Post Day 4 – Headache

Removing the hand bandage was weird … not because it hurt, as it didn’t … not because it was this great feeling of removal, because it wasn’t … but because it didn’t feel like anything was actually removed !! Totally weird. The whole lack of good, old-fashioned sensation in one’s head is just wild … I’ve bumped my noggin’ twice getting out of my car and was like … “Huh, what’s going on?” … and last night I was trying to move my head and I couldn’t, eventually realizing the hood of my stove was holding me back from leaning forward any further. Yeah, okay … good point, it’s not like that didn’t happen before the ffs. 😛

Anyways … removed the turbin on Tuesday night and had my first shower since Saturday AM … not a really long period of time to go without a shower by any means, but it sure was nice soaking in the steam. My hair … ugh … total mess. I washed it twice with baby shampoo, being given the wise Yodette advice that the forehead work might make it more likely that the shampoo would find its way to my eyes … and for the record, even after being given the heads up, it did … the liquid stuff they sponge bathed me in before surgery was all over me, including my hair … completely yuck and leaving my hair in a tangled mess. It was the first time I think where I was glad my hair wasn’t longer … though once again, as of today … I do wish it was longer.

After the turbin removal, Mom and Dad took me home and I spent my first evening alone. It was pretty uneventful. I was exhausted and crashed pretty hard as it was the first night I had extended periods of uninterrupted sleep. I think I feel asleep around 10:30 p.m. and didn’t wake up once until 5:30 a.m. Felt good ! 🙂 I’m still doing the Methylprednisolone routine, lubricating my eyes frequently with Refresh Celluvisc, and have continued my frequent nose cleaning process. I did cut my Vicodin intake to one tablet every 6 hours. It might have been premature as I have continued to feel very headachy. Very headachy. Appetite is still non-existent. I made myself some eggs for lunch and had two hamburgers for dinner, forcing myself to even eat those. Liquid intake remains pretty aggressive … water and orange juice. Mom and Dad did bring my a Wendy’s Frosty though too !! 🙂

I stayed awake most of the day … and was probably the most uncomfortable I had been since surgery. My stomach is feeling better, but still really sore. The headache I have has gone beyond irritation. I did mainly nothing today … watched television … showered … tried to putter around a bit … but after all was said and done … doing nothing seemed to feel best for me.

First impressions …

Understand, it’s really too early in the game to get a good evaluation of how things will turn out … there’s quite a bit of swelling and bruising that has “masculinized” my lower face where I never had an issue before … and the whole nose splint thing really prevents me from getting a good impression of what I look like … not to mention, the pictures you are seeing and the way I’m presenting are totally, typical lazy Amy-mode … sans the lip gloss … enhanced in no ways whatsoever, not a drop of make-up, with hair combed out and air dried … not even styled (yeah, I know … I need a trim and my roots are showing, it’s all part of the timing, I delayed those two necessities until I returned to give myself some options in tweaking my look some more) … so all that being said …

I’m really amazed and pleased. My profile has certainly changed for the positive (Befores and Afters for comparision purposes are forthcoming). I’m honestly surprised how different I look, how well I actually feel physically, and how it was all accomplished in such a short time (4-5 days up to this point). I’ve noticed a few of my previous facial quirks (uneven eyebrows, nostrils different sizes, dropping left eye, lower mouth corner issue) have been addressed in positive ways too, though neatly not eliminated entirely. 🙂

I was very hesitant going in with Dr. Z’s approach to forehead work, concerned it wasn’t as aggressive as I wanted … and at this point, I feel those concerns of mine were definitely misplaced. I’m really flabbergasted at the extent of the changes … subtle in magnitude, but dramatic in effect. Most in-person visitors I have had have said … you still look like you, but you look like a woman. Perfect !! 🙂

My eyebrows feel way too high, but I’m told they will settle down some. And I really have no ability to move them right now, which is bothering me. But again, that’s short-term.

My upper lip is immobile … which bugs me more than I ever would have imagined as it has curtailed my ability to tender my trademark smirk … yet once again, I’m told that mobility will return. My lips feel a little “big” … but apparently the fat injections will dissolve some so the final increase will be less than I’m seeing/feeling now.

All in all … I’m pleased so far, in less physical discomfort that I would have expected, but definitely more lethargic than I would have anticipated.

Okay … that’s all for now … I’m going to go drink something ! 🙂