sharp definition it had, I just didn't like the wide square at the back. Dr Spiegel agreed and said he could easily retain the definition but take away the width and square shape at the back. He also was going to slightly narrow my chin. Now, you can't tell from looking at me right this moment, but that's exactly what happened. Before the swelling set in, I was feeling around my jaw and the jawline is still very sharp, but almost exactly where he said he'd start taking jaw away, it starts going squishy. I could tell just from the feel of it under my fingers that it was considerably different now than it had been. Same with my forehead. I could *feel* the difference with my fingers, and even see it. Can still see it quite a bit, which is surprising.
All in all here's what I had done:
Trach Shave
Brow Lift
Forehead Reconstruction
Mandible/Chin Recontour
Rhinoplasty
Lip Lift
I think that's it (if I've left anything out, I blame the drugs).
In just looking at everything though, I feel very pleased overall, and am excited as hell for the swelling to go away so that I can see the final product, but even just from what I can tell so far, it's already a massive improvement. Has anyone else experienced this as well? For those that had FFS and were very happy with the result, did you start that way almost immediately, or did you come around to liking it after weeks or months of healing?
Also, I knew and was expecting the top of my head to be numb.
Unfortunately for me, my chin and lower lip are also numb. This is causing a number of problems for me, heh. Anyone else have their chin/lower lip go numb? If so, how long did it take for feeling to come back?
congrats Pixie....would love to see before and after pics
Congratulations, PixieDust! Give yourself time to heal. I'm sure you've read some of the other accounts here. Numbness from surgery sometimes takes a while to go away. But it will go away.
I had surgery with dr Spiegel last January. All the profound numbness has gone away however the top of my head is still kinda numb and probably always will be. My chin took a few months for feeling to come back. My only complaint is that my chin feels funny its hard to describe but I'm pretty sure I'm stuck with it. Otherwise I'm very happy with the results of my surgery.
I stayed at the Marriott in Brookline which was nice because I could take the T to Spiegels office and there is a lot of good food around there, not that you're really eating much right now lol!
I'll work on getting some images posted.
Quote from: aprilrain on November 17, 2012, 09:23:35 PM
My chin took a few months for feeling to come back. My only complaint is that my chin feels funny its hard to describe but I'm pretty sure I'm stuck with it.
A few months? =( I really hope it doesn't take my chin that long. I can't eat or drink anything right now without wearing it. I can't even really talk properly. You'd think I just came back from the dentist or something.
Quote from: aprilrain on November 17, 2012, 09:23:35 PM
I stayed at the Marriott in Brookline which was nice because I could take the T to Spiegels office and there is a lot of good food around there, not that you're really eating much right now lol!
Initially we were staying at the RoundHouse but... well, we moved quickly (lots of reasons), and ended up at the Courtyard Marriott South Bay. I wanted to be close to the hospital to make the post surgery trip easy, and to be close in case something went horribly wrong.
Currently I'm getting ready to take something to help get some sleep, and tomorrow going to try real food.
Just be ready for it, the "OMG WTF have I done!" hit me about 5 days post op (about the time I got off pain meds) and lasted for a few days. I just had my nose done so I healed quickly. I looked "normal" 10 days post -op with very minor bruising. With all you had done, it likely will be a while so just know the depression is normal and won't last.
Ok here are some before & After pics. Web Design isn't my strong suit. Yay for MS Word.
http://myrist.net/Before-FFS.htm (http://myrist.net/Before-FFS.htm)
http://myrist.net/Post-FFS.htm (http://myrist.net/Post-FFS.htm)
I can tell from your before pics that you're going to be very pretty, you can already see in the after pics the subtle differences of the bone work. He does great work I think you will be pleased but it will take some time!
great results so far Pixie...thanks for sharing
A friend of mine went to DR Spiegel all went very well. The numbness in the chin takes two months to go and
six months for the top of the head pictures are looking good All the best girl
Tessa personally(not sure how you feel) but I don't think you need FFS as it is you look alot like Mara Wilson. She was in Matilda and actually don't remember many other of her films but now she is a writer and has appeared in some videos with reviewers of her films like the Nostalgia Critic and all I can say is boy did she grow up well lol But yes you look alot like her based on your avatar.
Quote from: EmeraldPerpugilliam on November 19, 2012, 09:25:47 AM
Tessa personally(not sure how you feel) but I don't think you need FFS as it is you look alot like Mara Wilson. She was in Matilda and actually don't remember many other of her films but now she is a writer and has appeared in some videos with reviewers of her films like the Nostalgia Critic and all I can say is boy did she grow up well lol But yes you look alot like her based on your avatar.
^ This or if you do get some FFS, something VERY minor. You look female to me right now.
I know where you're coming from, Tessa. For me it was about undoing the T damage and looking as closely as possible to how I would have looked if I were born female, or how I should have looked.
Quote from: TessaM on November 19, 2012, 12:03:02 PM
omg wow I do look like Mara Wilson
Looked her up didn't you :)