u/RedUser2024

Four weeks to the day since my deep plane face and neck lift with fat transfer.

The biggest issue for me is swelling. My swelling peaked the day after my surgery and very slowly improved till about the end of week 2, and then seems to have stopped improving. And when I say improved I mean improved from its peak, not that it went down to anything resembling normal. And some days it actually gets worse. (And yes I’m watching my sodium and doing all of the other things my doctor advised.) I know it will ease up eventually but it’s very frustrating. From about my cheekbone area to a couple inches past my jawline, my face is very hard to the touch and very swollen, and I have a bullfrog-like bulge under my chin. The doctor injected the area under my chin and behind my ears with steroids yesterday, we’ll see if that helps.

Otherwise everything is ok. My incision sites look good, no bruising or pain, I’m a bit more tired than normal but not exhausted anymore. I can’t say whether I’m happy with my results because there’s too much swelling to really be able to see them. (It was mostly my lower face that bothered me: turkey neck, droopy mouth corners, jowls. That area is all so swollen I can’t tell how it really looks now.) I’m happy with how the scars look.

Really looking forward to some progress on the swelling but it sounds like that’s probably months away.

Day 23. Went back to work in person. My office does not allow telework, so I had no choice.

Definitely do this surgery in the fall/winter if you can, when the days are shorter and the weather is cooler. One of the reasons I chose July/August is because I was starting a new job. So for one, it was much easier to take three weeks off and for another, the people at the new job don’t know what I normally look like. I’ve never met most of them, and the ones I did meet was only briefly for the interview months ago. So that part worked out well.

I’m obviously still swollen. I look very swollen to myself, but probably looked normal to these people. I have a friend who works there, though not in my department so it’s unlikely I would have seen her today if I hadn’t sought her out, and she said that she noticed the swelling once I pointed it out to her, but probably would not have noticed on her own.

The biggest challenge was that I was dead exhausted by about 2 PM. It’s a lot! Both the physical impact of the surgery and obviously part the stress that comes along with starting a new job.

EDIT: Woke up this morning to terrible swelling. My body getting revenge for the lack of rest.

I am 16 days post op. Yes, I know swelling is normal! I am still very swollen, particularly on one side, so I’m just wondering if there’s anything else I could incorporate that might be helpful. I have to go back to the office a week from tomorrow, so the swelling concern is really starting to kick in ha ha.

Currently doing lymphatic drainage massage once a week, and that physical therapist recommended a face roller twice a day, which I have now incorporated. I’m using my at home red light mask every night, which the doctor okayed. Drinking lots of water and strictly monitoring by my sodium intake. Still taking Arnica and Bromaline orally. Would icing be helpful at this point or am I too far out from my surgery day to make any difference? At my two week follow up the doctor said I could leave off my compression garment during the day and at night, but would incorporating that back into my routine help? Does anyone have any tips or can think of anything else I might be missing? Thanks!

My surgery was Friday the 17th. It’s now Friday the 31st. Had my two week follow up appointment today AND my first lymphatic massage treatment from the PT at the doctor’s office.

Everything looks good, I still have a lumpy area on the left side where the drain was that I have to massage. (I know this is an odd description, but the area where the drain was on the side almost feels like a cooked asparagus stem under my skin. It’s the same girth and squishiness.) She said the scar behind my left ear is going to need steroid injections at a later point, the right side looks fine. Even though my right side, the side I slept on for 40 years, looked worse pre-surgery, my left side had significantly more bruising and swelling, both the face itself and area where the surgical drain was.

The bruising is greatly improved, but I’m still not comfortable leaving the house without a mask and it’s still a little too severe in some places to be covered with make-up. Re: swelling, my right side looks just about normal, my left side still looks quite swollen. I saw a friend this morning for the first time in weeks and she agreed it’s definitely noticeably more swollen. Eating and sleeping are back to normal. The doctor said I can stop using Vaseline, thank god because I feel like I’m never going to get it out of my hair, and can switch to scar gel starting today. I can also sleep flat if I want to, though I have an adjustable bed and always sleep a little bit elevated anyway. I’m off of activity restriction except lifting anything over 15 pounds, but she cautioned me to start slow.

