This is something I did not consider until after reading Sysms29's threads. That I need extensive FFS in at least half the face is no-brainer, but... What about the pain?


I want to believe that when you do forehead recontouring (with hairline advancement), brow reduction, rhynoplasty and trach shave in one session (what I believe I need, not worried about chin and jaw), they will use full anaesthesia and you will be sleeping during the several hours the operation will take. Is this true or you still feel something / are aware that they are doing something to you?


And here comes the second thing. When I see the immediately post-op photos... The head completely wrapped, eyes covered in dry blood,, tubes coming from the nose and mouth... and you wake up like that. I imagine that you will be still sedated, but... Do you feel a lot of pain in the following days? Plus the sensation of being stuck with that many things without being able to move properly...


I need to say it: I'm kinda claustrophobic. Not the classical one that happens in confined spaces, but the one that is triggered by tight things that you can't remove. Having something thigh on my face can up my panic to sky high levels, such a tight necklace, the rubber band goggles pressing against my eyes that the put on me during the laser sessions, or even a scarf. It happens ever since they tried to strangle me more than 15 years ago, but it gets on my nerves. I don't know how I will react to being stuck like in one of those photographs prior to removing all the things.


PS: I only have had a single "invasive" surgery in my life, for an apendicectomy 8 years ago. Apart from 5 points on my eyebrow, I have never been "under the knife".

if your surgical team is anything like mine your out when the meds go in and kind of awake after tthe surgery when they wake you up. i remember some of that first 24 hours and let me tell you, i was higher than robert downy jr in the early 90s or rick james in the late 80s. no pain and on cloud 9. and the pain meds they gave me for the next 10 days were also really good. its just the first 5 days i was sleepy alot.

Quote from: Tristan on October 12, 2012, 11:48:48 AM
if your surgical team is anything like mine

Thinking of Lazaro Cardenas, xD.

lol yeah. they keep you happy. and are funny too

I understand the panicy feeling of something around the throat or face.  I've had that problem for years.  I was getting a haircut two days ago and the person put the bib thing around my neck and tied it on so tight I almost freaked out... had to close my eyes and breath through it.  I hate that feeling.  Wearing ties was always a torture for me.  I hope I never have to go through that again.

I have similar concerns about the surgery aftereffects.  Though the overall outcome of the surgery is more of a concern that the immediate post-surgical confinement.  The ends outweigh the means.

Apple - How were the results and treatment with Dr. Cardenas?  I was considering him for FFS when I'm ready for that step.  I've heard good things so far.

Quote from: SageFox on October 12, 2012, 02:41:01 PM
Apple - How were the results and treatment with Dr. Cardenas?  I was considering him for FFS when I'm ready for that step.  I've heard good things so far.

You Mean Tristan, I suppose. I'm still on the therapy stage.


Yes, getting the haircut is horrible. Specially when you have a big Adam's Apple.

dr C treated me great. as did everyone else. if your in pain they give your more pain meds. plus they made the trip and recovery fun. that made it alot better. plus the food was really good and home cooked

Quote from: Tristan on October 12, 2012, 05:21:40 PM
plus the food was really good and home cooked

Oh god, I just remembered my last hospital stance. I left looking like a corpse because I simply could not digest any of the food (when they actually gave something).Some chemical thing to replace eggs, no salt, Buddha knows what else. I have had better food in a plane!

well the food at tylers was yummy. i loved it 

After surgery it was tough mainly beacuse I hadnt given it much thought beforehand ie hadnt looked at the dvd or thoroughly read the notes on how I would feel post procedure The pain relief works but good nursing is needed for the first couple of days to make sure that basic needs are met eg ice, drains, eye drops etc. Apart from feeling like a truck had hit me and worrying about the actual results (which take quite a while to fully appreciate) the claustrophobia was my only real surprise and issue.  For a minute I was panicky but a Valium later all was good.  Only needed Valium the once and it is usually prescribed for this purpose.  Good luck. It isn't really that bad at all

I had FFS, BA and labiaplasty all in one, ~ 8 hours under...

First thing when fully coming to... I had to projection vomit. The BA made that QUITE painful, not the FFS though.

Sometime later... the day after... just looking at my computer screen... I chucked my breakfast all over my laptop... such a mess that was!

I was told it was the morphine in the IV that caused it.
Once they put me on a normal drip and just some basic oral painkillers I was feeling a lot better.
Next day, all drains were removed, I left the hospital, having been 3 days there in total.

The rest... just the 'usual' type of healing process post any type of surgery. Now 2 ½ month post-op FFS the scars are getting softer and fewer leftover sutures are emerging. (3 levels of sutures were used in the neck, 2 levels in the face)
Though... there is still plenty tightness, stringy muscles in the neck and throat area.

Axélle