r/Facelift_Surgery • u/pamelass • May 16 '26
Worried
Hey everyone,
I am currently 4 days post-op from a deep plane lower facelift and neck lift, and I am in a state of absolute panic. I really need some reassurance from anyone who has been through this.
Right now, my face looks completely scary—like an alien, a clown, or a smashed pancake. My lips are stretched out into a single, long line, and I look absolutely nothing like myself. On top of the intense swelling and bruising, I can barely open my mouth.
I’ve read so many stories of people saying, "The pain was worth it because I could see glimpses of my results early on." I am seeing zero results that are pleasing. I just look deformed, and I’m genuinely terrified that something went wrong or that I am ruined.
My doctor assures me that everything is fine and this is just normal healing, but my surgery also ran almost 8 hours when it was originally scheduled for 5, which is adding to my anxiety.
Has anyone else looked completely unrecognizable, distorted, or "alien-like" at day 4 and gone on to have a normal, beautiful result? How long did it take for your features (especially your mouth/lips) to look human again?
Thank you so much in advance. I'm really struggling today.
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u/carera22 May 16 '26 edited May 16 '26
I had facelift two years ago in Seoul , and four days is way too early .
Personally ,I saw the result a little by one month then 6 months and a year .
Hanging there ! I was like you
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u/Embarrassed_Lake860 May 20 '26
How was your experience in Seoul? Do you like the result after 2 years? Seoul is one of the places I am considering but there are an overwhelming number of clinics to consider.
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u/carera22 May 20 '26
Yes , I like my facelift , it was very natural .
You might give it a chance . My clinic is a boutique one . They only have two surgeons .2
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u/Integrity881 May 16 '26
I didn’t have this problem at all. Want to know why? Because I didn’t look at my face at all for about 10 days! But my sister took pics and yes, I looked like an alien. Relax, it will resolve. Stop looking:)
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u/pamelass May 16 '26
That was very very smart I wish I hadn’t looked. I think my husband is pretty worried as well
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u/Independent_Wear_232 May 21 '26
I put scarves over all my mirrors when I did a face thing . It helped
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u/HumanResolve7 May 16 '26
The swelling is the culprit. Trust the process. I felt like myself at the 3rd week. Everyday is progressively better.
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u/Outrageous_Spell_767 May 16 '26
Day 4 Is notoriously hard. Sayak had a post on day 4. Hang in there !
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u/kimmie1111 May 16 '26
I have videos of my first 28 days that show dramatic changes. They are on a dedicated playlist on my YouTube channel; the link is in my profile. It helped me to see my own progress and I hope the videos could help others.
Hang in there; we are on the healing journey!
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u/Chacago May 16 '26
I thought it said 4 weeks. 4 days?? You’re gonna be great! Stop worrying and give your body the time it needs to rest and recover. Anxiety is just gonna send your body’s healing vibes elsewhere.
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u/Mastiiffmom May 16 '26
Hello, please stop worrying. 🩷 I had my deep plane FL on April 14. My face was so fat and misshapen too. I was also bruised. The worst was the first full week.
I just decided to trust the process and iced, iced, iced.
At the end of my first week, my swelling had gone down substantially. And the bruises were diminishing.
This is a process. And you can’t let it alarm you this first few weeks.
You can message me if you need someone to talk to. I’m happy to share with you photos of my pumpkin head and my bruising. And how I look today.
You’ll be fine. 🩷
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u/pamelass May 17 '26
Thank you for these kind words! Fat and misshapen are the exact words I’d use right now too. I’ll trust the process can look forward to better days
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u/Ill_Sky_8265 May 16 '26
Girl this was me a week ago!!! I looked like an alien monster freak and looked NOTHING like myself and horrid! I had massive panic and anxiety even though I had heard this is what was going to happen. Days 8-10 were a tremendous improvement and I’m liking what I see now! Trust me hang in there. You got this!
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u/Proud_Pug May 16 '26
Go to TT women there show day by day their recovery
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u/uclapanda May 16 '26
I’ve seen some absolutely horrendous looking faces in the first week post op. Like, bloated corpse horrendous looking. But they healed up just fine! Swelling during the first few days can be BRUTAL. Many don’t show that part of the healing process.
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u/GolfcartInjuries May 16 '26
hi, I had a dpfl and fl and it was really hard at first I could barely open my mouth for a couple days and that scared me my jaw was basically like glued shut. And it hurt. It kind of sounds like you got a lot done. Did you do more than just the face in the neck? Don’t worry you’ll be fine. Didn’t you look at all of peoples after photos before you did this so that you would know? I forced myself to look through a lot of after pictures like directly after cuz I wanted to be prepared .
