Hi all! I'm hoping y'all can give me some advice. I'm scheduled with Dr. Mayer in a couple weeks. As part of the pre-op tests, I had a lateral skull x-ray today. I was given a disc with the image on it, and of course I had to take a peek! My stomach dropped when I saw how gargantuan my frontal sinus cavity is...and how thin the frontal bone is. :'( My understanding is that Mayer doesn't perform type three reconstruction. I'm thinking that if I want the least embossed, most natural brow possible, I'd need a type 3? That the Mayer type won't cut it(no pun intended!)? I'd love to hear your opinions. I'm considering canceling with Mayer and going with Spiegel, since I've heard he does type 3 and he accepts Carecredit(which is part of my funds for this venture). I know I could probably ask for a "dolphin forehead", but I want to get rid of the overhang as much as possible. Thank y'all in advance!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVRCU6Dp.png%3F1&hash=57d60c4657dad381b8d357b0f4be8a25b84ea490)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjR37j8C.jpg&hash=2f1349cd637fd4f357d43c12471b903de6ae8d97)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNUST9ry.jpg&hash=8163be34126869b34ca51be35a344682d6710ee8)
In your shoes I would have a talk with Dr Mayer and Dr Spiegel to see what both would do given that information. You may need to switch doctors to get what you are after but with the images in hand, both should be able to tell you what they would do with your face.
Mayer isn't able to look at the x-ray until after the holiday weekend. :(
Spiegel, on the other hand, spoke with me on the phone today! XD I was blown away by the service - I sent the request for a consult with my xray attached, and his office called within half an hour! And they put me on the phone with him!! He said 95-97% of cases require type III reconstruction over the frontal sinus. :/ He also mentioned it would be dangerous for me to undergo burring - obviously, due to the how thin my bone appears and how that contributes to the risk of a break through. When I measured the bone thickness using the software tool on the CD given to me by the imaging tech, it came out to .2 CM. There's only 2mm to work with there...and that is likely at it's THICKEST. :/
With how quickly Spiegel, himself, got me on the phone and with what he said, I have decided to cancel with Mayer. I am waiting to see the quote from Spiegel. I hope I have enough to cover the forehead, hairline, nose, and lipo under my neck/jawline. Those are the things that cause me the most grief when I look at my face. My chin would be nice to contour a bit, and adding some volume to my upper lip would be great, but I consider those vanity mods. ;)
Thank you for sharing your opinion, Dena! Btw, I like your new profile pic. :)
I have extensively researched ffs
I hope you have not paid yet
Those two are great for girls who started early
Like early adult or late teens amd dont have type 3
They do a shave and fill amd that can make you even
Worse
Think about it
Shave it thin but build back up with concrete
Imo if you have that much to spend look
At facial team or t-change
You qant it done right once
Not in the end spending 40k when
Spend half once
Read the virtual ffs web site to confirm
My input
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 04, 2015, 11:09:53 AM
Thank you for sharing your opinion, Dena! Btw, I like your new profile pic. :)
Your welcome. As for my picture, I didn't realize how good I looked 30 years ago. I have been good with sun block so my skin hasn't aged much but there are a few more wrinkles and the hormones caused my cheek bones to develop a bit. I am in the process of growing a new hair cut and will take another picture in a few months that won't be quite so hot but it will be a more up to date.
Also the only work I had done was the nose, adams apple, SRS and naturally the voice.
If I was you I would not go to Mayer for forehead work simply because you are right in thinking that your sinus is large.. and thin. So you should go to a surgeon who can set it back through reconstruction rather than simply shaving.
I've come around to the idea there is no one "best" overall surgeon, it just comes down to each one's particular aesthetic sense and skillset being best suited for patients' within a particular range of needs.
Mayer is incredible with soft tissue and does amazing suture work, and he's also very good at not going overboard and keeping a face within a harmonious and natural range. But he doesn't do type 3, so he isn't the best choice for people needing that or super aggressive work in general. If you need at most a moderate amount of work, I think he's a great choice. For serious work, you may want to go to someone more aggressive on the bone work.
Looking at that xray I'd say ya, you def need a type 3 surgeon as that's pretty dramatic. I probably technically needed one, but I decided I didn't want one and was happy with what he was able to do for me with a type 1 as my sinus was much smaller and thicker.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1070.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu494%2Feesmith79%2F8F8F5D62-1D00-4197-BF8C-812C49BAA308_zpsgyyqsjjd.jpg&hash=ecde364f718fec974ab57e08303ace0146f84283)
Modest suggestion: Consider that only a formally trained cranio-facial surgeon has the proper training and experience to deal with that unusual bone structure shown in the x-ray you posted up.
The other surgeons that claim to do that type of work - - sometimes really do not, when all is said and done. And if they do, they are doing that work without the formal training and supervision that is required to be a cranio-facial surgeon.
Also, if there is a complication during your surgery - - a surgeon - - other than a cranio-facial surgeon - - will likely have to stop and find one to help deal with the problem.
Thank you all! I have decided to go with Dr. Javier Rossi at Tchange. His pricing is incredible right now, pictures on his site and here have been stellar, and Amanda has been simply incredible and accommodating to work with over email. I have been own away by Amanda's customer service! It will also be nice to take a few week vacation in South America. I have never been out of North America before, so this should be exciting!
Great choice Cadence!
Maybe you've seen my thread below on Dr. Rossi. I went to him and Amanda for the same reason: Great customer service, price, and amazing before/afters. I hope I'm not being redundant but your x-ray picture made me want to compare mine with yours. Basically, I think you're forehead is going be very different and flat. However, I do want to say that you look great already, especially from the front.
X-ray just like yours (had some trouble posting the picture directly):
http://postimg.org/image/fvblgpc0z
New and most recent before/afters
http://postimg.org/image/zeg6q2asj
He's real good. However I do just want to mention that Dr. Mayer is a fantastic surgeon and has been crucial in the field of plastic surgery/ffs. He's the surgeon who developed the trychophytic incision method that Dr. Rossi also uses so hair can grow through the coronal incision. Considering your hairline is nice and low already, I'm sure he'll do that and the scar will be practically invisible like mine.
There's no way his prices will be this cheap in the future. He's a good as any other surgeon pretty much. Also I hope you enjoy Buenos Aires. I fell in love with the city and decided to rent an apartment for an entire month so I could heal and have an adventure :)
Best of luck with everything,
- Ruby
Thanks, Ruby! Our x-ray sinus cavities could be twins! Lol Your after profile looks great. I hope my results are just as good. :) Have you noticed a change in your vocal resonance with the smaller sinus cavity? Or any changes with allergies or congestion?
I'm going with the hair transplant option. Amanda said that he would not be able to completely feminize my hairline due to how he'd make the incision to hide a lot of it behind the hair in front, etc. I figured the transplants will guarantee no scar, which is great because I plan on wearing my hair combed back for a while. :)
Cadence-
That's what I did, get hair transplants probably from the same doctor you will get them from, Dr. Bruno Szyferman. I got 1400 grafts, most with 2-3 hairs. I'm extremely happy with how he recreated a new feminine hairline. It's really starting to grow in at 3 months. You're going to love it, I promise. The price is amazing as well.
As for a difference in resonance because of a smaller sinus cavity, well no unfortunately. But I did notice that I have fewer issues with my sinuses for some reason, maybe less room for the bacteria to grow, I don't know. Something changed and I don't have nearly as much problem with sinus pressure like I used to.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to pm me. Again congrats on finalizing a doctor.
- Ruby
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 10, 2015, 02:23:41 PM
Thanks, Ruby! Our x-ray sinus cavities could be twins! Lol Your after profile looks great. I hope my results are just as good. :) Have you noticed a change in your vocal resonance with the smaller sinus cavity? Or any changes with allergies or congestion?