The lymphatic massage was AMAZING! I will fully admit to going in a little bit skeptical, especially when I went in the room and there was mood lighting and music. But wow, what a difference. I’m still swollen, but I noticed a big improvement in the swelling immediately. Highly recommend!

Deep plane face and neck lift with fat transfer was last Friday. It is now the following Monday, day 10. 

I haven't updated since day 7 because there’s just not much to update. No improvement in swelling. With consistent Arnica and warm compresses my extensive bruising has mostly changed from black/blue to dark red, so I guess that’s an improvement. It just doesn’t feel like it because it still looks really bad. The left side of my face remains much more swollen than the right side, which I know is not unusual, but it’s still frustrating.  My first lymphatic massage session is this Friday so I’m hoping that will help. (It’s with a certified person at my doctors office.)

I guess the one note of progress is that I can open my mouth wide enough to use a regular toothbrush, yay (thank you child’s toothbrush for your service), and I can now chew most food without pain. Not ready to tackle almonds or raw carrots just yet, but at least I can start to have things like chicken and toast.

If anyone has any tips for getting Vaseline/Aquaphor out of your hair I’d appreciate it.  I took Google’s advice and tried Dawn, but it hasn’t really worked.  (Though maybe I need multiple sessions?)

I had most of my stitches removed today, including the hemostatic netting that was under my chin. It’s now about five hours later and, as I feared would happen, I’ve developed a bit of a bullfrog bulge under my chin, in addition to feeling like someone has their hand around my throat. Did this happen to anyone else and, if so, how long did it last?

Nothing much happened day 6 so I’m combining two days. 

Day 6 (Thursday, surgery was last Friday)

Still sleeping well, yay. No change in bruising, swelling, extreme face and neck tightness, how far I can open my mouth (not much) or how much it hurts to chew (a lot) since yesterday.  I guess I’m just impatient and maybe I’m being unrealistic, but I was kind of hoping to see daily improvements and I haven’t really seen any difference between days 4, 5 and 6.

Day 7 (Friday) one week post-op.
Had my one week post-op appointment today. Got the stitches in my chin, ear front, and hairline out. The ones behind my ear will dissolve in 2-6 weeks.  Tried IPL on the bruising. It was so painful (and I consider myself pretty pain tolerant) that I could only take about three or four zaps until I told her to stop. So I guess I’m riding this bruising out. 😩

I haven’t seen it up to this point, but after the stitches were removed, I definitely noticed some puckering/buckling around my temples and the front of my ears, which has me freaked out. I know this is normal and will resolve, but it’s still unsettling to see it.

I’m a little down in the dumps because most people I’ve seen seem to look remarkably better after the first week and I still look pretty bad. I feel like I kind of stopped improving after day 4. Since I have to go back to work in 17 days, I’m starting to get anxious that I won’t be anywhere near ready.

Deep plane face and neck lift with fat grafting surgery was Friday morning. it’s now Tuesday afternoon. Healing is individualized, so this is just my experience. 

No major appearance changes from day 3. Swelling slightly better (I peaked the day after surgery), no real change in bruising, which remains terrible, though I am allowed to start warm compresses for the bruising today. No improvement from overall  extreme tightness, which is quite painful. Still unable to chew or open my mouth very wide without pain.  Slept straight through from about 10 pm to 5 am, a miracle lol.  

Today is the first day I felt real fatigue. My energy level has been good, but I had a dizzy spell this morning and have been feeling a bit light headed since. So today is a big rest day. 

Deep plane face and neck lift with fat grafting surgery was Friday morning.  It is now Monday afternoon. Healing is individualized, so this is just my experience. 

My swelling has really noticeably improved. I am more swollen on the left side than the right, but only mildly so. So looks like I might not fit into the typical healing pattern of “swelling peaks on days 2-5” because I definitely peaked day 1 post surgery.  Bruising is still bad. All over my face and neck and getting darker, though I know that’s normal. I have viewed probably 100+ people’s day by day recovery photos and videos and I never saw anyone with bruising as bad as I have it.  But I’ve always been a bruiser (I bruise from Botox) so not a surprise I guess. 

