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

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!   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 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 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.