Thank you so much. Am still very weak. I had no idea it would wipe me this much but then I guess it's still less than 72 hours since I went into theatre.
Day 1 (Friday surgery began at 1pm)
The operation itself was that bizarre blur you get with General Anaesthetic. They say good night and the next thing you know they are trying to wake you up from mass grogginess. My op was just shy of 7 hours and I believe Dr Sutin performed them in this order:
Orbital rim shave
Hair advance / forehead reduction
Brow lift
[c. 3.5 hours]
Neck liposuction
Neck lift
Full face lift
[c. 2.5 hours]
Nose alarplasty
Nose tippplasty
[c. 1 hour]
The first hours in recovery were pretty horrible. Piyavate hospital tried to prevent my partner who had flown from the UK from being with me on the critical care ward. They said it 'wasn't hospital policy' though from about 3 am this seemed to be more so that the nurses could go to sleep. I kept asking them to phone my friend to come down and she had begged them to let her stay. I'm not impressed by Piyavate CCU on that. I was very sick so it was a grim, grim, experience. I threw up loads for the first 18 hours out of theatre.
Day 2 (Saturday)
Felt pretty grim for much of the time. It's more discomfort than actual pain as such but it did feel like I've been beaten and battered. Face was extremely swollen, especially around the eyes. No appetite so it was a case of forcing myself to eat for energy. In the end I asked to come off the morphine and my vomiting stopped at 2 pm. We had an extra night in hospital.
Day 3 (Sunday)
Gradual energy return. Eyes still very swollen. That evening we came back to the hotel. I used ice packs a lot and this did help reduce swelling. Peppermint tea was fabulous and Bune from PAI had given me some birds nest soup which was delicious and a well known Chinese healing custom.
Day 4 (Monday - today)
Felt like sh t this morning to be honest but loads of sleep and I now feel a lot better. This is the first time I've put on my glasses or felt like writing this up.
So ...
I've been riven with doubts for 3 days wondering if I did the right thing. I know that's only because it has been so bloody tough. And I will love it when I'm through this grim phase. I know Dr Sutin has done a stunning job, truly, it's just that at first when you look in the mirror be prepared for the halloween pumpkin that stares back at you
You really do see a different person staring out the glass. When you're physically battered that's another level to contend with. But he really has done a superb job: my forehead looks flat and smooth and he achieved virtually 2cms of hair advance which was one of the most important factors in terms of my face shape. My nose is still wrapped up so I'm looking forward to seeing it. The neck and full face lift look incredible. I'd totally forgotten that a side-effect of FFS is that it can make you look younger.
When I'm feeling strong again and the swelling subsides there will doubtless be positive posts. And I've got loads of pics, including before and after. But, make no mistake, FFS is bloody huge surgery on many levels, not just the physical mauling. If you can, make sure you have someone with you. I have found this very tough going.
Love to all
xx
