Well I wasn't gonna post this but what the hell, might help someone out and If I get a little validation it cant hurt either 

Im all booked for surgery with Dr S on 2-24   

Im gonna have brow bone/forehead reconstruction, brow lift and scalp advance, nose job, lip lift/augmentation, chin reduction/contour, trachea shave, and a full face and neck lift 

Its getting real now and its kinda scary but Im thinking Im gonna LOVE the result  Recovery sounds brutal though and Im just gonna assume the worst so if it's not that bad I'll be happy 

So yesterday I booked my flights and my hotel room in Boston... Hotels aint cheap out there that's for sure    $205.00 a night plus TAX of course... Its a NICE place on Boston harbor and it has a full kitchen 

They seem very familiar with medical patients, she said they have been working with Dr S for a long time... She said they would get my grocery's for me (for a fee Im sure)... They also have a breakfast buffet every morning and of course room service... I figure Im not gonna want to chew much so soft food like soup I can cook myself should be good...

Im gonna be in Boston for 10 days!!!  Im planing on arriving a day early just in case of weather delays.... I decided to go with an extra night in the hospital for $700.00... So the first two nights post op I will be in a hospital room... I might even make it three days if Im still not feeling good but two days should be fine... They said they could get me a private nurse at the hotel for $1350.00 a day... Screw that Id rather stay in the hospital, $700.00 aint that bad when you subtract $205.00 for the motel... Also meals, drinks, meds and Im sure several nurses at my call... Its good to know if there are any problems I'll be at a hospital, cant think of a better place to be after a major surgery like that actually 

Thinking about it, its WAY better to be in a real hospital than something like Dr Z's "surgical center", then a hotel room post op    A bit more $$$ but at least I'll be at a real hospital should there be any problems....

Then Im gonna be by myself at the hotel for the next five days so I figured I might as well get a nice one... Whats a few hundred more matter anyway    All said and done its gonna cost about $52,500.00 but Im sure Im forgetting something   

NOT Cheap thats for sure!!! I hope its worth it   Im thinking it will be though, who knows I might even be "hot" when he's done   

If any FFS veterans have any advice as far as recovery goes Id appreciate it

Also any advice on things to bring with like... Gauze pads, q tips, neosporin, cetaphil, hydrogen peroxide, Ibuprofen (WORKS for me), ect...

Well its exciting.. I know because I just had it done.. was not even nervous and when they said are you ready I was like yep lets do it.  I had mine with Dr. Z and I went directly to a hotel that night.  My surgery was 10 hours long and when I woke it hurt.. however with proper pain management you will be fine.
I told my doc I wanted Oxy 10 so dont be afraid to ask for higher dose pain med to take.. better to have than not and need..
The first three days are tough... I got to shower on third day with help of a nurse.. honestly, not sure I could have taken care of myself at all after day three that well so I had a nurse with me the whole time but I left after only 6 days because of the Holidays .. I should have stayed longer but I made it.
If it were me.. and I could stay in the hospital for an extra couple days for only 700 bucks a night I would stay there for three days minimum but thats me and I am tough..
I had exactly what you are having and I am 55... so if you are young you will do better.. much better..
If you are going to be in the hotel and not stay in the hospital for an extra couple days might be good to have someone there with you... seriously
I never lost my desire for food ... darn it.. I eat if I am happy sad or in pain I suppose so it was kinda hard to eat.. I liked jellow and pudding.. yum... so get plenty of foods like that or whatever your doc recommends.
I of course am no Dr. but at first I was taking pain meds every 6 hours.. my nurse was kinda hard nosed so when he visited I told him I wanted every 4 hours and he said it would not hurt a thing...
Enjoy .. you will love seeing the new you in the mirror... if your not full time now you will be soon....
Love.
Keri

I did get a quote from Dr spiegel but it was way too much for me. I spoke to him on the phone though and he exudes confidence, and he has a great track record so you'll be fine! I was pretty scared before my surgery. I only spent one night in the hospital which was blissful but afterwards had my mum to look after me at the holiday apartment.

Recovery wise, for me there wasn't much pain. Everything was so numb that I didn't know what my face was doing. So take straws, lots of them. The first few days I survived on fruit smoothies pretty much, then after a few days I could move on to things like scrambled eggs.

Ummm, otherwise, tops with wide necks, zip up hoodies etc. make sure you have a hairdryer cos you need to keep your hair dry. I took some cleansing wipes as well that were really useful. Mouthwash, something antibacterial like cordosil (don't know if you have that in the US but there'll be an equivalent).