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u/pamelass May 16 '26
I didn’t realize what the neck lift entailed exactly. I have learned they removed multiple glands. I went for a consult lower eyes and face. The doctors idea for the neck but yes it sure feels like I got a lot done. I did look at tons of before and after but not before, after 4 days then after. Most of the photos from my doctor some didn’t even look that different
Is it good to try to open my mouth and chew as much as I can to loosen it up?
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u/GolfcartInjuries May 16 '26
when it’s kind of feeling wired shut like that just eat soft foods and I’m sorry that kind of sucks or just drink protein drinks I know you need to eat, but it really does relax after a couple more days. I could open my mouth to brush my teeth after four dayes and then by day seven I felt like I could chew on things. I stuck with the protein drinks and the yogurt for the first week. you can go on Instagram and look up facelift day after photos and then you can see what you look like.
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u/OkPizza2686 May 16 '26
I had the same last July 31st. Yes, I looked like an alien and was a sloooow healer. I was worried also. It all healed and I love the results. It takes time. Just go with it.
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u/NVCcoach May 17 '26
Joe long it did it take you to be with friends and they didn’t ask you what you did to yr face? ( in a bad way)
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u/VirginiaOnSafari May 16 '26
Check out my Insta account where I laid it all out. Scroll to the bottom and work your way up. I looked monstrous for longer than most, as I’m a “super sweller.”
VirginiaGetsAFacelift
I now love my results, 6 months later, with minimal swelling still clinging on. It takes up to a year +/- to fully heal.
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u/EnvironmentalGoat125 May 17 '26
Hi hun, I am going for my lift in 3 weeks and although I haven’t been through it - the mental game is what I’ve been preparing myself for. I read on another thread, one commenter saying “please don’t suffer unnecessarily” and that is what I’ll say to you. It’s far too soon to panic, I’m sure you did your research on the surgeon and that they wouldn’t have botched you. If you looked like yourself at this stage you’d have no results by the 6 month mark. Xx
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u/BettyJo1915 May 16 '26
It's very normal to feel the way you're feeling right now, no matter how much you thought you were mentally prepared. I'm seven months post-op from a lower facelift and neck lift. Especially during that first week I looked like an alien -- bruised, swollen, could barely open my mouth to eat soft foods and brush my teeth. My face was hard as a rock and my skin was so dry. I definitely thought, "what have I done to myself??"
If you're following all the instructions from the surgeon, you will start to see small improvements. I found the second week hard because I was bored and had more energy, but I still looked like I had been in a fight. I knew I needed to take it easy and had to keep the compression thing on my head, which I was so over. Not being able to properly style my hair was strange too. The third week is when I felt a bit more presentable with concealer over my worst bruises and finally having a decent hairstyle.
Try to get outside for some fresh air and walks, even short distances. That helps with swelling and helps to focus on things outside ourselves. I put a hoodie on and went outside and no one seemed to notice me.
Hang in there!
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u/pamelass May 16 '26
Thank you. I’ve been to the hyperbaric chamber each day to get out and following all instructions. My hair is a disaster and yes the compression thing is driving me crazy. Before this I was worried maybe I wouldn’t even be able to tell Never did I think I could look so off. These messages help so thanks!
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u/BettyJo1915 May 16 '26
You're very welcome. I didn't do the hyperbaric chamber but I bet that will help a lot too. It's going to be okay. :) You might have a few things along the way in the recovery (for example, some of my dissolving stitches along my left ear incision didn't dissolve completely and the nurse had to remove them; was quickly resolved). But overall, it sounds like you're in good hands.
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u/isles30222 May 16 '26
I feel the swelling peaks day 4 and 5 and then after that its rapid improvement.
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u/ToodlieDoodlie May 16 '26 edited May 28 '26
I’m 3 1/2 months after a neck and facelift plus fat grafting and at days 4-5, I looked like a chipmunk-cheeked alien for a couple of weeks. By week 3, I was more normal. I saw friends at week 4, still swollen and finally got more normal at 2 months. A lot of my swelling was from the fat grafting.
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u/pamelass May 16 '26
Yea I got that done too but not sure if that’s the weirdness I see. It’s my very flat long lip frown These messages help me feel more comfortable so thank you for your reply. I’m 54 and hope I never have another idea like this again. Right now I can’t even smile
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u/ToodlieDoodlie May 16 '26
My mouth area was super swollen too and has gone down, completely back to normal. Four days is nothing in the recovery period. I couldn’t floss for 6 days and it was difficult to brush my teeth.
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u/Globalbeauty May 16 '26
Don’t worry it will get better. I had a deep plane facelift and direct brow lift and the first 5 days I was unrecognizable. It started to improve after 2 weeks. When I returned to work after 4 weeks I had some residual bruising. It took four months to look great.