Y'all are Xray twins. In several weeks we will find out if there are triplets. :-)
I asked several FFS surgeons about effect on sinus issues, they indicated there is no direct improvement. Amanda did state you have to be clear of any sinus infections, or the surgery would be postponed.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 10, 2015, 02:23:41 PM
I'm going with the hair transplant option. Amanda said that he would not be able to completely feminize my hairline due to how he'd make the incision to hide a lot of it behind the hair in front, etc. I figured the transplants will guarantee no scar, which is great because I plan on wearing my hair combed back for a while. :)
Are you going with the hair transplant at time of FFS surgery? Amanda said that was an option they are looking into. Because of the number of procedures I'm having, bone and soft tissue work, that option is not available to me. I've planned an extended stay in BA, to let the swelling subside enough to get FUE with Dr. Bruno Szyferman.
Yep, I'm going with the hair transplants. I'm taking the option where they cut the strip off. No way will I let someone shave the back of my head to the skin! Amanda said that the hair transplant will happen at a different time, at Dr.Szyferman 's office. Probably two or three days after my ffs with Rossi.
Did I mention that I am now booked for October 28th? XD
Hi Cadence,
Congrats on the date, coming up soon! How long are you staying in Buenos Aires? I'm asking because 2-3 days after the FFS seems a bit too soon in my opinion because of forehead swelling. I waited two weeks to get mine and there was a tiny section where there was more swelling and I lost some transplants because of it. Just a thought. Dr. Syzferman will have the last word on this.
Another issue is that you're might want to wait for the coronal incision to fuse better before doing an FUT incision in the back. That might create extra unwanted scalp tension. Dr. Rossi will remove the staples in your head 10-14 days and after that would be a better time. Finally, I went with the FUT incision. Bruno is amazing with the incision, it will invisible, but the first few days after it will be very bothersome, painful, inchy, and sensitive. FFS is already painful enough, adding that would be enough to drive someone crazy ;) Just my two cents for what it's worth.
I'm going to update my thread on my transplants. I wasn't terribly happy with my hairline after ffs and being unhappy, I made the quick to get transplants 5 days before I left Buenos Aires. I made the decision and only two days later I was under the knife again lol Bruno was so talented and sweet as a person that I basically told Amanda he would be a perfect fit for t-change. (since the team is already talented). Not only that but his prices are the most competitive I've even seen. I guess my good experience/results were persuasive enough to convince Amanda to make him part of the team :) For many of us, hair transplants are indispensable part of facial feminization. I don't think a hairline incision could create the precise, customizable, and natural-looking hairline made possible by transplants. And no scar!
Congrats again and well wishes to deeiche who will be leaving in a few short weeks! Here's to the sinus triplets ;)
- Ruby
Ruby
I am going with FUE ( follicular unit extraction) method as I don't want another incision, and don't mind close cropped (fuzzy :-) )hair.
deeiche,
Oh yes, my mistake, I fixed that. Got them confused :) Both of you say hi to Amanda for me!
Certainly will! I'll be staying in Buenos Aires for twenty days. Amanda suggested waiting until the last week to go to Dr. Zsyferman (sp) for the transplants. Is Bruno the doctor she mentioned? I'll be staying at Leandro's apartment. Five hundred for twenty days, with a full kitchen, seemed like a good deal to me. :) what's been on my mind lately is more about my safety. I brought it up to Amanda, and she mentioned that I don't have to worry about violence, but I should be careful about pick pockets. I guess I'll be buying a fanny pack! Lol any suggestions on how to carry money? I've heard cash is best, and yet that scares me to be walking around with that much money, or even leaving cash in the apartment.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 14, 2015, 06:43:47 PM
Certainly will! I'll be staying in Buenos Aires for twenty days. Amanda suggested waiting until the last week to go to Dr. Zsyferman (sp) for the transplants. Is Bruno the doctor she mentioned? I'll be staying at Leandro's apartment. Five hundred for twenty days, with a full kitchen, seemed like a good deal to me. :) what's been on my mind lately is more about my safety. I brought it up to Amanda, and she mentioned that I don't have to worry about violence, but I should be careful about pick pockets. I guess I'll be buying a fanny pack! Lol any suggestions on how to carry money? I've heard cash is best, and yet that scares me to be walking around with that much money, or even leaving cash in the apartment.
Yes, Dr.Bruno Szyferman, you can find his website by google searrch for "dr bruno szyferman buenos aires hair transplants". It is in Spanish, but Google Translate is your friend.
Well, I'm writing this at the dining room table in Leandro's apartment, it is nice. I reserved it for almost 4 weeks, though I hope to move my return flight up. The neighborhood is older, we walked around a bit this afternoon. There are lots of cafe / restaurants. We also went to a mall ( door man opening up the entrance door), stores seem upscale. I'm not a mally so I don't have much to compare to. Amanda mentioned pickpockets too, I purchased a money belt you wear around your wait under your clothes, it kind of gives you a poochy belly look. But I'll take safety with my cash over looks any day.
Thank you for your advice and the description! Sounds like a nice place. :) mind if I ask a couple more questions?
Where did you buy groceries and how did you get them back to the apartment?
Is there a pharmacy near buy to purchase ice packs or any other medical supplies as needed?
Does Leandro's apartment have a region free DVD player? Or use my shows are region free and I won't have to worry about that...
How's the Wi-Fi connection there? I plan to bring my tablet, kindle, phone - I know my phone won't work over cell, but I use Google Hangouts, so I'll be able to make calls over the Wi-Fi if it's speedy enough.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 08:33:51 AM
Thank you for your advice and the description! Sounds like a nice place. :) mind if I ask a couple more questions?
sure
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 08:33:51 AM
Where did you buy groceries and how did you get them back to the apartment?
There is a convenience store around the corner, you can walk there. Near the lab, cardiologist, radiology facility there is a grocery store. I just got back from there, we took a taxi.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 08:33:51 AM
Is there a pharmacy near buy to purchase ice packs or any other medical supplies as needed?
I don't know. Amanda provides ice packs. I brought along some of these, Ice Bag (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PD1EU2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00), but there are no ice trays in the refrigerator. I am going to see if they have ice at the convenience store.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 08:33:51 AM
Does Leandro's apartment have a region free DVD player? Or use my shows are region free and I won't have to worry about that...
I don't see a DVD player. I have a NetFlix subscription and brought along my laptop. I fell asleep last night listening to a documentary on NetFlix.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 08:33:51 AM
How's the Wi-Fi connection there? I plan to bring my tablet, kindle, phone - I know my phone won't work over cell, but I use Google Hangouts, so I'll be able to make calls over the Wi-Fi if it's speedy enough.
The WiFi connection is good everywhere but the kitchen. I Skyped with my partner back in the states last night. I gave her a tour of the apartment, but it cut out when I went into the kitchen. Netflix worked well in the bedroom, I assume it would work well in the living room too. The TV has an HDMI connection, I connected my Chromecast to the HDMI connection and just watched a Netflix episode on the TV using Chrome on my laptop. Downside is I just used the last Argentina to US power adapter provided with the apartment. I bought some, but forgot them at home.
All the blood work, cardiologist and radiology went relatively quick. Amanda is very efficient. On another note, as suspected my frontal sinus is very large. Meeting with Dr Rossi later today, he will give me an idea what he can do.
Thank you, Deeiche! You've been super helpful. Sounds like I'll be buying a DVD player to bring along! Lol What socket types are in the apartment? The c type with two prongs, or the I type with three prongs? I figure I'll have to buy a few converters for DVD player, hair dryer, device chargers.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 10:03:38 AM
Thank you, Deeiche! You've been super helpful. Sounds like I'll be buying a DVD player to bring along! Lol What socket types are in the apartment? The c type with two prongs, or the I type with three prongs? I figure I'll have to buy a few converters for DVD player, hair dryer, device chargers.
Glad I could help, others here have helped me immensely.
There is a blow dryer here, type C / I combination. Make sure your devices can run on 110-240v, almost all electronics can.
I was just to the convenience store, bought some yogurt and eggs. I wish I had retained the 8 years of spanish language education I received from primary school to high school. But I can read the checkout register as well as anyone else. :-)
Thank you again! I appreciate you being my eyes and ears down there! Hehe Do you have your own thread that covers your experiences down there?