The main issue for me today is pain. Today is the most pain I have had so far but it’s all related to  tightness. My whole head and face feels like it’s in a vice grip. Turning my head even slightly or attempting any small facial movement (wrinkling my nose, smiling, opening my mouth) is painfully tight.  Chewing remains nearly impossible. I guess because the numbness is wearing off, now when I (very gingerly) chew (very soft foods like scrambled eggs) it feels like it’s pulling at all my stitches in my chin and forehead and cheeks and it’s very unsettling. Does anyone remember when the ability to chew comfortably returned? I’m not even looking to eat nuts or raw veggies here, I’d be happy to be able to comfortably eat soft foods at this point. 

I hate the head compression wrap but I have to grudge admit I do feel better with it on. It relieves the pressure immensely.  

I can also see why they call days 2-5 “the dip” (in terms of emotional state). I feel physically gross and icky from the infrequent showering and inadequate tooth brushing and lying around all day, I am growing stir crazy in the house and getting bored of the limited things I can eat, I look terrible, etc. But I also knew this was coming and know it’s normal so that helps. Onward and hopefully upward! 

This is probably obvious, but hot tip to everyone still in the planning stages: if you have the option and live somewhere with seasons, do this in the fall, winter, or early spring.  I want to get out and walk a bit but it’s light from 5 am to 9 pm and oppressively hot and humid, and there’s been wildfire smoke making our air quality hazardous. For various reasons this was the timing that worked for me but if you have options, do it when the days are shorter and colder. 

Deep plane face and neck lift with fat grafting surgery was Friday morning.  It is now Sunday afternoon. Healing is individualized, so this is just my experience. 

Sleep- actually got a few hours, yay!

Showering - Took my first post-op shower today. I was terrified to get anything wet or shampoo my hair, even though the doctor said it was ok to wash my face and hair as normal. I didn’t really do that, I just shampooed the back and top of my head and then let it run over the areas where the incisions were. It’s nerve-racking when the area is numb, you just don’t want to go anywhere near it.  Was nice to get most of the gunk out of my hair.  We’ll see how everything settles but I can say I am very pleased with the incisions, they are very well hidden in the hairline and my ears. 

Pain is minimal, discomfort is high. I typically take Tylenol throughout the day and take an oxy at night and again after breakfast just to get me through the morning. Once I’m up and active around the house I generally feel much better and do fine with Tylenol. The major issue in terms of pain/discomfort right now is the tightness. Even without the compression wrap, it feels like somebody has a very tight bandage wrapped around your chin and face  and is squeezing it. That said, I still hate my compression wrap. I’m supposed to wear it 24/7 through Monday and then only at night

Eating- Chewing remains off limits, I had mashed potatoes and cooked chopped spinach for dinner last night but other than that and scrambled eggs with cottage cheese, it’s still a liquid diet. 

My caretaker (mom) and I both think I’m less swollen today than I was on day zero and day one, so it would be kind of unusual for my swelling to have peaked on day one, since i know it usually peaks later. But we’ll see what happens. I am watching my sodium intake like a hawk and icing and walking around the house (slowly) as much as I can.  Bruising is off the charts. Two black eyes, my whole neck, mouth corners, and in front of my ears. Doc says ice through Monday and then I can start warm compresses for the bruises. 

The one my doctor gave me at my day one post up appointment is horrible, it slips off constantly, even when I just open my mouth a little to take a pill. it anyone has a good one to recommend, please let me know!

Deep plane face and neck lift with fat grafting surgery was yesterday (Friday) morning.  Healing is individualized, so this is just my experience. 

Sleep- despite taking the oxy and the gabapentin the doctor gave me to help me sleep, I slept only in short bursts and fitfully in the four hours between 10 pm and 2 am and then gave up. I just couldn’t get comfortable.  

