Heather's New Face 

(the D-Day entry was written in my hotel room on September 1 -- yesterday I barely knew my own name!)
Surgeon: Dr. Freddie Sanabria, Bogota, Colombia
D-Day - Surgery --- Tuesday, August 31, 2004

We left the house at 6:20 am and arrived at the clinic by 6:35. I thought they'd let my husband stay for a while at least, but no go. He got to kiss me goodbye and then that was it.

The surgical suite was really nice -- four beds in the recovery area, two operating rooms, and two patient rooms for overnight stays. There was no waiting whatsoever, since I'd met with the anaesthesiologist at my pre-op appointment. After making sure that nothing had passed my lips after 9 pm, he had the nurse put in my IV. Immediately after he put in a little "helper" medicine, since I told him I was nervous --- of course this fact was obvious since my hands were shaking LOL! I was going to be having "light" general anaesthesia.

Then Dr. Sanabria, my PS, came and told me that I was going to look beautiful -- eventually! Once again he reminded me that although there was minimal pain associated with a facelift/temporal lift, my face would feel very tight and there would be swelling and bruising. I would also have a bandage around my entire face and neck. Then he pulled out his magic marker and indicated where the incision would go. I was interested that the incisions for the brow lift were going to be vertical from the hairline on back, rather than horizontal. I'd read about this technique being quite new in the U.S. and didn't realized Dr. S would be doing it this way. For about the twentieth time, I asked him about scarring. He told me (AGAIN) that I would have a faint, thin scar hidden in the ear and a larger scar hidden in the hair behind the ear and near the nape of my neck. The temporal lift would produce a tiny spot in the hair about the temples and the brow lift scars would also be hidden in the hair -- unless of course, the hair doesn't grow back. If that happens, I'm having a hair transplant to those areas while we are still here in Colombia! My skin is so white that scars generally blend right in, so that should help. Dr. S also told me that he would be transferring a little under-chin fat to my NL folds and marionette lines. I told him to feel free to remove fat from other parts of my body and donate it to other patients (smile).

@1:00 pm

Well, that's about all I remember until I woke up in the recovery room with Dr. Sanabria standing over me, reassuring me that everything went like clockwork. I had a catheter in my bladder, a blood pressure cuff on my right arm, an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth, the IV, a clamp on one finger, and two drains in the back of my head -- almost ever orifice was covered LOLOL!! Not to mention that I looked like an Egyptian mummy from the neck up and my mouth felt as dry as the Sahara. No pain, however, I later found out that the surgery lasted about 4 1/2 hours.

Dr S. came to visit me twice that day -- once at sometime in the afternoon and the second time right before he went home. I think it was around 7, since it was dark outside. In Colombia, the sun rises at around 6 am and sets around 6 pm ALL YEAR ROUND (since we're almost on the equator). I begged for water, but they would only let me have little sips, since Dr. S wanted to be sure there were no complications that would necessitate going back into the OR. Hematomas can happen, and if they do occur it is usually within 24 hours.

The nursing care was phenomenal!!!! I can't say enough good things about Mercedes, who was my nurse from 7 pm to 7 am. Since I was the only patient staying overnight, I had my own private nurse. All modesty flew out the window sometime in the middle of the night. She removed my catheter (AHHH, relief) and since I was now feeling as if I had been run over by truck, and looked it too (not that sore -- just totally exhausted and dizzy), I was grateful for her help in getting to the bathroom, etc. I slept off and on while propped up on a big cushy recliner. At one point she came in with a bottle of peach-smelling lotion and proceeded to give me a back and neck massage. Total heaven!

Wednesday, September 1, 2004

Day 1 -- Recovery

7 am
It was time for Mercedes to go (sob! I wanted to bring her home with me!). Before she left she helped me into the shower and washed me from neck to toes. Normally I would have died of embarrassment (I've always been really shy) but at the point I really didn't care. Then when I got back to my room, the funniest thing happened. A nurse popped in and asked me if I would mind talking to another patient for a moment. I said "sure" and this lady came in and said, "Oh, you look great!" (I'd taken a couple of peeks in the mirror by this point and seriously wondered if she was demented or just delusional LOL!) Then she told me that she was in for a tummy tuck and was so excited about it (rather you that me, sweetie! I have less than fond memories of TT recovery) and was scheduled for a facelift 2 months after the TT. She was so smiling and happy and didn't seem scared in the least. It was so cute! I was also proud of myself for being able to converse in Spanish (the Queen's English is my native tongue) and relieved that my remaining brain cells had survived surgery.

