FACELIFT POST-OP: Week 8
On and on and on and on goes the healing.
As far as numbness, tingling and, at times, sensations of a detached left ear, little has changed since week six.
Great news as far as physical abilities go, however. I’m back to tending my farm, which takes about six solid hours of physical labor each day. I realize this is more than average for someone turning 58, unless you’re a fitness trainer! If I had known it would take eight weeks to recover enough to return to this level of activity, I would have been more careful to time the surgery in winter rather than the cusp of spring.
That being said, after six hours of bending, lifting, pulling and walking my face swells up a bit, particularly on the left side. I saw a photo of myself taken after playing with grandchildren for several hours, and I looked like an alien crossed with a praying mantis. Sigh.
Has anyone noticed? I’m not sure. I take great care to wear my hair down or in a loose ponytail that covers my ears. My husband helpfully reminds me if he notices scars showing, and for that I’m thankful.
One scary thing I discovered: I think I have leftover stitches in at least one area on the left side of my head. As the numbness is wearing off I noticed some lumpy spots in the scar areas, and felt what I believed to be snips of the “fishing line” they use during surgery. I also remember that those fishing lines were deceptively long as they were removed. My husband inspected the area and said he saw two ends of what looked like short black strings coming out of my head. After what I’ve been through, I did not freak out, but I dread more un-anesthetized snipping and pulling at my scalp. I don’t have time to visit my doctor right now, and my three month appointment is a few weeks away. I’m worried the stitches have grown into my head (!). My husband looked more closely and now thinks it’s new hair growing out. Maybe there are ingrown hairs? Ugh!
Tomorrow is Monday, so I will call my surgeon’s office and ask her advice.
I’ll keep you posted.
RELATED LINKS: WEEKS 1 AND 2, WEEK 3, WEEK 4, ONE MONTH FOLLOW UP, WEEK 7, WEEK 8 , 2 MONTHS, WEEKS 10-11, WEEK 12
Images by Donell Willey. Products used for thumbnail/title shot: Elta MD Skincare tinted UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 moisturizing facial sunscreen, Perricone MD No Makeup broad spectrum SPF 15 lipstick in Berry; Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder in Ivoire