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 15, 2015, 02:07:15 PM
Thank you again! I appreciate you being my eyes and ears down there! Hehe Do you have your own thread that covers your experiences down there?
You are most welcome.
No, I don't have my own thread. I just wanted to help out in some little way. I'm one of those who transitioned years ago, >30 years, and live an almost stealth life. Though, of course, posting here cracks some of that stealth. Except for my immediate family, partner, a couple ex-gfs (because I felt I should tell them. People may suspect but they never say anything.
BTW, I saw my x-ray today, the frontal sinus is huge, in projection and height. Dr Rossi said he could set it back 2-3cms, Amanda said probably 2cm.
I wish you the best.
Wow! 2cm should be no problem to take care of it!
I have to say, I'm also impressed at how much Amanda knows. She seems like an expert on this stuff! Her knowledge goes above and beyond the typical office staff at the places I've spoken with or had surgery with before.
deeiche, it would be quite amazing if they take off 2 cm, almost an inch. From the side, you will be nearly unrecognizable I think :) Probably by this time, you're recovering so we wish you the best.
Cadence - Amanda does know quite a bit and she's been in the operating room during many, many surgeries. In fact, I remember distinctly how nervous I was as the anesthesiologist was preparing to put me under and she walked in full scrubs! It was very reassuring to know that she would be there, a friendly face to remind me everything would be just fine. And she's always been able to answer all my questions in person or via email.
One more thing I will say is don't exchange your money at the airport, at least not in a large amount. They'll give you a terrible exchange rate. Talk to Amanda about where best to get pesos.
- Ruby
I have looked at your X-rays and it does seem you do have a large sinus cavity but a 2 to 3 cm set back is that really possible? that's really a lot..if you think about it. It really makes me wonder whether I should stick with just shaving as the surgeon recommended. Are there people here who just had a shaving (type-1) and regretted it or weren't satisfied with the outcome? ???
Since this is Cadence's thread, I won't speak for her. Personally, pushing it back 2 cm is extremely aggressive and certainly possible. Dr. Rossi likes a challenge but he's also safe. I don't have exact measurements but mine was at least 1 cm. I didn't have a major complications either, in fact I've gained back significant sensitivity in my forehead and scalp and I expect and hope for the same for both of my sinus sisters.
Only shaving would not feminize the profile to its potential. It's a waste really and the founder of ffs, Dr. Ousterhout really thinks that type 3 is the best option for most mtfs. I understand doctors like Toby Mayer or Zukowski don't do it because they are worried about complications. Fair enough. There may be. That was a risk I was willing to take.
For many other surgeons Instead they just either burr the orbital rims and then add bone cement to the forehead to make it look smooth. That just doesn't work for everyone. All these doctors are very skilled and have the upmost respect for them. For this reason, my opinion is that one must be very careful in choosing a doctor that is right for one's goals. Cadence did so and in my opinion, it was a great decision she won't regret :)
Dr. Mayer is excellent though. His stitch work is the best in the world and he is a compassionate pioneer in the field.
- Ruby
Cadence, thank you for letting me use your thread. :) My eyes are pretty swollen, it's been less than 48 hours since surgery.
I have my pre-surgery xrays, if you don't mind I will post them here the next day or two. Should be a great comparison between your, Ruby's and mine.
back to ice packs
between ice packs
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fffsperso.freeshell.org%2Fprofile.jpg&hash=815048e5cc201abc78bf94135a864fa468f29518)
Best wishes for a quick recovery!
I added my pre-surgery profile x-ray last night.
Wow. It looks like yours extended further up your forehead than mine does. I'm sending positive thoughts your way that Dr. Rossi was able to give you the forehead that you asked for! I don't recall: have you posted before photos of your profile here? Would you be willing to share with us?
Yep, the front X-ray shows the sinuses extending high too. Also, Dr Rossi said the corrugator muscle was very thick, almost 1cm.
No before pictures posted anywhere. I transitioned a long time ago, I chose a lifestyle that allowed me to live as a woman, albeit not a very attractive one. You know, leather wearing biker dyke who slowly changed into an aging computer nerd at a research facility. A place where people don't care what you like like, but what you produce.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 19, 2015, 08:42:47 AM
Wow. It looks like yours extended further up your forehead than mine does. I'm sending positive thoughts your way that Dr. Rossi was able to give you the forehead that you asked for! I don't recall: have you posted before photos of your profile here? Would you be willing to share with us?
Everything I learned here has been more than could be expected. We had that once on the Yahoo FFS group, but for some reason Yahoo decided to "make groups better" and it totally destroyed them.
I'm still thinking that one over. It has been over 30 years since anyone referred to me as a transwoman, and to honest I don't think that was the phrase back then. You were just trans, the world did not even think there were FTM men. The world transwoman still sounds odd to me. I have always been a woman regardless the external presentation.
couple of things to add to your thread.
I've been taking longer and longer morning walks, maybe to long. I was exhausted when I got back this morning, but hey afternoon naps were invented just for that. :-)
There is a pharmacy right around the corner, I have yet to step foot in it. Quick stop is around a different corner, I hit groceries near where ever Amanda takes me for an appt. Got to ride the subway with her back with groceries in hand after stitch/staple removal on Thursday. I'm a small city girl, we don't have newfangled things like subways where I live. ;-)
My forehead is damn near flat. Dr Rossi said he eliminated almost all of the frontal sinus. Chuckle, I just tried to take a profile selfie but it sucked. Because of my receding hairline there is still obvious slope to my forehead, but hair implants will help that.
On another note, once you're past the all you want to do is ice,sleep, ice phase it gets a bit boring. Of course, you might be better at slowing down than I am. My partner tells me I need to quit being such a workaholic.
Congrats on your new sinus, Deeiche! XD I am so jeally! I want it NAO. Lol I won't have a problem relaxing: I have a long list of books and TV shows and movies to work on. Lol I'm more of an actively cerebral person than an actively physical person. :)
I'm still anxious about how to get travel with groceries. Lol I'm sure I'll figure it out when the time comes. Now I'm more concerned ed about problems with the TSA or immigrations, after following Shade's ordeal...
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 27, 2015, 08:02:42 AM
Congrats on your new sinus, Deeiche! XD I am so jeally! I want it NAO. Lol I won't have a problem relaxing: I have a long list of books and TV shows and movies to work on. Lol I'm more of an actively cerebral person than an actively physical person. :)
You will be post surgery RSN, relative to your life so far 10 days post surgery will occur in a blink of an eye. You need to get up and walk around, it's good for your body, specifically your digestive system. ;-) Liquidity / soft food diets really screw around with your digestive system.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 27, 2015, 08:02:42 AM
I'm still anxious about how to get travel with groceries. Lol I'm sure I'll figure it out when the time comes. Now I'm more concerned ed about problems with the TSA or immigrations, after following Shade's ordeal...
There are two reusable grocery bags in the cupboard, there was one when I got here and I added another because I bought one before I realized there was one already here. I just discovered a fresh produce market a walkable distance from here.
Ahh, that is really crappy regarding Shadi. All my travels during transition long predate the age of excessive/intrusive airport security.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on September 27, 2015, 08:02:42 AM
Congrats on your new sinus, Deeiche! XD I am so jeally! I want it NAO. Lol I won't have a problem relaxing: I have a long list of books and TV shows and movies to work on. Lol I'm more of an actively cerebral person than an actively physical person. :)
I'm still anxious about how to get travel with groceries. Lol I'm sure I'll figure it out when the time comes. Now I'm more concerned ed about problems with the TSA or immigrations, after following Shade's ordeal...
You might still have time to get Global Entry, it may only take a few weeks in your area. That'll allow you to skip the long line at passport control and use the flight crew side, last time for me It was 10 minutes from the plane to sitting down to order sushi on the concourse. That also allows access to the precheck lane.
It may be too late if you've already booked, as that information has to be entered at time of booking. But if you fly at all it's very much worth it.
Thanks for the suggestion, Erin! I am already booked. :/ I'm not too concerned exactly... It's more like another decision I'll need to make prior to leaving the states.