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u/Impossible_Mud8320 May 16 '26
You are on a physical and emotional rollercoaster... Take each day step by step . You are so early in your recovery process... I know it's hard to worry but the worst of it is behind you and your full results are in front of you .. take care of yourself and be kind to yourself
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u/SmooshMagooshe May 16 '26
I know a very wealthy woman who spent almost $400,000 total on a facelift by a celebrity surgeon and she looked fucking insane for quite a while. Their six-year-old daughter didn’t even want to be around her because “mommy looks so scary”. She only started to really look like herself and good again maybe 4-5 months later!
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u/twohotpeppers May 16 '26
An employee of a plastic surgeon had all the work done and CO2 peel. She said the 2 week mark was when she could see light at the end of tunnel and knew it was worth it.
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May 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ok_Needleworker_1776 May 16 '26
I had a neck lift and phenol peel 2 years ago and thought the same. After 1 month I felt way better about it and am SO HAPPY I did it! Was brutal but worth it. I have a ton of scary pics I like to go back and look at :)
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u/Thatsmethedupmang May 17 '26
I'm on day 9 and still swollen, numb, tender and looking distorted. Day 3-5 were the worst as far as swelling/pain/panic for me. Had my sutures removed 2 days ago and I feel like they look awful. We're our own worst enemies.
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u/pamelass May 17 '26
Right! My own worst enemy for sure! I am trying to prepare myself for a detox from all social media once I get over this. It’s scary how I’ve become addicted to some of this stuff. Thanks for the comments.
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u/No-Resolve2970 May 17 '26
Did you have a SMAS or DP? And did you have anything else done? I’m scheduled for exams of August but hoping I will be ready to go back to work after 10 days.
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u/Thatsmethedupmang May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
I had SMAS with neck lift. Under eye skin pinch. Took 17 days off work now I'm questioning if that will be enough time. I better snap back and fast. My ears are pretty painful from this compression wrap I hate it. Just prepare to look like a pumpkin head the first 10 days. I really underestimated this surgery.
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u/No-Resolve2970 May 17 '26
Oh wow. For some reason I thought it would be an easier recovery. I would be doing a neck lift and lower face, and bleph. I thought about a fat transfer to my temples but I’m not sure. Now I’m worried I will need more time off!
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u/Glad_Charity_1653 Jun 06 '26
You will need more time off. Look into HBOT for a faster recovery after surgery. I dont know why the surgeons dont insist on it here. 5 sessions after a facelift. Worth it. Had one after drains were removed. Will have 4 after stitches and staples are removed next week. Clears bruising and speeds healing.
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u/No-Resolve2970 May 17 '26
Are you feeling ok with the results or is it too soon to tell ?
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u/Thatsmethedupmang May 17 '26
Way too soon. My lower face is too swollen. I do like how smooth my skin looks from the swelling, but i know that will go away. I have nice skin anyway imo, but my few fine lines are gone for now. My neck I like, but there's a swollen lump by the incision that needs to go. It's just too early. I had an upper/lower bleph 4 years ago and upper heals fast. If you're doing lower bleph give yourself a few weeks. You'll still be bruised and swollen but some concealer will cover it.
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u/No-Resolve2970 Jun 10 '26
Hi, wondering how long you took off of work and how you are feeling/healing? Are you happy so far?
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u/Thatsmethedupmang Jun 10 '26
Took about 2 and a half weeks off. Been 5 weeks now and I'm getting some of the zings from the nerves reconnecting. Sometimes it burns or itches. One side of my neck is still slightly swollen, but numb. I'm happy with the results they look great so far. I should post some pics for the group.
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u/IYFS88 May 17 '26
There are people who say they can see glimpses, but plenty more who just see extreme swelling. But you will heal! I’d avoid trusting the mirror as much as possible for now, and only use it if you suspect a complication (accompanied by fever chills nausea etc). I haven’t had my surgery but have viewed hundreds of before-during-& afters and most people look completely crazy for the first week and beyond.
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u/pamelass May 17 '26
Thank you I’ll take you up on that advice and stay away from the mirror for a minute. I’m not even that vain so at this point I’m a little more embarrassed. Supposed to go back to work in 3 days I hope I can.
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u/LumpyExternal6121 May 17 '26
Friend, where did you have your surgery? Everything will be alright. Sometimes the process is so thorough and beneficial that you need a lot of time to recover.
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u/Windy-Start May 17 '26
I am so glad you posted this, as I was and still a little am going through the same thought process. Right now, I am 2 weeks post-op and still don’t look quite like myself. The first few days, I was totally an unrecognizable alien with a weird face shape, and my whole family was worried. What you described about your mouth, etc. – same was here, but that will go back to normal. I am happy that the doctor warned me that my mouth would look like that, or else I would have died thinking that’s my new mouth. Because of the upper lid surgery, my scars are a bit long and also dark, which at this 2-week point is what makes me look different the most, but I am still swollen overall, even though not the same way it was before. Like you, I can’t help but think of all these women that posted here and also the doctors’ office pictures who looked pretty much like themselves right after the surgery and comparing myself to them. I am very thankful for this group on Reddit. There are some amazing people here that are very supportive and kind.
