FFS: preparations and expectations

[Lori Dee ✅]

The separate billing was something I encountered as well.

There were fees for the surgical center where the surgery took place, the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist.

The surgical center fee covered nurses, medical supplies, and operating room rental.

The surgeon's fee paid for the consult, surgery, and post-op visits.

I paid cash, so I saw the whole breakdown of fees without any insurance discounts or contractual coverages.

[Courtney G]

Sometimes, it seems like you ended up getting bills from "person who was mopping the hallway when the surgery took place." I've received bills and been like "what on earth is this for?"

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Woa! No wonder you went to Turkey! That's an amazing price and so far it looks to have been a real bargain going by the results!

Definitely could not find it cheaper. Still though I'll be paying this back to my credit cards for a few years yet to come. Still a crippling amount of money when you have zero savings! But better than more as I wouldn't have been able to consider it at all.

Charlotte 😻

[Lori Dee ✅]

I was fortunate to have very good credit. I took out a personal loan for $11,000. The total bill was $10,500 and some. I had blepharoplasty on both eyes (upper and lower lids), a cheek lift, and a coronal brow lift (which turned out to be a "forehead reduction," which is not what I wanted). It took a couple of years to pay off the loan, and I was not pleased with the results. But being the only plastic surgeon in the area, there wasn't much I could do. Live and learn.

That is why threads like this are so important. Thanks to all for the detailed information.

[Stottie Girl]

This is a great thread. Thank you so much for all the contributions so far!

[Stottie Girl]

I was fortunate to have very good credit. I took out a personal loan for $11,000. The total bill was $10,500 and some. I had blepharoplasty on both eyes (upper and lower lids), a cheek lift, and a coronal brow lift (which turned out to be a "forehead reduction," which is not what I wanted). It took a couple of years to pay off the loan, and I was not pleased with the results. But being the only plastic surgeon in the area, there wasn't much I could do. Live and learn.

That is why threads like this are so important. Thanks to all for the detailed information.

Well without knowing what you looked like before Lori I have to say I think they did a great job. You look beautiful in your avatar pic.

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Just an update on how FFS has progressed after 6 weeks since surgery.

Mine was all done with dissolvable stitches which disappeared a couple of weeks ago. There are still very significant scars on my head and visible where my hair recedes a bit. I think this is normal as they can take a year to minimise. Some bits of the scar are raised and lumpy but hidden in the hair.

Still have a large 4cm diameter area on the side of my head which joins the incision line, that has some fluid. Again I think some fluid can remain for a long time. Its not nice to touch but doesn't hurt or anything at least.

Feeling is returning to parts of the scalp although still quite a dull feeling at the moment. A definite improvement from a couple of weeks ago.

My face feels quite tight and stiff still on my forehead particularly if I open my mouth or raise eyebrows. I'm hoping over time this loosens up as the healing progresses as is a bit uncomfortable.

The Rhinoplaty swelling is finally subsiding and less painful if I accidentally knock my nose now. The only problem is internally it gets very stuffy and there is bacterial growth which is apparently something that can happen and take a while to clear. There is a weird smell sometimes from this.

Will see what happens in the next few weeks. I'm just glad I've not had infections!

[Stottie Girl]

Thanks for the update Charlotte. You'll be ready for an indian head massage in no time! It's all moving in the right direction.

Like the avatar pic!

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Thanks for the update Charlotte. You'll be ready for an indian head massage in no time! It's all moving in the right direction.

Like the avatar pic!

Never had that kinda massage  but I'm pretty sure I'll like it as i go into a trance if my head is tickled! Really need to try a massage for first time in my life!

[Courtney G]

Ooh, good idea, @Charlotte Kitty. I've been meaning to post a few update notes:

At seven weeks post-FFS, the remaining areas of numbness are:
My scalp, rearward of the incision line (about 75% numbness)
My chin (at about 40% numbness) (I had a sliding genioplasty)
My lower front teeth (about 30%)
Upper and lower gums (about 30%)

About 50% of my forehead incision is a little red. The part that isn't red is hardly visible - no one seems to notice, even with my hair pulled back. The incision scar is not raised or swollen.

I'm experiencing some discomfort and inconvenience from the endotine fasteners in my forehead (2 sets) and in my hair (2 sets). If I bump the skin in those areas, it's painful. I tried putting on a motorcycle helmet the other day but it hurt too much. These fasteners could take a few more months to fully dissolve. You can clearly see three little bumps on each side of my forehead (the endotine "screw" heads).

Smiling is weird, as there's tightness in my lower jaw, in addition to the numbness. I've been stretching my lower jaw/gums/lips out when I remember to in an effort to restore mobility to the area.

The only visible swelling I'm able to notice is directly in front of my jaw and just below the tip of it.

I'd been speaking with a slight slur for about the first 4-5 weeks but I can speak clearly now.