I'm 36 hours from FFS/BA with Dr. Rolfes. I'll send pictures soon, but tonight my eyes are near swelled shut. I'll try again in a couple days; percocet, ice, ice, percocet, afrin, afrin, afrin!
Hold in there Hon. Try and meditate and if all else fails Endone/Percocet can be a friend and there is no reason to bear pain.
Quote from: rmaddy on September 23, 2017, 03:19:25 AM
I'm 36 hours from FFS/BA with Dr. Rolfes. I'll send pictures soon, but tonight my eyes are near swelled shut. I'll try again in a couple days; percocet, ice, ice, percocet, afrin, afrin, afrin!
Congratulations... sending you positive thoughts for a wonderful recovery!
Big hug! We're just a bunch of hurtin' girls around here. Speedy healing. :)
Hugs, Devlyn
Ok, I'm going to try pictures, from pre-op hair back, no makeup (which happens....like...never):
http://www.renaemadisongage.com/ffs/ (http://www.renaemadisongage.com/ffs/)
Unfortunately it turns out that percocet is not my friend at all. I spent the first three days on the verge of throwing up. Today the pain finally eased enough to get by with tylenol and ice. I still feel like about 20 bees hit my face, but it's much better than yesterday. Right now the "chin bra" is giving me a pretty good headache and my lips feel like they are going to explode, but the swelling in my eyes was down today and I have my focus back. Previous attempts to work on this post failed because I would get nauseated or tired. I've turned a corner and I'm optimist about tomorrow.
You should be able to see the thumbnails, but only the first picture will open. Hopefully you will get the idea. If anyone knows a better way for me to link to the pictures here, I'd welcome a PM.
Hey looking good! Well maybe as an extra in a horror movie!
Sorry :-*
I hope I didn't make you laugh and hurt yourself.
Sleep is your friend so try and rest as much as you can. We are all with you holding your hand, gently.
I can still smile, but my lips are swollen so that it's hard to tell. Thanks, hon.
Hope you are feeling somewhat better today. Just know there are many people thinking of you.
May I ask, is your surgeon in Minneapolis?
Yes. I think a review of my care should wait until I am in a better position to judge the results. The surgeon is Dr. Bryan Rolfes.
I will post a review in this thread in a few weeks.
That's the "I won the Stanley Cup" smile. :laugh: Feel better soon!
Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: rmaddy on September 25, 2017, 03:06:02 AM
Ok, I'm going to try pictures, from pre-op hair back, no makeup (which happens....like...never):
http://www.renaemadisongage.com/ffs/ (http://www.renaemadisongage.com/ffs/)
Quote from: rmaddy on September 25, 2017, 03:15:52 AM
You should be able to see the thumbnails, but only the first picture will open. Hopefully you will get the idea. If anyone knows a better way for me to link to the pictures here, I'd welcome a PM.
Oh... looking very good! Let me say your earlier picture from 2014 "name change"... I'd never seen a pic of you before... you're very beautiful even before the FFS so the FFS is really going to tweak things in the right direction for you. Congrats again... sending you positive wishes... enjoy a relaxing recovery.
Quote from: Ashley3 on September 26, 2017, 01:28:20 AM
Oh... looking very good! Let me say your earlier picture from 2014 "name change"... I'd never seen a pic of you before... you're very beautiful even before the FFS so the FFS is really going to tweak things in the right direction for you. Congrats again... sending you positive wishes... enjoy a relaxing recovery.
I guess its time to set up a profile pic. If my FFS gives me half the results I see in your profile, I will be a very happy girl indeed.
Wishing you all the best and good recovery!
Quote from: rmaddy on September 25, 2017, 08:39:58 PM
Yes. I think a review of my care should wait until I am in a better position to judge the results. The surgeon is Dr. Bryan Rolfes.
I will post a review in this thread in a few weeks.
Oh definitely should wait. Just wanted to wish you well & thank you for the photos that you have shared so far.
Also had not heard Dr Rolfes in the FFS circle previously. So did a quick search & wanted to see if the link to MN was correct.
Enjoy the day & wishing you a speedy recovery!
Quote from: AlexisRene on September 26, 2017, 10:49:35 AM
Oh definitely should wait. Just wanted to wish you well & thank you for the photos that you have shared so far.
Also had not heard Dr Rolfes in the FFS circle previously. So did a quick search & wanted to see if the link to MN was correct.
Enjoy the day & wishing you a speedy recovery!
Thank you.
No, he's not a big name, but his training fit my needs. I'm not his first TG client, but perhaps the first who posts here. Staying local was a really high priority for me. Minneapolis/Saint Paul is a big enough city where this ought to be possible. Again, I'll wait a bit longer before reviewing, but I have been pretty impressed so far.
Good luck in a speedy recovery . In just a few days the worst will be over. I think the day before I got my stitches out. Fuund a neighborhood restaurant and bar in Boston and did my best eating a fried seafood combination. My head was wrapped and I had stitches and staples exerywhere but I was so stir crazy I had to get out. In just a weeks time you will feel a lot better.