Omigosh, only about one week before I fly out!
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 16, 2015, 09:39:21 AM
Omigosh, only about one week before I fly out!
I'm 4 weeks and 2 days post surgery. Wow, what a difference.
Have a safe and uneventful trip.
Thanks! Do we get to seeeeeee?
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 16, 2015, 07:32:44 PM
Thanks! Do we get to seeeeeee?
Not yet, if I do post a picture it will be ~ 6 months post op. I'd like to get a majority of the swelling to subside.
So excited for you Cadence! I hope we get to see pictures of you as well, I'm sure you'll look amazing. I wish I could take an X-ray now to compare outcomes with deeiche haha but it's so interesting to see what it looks like after. Hope you're doing well deeiche! Anyhow, keep the forums updated and have a safe trip :)
- Ruby
Thanks, Ruby! I will certainly be posting before and afters! I hope to get a copy of my after x-ray too. :)
When are you flying to Buenos Aires?
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 18, 2015, 01:04:58 PM
Thanks, Ruby! I will certainly be posting before and afters! I hope to get a copy of my after x-ray too. :)
Hi there, Dee! I'm flying out on Sunday afternoon! Squeeeeee! How you doing? :)
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 22, 2015, 02:20:33 PM
Hi there, Dee! I'm flying out on Sunday afternoon! Squeeeeee! How you doing? :)
swelling goes down a little bit every day.
have a safe trip
How was your trip? How is the apt? questions, questions, I have more but I know you are in the midst of a whirlwind now. :)
Today should be a busy day for you, medical test visits, then Dr Rossi later in the day.
take care
Lol! Yes, this trully is a whirlwind! Hehe I live in a decent sized city and I have visited Chicago and Detroit before. But I am a bit overwhelmed by this city! I have never stayed downtown in a large city before. I am nervous to walk around outside, to get groceries or food. I don't want to get lost. Lol I have a map, so maybe I will try later.
The apartment is lovely! I am so glad that it has two environmental units in the wall! I have kept it at a comfy 20 C in here. :) I love the hardwood floors and the crown molding. There is so much character in here! I have not figured out how to use the oven yet. I plan to ask Amanda when she picks me up soon. And then my crazy day of appointments begins! Hehe I am very excited to meet Dr. Rossi! I have pictures to show him or what I like and don't like, want and don't want. I hope the language barrier is not an obstacle.to describing my desires.
Amanda has been a great guide! She went with me to exchange money and pick up some quick groceries at a convenience store close by. I feel awkward because I am a very communicative person, but I feel like some of what we are telling each other isn't translating well. I am an oddball in America as it is: I am sure I appear even odder here. Lol I use a lot of colloquialisms as well, so I've been trying to formalize my speech a bit in order to communicate effectively with her. She is very patient and helpful. We had good conversation in the taxi ride yesterday, despite the awkwardness on both our parts.
My first casualty of the trip: I connected my Xbox to a step down converter, and managed to let the smoke out of the power supply. :'( I hope that my appointments are by a Walmart and Amanda doesn't mind stopping by there while I pick up a power supply! I need my Netflix and games, hehe
I was surprised to learn that there is not a specific clinic. Amanda is more like an agent that connects and coordinates patients with medical providers. I suppose she works out of her apartment. I admit that I was a little disappointed to learn this. But really, the proof is in the pudding: I will reserve judgement until I see Dr. Rossi's office and the hospital. :)
My trip was looooooooong... Twenty hours, all told. That includes a three hour drive from Grand Rapids to Chicago. :/ I slept some on the plane here, but I still managed to sleep five hours yesterday afternoon. Lol And eight last night.
Now, I am very hungry! I had fasted since last night for this blood work. We'll have to stop afterward to get food somewhere.
Do you have recommendations on restaurants that I should try in the area? How did the laundry work for you? Is it coin operated? Do they sell good detergent and fabric softener there, or did you have to buy your own from the supermarcado? See: I have lots of questions too! Lol
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
Lol! Yes, this trully is a whirlwind! Hehe I live in a decent sized city and I have visited Chicago and Detroit before. But I am a bit overwhelmed by this city! I have never stayed downtown in a large city before. I am nervous to walk around outside, to get groceries or food. I don't want to get lost. Lol I have a map, so maybe I will try later.
Chuckle, I know the feeling. Make yourself walk around today, better to explore a little before surgery. The convenience store is around the corner, don't forget to take the reusable cloth bags in the pantry. If you don't speak Spanish just remember to say "No Hablo Espanol" to the store clerk. The convenience store registers show the peso price. I only got momentarily lost once and that was on a big walk around a couple weeks post surgery.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
The apartment is lovely! I am so glad that it has two environmental units in the wall! I have kept it at a comfy 20 C in here. :) I love the hardwood floors and the crown molding. There is so much character in here! I have not figured out how to use the oven yet. I plan to ask Amanda when she picks me up soon. And then my crazy day of appointments begins! Hehe I am very excited to meet Dr. Rossi! I have pictures to show him or what I like and don't like, want and don't want. I hope the language barrier is not an obstacle.to describing my desires.
Not sure how to use the oven, I only warmed things on the stove top, and used the mickeywave. It must be warm there now, when I was there most of the days it were still chilly. Dr Rossi speaks good Ingles.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
Amanda has been a great guide! She went with me to exchange money and pick up some quick groceries at a convenience store close by. I feel awkward because I am a very communicative person, but I feel like some of what we are telling each other isn't translating well. I am an oddball in America as it is: I am sure I appear even odder here. Lol I use a lot of colloquialisms as well, so I've been trying to formalize my speech a bit in order to communicate effectively with her. She is very patient and helpful. We had good conversation in the taxi ride yesterday, despite the awkwardness on both our parts.
Amanda's English is amazing, considering she is self taught. Yes, sometimes you have to rephrase things but I never had an issue where we could not communicate.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
My first casualty of the trip: I connected my Xbox to a step down converter, and managed to let the smoke out of the power supply. :'( I hope that my appointments are by a Walmart and Amanda doesn't mind stopping by there while I pick up a power supply! I need my Netflix and games, hehe
Sorry to hear about the PS failure. Yes, you will definitely need something to while the time away. You blew up the Xbox PS plugging into a "step down converter"? Not one of the plug adapters? The Xbox PS should have worked on Argentine power. The Walmarts are way out in the suburbs, you won't see one whilst you are there. You should tell Amanda your issue and ask her if she knows where a computer store is. I remember seeing a couple on my walks.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
I was surprised to learn that there is not a specific clinic. Amanda is more like an agent that connects and coordinates patients with medical providers. I suppose she works out of her apartment. I admit that I was a little disappointed to learn this. But really, the proof is in the pudding: I will reserve judgement until I see Dr. Rossi's office and the hospital. :)
The clinics Amanda uses are fast and efficient. Dr Rossi has a real office, I had several visits with him in his office. Not sure if you will see his office today. The first time I met him was in a hospital, after his daily surgeries.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
My trip was looooooooong... Twenty hours, all told. That includes a three hour drive from Grand Rapids to Chicago. :/ I slept some on the plane here, but I still managed to sleep five hours yesterday afternoon. Lol And eight last night.
Now, I am very hungry! I had fasted since last night for this blood work. We'll have to stop afterward to get food somewhere.
Make sure you eat something real filling this evening. I actually went to the mall food court for some pseudo American food the evening before surgery.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on October 27, 2015, 07:50:06 AM
Do you have recommendations on restaurants that I should try in the area? How did the laundry work for you? Is it coin operated? Do they sell good detergent and fabric softener there, or did you have to buy your own from the supermarcado? See: I have lots of questions too! Lol
First, I never went to the laundry. I'm not a clothes horse, more on the old hippie spectrum. I packed enough under wear and pullover blouses for the trip, cycled through several pairs of shorts and cargo pants for my legs.
If you like thai food there is a low priced, decent quality, fast food around corner. I found a street cafe over past the mall, that had nice salads with ham and bacon. Other than that I ate groceries I bought. I spent less than USD$250 on food while I was there.