Right after the happy lady left, Dr. Sanabria came in and gave me my discharge instructions and RXs for antiobiotics and anti-inflammatories. I go back to see him on Friday.

9 am
My husband came by to pick me up. I though he would recoil at the sight of me, but thanks to YTF, he was prepared. He brought me a black shawl, which I wrapped around my head and neck, looking for all as if I was from Saudi Arabia. When we got to the hotel, he checked me in and then took me up on the service elevator so I wouldn't scare any hotel guests! My husband had to leave for work, but I plan on spending the day resting, watching dumb TV shows, and reading.

2 pm
Although I can't eat yet (I'm allowed to eat, but it does hurt to chew) I'm ready for a siege with my whole wheat bread, spreadable fruit, fresh pineapple, peanut butter, water bottles and cranberry juice! Ocean Spray Light, sweetened with Splenda, just became available in Bogota.

5 pm
My face is very swollen now and I can see where the bruises are going to be -- a thin, dark purple line under my left eye, a large red bruise on my left temple, and a fainter reddish bruise on my right side, just about and around the mouth. The swelling is bad in the middle part of my face and where Dr. S injected fat to my naso-labial and marionette areas. My eyebrows have gone from very arched to almost horizontal, with a nice lift at the outer edge. I was warned that they will arch slightly when healing is done. I started taking Arnica a couple of hours ago, so we'll see how that works out.

8 pm
Dr. Sanabria called to see how I was doing. I told him everything was great.

Thursday, September 2, 2004

Day 2 -- Recovery

6:30 am
I can't believe it! I actually slept for almost 5 hours straight while sitting in bed, propped up with pillows. I could not get comfortable last night and was wondering if I'd every sleep. Then I devised a method of using three pillows at my back, allowing my head to go back slightly. After getting a facelift, it's imperative not to bend your head forward for the first two weeks. I put two pillows on my left and two on my right in order to prop up my arms. It looks weird, but it's a lot more comfortable.

My lower back is very sore from sitting, so I took a hot bath with eucalyptus oil -- very soothing. I'm so glad that my room has a bathtub and not just a shower. I LOVE baths!

My husband came by the hotel with more fresh pineapple and more water bottles. I'm mixing the water with the light cranberry juice -- it's delicious, as is the pineapple. I wasn't able to find Bromelain, so hopefully the fresh pineapple will work. Also still taking Arnica faithfully, as well as my meds to avoid infection or inflammation. I wish my room had internet hookup so I could post online, but at least I can keep this journal on my hubby's laptop; maybe it will help someone else someday.

8 pm
I'm really tired, but sleeping is difficult sitting up. I've been watching a lot of TV, something I never do usually, since reading is hard right now. You can't bend your head.

Friday, September 3, 2005

Day 3 -- Recovery

7 am
Another hot bath to relieve the aching lower back. I slept pretty well, considering. The sleep is interrupted, about 1-2 hours at a time, but at least I'm sleeping.

My face looks a lot better this morning. The swelling has gone down and the bruising is slightly less. Maybe the arnica is helping? Either way I'm pretty excited, since today I go see Dr. S and he will take off the bandages wrapped around my head and also remove a few stitches. Some more stitches will be taken out on Tuesday and then the rest, and the staples in a week. 

I look like a beansprout, or else a potato that is sprouting from the top! A long ponytail is sticking out of my bandages at the top of my head. It looks really funny LOL!

Since I've been at the hotel, I've consumed 2 gallons of water, some of it mixed with cranberry juice, an entire pineapple, 2 Cup of Noodles (too salty, but soft and easy to eat), 6 pieces of high fiber bread, 4 T of spreadable strawberry, and 2 T of peanut butter. Oh, and half a bad of prunes. One of the ladies from the YTF message boards warned me about possible, ummmmmmm, blockage???? LOL! So that's what the prunes are for. This may be more than anyone wanted to know, but it's a reality of surgery and I was glad for the tip.

