2 days out!

Message

#1 Post by **dittoxtina** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:47 pm

so its been two days. ima update in a few days. im just dont feel up to it yet. im really swallon and have alot of pressure. also, did anyone else come out of surgery with a numb/sawllon tongue? thats most aggrivating. on a good note my nose isnt clogged!!

well heres a pic.. talk to you soon.

#2 Post by **kaycee** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:51 pm

Congratulations - you made it to the other side. Every day is better from here on out.

Honestly, I think I was more swollen, but I remember trying to get those two ice bags to work in the hospital. I kept asking the nurse to tie them TIGHT around my face. She kept saying how she didn't want to hurt me, I then told her that since I couldn't feel most of my face it really didn't make any difference!

Keep us up to date on your progress.

kaycee

#3 Post by **dittoxtina** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:35 am

kaycee- these ice bags do suck, but it feels sooo good for the pressure in my head. when did you stop using them?

i ate alil while ago, had ravioli w/ tomato juice, it tasted really good, just like regular raviloi. my tummy was so empty and growling i had to try and eat. i just can't wait for some swelling to go down and to get feeling in my tongue.

#4 Post by **Brinky** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:38 am

Congrats on making it through!

Look forward to hearing more from you when you're able

#5 Post by **kaycee** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:21 am

I used ice for about 5 days, though I think that ice is really only recommended for 2 or 3 days with a switch to dry heat after that (some rice in a sock in the microwave works well.)

My surgery was July 2nd and is was so hot and humid that I just could not stand to have any heat on my face and ice just felt so good. Of course it melted as fast as I refilled the ice packs. I also bought a jaw bra which is a stretchy fabric band that fits around your head. It has gel inserts that can be refrozen. The jaw bra fit better but I needed to change inserts about once an hour which of course did not match my schedule of meds every four hours. So I would wake up from a med induced sleep to find the gel inserts at room temperature and practically useless. Now that's where the "fetch and carry man of my dreams" would come in handy! Maybe next time around.

I had good luck with fruit smoothies (some yogurt, milk and frozen fruit in the blender) and store bought pureed soups at the very beginning until I actually felt like preparing a meal. If nothing else, make sure you get plenty of liquids.

You'll be feeling better before you know it.

kaycee

#6 Post by **mannab271** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:35 am

I used ice for 5 days myself. (17 days POST OP)--then I used MOIST heat. My OS specifically said MOIST...so I went to and got a moist heating pad and threw that on my face....I thought I got pretty swollen....however I was only swollen for 2 weeks...I didn't bruise...my OS said Wednesday that I look like I'm 4 weeks post op vs 2 weeks....

just ice ice ice --shoot there were times I slept with the ice packs on for hours and woke up and took them off for a little while I slept..ICE really helped my congestion! My sinus cavities swelled up A LOT so I was VERY uncomfortable sleeping!

Good luck and congrats on gettin to the other side!! Im walking proof...surgery sucks...but it gets better I promise!

#7 Post by **kaycee** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:14 pm

Whoops, you're right. It's moist heat, not dry heat.

kaycee

#8 Post by **blindboarder2008** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:13 pm

congratz on reaching the other side!! and congratz on already eating!! as everyone else said every day from here on in will get better. keep us posted and get better soon!!

#9 Post by **dittoxtina** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 3:39 pm

heres some more pics.. i think today went really well, to well actually, bc i started cleaning my room, doing laundry, playing with the dog (throwing frisbie outside) went to the store to buy a few things, and now im feeling like crap!! im feel like im starting to swell up alil more, when this morning i felt like i was getting less swallon. i think ima just rest all day tomorrow. tongues still numb!!!!

[/img]

#10 Post by **dittoxtina** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:13 am

so this is me a week post opt...

#11 Post by **Andantae** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:31 pm

dittoxtina~

Congrats on being on the other side! Sounds (and looks) like you are recovering very well! Your swelling already looks visibly less.

There are still days when I do alot physically that I swell slightly in the evening, but less and less even so.

Are you liking the results so far?

#12 Post by **phil** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:22 am

dittoxtina,

You're looking great for only being a week out.

Keep taking care of yourself, with good nutrition, rest, and a little bit of exercise every day if you can manage it (a comfortable walk is the best idea, I think, in the most beautiful place you can, like a park!).

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

#13 Post by **Steph-in-WI** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:27 pm

Congrats on making it to the other side!

Your swelling is going down nicely. Take care of yourself, and don't over do it ... but it's great that you have the energy.

#14 Post by **amd** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:15 am

YOur swelling looks like it's going down nicely.

My tongue was numb upto about 3 weeks and the tip stayed numb until about week 5 or 6. When I was cleared to eat soft chew foods I couldn't because my tongue couldn't feel what was on it and the inside of my mouth was numb too. I think I chewed more of the inside of my mouth than anything else. Start doing facial stretches and exercises as soon as you are clear to do so. Basically - pucker up. Relax. Smile. Relax. Pucker up. This was given to me by my os. It helped stimulate the muscles and nerves and bring back some animation to the face. (My bottom lip is still refusing to fully cooperate!)

Hang in there.