I was quite keen to get out and about after my surgery and do some sightseeing but the anaesthetic had quite an effect on me and any kind of prolonged activity made me feel sick and dizzy, so take books, laptop, films, whatever you can.

Hope this helps in some small way!

Hey Carrie I asked the girl Im working with at Dr S's office if I should do three days in the hospital... She said 2 says is definitely a good idea and I should be OK with that but I should be able to make it 3 days without much difficulty if I want to stay there....  She seems kinda ambivalent about the whole thing, like its no big deal at all Well from what Ive read about all this it will be quite the ordeal

Im 46 but Im in very good shape... Im not real happy about going it alone but its what I gotta do...  Ive never had anything like this done though... I did have hernia repair surgery like 10 years ago and that was MISERABLE, cant really compare it to this though... Same with my recent voice feminization surgery, that was a breeze, no pain at all...

So you had everything Im gonna do including a full face and neck lift???  How bad is it taking care of the incisions???

My chin is just going to be burred down and rounded out a little, the incision will be in my mouth... This Im thinking will be the worst part, but then again the nose job and the face/neck lift dont sound too pleasant to recover from either... Not to mention a full type 3 brow reconstruction, lift and scalp advance... My adams apple isn't bad at all and I asked and will again stress I want a very conservative approach there due to my recent VFS... 

I like to walk 12-15 miles a week and I figure I will be going out and walking around Boston harbor if the weather isnt too bad... I like to think Im pretty tough myself but we'll see soon

Squircle I wasnt happy about his quote but he really wasnt that much higher than Dr Z or Dr Mayer... Leaving the USA all by myself just isnt an option even though there are a few surgeons abroad Id be comfortable with... Im fortunate to be able to pay cash for this....

I did consult with Dr Z in person and I really did like him but he seemed adamant I needed major jaw work while my Mom, Dr Mayer, and Dr S, and most importantly ME disagreed.... Also I want a very femme forehead/brow and neither Dr Z or Mayer are known for an aggressive approach there... Im also just very impressed with his before/after pics...

I did consult with him in person and yes he's kinda quiet and reserved but he definitely exudes confidence I liked that we were 100% on the same page and he didnt try to sell me anything... He seemed certain that what I want to do will make a HUGE difference for me....

Im not too bad now though, I've been semi full time for about 7 months...  Still Im not working YET as a woman but I will start that after this is done and I recover a bit doing something just to get out there as me... I do just fine right now actually but I think this will really help me a lot to hopefully not see so much of "him" in the mirror   Im REALLY getting excited as the day draws nearer

Its great to hear from both of you, Im very impressed with both of your results, Thanks

Quote from: Eva on January 23, 2015, 06:36:53 PM
... Leaving the USA all by myself just isnt an option even though there are a few surgeons abroad Id be comfortable with...

Sorry, I'm being as honest as I could possibly be, and this is a stupid argument. Going for FFS just by yourself is a crazy thing to do.. Yes, in the end most do survive even if they are alone in the foreigh country, but the first week is really really tough. And I can't imagine being somewhere, anywhere, for my FFS all by myself. You really need someone with you, if you have full FFS. Being in the home country or on the other side of the world is very secondary concern compared to going through FFS recovery alone. So yes, 2 nights in the hospital are really good choice. If you dont feel at least somewhat independent stay for a third day. If you would have company, someone that would take care of you, one night in the hospital would be enough. And its definitely much more comfortable to stay in the hotel/rented apartment than to spend 3 days in the hospital room. But I know that might not be an option for everyone.
Anyway, hope everything goes well for you, surgery and recovery.

Congrats, Eva!  I had mine with Dr. Spiegel on November, 4th.  You will be delighted with Dr. Spiegel and his team.  Dr. Spiegel's bedside manner is awesome!  He is so gentile and careful in making sure you know that everything will be okay.

I think the arrangements you made sound perfect.  I spent my first night in the hospital and the rest of the time in the hotel.  Oh, I will say that the little vacuum tube next to your bed in the hospital will be your very best friend, and you will not want to part with it!  I did get the nurse the 2nd day in the hotel, but it really wasn't necessary.  I had my partner there as well as my Mom.  I showered after the third day, but my hair still felt pretty nasty for a couple of weeks.  I think day 3 & 4 were the worst, as my face was crazy swollen, but the swelling rapidly improves after that.  By the time I left Boston I felt pretty good, and didn't feel unpresentable.
 