For the first time since the surgery, I'm hungry, but unwilling to venture out with the full-head bandages. Also unwilling to use room service for the same reason.  And I told my husband not to bother coming by the hotel until it's time to go to the doctor in about 9 hours. Sigh. So I will get started on the second pineapple, all cut into small pieces in a large Tupperware container.

8 am
I just turned on the TV and saw the horrible new about the terrorism at the school in Southern Russia. Those poor people! 

6 pm
HURRAY (cyber jumping jacks) !!!!!! The horrible, yucky, FREAKY-looking bandage is now off. Dr. S says I'm healing perfectly, and he couldn't get over how light my bruising is. Usually I bruise terribly.

Saturday, September 4, 2004

Day 4 -- Recovery

I took a shower (bliss), washed my hair, and ventured out to the hotel dining room for breakfast. I went early, hoping there wouldn't be many people there at 6:30 am on a Saturday. Only two other people were in the room, luckily, and I sat in a far corner with my back to them. It felt nice to be out.

Sunday, September 5

Day 5 -- Recovery

7 am
Hopefully last night will be the last one that I need to spend sleeping (make that trying to sleep) on my back. Dr. Sanabria said that I can sleep on my side with my head propped up, but it just feels too yucky with the stitches.

My face looks much better today, but my body feels as if it was run over by a truck. I've also got a horrible headache from lack of sleep.

1 pm
I'm home --- hurray!!!! It was great being able to recover in the hotel, but it also feels wonderful to be home. Now the hard part will be to keep from doing too much.

9 pm
I...can't...keep...my...eyes...open. Bedtime. Too tired to even take a bath

Monday, September 6

Day 6 == Recovery

7:30 am
For the first time I actually slept more than 1 hour in a row. I feel asleep just after 9 last night and only woke up twice! I slept on my side, sort of, with my head and shoulders propped up. I took two extra-strength Tylenol around 8 last night, because of the headache, and maybe that helped. Either that or I was too tired to be bugged by the stitches.

The yellow bruising under my eyes and on my neck looks worse today, but that's probably because the swelling is wayyyyy down. Which makes the bruising more obvious. I'm starting to get excited about my results. I DO look younger. Smile

8:30 pm
This is weird, but I'm so sleepy and have been tired all day. Perhaps the normal reaction of my body to surgery? Also, I'm starving and ate way too much today. Again, maybe because I ate very little in the days after the surgery. 

Tuesday, September 7

Day 7 -- Recovery

6:30 am
The bruising is starting to fade under my eyes and a little around my neck. The only swelling that remains is in the bruising under the eyes. I hope it clears up soon, since I have these little fluid-filled baggies that were never there before. I'm going to try and avoid mirrors today so that I don't obsess over this.

1 pm
Well, I couldn't avoid the mirror ALL day, right? LOL!!! I scrutinized everything in a magnifying mirror, a truly frightening sight at the best of times, and noticed that my face is back to its original oval shape. For the last few years my face has been more square, I guess from the sagging jawline/jowls. So far there are NO lines anywhere in my face (except for a few fine ones around the eyes when I smile) from the eyebrows on down. I hope it lasts.

7 pm
I went to see Dr. Sanabria at 5 today and he took out some of the stitches and staples. The rest come out on Friday.

He says I'm healing VERY quickly and that the bags are just residual swelling and that the next weeks should see me completely healed. I also asked him about the puffiness under my neck. I was worried that the neck definition wasn't as good as I'd hoped, but he assured me that was swelling and would also go down within the next while. Apparently the swelling can last for up to 6 weeks and the best results are seen at about 4 months.

I also asked him to tell me the names in ENGLISH for all the procedures I had. They are: temporal lift; SMAS lift; jawline liposuction; fat transfer to NL folds (slight) and marionette line on left side.

