Day 3 – couch potato
Okey, more like recliner potato. Muscle relaxers are my friend. They keep the neck muscles at rest. Don’t skip them; no matter how much you think you are relaxing on your own, your neck will constantly tighten and release… and eventually throbbing commences. The relaxers are a life saver. If I overdo it, I take a pain pill. Stay ahead of it. I’m a motor mouth. So I’m learning moderation. Or trying to.
Day 4 – semi channel surfing
It’s hard to relax this long. I’m forcing myself because I know overdoing it will exacerbate swelling. Despite sitting and resting, swelling is increasing. The lines in my face are disappearing. Which normally we women would celebrate, but I’m kind of getting a very fluffy look about the face… and the body! No one told me I’d be retaining water (all over!) while my body goes into repair mode.
Day 5 – multicolored
Ah the bruising! The color yellow is flattering to a select few people. I am not one of them. I’m also seeing more blue/purple showing up on my face. My neck is looking less purple and more yellow. Marionette lines are showing more bruising. Also a couple spots on my chin. I’ve accepted it’s going to get worse before better. I’m following instructions, but I’m still looking like a puffer fish. On the plus side, while my neck still feels tight, it’s not painful. Muscle relaxers and pain pills are no longer needed. Yay me!
Update: I took a muscle relaxer. Note to self: no chewy foods yet. Ow.
Day 6
My son stopped by and was surprised I didn’t look worse. The feeling of tightness and swollen ears apparently isn’t as visible to others as it feels like to me. My neck is a brighter yellow. And my cheek looks like it’s trying hard to bruise, so the next few days will tell. Pain is minimal; just the ears randomly smarting which Tylenol helps.
Updated on 27 Aug 2024:
Onto day 7 now. Feeling better! I’ll add another picture later. I’m posting this lengthy review because when I was researching what to expect, I couldn’t find detailed information on daily recovery. Hence, my wordiness. And my recovery is ongoing, so updates will continue as I progress.
Updated on 27 Aug 2024:
I think from here on out, I will post every two or three days. No pain, swelling and bruising not to bad right now. Amazing to me that surgery was last Wednesday, and here it is Tuesday, not even a full week and I’m feeling so good! Staples coming out in a couple hours. I’m even having company for dinner. Nope, I’m not cooking (they are bringing it in!) since I’m still taking it easy.
Updated on 3 Sep 2024:
Whew, nice feeling. I had regular sutures because my body doesn’t do dissolvable stitches. Still some swelling. But feeling like I can go out of the house now without stitches hanging under my chin. Lisa is Dr. Gardeners assistant and she is wonderful!
Updated on 4 Sep 2024:
Feeling so good! And so pleased with look of things even though I still have some swelling. (I’m posting again my before photo to see the change in my neck, chin and jowls in just two weeks post-op.)) Can’t recommend Dr. Gardener enough! I had to wait 5 1/2 months for an opening with Dr. Gardener, and I’m so glad I was patient and waited. Worth the wait and worth the cost. I’ll keep updating as I finish healing.
Note: Kudos to Zoey at the front desk. Always a happy and friendly presence each time I’m at Naples Plastic Surgery!
Updated on 11 Sep 2024:
Feeling so good! Most swelling is gone; just a bit of puffiness randomly. I found a couple of stitches inside the edge of my ear. Lisa did tell me when she removed my stitches that she would take out whatever ones were ready. I have my 3-week post-op appointment tomorrow so will get the last couple out. Wow, I know they say that it takes six months for your final look, but I’m tickled at three weeks. Not sure yet how the fat transfer will finalize since some cells die, but the “lines” of fat have dissipated and it’s looking very natural.
Updated on 18 Sep 2024:
I am feeling so good! My picture is a little blurry, (I am bad at selfies). No bruises, no swelling other than a bit under my chin. Doing massages now to work it out. I still feel a little tightness on the sides of my face. In the beginning, that feeling of a collar around my neck was very distracting. The slight tightness now doesn’t even phase me as I go about my days. I am 60 years old (as my silver hair loudly announces) and what thrills me the most is seeing pictures of me holding my granddaughter, and none of them have hanging cheeks and wrinkled up multi-chins. I know 6 months is the “real” final outcome, but so happy even now. If I haven’t said it enough, Dr. Gardner is amazing.
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