Hi hi! I hadn't posted an updated yet, so I thought I'd quick drop a line. I'm doing very well here in Buenos Aires! Just chillin in Leandro's apartment now, watching Orhan Black on my Xbox and sleeping whenever I feel like it. Lol I'm now at day 8 Post-op, and it's incredible how much my face has deflated in the past four days!! I think all the supplements that I was taking seriously helped(vit mk7, Arnica Montana, quercetin, bromelain). My chin and lower lip are still extremely numb, and also swollen. The internal sutures between my front gums and lip bug the ->-bleeped-<- out of me, but I've been managing now that Amanda picked up some lidocaine from the Farmacity on the street corner. My eyebrows are hurting less as I move them, tho my range of motion is smaller at the more. I'm hoping the full range returns after healing is complete, as I express a lot with my eyebrows. :) nose incisions are doing well. At first they would get extremely dry and irritated because of air moving over them as I breathed. So I asked Amanda to pick up some Vaseline for me, and I've been putting that on. Not many people, even doctors, realize this, but for healing and scarring purposes, it's best to keep an incision moist. Leave the scab, but keep it moist with a petroleum jelly or a natural non-abrasive oil(I. E. Coconut oil). It gives the scab less resistance to the collagen tendrils, I believe, because instead of a dry medium that the skin has to break through, there's a moist medium that it has an easier time pushing thru.
Uh, what else real quick... I noticed a couple staples fell out yesterday. They didn't have any skin or blood on them, so I wonder if they simply caught in my hair while they were putting them in. I still have the nose splint on - that and my sutures and staples will be taken care of tonight at my first followup with Dr. Rossi.
Everyone has been awesome here! Amanda has been an angel! She really knows what she's doing as a guide and support person down here. She's picked stuff up for me post surgery. She helped me figure out how to light the oven. She even coordinated with the apartment landlord when the cleaning lady will be by. Lol She also helped me order in and pick up an international power supply for my Xbox one! I am so grateful to her for that. She's certainly earning her wages. ;) I'm wondering if I should tip her? I know this is her own business, sorta, that she must get percentages from the doctors, but I tip my hair stylist and she owns her own business. I don't see how this is different. She certainly deserves it!
The hospital was plainer than what I am used to in the states. Not to say it wasn't clean or respectable, it looks like they are making do with what they have vs brand spanking new modern facilities. I guess that sort of hospital is available, but it would cost a couple grand usd more than this one. Not worth it to me. Lol The interpreters / helpers that stayed with me know the hospital after surgery were amazing. Charlotte stayed over night with me. That poor woman. Lol I'll explain more in a minute. Suffice it to say, she exercised incredible patience with me! Also, her English was impeccable - I heard she was originally from the states. Sofia relieved Charlotte around nine, I think? So, I was in the room for some brief time alone. I think a cleaning lady came in to mop so no big need to communicate. But, I am honestly surprised at how few people here speak more than three words of English
So glad to hear you are doing well. I know the first several days can be rough, but you are past the hard parts. Everything gets better from here on out.
I'm 7 weeks post-op, numbness on chin and lower lip are still there. What I've read about sliding genioplasty is it could take a number of months before the nerves start reconnecting. It's not a big deal, I just make sure I keep cups pressed against my lower lip so I don't dribble. :-)
Yeah, the "interpreters" are awesome, they were more like companion the night in the hospital. Yes, Charlotte is from the states. The hospital is plain but functional. Amanda told me they looked in to using a different, nicer, hospital closer in. However for an overnight stay she didn't think it was worth it.
I got to meet Leandro when I was there, he was visiting his father ( the landlord ). Leandro speaks excellent English, unlike his father. They actually spent several hours in the apartment repairing the bathroom sink after I noticed it was leaking water on the floor. It is a nice, functional apartment.
The mouth sutures do bug, they are disolvable. It took several weeks before mine vacated.
thanks for the update.
Okay, prematurely sent that cuz I managed to somehow throw my phone at my glass of milk and shatter the glasses and spill the milk all over the floor. Yay drugs?
None of the support staff spoke English. As far as the surgical team, Dr Rossi spoke decent English, enough that, with Amanda's help on a couple topics, we were able to effectively communicate. I would suggest bringing pictures of anything specific that you've like done - a picture is worth countless words in any language. I was very particular about the concept for my nose(I wanted sophisticated, not girlie) so I brought him a couple example pictures to communicate my desires. Dr. Appiani, the assistant plastic surgeon, speaks amazing English with very light accent. Also, he is ridiculously photogenic. Lol I believe he did the soft tissue work, like my nose, while Dr. Rossi does the hard tissue work. I will ask tonight at my follow up. The anestheologist spoke very little English, so little that Amanda translated the entire conversation for us. I didn't find this too off putting - Amanda has excellent English and is one smart lady! I explained to Amanda about my glottoplasty, and she passed it along to the anesthesiologist, ahead of time. I offered digital scans of the endoscopic pics that Dr. Haben gave me, and Amanda passed those along to him(those apparently come in more handy than simply Dr haben proving he did something inside your larynx! Lol) the anesthesiologist said that a size 6(6 mm?) is usd for children, but that he would bring that and smaller sizes as well, and be gentle inserting them. He also said he had a way to look into my larynx, so I suspect that after I was out, he used a scope like haben used after my surgeon while I was awake to sneak a peak in there. In any case, he was extremely accommodating and I haven't had any problems with my voice or pain having to do with my vocal folds.
A couple things to note, when I woke from surgery, I was freaking sweltering. I don't know what it was, but I was drenched with sweat and I told them to take all they covers offnof me. I was burning up. I believe there are many factors for that. I do tend to get warmer now on estrogen, and that in combination with taking half my normal dosage leading up to surgery, with waking up in a strange hospital with people speaking another language, with the fact I hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours... I think my body was flipping out! I cooled off decently, and I remember falling asleep. I woke a couple times in the night, but only briefly and it seems like a dream now.
The morning was AWFUL. I think it may have been the worst five hours of life. Not the pain, not being in a strange place, not not knowing how it would turn out, not being among strangers... It was all the packing in my nose. Since my nose was 100% packed with cotton, the only outlet / inlet for pressure changes became my mouth. The best way that I figured out how to explain it is that I felt like I was drowning. Breathing was difficult - I felt like I couldn't catch my regulate my breathing. Perhaps because I tend to breathe like any other anxiety breather, short quick shallow breathes and then I regulate with my nose if I feel I need a sudden deep breath. Well, couldn't do that with my nose packed. Ugh. Swallow felt terrible. It difficult, because when I've swallow, I keep feel suction from my sinuses pulling against the flow of air and liquid and matter down my throat. Must be it was creating a vacuum inside my sinuses when I'd swallow. Which not only pulled against my throat and what I was trying to swallow, but also pulled against my ears and forehead. Suffice it to say, my amygdala wanted nothing to do with any of this. It thought I was drowning, suffocating. I had a few anxiety attacks, partially because I hadn't taken my night time meds(Celexa being one of my meds) or my morning meds yet, or eaten. I was too freaked to ask for a sedative to get me through until the doctor could arrived, not knowing how I would react to that laid on top of my state of mind and ->-bleeped-<-ed up biological chemical state. So, I touched it out. I gave up on trying to fall back asleep,tho I tried for a few fruitless hours. I tried eating a little yogurt that they brought me, but after a few spoonfuls I felt sick because of the vacuum phenomenon while swallowing. Eventually, I said ->-bleeped-<- it, got up, put some clothes on, pulled out my kindle, went over to the couch that Sofia was chilling on, and started reading and indulging my nervous tick (pumping my peg up and doiwn). Indulging my tick helped to pull out that fight or flight energy from my amygdala, and reading somewhat helped focus me off of what was happening in my sinuses. So, I guess after all that, knowing what I know now, I would do a couple things differently: I would take any missed meds immediately in the morning, I would take benadryl or some other heavy hitting sinus dryer upper for a few days leading up to surgery(I have notorious allergies which were likely contributing to the discomfort), and I would ask for a sedative to keep me under until the doctor came in to see me. Eventually, Dr. Appiani appeared, about an hour ahead of schedule, bless his heart! I don't know if somebody at the hospital. Or Amanda or someone else contacted him but I was so thankful to see him! Of course, he cut off all the bandages first. Then took out the packing from my nose last. Lol immediately I felt relief from all that discomfort. That part was a terrible experience, but it vs not something one would really know to prep for until it happens to them. I almost wonder if my intense of an experience happens very little, since nobody else has explained it as a "drowning, suffocstjng" feeling that I have heard or read. I had some ptsd sort of symptoms over it for a few days, closing my eyes in bed with the compression garment on and the ice pack over my eyes would bring on flashes of that terrible feeling and the anxiety would come back and I'd get restless leg syndrome going. But the ptsd feeling ebbed by Sunday, I would say. I can still sort of go back to that feeling when I think of it, like now a I'm explaining it, so my brain hasn't quite let go of it. Lol I can tell my heart rate is up just describing it. Lol So, out of all this, I'd say: be careful about that. This thing that really can't be avoided and is part of the experience. Of you have allergies or tend to have pressure and congestion, speak to your surgeon about things you can do to control it leading into surgery and during the next morning.