Wednesday, September 08

Day 8 -- Recovery

10 am
The bruising is slowly going away. It is now slight enough that, with good cover-up, (and a turtleneck to hide the neck swelling and bruising) I can go out in public. However, I wouldn't want to run into anyone who knows me well, since they would be able to tell that SOMETHING was done. I'm also starting to get my energy back, maybe because I'm sleeping better.

Thursday, September 09

Day 9 -- Recovery

6 am
HURRAYYY!!!! The swelling is gone under my left eye and much better under my right. Those little liquidy puffballs were so ugly! I was starting to worry that I'd need another lower bleph to smooth them out.

I really thought I'd look dreadful this morning, since last night was not a good one for sleep. I just couldn't get comfortable on my side and kept worrying that I'd roll over onto my face and ruin everything. The problem is that I cannot sleep on my back. It is just too uncomfortable for me. It's weird, because my husband prefers sleeping on his back and only turns over if I poke him for snoring.

Friday, September 10

Day 10 -- Recovery

7 am
Looking much better today. The swelling under my right eye is down and the bruising has gotten very faint. Now the stitches and staples are starting to itch like the dickens, which I know is a good sign. It means I'm healing.

10 pm
I went to see Dr. Sanabria again and he took out all but two stitches (the ones at the top-front of each ear) and all the staples. He warned me not to pick at the scabs or the scarring will be worse. He told me to use Neosporin 3x per day on the scabs and to wash my face gently morning and night. He still does not want me to resume my regular skin-care routine, which uses Obagi-like products. I was also told that after the scabs fall off the scars would turn bright red within the next week or so and then gradually fade over a 3-6 month period to white and very thin. Hopefully unnoticeable!

I used Dermablend on the slight bruising under the eyes, put on a turtleneck (luckily it is chilly here) and went to see "Terminal" with Tom Hanks. It felt SOOOOOO good to get out of the house. I was paranoid walking, however, since every time the wind blew I worried about my scars showing. I kept pulling my hair forward in front of my ears LOL and eventually put up the hood on my jacket.

Saturday, September 11

Day 11 -- Recovery

10 am
A very good night's sleep! Yeh!!!! I finally slept on my side without worry, with a pillow at my back and another in front. That way I was sure not to roll over onto my face in the night

Tuesday, September 14

Two weeks post
Well it's been exactly two weeks since my lift. I went to see Dr. Sanabria and he took photos, which he said he usually doesn't do until 6 weeks post. He was just so thrilled with my fast recovery. I still have a little swelling under the eyes, but hopefully that will go away eventually. I'm also bothered by an aching feeling behind my left ear. Since most of the pressure is situated there, rather in front of the ear (where the scars would show), I guess that is to be expected. Tylenol time.

Saturday, September 18

All the scabbing is finally gone from the scars in front of my ears and I can finally wear cover-up over them. HURRAY! No more being paranoid out in public. I never realized how your hair can blow around even when you are walking indoors!

Wednesday, September 22

Three weeks post
The puffs under my eyes are teeny-tiny now. The bruise under the right eye is still there, but very, very faint and easy to cover up. Even with the cover-up, however, I feel as if the scars at the temples are visible. So I put Neosporin on them, plaster a little hair over them, and the ointment makes the hair stick. The worst that can happen is people will think I have oily hair on the sides--eewww.  LOL!

Friday, September 24

One thing that is still bothering me is the area behind the ears. Dr. Sanabria warned me that that area would take the longest to heal, since he places most of the pressure there (less conspicuous).  Especially behind my left ear the incision is red and aches constantly. I'm finding myself taking Tylenol twice a day; something I rarely do normally.

When my husband called (he's out of town), I told him about it and he wanted me to call the doctor. I probably won't, however, since I'm really busy with the kids, who are all sick. Besides, I hate to run whining to the doctor for every little thing. I see him next week anyway.

Tuesday, September 28

4 weeks post
This will be the last journal entry for a while. I'll update occasionally, but I want to get the whole thing put together with the laptop stuff and send it to Marianne. When I see Dr. S next week, I'm going to ask him for copies of my before/after photos.

Wednesday, October 6

5 weeks post
I was wrong about last week being the last entry. I saw Dr. S today and he is very happy with my progress. Now all my other flaws (and I have many) are magnified. Darn.

Heather