Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Facial feminization surgery => Topic started by: emma.alexis on January 30, 2011, 11:12:29 PM

Title: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: emma.alexis on January 30, 2011, 11:12:29 PM
Hey gang,

So next Thursday I'll be a month post-op.  Things are looking good so far, was just curious what to expect as time goes on.

- Alexis
Title: Re: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: Rebekah with a K-A-H on January 30, 2011, 11:40:36 PM
Oh hey!

I'm a month and a few days post-op right now.  I am not having much trouble, really.  A little numbness on my chin and right upper lip, a fair amount of swelling under my jaw, and some residual scalp stuff (including the big bald spot from all the hair they shaved off.  >:( ).  But otherwise I'm back to business as usual, working my butt off in school and waiting for the days until I get to go to college.

Expect your nose to still be swollen; it will remain so for several months, apparently.
Title: Re: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: aurora17 on January 31, 2011, 12:07:14 AM
Don't be in  a hurry, you are still a few months away from the major part of your recovery, which can take a year or so to stabilize (the nose is the last part to come together, and the jawline is changing for months to reach its new shape).

As you may know, it's better to wait 4 to 6 months to take photos of your face tin order to have your IDs updated.

I'm now 9 months post-op, I had my passport remade a month ago.
Title: Re: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: Rebekah with a K-A-H on January 31, 2011, 02:35:46 PM
Aurora, question.  Having had the surgery December 22nd, do you think I'd be okay for pictures in April for when I get my driver's license and name change?  I don't want to get photos that will be drastically different from my eventual outcome.
Title: Re: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: aurora17 on January 31, 2011, 07:49:36 PM
22th of december means that the 4 months mark is going to be at the end of April. If you are in a hurry to renew your documents, go ahead, because after 4 months a tiny photo of your face won't look too different of your face after a year.

Better still : if you can't wait, renew in April, but renew again a few months later when things are eventually settled down, if you feel there is a need for it (IDs pictures are just post stamp size, not really accurate). Just remember that most people carry IDs a few years old, so it's not a big issue not to look exactly like the picture, as it can be attributed to aging, weight gain/loss, etc

Title: Re: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: emma.alexis on January 31, 2011, 10:22:53 PM
Cool, cool.  Well it's mostly my nose that's my concern.  This'll sound gross but they told me not to blow into a napkin with it - to avoid blowing it all together actually - but I've had to at least twice to clear things up.  In the open of course.  I know, nice.  Anyway I noticed that the lower sides flare out a bit so (a little freaked out that I 'broke' something) I will try to avoid anything nosey for a while.

I'm fairly gentle when washing and moisturizing my skin (including the nose) but hope touching it in general won't affect the final outcome.  It's actually quite straight but the upper bridge still looks swollen a bit. 

The things we do...

- Alexis
Title: Re: Average recovery time from FFS.
Post by: Cruelladeville on February 02, 2011, 11:03:33 AM
I'm only 8 days in and yeah gads is hotel-room-stir-crazy time...

Thanfully blizzard conditions here in the Nort East US are blizzards everywhere...

So snood & sunglasses the norm....lol

My fave clinic nurse, all of em hav had face-work...lol and yes they be GGs.... will tell you honestly 5-6months is when the true results start to show through...

So for me this will be May/June...

Just in time to enjoy the benefits of what has been the most riskiest procedure to date...

Faces cannot be hidden, or can be if you cut yerlself off and like wearing a Burkha... (no offence meant to muslims) lurking...

This is one that isn't instant..... i'm told 21 dyas or so, with concealer will get you back to work thoug...

The biggest shock for me has been wonky eyes....

I can only do 30mins or so... and then need to rest them...  :o

Good luck!