 :)Well I think you will do fine
I do think you would benefit from having three days care
I had planned on just a 24 hour nurse but when I saw a video of after pics and learned
more I realized for me I needed more and I am very tough.
U will feel great after the third day shower.
I was lucky my eyes did not swell shut, some and most do.
It is nice staying in a hotel and like I said if you keep up your pain meds that will help.
You may need to write down when you last took your meds because it can be hard to remember and don't want to forget.
I know you are excited and you should be. I love the mirror now.
So keep is posted here we will be here to talk to you if you use the net in the hotel and that could be comforting chatting with others while recovering
Eva looks so wonderful doesn't she! I am excited for you

Love
Keri

Quote from: mmmmm on January 24, 2015, 06:50:57 AM
Sorry, I'm being as honest as I could possibly be, and this is a stupid argument. Going for FFS just by yourself is a crazy thing to do.. Yes, in the end most do survive even if they are alone in the foreigh country, but the first week is really really tough. And I can't imagine being somewhere, anywhere, for my FFS all by myself. You really need someone with you, if you have full FFS. Being in the home country or on the other side of the world is very secondary concern compared to going through FFS recovery alone. So yes, 2 nights in the hospital are really good choice. If you dont feel at least somewhat independent stay for a third day. If you would have company, someone that would take care of you, one night in the hospital would be enough. And its definitely much more comfortable to stay in the hotel/rented apartment than to spend 3 days in the hospital room. But I know that might not be an option for everyone.
Anyway, hope everything goes well for you, surgery and recovery.

Mnn OK maybe your right there but it doesn't matter because my choice is made My flight to Boston is long enough though, I dont want to think about staying so long in a foreign country, going through customs, all that... Sure I could have saved some $$$, but I think Dr S is a pretty good doc too you know   

No Im not real happy about going alone... My recent experience with VFS, I went alone for that as well and I loved staying in the hospital afterwards, I paid extra for that as well... Im thinking the hospital is more than OK and way better than a hotel room... I get that nice electric bed that will keep my head up and 24/7 nursing care and food... Im sure it would be easy enough to arrange to stay longer...

Thanks

Quote from: svaso on January 24, 2015, 09:27:47 AM
Congrats, Eva!  I had mine with Dr. Spiegel on November, 4th.  You will be delighted with Dr. Spiegel and his team.  Dr. Spiegel's bedside manner is awesome!  He is so gentile and careful in making sure you know that everything will be okay.

I think the arrangements you made sound perfect.  I spent my first night in the hospital and the rest of the time in the hotel.  Oh, I will say that the little vacuum tube next to your bed in the hospital will be your very best friend, and you will not want to part with it!  I did get the nurse the 2nd day in the hotel, but it really wasn't necessary.  I had my partner there as well as my Mom.  I showered after the third day, but my hair still felt pretty nasty for a couple of weeks.  I think day 3 & 4 were the worst, as my face was crazy swollen, but the swelling rapidly improves after that.  By the time I left Boston I felt pretty good, and didn't feel unpresentable.

Thanks Svaso yea I really liked Dr Speigel, I think for what I want done he's gonna do a great job His results, including yours speak for them selves Yea I think the hospital will be just fine Im expecting to just be laying around all doped up for the first few days at least anyway

Quote from: carrie359 on January 24, 2015, 09:49:44 AM
:)Well I think you will do fine
I do think you would benefit from having three days care
I had planned on just a 24 hour nurse but when I saw a video of after pics and learned
more I realized for me I needed more and I am very tough.
U will feel great after the third day shower.
I was lucky my eyes did not swell shut, some and most do.
It is nice staying in a hotel and like I said if you keep up your pain meds that will help.
You may need to write down when you last took your meds because it can be hard to remember and don't want to forget.
I know you are excited and you should be. I love the mirror now.
So keep is posted here we will be here to talk to you if you use the net in the hotel and that could be comforting chatting with others while recovering
Eva looks so wonderful doesn't she! I am excited for you

Love
Keri

Hey Keri I like the idea of writing down my med schedule.... Actually now that I think about it i could probably put it all in my phone and have it give me an alert when Im ready.... Im sure I will be on some kind of antibiotic and pain killers at least....

