Quote from: rmaddy on September 27, 2017, 10:31:31 AM
... and more importantly these days, I'm 8 years younger in it!

Ahh... in your recovery pictures... granted you're healing... but it appears mother time is being kind to you! Hope things are well by the way... continued excellent recovery to you... be well, good sleep, losta rest, lotsa good food, and joy.

Quote from: Ashley3 on September 27, 2017, 11:12:23 PM
Ahh... in your recovery pictures... granted you're healing... but it appears mother time is being kind to you! Hope things are well by the way... continued excellent recovery to you... be well, good sleep, losta rest, lotsa good food, and joy.

Thank you.  At first I wasn't eating well because of mouth pain from upper and lower lip incisions, but that seems to be getting better and I probably ate more than sufficient calories yesterday and today.  Sleep is also getting better, but I have really bad headaches.  Getting the nasal splint off and stitches/staples out later today should help reduce those.  I'm actually planning a date night with my wife on Saturday.  I expect I'll still look a little scary, but the pain is already down quite considerably.

I'll try to post another picture of healing in progress after the splints are off today.

Quote from: rmaddy on September 28, 2017, 02:12:23 AM
Thank you.  At first I wasn't eating well because of mouth pain from upper and lower lip incisions, but that seems to be getting better and I probably ate more than sufficient calories yesterday and today.  Sleep is also getting better, but I have really bad headaches.  Getting the nasal splint off and stitches/staples out later today should help reduce those.  I'm actually planning a date night with my wife on Saturday.  I expect I'll still look a little scary, but the pain is already down quite considerably.

I'll try to post another picture of healing in progress after the splints are off today.

Sorry to hear about the headaches but with diminished pain and a planned date night sounds like you're doing well if not really well... lots of continued goodness to you!

Three weeks now.  The upper face swelling is down dramatically and the last stubborn bruises are starting to lighten.  I'm periodically updating a photo progression here:

http://www.renaemadisongage.com/home/ffs/

The chin is better, but still quite swollen and numb.  I accidentally bit my lower lip much a bit more often because of this.  Expect to see the new contour at 3-6 months.  Hair will eventually start growing about 1/8th of an inch below the scalp incision, but I don't see it yet.  I was told it would be visible in 2 months, meaningful in 6, and probably cuttable in 8-12 depending on style.

I think I'll start adding hair style and makeup back into the pictures starting next week although I may do a with/without.

The blog post explaining what I did and why is here:

http://www.renaemadisongage.com/2017/09/ffs/

I feel much better, although for the last week I've had a raging bout of sinusitis--a first for me.  Antibiotics did not seem to help much (which is what medical science would suggest) and I've shifted over to more aggressive irrigation with a sort of battery powered Neti pot.  I am a little better this morning and I hope it is about to break.  I have to go back to work in 2 days!

I still plan to review my surgical care from Dr. Rolfes in this thread.  I am thinking at 4-6 weeks with an update at 6 and 12 months.  Does that sound about right for those of you who have gone through this?

Quote from: rmaddy on October 13, 2017, 12:25:12 PM
Three weeks now.  The upper face swelling is down dramatically and the last stubborn bruises are starting to lighten.  I'm periodically updating a photo progression here:

http://www.renaemadisongage.com/home/ffs/
...

My goodness... just checked out your latest "3 weeks" pic and you are looking lovely! I opened the first "pre-OP no makeup" photo in one browser tab, and the 3 week pic in another... clicking back/forth... it's a great result. There's still swelling too... the results will continue to get better throughout the next year but I bet you'll see significant positive changes at month 4 through 6.

I'm sorry to hear you're having some sinus stuff go on... I hope you're feeling better by now.

In regards to when to review or how often... I sort of feel the best review is the actual experience... you're already doing that... people know where you went, where you are at, what the results look like at this stage, etc. I think that by itself is the best info for a patient. It's real and what is actually happening so if you just keep updating when you want, people will be getting the best review that they can from you.

Anyway, congrats again... really looking wonderful.

Thank you, Ashley.