Eating- the only non-liquid I have been able to consume is scrambled eggs mixed with cottage cheese and only that because I could break it up with my tongue into small enough pieces to swallow it. Chewing is out of the question and I can still barely open my mouth. Thank goodness for this subreddit because my preop consult and paperwork did not mention this and I wouldn’t have been prepared with all my soft food and tiny child’s toothbrush! 

Had my check in with the doc this morning. She said everything looked good, took out the drains, went through the care routine, and told me I can shower whenever I’m ready (I probably won’t feel comfortable till tomorrow). She replaced the head wrap with one a little more comfortable and less bulky.

I am horrifically swollen (yes I’m icing and taking bromelain and arnica) and I asked her about that, since I’d read that peak swelling is usually around day 4 and mine seems to be peaking at day 1. And she said “oh you’re not that swollen compared to what I usually see” and said it likely will still get worse and peak around day 4. She told me to ice through Monday (day 3) and then I can switch to warm compresses for the bruising. I have quite a bit of bruising around my mouth corners and, though they didn’t touch my eyes, a black eye on one side. 

Just resting today. The air quality is bad because of the Canadian wildfire smoke (love to our friends in Canada, sorry you’re having a hard time of it) so I’m staying inside on the sofa

I am 51. I had a deep plane face and neck lift with fat grafting in the face. I’m in the Washington DC metro area and paid 31k all in. I have 23 days to recover (not including surgery day) before I have to go back to work, so keep your fingers crossed for me! I’ve seen people on instagram and YouTube who look pretty normal at day 10 and people who still look rough at week three (and everything in between), so let’s see what happens!  It’s day zero so forgive typos etc

Day 0- (Friday) My surgery started about 730 am. Got home at about 2 pm.  Took two extra strength Tylenol when I got home. I felt nothing at all till about 30 minutes ago (so about 4pm). Then I started feeling discomfort. Just pressure and tightness, not pain. What’s bothering me now mainly is my ears, I guess it’s the feeling of them being tightly pressed against my head by force from the head wrap.  Oh and the jaw pain is NO JOKE. When I try to bite down I feel like I just had a root canal on every tooth, it’s so painful and sensitive to bite down. UGH. And I can barely open my mouth wide enough to get even a finger in there. 

The only thing that’s surprising me right now is the swelling. I am extremely swollen. In most of the videos I’ve watched people look ok when they get home and even the next day and then the swelling goes nuts over the next few days. Whereas I look like that now. Anyway, if anyone has any day zero question I’m happy to answer them while it’s fresh in my mind. I *think* I’m pretty coherent lol

EDIT: I took an oxy about 7:30. My discomfort was increasing so I thought it best to head it off before it got worse. Also forgot to mention I have drains, which I was really hoping not to, but they’ve produced no additional goo since I left the surgery center so I’m hoping they get removed tomorrow when I go in for my checkup.

Had my preop today. Oh my God, what an overwhelming amount of information! Anyway, Bromaline was recommended, but they didn’t recommend any particular brand or dosage. What did people found helpful? Supplements in the US are not regulated and there are so many options I don’t know whats scammy and what’s good, so would appreciate any recommendations.

My boy died two years ago and I haven’t been ready to get another one yet, but I come here all the time to see all of your schnauzers and their adventures (whether big adventures like hiking or medium ones like sleeping in a funny position or small ones like just looking cute). So not to get corny on you all, but thank you for posting your photos and please keep them coming, I love seeing all of your schnauzers.

UGH due to various issues, the only surgery date availability that will work with my schedule will give me a recovery time of 19 days (not including surgery day). I am having a deep plane face and neck lift and facial fat transfer.

I‘m changing jobs so there are various reason why I really want to try to make this time period work, including 1) I’m unlikely to get this much time off again in the near future and 2) no one at this job knows me (though it’s with the same company so I will still see people I know every day).

I know everyone heals differently I’m just trying to get a general gut reaction on whether that gives me enough time, especially those of you who’ve had it. I am not allowed to work remotely so that’s not an option. Appreciate any input.