Oh, also, I puked up what I recall being a big old bowl full of blood and mucus. I suspect from my sinuses draining down into my stomach. I haven't puked after coming out of anesthesia before, but I think with the factors I mentioned above plus being under for about six hours(the length of my surgery) the longest I've ever been under , my stomach couldn't handle it.
That's all I got for now. Please feel free to ask any questions here or in pm. I will be updating again probably next week. Next week I will be going to see the hair doctor! XD I'll post pics of my progress from day 1 to day... Whatever I'm at at the time too. Lol I'm very happy with how little swelling and bruising I have experienced vs some of my friends!
Hi, just thought I'd pop this to the top.
Hope you are doing okay.
Hey there! I'm doing well, thanks! With everything that I went thru, I went into hermit mode for a bit. lol I had my hair transplants with Dr. Szyferman on schedule. Everything went well with them! Szyferman is a very nice fellow. Very patient and empathetic. He'll be the first to say that he doesn't speak english well! lol But with Amanda there during the consult and post-operative visit, everything was fine. He also knows enough English to communicate during drawing on the hairline and during the procedure itself(i.e. He understood the words "a lot", "a little", "pressure" and "pain". lol) My one tip: TAKE THE SEDATION lol It hurt like HELL to get the anesthetic injections in the back of my head. I thought it would be one poke like usual - NOPE. It was several pokes and extremely unpleasant. Once we got past that part, I didn't have any pain (except when he numbed the front at the recipient sites). Anyway, my hair babies are doing well! Some are still hanging onto hair and growing, some look like the hair broke off at the skin in the past week...and some may have fallen out(as expected)? The TLC on them is arduous, but it passed quickly enough for me.
So, I put together a guide on what I did to counter attack the swelling (I had little compared to their other patients - still what I'd consider a lot, but not as bad as some I've seen!) and all the gear/vitamins/foodstuffs/etc/etc that I needed/used during my recovery. I wrote it up for a lady friend, but I figured I'd post it here too for anybody else who would like to try my regimen! :) Of course, I am not a professional, I am not licensed, you follow this regimen at your own risk, blah, blah. lol
Leading up to surgery:
Begin taking Arnica Montana 30x disolvable pills beginning two weeks prior to surgery (you'll take like four of these pills three times per day)
Begin taking Quercitin pills three days prior (one per day)
Begin taking Bromelain pills three days prior (if your stomach tolerates it, mine did not) (two per day)
OR
Begin consuming pineapple every day (chunks, juice, fresh, yogurt, etc) (as much as you can stomach lol)
Take Vitamin MK-7 (This vitamin acts as a catalyst for the above compounds to work their magic - Jarrow's Formula has a good one: http://smile.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-MK-7-mcg-Count/dp/B0013OVVFA (take one per day)
IF you're not already, start taking a robust multivitamin - I take a raw natural prenatal: http://smile.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Vitamin-Prenatal-Capsules/dp/B005JAT3TU/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1448995685&sr=1-1&keywords=vitamin+code+raw+prenatal Order the big bottle cuz you need to take three of these per day
Might be worth taking an anti-histamine starting a couple days before surgery if you have allergies - clear with your surgeon first!!! This should help decrease the amount of mucus that builds up in your sinuses during surgery and during your stay in the hospital when you have packing up your nose and can't clear it
For immediately following surgery:
Continue all pills for twenty-one days
Lidocaine for when oral incisions bother you
Vaseline to keep nose incisions moist and to moisten lips (my lips were horribly chapped and scabbed after surgery, this will help them heal faster and the scabs to fall off)
TheraPearl face mask/eye mask (these are simply the best hot/cold packs I have ever used - and I have used a lot!)
Eye mask: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OSWW3O?keywords=therapearl&qid=1448994138&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3
Face mask: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005971VRK?keywords=therapearl&qid=1448994138&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5
Some gauze or cloth to place between the cold paks and your skin
Detangling hair shampoo (for helping get the dried blood out of your hair)
No-alcohol mouth wash (I liked the Listerine mint) - brush your teeth and swish twice after every meal
Super sunblock - I use a 70 spf from Burt's Bees, to place on your face/incisions if you go out into the sun while traveling)
Kleenex - lots of it. lol You're not supposed to blow your nose for a while after surgery. Instead of the usual "plugging one nostril to blow the other", I simply blew out my nose with both nostrils open. This seemed to work fine for me without complications and helped get gunk out.
Q-tips - you'll need these to delicately get nasty boogers out of your nose
Lots of your favorite flavor of ice cream! (with no nuts or chunky bits)
For after you return home:
Healthy juice drinks (healthy drinks with pineapple and green tea in them - I like Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness myself, tho the Green drink from Tropicana and Naked are good too - gets a lot of good vitamins, flavanoids, and organic compounds into you)
Claritin, or some other non-drowsy antihistamine: This will help with the itchy feeling around dissolvable stitches.
A big bottle of Ibuprofen (for after you're weened off the Big Girl pain meds)
I stopped taking the Arnica pills, but I am using Arnica oil on the lingering black and blue on my cheeks and any swollen areas - it's supposed to help with inflammation - just rub it in. I don't know if it's exactly helping or not, but I thought it was worth a shot cuz I already had the oil.
I stopped using the fancy mouthwash, and switched to using pure sea salt in warm water - swish twice after brushing my teeth - brushed whenever I felt like stuff was stuck around my oral incisions
Saline nose spray (water + salt ONLY) - for moisturizing your nose/sinuses
Room humidifier - another way to keep moisture in your sinuses to help them heal and help decrease inflammation
Again, lots of your favorite flavor of ice cream!
Cadence:
Glad to hear you are recovering well. Thanks for posting the info. Some items I haven't heard of to research. Especially regarding the oral incision care side of things.
Be safe and best wishes through the holiday season
Elaine
Oh! Haha I forgot a few things. I got sick of the oral stitches. It looked like everything had closed up, it felt like everything had closed up (no more liquid squishing out of my incisions for a few weeks), so I snipped them and pulled them out over the weekend. My incision was a bit sore afterward, but that makes sense since there were some empty holes in it! lol And some of the flesh likely bonded to a small degree with the stitch. I also spit out some blood, but not every much - kind of the typical amount that you get after removing stitches.
Today, I saw my PCP for a few unrelated matters. While I was there, I asked her to check out the donor site for the hair transplants and see if she could remove those stitches(even tho they are dissolvable). It's been three weeks to the day that I had that surgery. I figured it was safe to remove the sutures, and she agreed with me. So, she removed what she could. There may still be a little more in there...but I immediately got relief from the irritation and itching that I had back there! She said I should massage that area a bit, to help the swelling/puckering go down. I guess it's very scabby too - a lot of little bits of dried skin came off while she was working. Even though I shampoo and condition almost every day! Weird, huh?