My closest contacts were in the loop in advance, but here is how I told everyone else today:
http://www.renaemadisongage.com/2017/09/ffs/
Quote from: rmaddy on September 26, 2017, 03:01:54 AM
I guess its time to set up a profile pic. If my FFS gives me half the results I see in your profile, I will be a very happy girl indeed.
That is kind of you to say... your profile picture looks great as is... you really have an excellent starting point, the results will look wonderful... anyway, sending my best... be well, rest, enjoy the recovery.
That pic has always been a favorite of mine. I think it was about 2009 or 2010, walking back to my car from Twin Cities Pride. I'm pretty sure it was the first time I ever went out fully expressed from the hairpins to the toenails. I never stopped. Anyway, it was the first picture of me I ever liked, it's the one that spins atop my music CD and more importantly these days, I'm 8 years younger in it!
Quote from: rmaddy on September 27, 2017, 10:31:31 AM
... and more importantly these days, I'm 8 years younger in it!
Ahh... in your recovery pictures... granted you're healing... but it appears mother time is being kind to you! Hope things are well by the way... continued excellent recovery to you... be well, good sleep, losta rest, lotsa good food, and joy.
Quote from: Ashley3 on September 27, 2017, 11:12:23 PM
Ahh... in your recovery pictures... granted you're healing... but it appears mother time is being kind to you! Hope things are well by the way... continued excellent recovery to you... be well, good sleep, losta rest, lotsa good food, and joy.
Thank you. At first I wasn't eating well because of mouth pain from upper and lower lip incisions, but that seems to be getting better and I probably ate more than sufficient calories yesterday and today. Sleep is also getting better, but I have really bad headaches. Getting the nasal splint off and stitches/staples out later today should help reduce those. I'm actually planning a date night with my wife on Saturday. I expect I'll still look a little scary, but the pain is already down quite considerably.
I'll try to post another picture of healing in progress after the splints are off today.
Quote from: rmaddy on September 28, 2017, 02:12:23 AM
Thank you. At first I wasn't eating well because of mouth pain from upper and lower lip incisions, but that seems to be getting better and I probably ate more than sufficient calories yesterday and today. Sleep is also getting better, but I have really bad headaches. Getting the nasal splint off and stitches/staples out later today should help reduce those. I'm actually planning a date night with my wife on Saturday. I expect I'll still look a little scary, but the pain is already down quite considerably.
I'll try to post another picture of healing in progress after the splints are off today.
Sorry to hear about the headaches but with diminished pain and a planned date night sounds like you're doing well if not really well... lots of continued goodness to you!
Three weeks now. The upper face swelling is down dramatically and the last stubborn bruises are starting to lighten. I'm periodically updating a photo progression here:
http://www.renaemadisongage.com/home/ffs/
The chin is better, but still quite swollen and numb. I accidentally bit my lower lip much a bit more often because of this. Expect to see the new contour at 3-6 months. Hair will eventually start growing about 1/8th of an inch below the scalp incision, but I don't see it yet. I was told it would be visible in 2 months, meaningful in 6, and probably cuttable in 8-12 depending on style.
I think I'll start adding hair style and makeup back into the pictures starting next week although I may do a with/without.
The blog post explaining what I did and why is here:
http://www.renaemadisongage.com/2017/09/ffs/
I feel much better, although for the last week I've had a raging bout of sinusitis--a first for me. Antibiotics did not seem to help much (which is what medical science would suggest) and I've shifted over to more aggressive irrigation with a sort of battery powered Neti pot. I am a little better this morning and I hope it is about to break. I have to go back to work in 2 days!
I still plan to review my surgical care from Dr. Rolfes in this thread. I am thinking at 4-6 weeks with an update at 6 and 12 months. Does that sound about right for those of you who have gone through this?
Quote from: rmaddy on October 13, 2017, 12:25:12 PM
Three weeks now. The upper face swelling is down dramatically and the last stubborn bruises are starting to lighten. I'm periodically updating a photo progression here:
http://www.renaemadisongage.com/home/ffs/
...
My goodness... just checked out your latest "3 weeks" pic and you are looking lovely! I opened the first "pre-OP no makeup" photo in one browser tab, and the 3 week pic in another... clicking back/forth... it's a great result. There's still swelling too... the results will continue to get better throughout the next year but I bet you'll see significant positive changes at month 4 through 6.
I'm sorry to hear you're having some sinus stuff go on... I hope you're feeling better by now.
In regards to when to review or how often... I sort of feel the best review is the actual experience... you're already doing that... people know where you went, where you are at, what the results look like at this stage, etc. I think that by itself is the best info for a patient. It's real and what is actually happening so if you just keep updating when you want, people will be getting the best review that they can from you.
Anyway, congrats again... really looking wonderful.
Thank you, Ashley.