I'm actually having more pain and swelling in my cheeks, and I'm back on antibiotics again. The concern is that if the cheek implants get infected, its nearly impossible to cure the infection without removal. I could accept that, and it wouldn't undo the other positives of the surgery, but it's frightening to be at the point of needing to wait it out.

I suppose you're right about the review. A real time accounting of the process and recovery might be more useful. It certainly has been difficult, and more so now that I am back to work.

Your 3 week picture is amazing already.  I haven't had FFS but I looked worse at 3 weeks from just a blepharoplasty (upper eyelids) and didn't see positive results from that relatively simple procedure until 2 months.  Best wishes for your continued healing.

Thank you.  I'm trying not to be a worry wart, but working in the ER, my mind tends to go to "What is the worst thing that could happen?" space pretty quickly.  Professionally, I'm totally out of my depth in terms of what to expect. 

I am quite happy with the results cosmetically, if I can heal up.  I'm even seeing some hair growth in the scalp incision.

Quote from: rmaddy on October 21, 2017, 09:37:51 PM
... I'm actually having more pain and swelling in my cheeks, and I'm back on antibiotics again. ...

Forgive the delay but had not checked in a bit... your updated profile photo looks wonderful! I assume all of the past stuff is long past, that things are going well... let us know.

  I have also wanted to say how good you look in your avatar picture, but keep forgetting or getting side tracked. I really like the picture of you. You look great girl.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Thank you.  My recovery was long and rough.  I think I'm through it from the standpoint of my surgical healing, but I am actually hospitalized now for C diff--a side effect of all the antibiotics. 

I like that picture too, although it's dark and over-zoomed.  We were at a charity event for my hospital and we all dressed to the nines.  Kathy and I looked great together, and it was very validating.

Ashley, I think you had said that you had FFS too.  It really worked out well.

Well heck, I'm sure that is no fun I hope they cure it soon.

Hugs,
   Laurie

Quote from: rmaddy on November 27, 2017, 08:53:15 PM
Thank you.  My recovery was long and rough.  I think I'm through it from the standpoint of my surgical healing, but I am actually hospitalized now for C diff--a side effect of all the antibiotics.  ...

OMG ... I just web searched that... never'd heard of that before... I hope you're doing okay... I will be sending you positive wishes for a speedy recovery... please get well very soon... keep us posted. Most positive wishes... Ashley 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🌈🌸💐🌺🌸💐🌺🌸💐🌺🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

You look great in that 3 week shot!

I'm out of the hospital, feeling about 60%.  Hopefully this is the last bump in the road.

Quote from: rmaddy on November 30, 2017, 10:03:18 PM
I'm out of the hospital, feeling about 60%.  Hopefully this is the last bump in the road.

That's great (or better) news... That was a couple of days ago... I hope you've seen marked improvement from 60%... needs to be 90%+ if that's not too nosy to say. ... Feel better.

From the standpoint of C diff I'm 90+%. I just feel weak. Unfortunately this is already a recurrence, so I won't be in the clear until I am off vancomycin for a week or so.

Thanks for your concern. And, though this has been really rough, I have no regrets regarding FFS, my surgeon, etc.   This is (somewhat) risky business and not trying was not an option for me.

Quote from: rmaddy on December 05, 2017, 09:58:10 PM
From the standpoint of C diff I'm 90+%. I just feel weak. ... I have no regrets regarding FFS, my surgeon, etc.   This is (somewhat) risky business and not trying was not an option for me.

Glad to hear you're doing better... it sounds like you need good rest and decompression time... I think getting past FFS lifts a whole lot of burdens... the burden of over thinking, the burden of not having done it yet, all that kind of stuff. I didn't get regret from your earlier posts... just that you went through major surgery, had an issue... it happens, and regardless of one's luck with the risks... post-FFS is a time that needs good rest. You need your beauty rest gurl! ... okay... time to get to 120%. Feel better... Holiday wishes... Ashley

How are you? I saw an email post notification a few days ago but don't see any new posts here... that's actually the second time that's happened in the last month... never seen that before. Anyway, I hope all is well... please let us know.

I just saw your post-OP pic it says was a few days ago so you're looking great. Hope you feel as good... but let us know if you have a sec... Take care.