So, here's some pictures from discharge day thru until Thanksgiving (I think). I didn't list dates, but you can see the progression over the course of about five weeks:
http://imgur.com/a/gZDqK (http://imgur.com/a/gZDqK)
I find it amazing how flat my forehead became so quickly!! And I'm still healing! :D I have a concern with my forehead - there seems to be a bit of a indented ridge between my browline and the higher part of my forehead. It isn't noticeable until I raise my eyebrows. I hope it's only soft tissue swelling, or maybe even bone callous causing it and it will go away with time. I think I can live with it if it stays and doesn't get worse. If it gets worse, then I'll have to speak to someone like Dr. Z who may be able to do an endoscopic fill on the bone where the indent is. Ah well - even with that, I am quite happy so far. :) I love my nose, and it's only going to get better!! XD
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 01, 2015, 01:37:47 PM
Oh! Haha I forgot a few things. I got sick of the oral stitches. It looked like everything had closed up, it felt like everything had closed up (no more liquid squishing out of my incisions for a few weeks), so I snipped them and pulled them out over the weekend. My incision was a bit sore afterward, but that makes sense since there were some empty holes in it! lol And some of the flesh likely bonded to a small degree with the stitch. I also spit out some blood, but not every much - kind of the typical amount that you get after removing stitches.
Yeah, the disolvable sutures can get a little annoying, especially when a little length gets caught in your teeth. :(
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 01, 2015, 01:37:47 PM
Today, I saw my PCP for a few unrelated matters. While I was there, I asked her to check out the donor site for the hair transplants and see if she could remove those stitches(even tho they are dissolvable). It's been three weeks to the day that I had that surgery. I figured it was safe to remove the sutures, and she agreed with me. So, she removed what she could. There may still be a little more in there...but I immediately got relief from the irritation and itching that I had back there! She said I should massage that area a bit, to help the swelling/puckering go down. I guess it's very scabby too - a lot of little bits of dried skin came off while she was working. Even though I shampoo and condition almost every day! Weird, huh?
Oh yeah, you had FUT. Since I had FUE the back of my head was not scabby but was sore, you know a 1000 or so little follicle units were removed.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 01, 2015, 01:37:47 PM
So, here's some pictures from discharge day thru until Thanksgiving (I think). I didn't list dates, but you can see the progression over the course of about five weeks:
http://imgur.com/a/gZDqK (http://imgur.com/a/gZDqK)
You look happy.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 01, 2015, 01:37:47 PM
I find it amazing how flat my forehead became so quickly!! And I'm still healing! :D I have a concern with my forehead - there seems to be a bit of a indented ridge between my browline and the higher part of my forehead. It isn't noticeable until I raise my eyebrows. I hope it's only soft tissue swelling, or maybe even bone callous causing it and it will go away with time. I think I can live with it if it stays and doesn't get worse. If it gets worse, then I'll have to speak to someone like Dr. Z who may be able to do an endoscopic fill on the bone where the indent is. Ah well - even with that, I am quite happy so far. :) I love my nose, and it's only going to get better!! XD
I have a little indent too. If you look closely at my before and after profile xrays you can the transition from frontal sinus to forehead has slight indentation. I can feel it more than see it. I'm not in any hurry for any more surgery. Did you get a profile xray post surgery?
Hi Cadence, you look really good, healing nicely. For what seemed like a while I had an indent too but it turned out to be some internal scar tissue and trapped swelling that I got dissolved through ultrasound. I'm six months out and still healing everywhere, seeing improvements slowly even now. If it is a bone indent, I would consider asking Dr. Rossi for a revision as he also has experience doing endoscopic work.
Aside from that I really like the position of your eyebrows. I wasn't so lucky and mine fell quite a bit. My left eyebrow is further down and has a slightly different shape than the right. Something didn't go so well in the healing. They fell a week after surgery and I have two weird slightly painful knots under the skin on each side near the coronal incision ( these were apparently suppose to keep my brows up but failed). I also ended up with way more vertical wrinkles than before the surgery. I'm likely going to have to go in for a revision. It's okay since I want to go back and vacation in Argentina again. Like deeiche, I'm sick of surgery though :(
Seems like we're all pretty happy though. Would have been nice to have surgery close by but obviously that was unaffordable enough for us to have to take an adventure south. Happy healing ladies :)
-Ruby
Hi, ladies! I'll respond to each of you here.
Dee: We swung by the imaging center the day before I flew out. The post-op xray showed what looked like a plate shoring up the top of my frontal sinus cavity. I may have been reading it wrong. There was an indent where the "plate" met my skull at my forehead - this seems to coincide with the indent I see on my forehead. I asked Amanda about the indentation of the plate, and she said that it's filled in with bone cement and that bone cement doesn't show on xrays? Seems a little fishy to me now...but I guess we'll see how I heal. The proof is in the pudding.
Ruby: Girl, you are looking amazing!!! Thank you for the complements. :) I'm very happy with my brows, particularly after having them shaped by my hair stylist yesterday. :) I'm sorry that you had some issues with your results... :( You still look gorgeous tho! What kind of doctor did you go to for the ultrasonic therapy? If this doesn't go away or significantly reduce in a few months, then I will see somebody about it.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on November 05, 2015, 09:48:33 AM
The morning was AWFUL. I think it may have been the worst five hours of life. Not the pain, not being in a strange place, not not knowing how it would turn out, not being among strangers... It was all the packing in my nose. Since my nose was 100% packed with cotton, the only outlet / inlet for pressure changes became my mouth. The best way that I figured out how to explain it is that I felt like I was drowning. Breathing was difficult - I felt like I couldn't catch my regulate my breathing. Perhaps because I tend to breathe like any other anxiety breather, short quick shallow breathes and then I regulate with my nose if I feel I need a sudden deep breath. Well, couldn't do that with my nose packed. Ugh. Swallow felt terrible. It difficult, because when I've swallow, I keep feel suction from my sinuses pulling against the flow of air and liquid and matter down my throat. Must be it was creating a vacuum inside my sinuses when I'd swallow. Which not only pulled against my throat and what I was trying to swallow, but also pulled against my ears and forehead. Suffice it to say, my amygdala wanted nothing to do with any of this. It thought I was drowning, suffocating. I had a few anxiety attacks, partially because I hadn't taken my night time meds(Celexa being one of my meds) or my morning meds yet, or eaten. I was too freaked to ask for a sedative to get me through until the doctor could arrived, not knowing how I would react to that laid on top of my state of mind and ->-bleeped-<-ed up biological chemical state. So, I touched it out. I gave up on trying to fall back asleep,tho I tried for a few fruitless hours. I tried eating a little yogurt that they brought me, but after a few spoonfuls I felt sick because of the vacuum phenomenon while swallowing. Eventually, I said <not allowed> it, got up, put some clothes on, pulled out my kindle, went over to the couch that Sofia was chilling on, and started reading and indulging my nervous tick (pumping my peg up and doiwn). Indulging my tick helped to pull out that fight or flight energy from my amygdala, and reading somewhat helped focus me off of what was happening in my sinuses. So, I guess after all that, knowing what I know now, I would do a couple things differently: I would take any missed meds immediately in the morning, I would take benadryl or some other heavy hitting sinus dryer upper for a few days leading up to surgery(I have notorious allergies which were likely contributing to the discomfort), and I would ask for a sedative to keep me under until the doctor came in to see me. Eventually, Dr. Appiani appeared, about an hour ahead of schedule, bless his heart! I don't know if somebody at the hospital. Or Amanda or someone else contacted him but I was so thankful to see him! Of course, he cut off all the bandages first. Then took out the packing from my nose last. Lol immediately I felt relief from all that discomfort. That part was a terrible experience, but it vs not something one would really know to prep for until it happens to them. I almost wonder if my intense of an experience happens very little, since nobody else has explained it as a "drowning, suffocstjng" feeling that I have heard or read. I had some ptsd sort of symptoms over it for a few days, closing my eyes in bed with the compression garment on and the ice pack over my eyes would bring on flashes of that terrible feeling and the anxiety would come back and I'd get restless leg syndrome going. But the ptsd feeling ebbed by Sunday, I would say. I can still sort of go back to that feeling when I think of it, like now a I'm explaining it, so my brain hasn't quite let go of it. Lol I can tell my heart rate is up just describing it. Lol So, out of all this, I'd say: be careful about that. This thing that really can't be avoided and is part of the experience. Of you have allergies or tend to have pressure and congestion, speak to your surgeon about things you can do to control it leading into surgery and during the next morning.