I'm actually having more pain and swelling in my cheeks, and I'm back on antibiotics again. The concern is that if the cheek implants get infected, its nearly impossible to cure the infection without removal. I could accept that, and it wouldn't undo the other positives of the surgery, but it's frightening to be at the point of needing to wait it out.
I suppose you're right about the review. A real time accounting of the process and recovery might be more useful. It certainly has been difficult, and more so now that I am back to work.
Your 3 week picture is amazing already. I haven't had FFS but I looked worse at 3 weeks from just a blepharoplasty (upper eyelids) and didn't see positive results from that relatively simple procedure until 2 months. Best wishes for your continued healing.
Thank you. I'm trying not to be a worry wart, but working in the ER, my mind tends to go to "What is the worst thing that could happen?" space pretty quickly. Professionally, I'm totally out of my depth in terms of what to expect.
I am quite happy with the results cosmetically, if I can heal up. I'm even seeing some hair growth in the scalp incision.
Quote from: rmaddy on October 21, 2017, 09:37:51 PM
... I'm actually having more pain and swelling in my cheeks, and I'm back on antibiotics again. ...
Forgive the delay but had not checked in a bit... your updated profile photo looks wonderful! I assume all of the past stuff is long past, that things are going well... let us know.
I have also wanted to say how good you look in your avatar picture, but keep forgetting or getting side tracked. I really like the picture of you. You look great girl.
Hugs,
Laurie
Thank you. My recovery was long and rough. I think I'm through it from the standpoint of my surgical healing, but I am actually hospitalized now for C diff--a side effect of all the antibiotics.
I like that picture too, although it's dark and over-zoomed. We were at a charity event for my hospital and we all dressed to the nines. Kathy and I looked great together, and it was very validating.
Ashley, I think you had said that you had FFS too. It really worked out well.
Well heck, I'm sure that is no fun I hope they cure it soon.
Hugs,
Laurie
Quote from: rmaddy on November 27, 2017, 08:53:15 PM
Thank you. My recovery was long and rough. I think I'm through it from the standpoint of my surgical healing, but I am actually hospitalized now for C diff--a side effect of all the antibiotics. ...
OMG ... I just web searched that... never'd heard of that before... I hope you're doing okay... I will be sending you positive wishes for a speedy recovery... please get well very soon... keep us posted. Most positive wishes... Ashley 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🌈🌸💐🌺🌸💐🌺🌸💐🌺🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
You look great in that 3 week shot!
I'm out of the hospital, feeling about 60%. Hopefully this is the last bump in the road.
Quote from: rmaddy on November 30, 2017, 10:03:18 PM
I'm out of the hospital, feeling about 60%. Hopefully this is the last bump in the road.
That's great (or better) news... That was a couple of days ago... I hope you've seen marked improvement from 60%... needs to be 90%+ if that's not too nosy to say. :) ... Feel better.
From the standpoint of C diff I'm 90+%. I just feel weak. Unfortunately this is already a recurrence, so I won't be in the clear until I am off vancomycin for a week or so.
Thanks for your concern. And, though this has been really rough, I have no regrets regarding FFS, my surgeon, etc. This is (somewhat) risky business and not trying was not an option for me.
Quote from: rmaddy on December 05, 2017, 09:58:10 PM
From the standpoint of C diff I'm 90+%. I just feel weak. ... I have no regrets regarding FFS, my surgeon, etc. This is (somewhat) risky business and not trying was not an option for me.
Glad to hear you're doing better... it sounds like you need good rest and decompression time... I think getting past FFS lifts a whole lot of burdens... the burden of over thinking, the burden of not having done it yet, all that kind of stuff. I didn't get regret from your earlier posts... just that you went through major surgery, had an issue... it happens, and regardless of one's luck with the risks... post-FFS is a time that needs good rest. You need your beauty rest gurl! :) ... okay... time to get to 120%. Feel better... Holiday wishes... Ashley
How are you? I saw an email post notification a few days ago but don't see any new posts here... that's actually the second time that's happened in the last month... never seen that before. Anyway, I hope all is well... please let us know.
I just saw your post-OP pic it says was a few days ago so you're looking great. Hope you feel as good... but let us know if you have a sec... Take care.
Quote from: rmaddy on December 05, 2017, 09:58:10 PM
From the standpoint of C diff I'm 90+%. I just feel weak. Unfortunately this is already a recurrence, so I won't be in the clear until I am off vancomycin for a week or so.
Thanks for your concern. And, though this has been really rough, I have no regrets regarding FFS, my surgeon, etc. This is (somewhat) risky business and not trying was not an option for me.
Big hug! You go in thinking you've assessed all the risks up to and including death, and you probably have. But you can't really get yourself ready for the fallout of something going wrong. Then the "what next?" creeps into the scene and worrying starts getting in the way of healing. At the end you're still happy, it just took a lot longer to get there than you expected. :)
Hugs, Devlyn