Tarea's Facial Plastic Surgery

Blepharoplasty, Facelift and Chin Liposuction Recovery - Day 11

My plastic surgeon agreed to see me today to look at my ear and my poofy abdomen.  With respect to the abs, he said I gained a lot of weight -- which I knew. I said I was still surprised that it went to the previously liposuctioned area and not somewhere else.  I was still checking in at the liposuction web site (Hope's LipoSite) and everything I read there led me to believe that the weight would show up elsewhere.

My cosmetic surgeon was surprised too, but he felt it definitely had to do wit the steroids and now that they are leaving my system, things should improve. My abs are very hard too, which is not how they usually get when I gain weight. 

I've started a diet and he said I could start using my treadmill now too as long as I walked and didn't run. He said my ear looked fine and sometimes stuff like that just happens. We decided to put off removing my stitches for two more days.  Most all the bruising is gone from my face and neck and the swelling is starting to come down too. I still can’t quite get used to my new look.  Smiling is hard because the muscles seem very stiff.

Blepharoplasty, Facelift and Chin Liposuction Recovery -Day 13

I wear make-up for the first time today.  Yowzah!  I can’t stop staring at myself.  I am looking goooood!   Every time I catch myself off guard in a mirror, I see myself twenty years ago.

I spent quite a bit of the day without my chin strap on, I feel like it gave my face a chance to relax some more. My cheeks and lips are completely symmetrical now.  The swelling and pulling in my right cheek is almost totally gone. By the end of the day, my smile lines are back a little, which gives my face a more natural look.

I am starting to feel really happy about this facelift now!  Knowing that there is so much more healing and improvement to go is pretty exciting. (Thanks to Terri and all the wonderful people on FaceForum for their ongoing love and support!) 

I have my stitches removed.  As you'll recall, I had blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), a lower facelift (a.k.a. mini or SMAS facelift) and liposuction of the chin for improved contour of my jaw.  That means a fair number of really, really tiny stitches.  The removal is only slightly uncomfortable, not a big deal.  The staples are the best! I don't feel them coming out at all!

At the day's end, my face aches and I can’t wait to put my chin strap back on. (And here I was, so eager to leave it off!)  I also realize that I become fatigued easily, and need plenty of naps. I did not get this tired after abdominal liposuction, but then again, the facelift, the blepharoplasty and the chin liposuction made for a much longer, more involved surgery.

On the plus side, my plastic surgeon says he’d be happy if all his patients healed as well as I have.  (I just know it's the healthy eating and the supplements! LOL.)

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