Oh, also, I puked up what I recall being a big old bowl full of blood and mucus. I suspect from my sinuses draining down into my stomach. I haven't puked after coming out of anesthesia before, but I think with the factors I mentioned above plus being under for about six hours(the length of my surgery) the longest I've ever been under , my stomach couldn't handle it.
Wow thanks for that. Not looking forward to that. How long was the packing in exactly?
Hi Cadence, thank for sweet complements, for me it was all about passing and that I do and I can say the same for you (except my voice - thinking of going to Dr. Haben or Yeson). But anyhow, Dr. Rossi had me wait 4 months before I did any ultrasound because it can dissolve bone cement. I waited and it got a little better but something was still going on up there. I found this place http://www.synergybodytherapy.com/services.htm (http://www.synergybodytherapy.com/services.htm) that had both therapeutic ultrasound and lymphatic drainage. What I ended up finding out is that the scar or fibrous tissue that formed around the area also block inflammation from draining. The ultrasound is amazing, really broke down the scar tissue, and finally the inflammation that accumulated there was able to drain easily. Also, if you can find a lymphatic message therapist, you might try it a few times. It will help with bringing down all the swelling faster and it feels damn good anyways. Make sure to tell whoever does the ultrasound to set it to 3 mhz so it doesn't go too deep. Ultrasound heats up metal and obviously you don't want that to happen to the titanium plates and screws in your forehead :) Long story short, it's pretty much all gone for me but on busy stressful days I might have a bit of swelling up there which completely dissipates when I wake up in the morning. You'll be fine Cadence, time and if necessary, ultrasound, will do wonders. As for the indent, if that's what it is and you were willing to go back to Buenos Aires, I'm sure Dr. Rossi would be willing to fix that via an endoscopic procedure. Sounds like it's too soon to mention that but I'm just trying to reassure you.
I remember when I voiced concerns about my brows Dr. Rossi had no problem skyping with me and he was very sweet. I really, really like him as a person, he's so humble. He just said "don't worry Ruby, you're my patient, I'll take care of you" and assured me that if anything needs fixing, he'll do it no problem. And quite honestly, I love Buenos Aires so I'm staying all positive :)
Take it easy and happy healing to both of you (Cadence and deeiche).
- Ruby
Debra, the packing was in from when I woke up in the OR, pretty badly around six at night, until about eleven thirty the next morning. However, I was only awake for a portion of that. For all practical purposes, I was asleep from the OR until about six in the morning. Thank god! Lol I couldn't imagine how horrible it would have been for me if I hadn't slept the majority of the time.
If I were to rhinoplasty again, knowing what I now know, I would take an antihistamine like Claritin for a few days leading up to surgery (assuming the surgeon cleared it) and then ask to be sedated until they tool out the packing. That was my experience tho - YMMV. :)
Ruby, I'm happy that you've got things figured out with Rossi. He seemed like a great, caring guy to me too. And Dr. Apianni as well. They had very good bedside manner!
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 03, 2015, 07:37:21 PM
Quote from: Debra on December 03, 2015, 05:00:27 PM
Wow thanks for that. Not looking forward to that. How long was the packing in exactly?
Debra, the packing was in from when I woke up in the OR, pretty badly around six at night, until about eleven thirty the next morning. However, I was only awake for a portion of that. For all practical purposes, I was asleep from the OR until about six in the morning. Thank god! Lol I couldn't imagine how horrible it would have been for me if I hadn't slept the majority of the time.
Yep, packing came out the morning following surgery, then I took a shower to clean out some of blood in my hair before checkout. To be honest it takes days to get dried blood out of your hair.
Cadence, this just shows everyone responds differently to surgery. I don't recall sleeping much at all during the night after surgery. I spent time talking to the interpreters, Charlotte and Sofia (way more than interpreters in my experience), listening to streaming music and a dog barking outside the hospital window.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 03, 2015, 07:37:21 PM
If I were to rhinoplasty again, knowing what I now know, I would take an antihistamine like Claritin for a few days leading up to surgery (assuming the surgeon cleared it) and then ask to be sedated until they tool out the packing. That was my experience tho - YMMV. :)
Pre-surgery anti-histamine sounds interesting. Myself, I hope to never have another rhinoplasty. ;) , it was my third.
Don't mean to hijack Cadence's thread, but we've all posted additional info in each other one's Dr Rossi threads.
Quote from: RubyAliza on December 03, 2015, 06:33:13 PM
SNIP
But anyhow, Dr. Rossi had me wait 4 months before I did any ultrasound because it can dissolve bone cement. I waited and it got a little better but something was still going on up there. I found this place http://www.synergybodytherapy.com/services.htm (http://www.synergybodytherapy.com/services.htm) that had both therapeutic ultrasound and lymphatic drainage. What I ended up finding out is that the scar or fibrous tissue that formed around the area also block inflammation from draining. The ultrasound is amazing, really broke down the scar tissue, and finally the inflammation that accumulated there was able to drain easily. Also, if you can find a lymphatic message therapist, you might try it a few times. It will help with bringing down all the swelling faster and it feels damn good anyways. Make sure to tell whoever does the ultrasound to set it to 3 mhz so it doesn't go too deep. Ultrasound heats up metal and obviously you don't want that to happen to the titanium plates and screws in your forehead :) Long story short, it's pretty much all gone for me but on busy stressful days I might have a bit of swelling up there which completely dissipates when I wake up in the morning.
SNIP
Take it easy and happy healing to both of you (Cadence and deeiche).
- Ruby
I need to look into lymphatic massage too, some days the swelling seems better than others. I've also noticed swelling is more noticeable as the day proceeds, most likely because our bodies heal during sleep. Plus during the day we are vertical, so drainage occurs to the lower part of our face. Overall things get better every day.
Thanks again to Ruby for continuing to post 6 months after surgery and congratulations to Cadence for taking the next step in her life.
Quote from: Cadence Jean on December 03, 2015, 07:37:21 PM
Debra, the packing was in from when I woke up in the OR, pretty badly around six at night, until about eleven thirty the next morning. However, I was only awake for a portion of that. For all practical purposes, I was asleep from the OR until about six in the morning. Thank god! Lol I couldn't imagine how horrible it would have been for me if I hadn't slept the majority of the time.
If I were to rhinoplasty again, knowing what I now know, I would take an antihistamine like Claritin for a few days leading up to surgery (assuming the surgeon cleared it) and then ask to be sedated until they tool out the packing. That was my experience tho - YMMV. :)
Great info, thanks =) Glad it's only for a short time. I was thinking of the packing in my vagina for GCS and that was like a couple days I think haha
I realize it has been nearly 2 years since the last post in this thread. But just wanted to say a quick note of thanks to all that have posted & shared their experiences. Seems to be little info elsewhere outside of this forum. This is so worth the read for most anyone considering ffs with Dr Javier Rossi or currently speaking with Amanda at T Change. :)
Quote from: AlexisRene on October 18, 2017, 10:55:20 AM
I realize it has been nearly 2 years since the last post in this thread. But just wanted to say a quick note of thanks to all that have posted & shared their experiences. Seems to be little info elsewhere outside of this forum. This is so worth the read for most anyone considering ffs with Dr Javier Rossi or currently speaking with Amanda at T Change. :)
There was quite a bit about Dr Rossi 2-3 years ago. However an individual starting posting really nasty things about Dr Rossi here and in other forums. Previous to Dr Rossi she went to Dr Cardenas and said some equally negative things.
Amanda is great, I still correspond with her on occasion.