Yea now your getting me excited!!! I still have a month to go here It gets harder by the day to get ready to go out now knowing that it's all gonna change for the better soon

Im sure I will be online a lot during the recovery and I will put up some pics when the time is right

Quote from: Eva on January 24, 2015, 11:18:14 AM
Mnn OK maybe your right there but it doesn't matter because my choice is made My flight to Boston is long enough though, I dont want to think about staying so long in a foreign country, going through customs, all that... Sure I could have saved some $$$, but I think Dr S is a pretty good doc too you know 

Your money, your face, your decision. It's you that has to live with the results after all! Dr S is expensive but you are getting an outstanding surgeon, and once you are on the other side of it the money pales into insignificance compared to the benefits this surgery brings. And I hear the area is nice . I was fine the day after, fair enough I couldn't go marching about so I was glad my mum was about to get the shopping in, but I was able to shower and have the occasional wander around the apartment. Four days after I was sightseeing in Antwerp (fair enough I had to have an extended sit down in Ruben's house but I'm glad I went ). Seven days after I was shopping in the duty free at the airport .

Good luck to you and keep us updated about the results.

Well my day is coming, 9 days to go as of tomorrow

All the pre op lab results came back PERFECT, (for a woman   ) 

Everything is paid in full and now the days are dragging on slowly

Theres been a few thoughts of doubt, mostly just worrying about complications or me not being happy with the results I guess....

But Im also excited!!! Every time I pluck my brows and do my makeup I think "its ALL gonna be different soon"

Quote from: Eva on February 12, 2015, 09:04:56 PM
Well my day is coming, 9 days to go as of tomorrow

All the pre op lab results came back PERFECT, (for a woman   ) 

Everything is paid in full and now the days are dragging on slowly

Theres been a few thoughts of doubt, mostly just worrying about complications or me not being happy with the results I guess....

But Im also excited!!! Every time I pluck my brows and do my makeup I think "its ALL gonna be different soon"

Hey, just a thought. Don't pluck your eyebrows before FFS. Natural brow shape gives the surgeon the best idea where to position them on a new edge of forehead and orbital rims. I hope you didn't overplucked them. If you did, definitely mention this to dr. Spigel before the FFS. Anyway, I know soooo well about dragging days, the last month before my FFS felt more like 4 months. Try to spend as much time as possible not thinking about it. And definitely try not to overthink about recovery process, you will have more than enought time to deal with it when it happens. Just prepare everything essential, do your best to stay healthy, and try to relax.

Hey M, no I dont pluck them much because they arent really thick to begin with.... I just take a little off the bottom edge to keep them looking neat...

Im excited about everything Im having done but Im definitely looking forward to the brow reconstruction and lift Im 46 and my brows are really loose/sagging to the point they almost grow under the orbital rim   I also have some heavy brow bossing that needs to go... If he does it right Im thinking that's gonna be the most dramatic difference

Its dragging on BUT I just realized this is going to be my last full weekend as the old me, Im planning on enjoying it

Next week Im just gonna do some shopping and get stocked up and get my place all cleaned up and ready for the recovery

9 days, awwwww! We'll be back in normal winter weather by then. You should have come this week for the blizzard and zero degree weather! Oh, well, we'll save a snowdrift for you! 

Hugs, Devlyn

HEY Im hoping to bring in some of the NICE warm winter weather we've had here in SD

Im really hoping you guys are DONE with all that for my stay

Quote from: Eva on February 13, 2015, 10:53:15 AM
HEY Im hoping to bring in some of the NICE warm winter weather we've had here in SD

Im really hoping you guys are DONE with all that for my stay

Um....yeah.... no, we're not  done with it! 

So excited for you. Good idea to stock up. I really liked pudding when I was recovering.
Be sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated well
Dodie

Wow, can't believe you're doing it alone, you having a nurse visit you? I couldn't have done it without my bf., not  that I'm a baby cause I've had a few procedures done by now. Just physically wouldn't have been able to handle it and I only had forehead, chin/jaw and nose revision. You really are going for it girl!! Not trying to be a downer more just trying to be concerned and warn you, if you can take the 3rd night in hospital, do it. 4th day things start to finally get better   I met a girl who went alone but it got so bad she paid for a close friend to come over the day after her FFS and she stayed with her 3 days or so until she got over the worst part. Good thing you're staying an extra night at the hospital at least. Good job on picking Dr S, he seems the only one doing good type 3 foreheads in the States unless there's not a big worry wih the brow bossing, in that case the other ones are also ok. But I think you made the right decision for yourself. Best of luck.