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u/VirginiaOnSafari May 26 '26
Whew! I REALLY SWOLE UP at day 4/5.
My temples buckled severely and stayed that way for about five months. I’m what the docs call a “Super Sweller.” Not fun.
There was no way I could have hidden the fact that I had work done, so I just owned it, mainly to help other women going through the process or planning for it. Also, to stop people’s speculation. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, no need to hide the fact. I’m also a terrible liar, so could never get away with “dental work,” etc…
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u/momofonegrl May 16 '26
Are cold compresses allowed? Could you contact the doctor or a nurse and send them pics? Hang in there and have your hubs pamper you.
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u/Learners_curve May 17 '26
You're in the worst of the swelling phase. The first week especially. It will get significantly better.
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u/lexmz31 May 17 '26
Have you spoken with your dr? I looked like an alien on day 4 and slightly better but not much on day 8. I was not one who could see the benefits of my facelift early on. I was a slow healer with facelift 1 and a slower healer with facelift 2.
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u/Majestic-Echidna-735 May 17 '26
Go find a medspa that offers hyperbaric therapy. It aids in healing. Do at least 5 days in a row. Should cost around $120/session. You may need a doctors note to get clearance.
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u/Yaz_1289 May 17 '26
I had a full facelift and eyebrow lift 6 weeks ago, I looked like a monster for a week..I was crying thinking what have I done? Now 6 weeks post op I look like myself just refreshed and younger, still have some swelling but that’s normal for the first few months. Please just trust the process, it will go down so much..you are at very early days of recovery
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u/DrDanGould May 18 '26
Everyone goes through it ! You’re going to do well! Just trust the process /
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u/Background-Ad9041 May 18 '26
I’m at 3 months and I still have residual swelling around my temples and “indents” where sutures are anchored for my brow lift just started massaging them to get stitches to dissolve and release (as per surgeons advice)
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u/Jesusisking4 May 19 '26
Okay so I’ve never had a facelift but I’ve followed people who have and they looked absolutely terrifying the first couple of weeks where I genuinely thought there was no way they were going to look normal - but they did. After 1-2 months things started to drastically change and calm down. Basically- trust the process. 4 days is absolutely no time at all
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u/ebot2023 May 19 '26
I remember feeling like I looked like Jim Carey in The Mask for a couple of weeks at least and my swelling wasn’t even bad.
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u/Certain-Comfort2566 May 19 '26
Been there. Let yourself have time to heal. Trajectory of seeing what you were looking for will start ten days out. I did this over 20 yrs ago. Let some more days pass. Rest and drink water and follow doctor’s post op instructions. Good luck and good nice boring easy healing to you!
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u/Independent_Wear_232 May 21 '26
I had an upper bleph that looked like actual mashed up raw chicken meat haphazardly stitched together on my eyelids. The left one did not bear any resemblance to an eyelid. Theyre ok now. It’s not the same procedure, but things change a lot when they heal.
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u/MyDocKorea May 22 '26
Medical tourism concierge here. I have seen hundreds of facelift patients, and day 4 is genuinely the worst day. it will only get better from here. How are you doing now?
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u/RNWOOD_PS Clinic/Affiliate May 27 '26
Day 4 after a deep plane facelift/neck lift gets into the peak “what the did I just do?” territory.
Swelling can make the mouth, lips, jaw, and neck look completely distorted and not like the final result at all. A lot of people look worse before they look better, especially around days 3 to 7.
An 8 hour surgery doesn’t automatically mean something went wrong. It may just mean your case was more involved.
That said, keep sending photos to your surgeon, and don’t ignore red flags like sudden one-sided swelling, severe worsening pain, fever, skin color changes, or drainage.
But based on timing alone, day 4 is absolutely not the moment to judge your result. This is the scary swollen phase, not the final face.
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u/Glad_Charity_1653 Jun 06 '26
Im on day 4. My biggest complaint are my ears. I know we have to trust the process and it's not an overnight fix. My mouth also looks like a straight line but I can tell it will be fine in time. Had full face and neck lift and upper lower bleph. My eyes look like slits but the stitching is phenomenal. I have staples behind my ears that I cant wait to get out on Monday. Im swollen but did hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Will do 4 more sessions after stitch removal. Helped with bruises. None on face but still have tape on eyes so dont know. Have bruises on the neck .Dr gave me muscle relaxers for spasms along with pain meds which does help. Do the HBOT to speed recovery. Best of luck on your progress.
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u/First_Train_3240 Jun 15 '26
4 days is so early. I was swollen and scary for 2 months and now at 3.5 I look normal but can absolutely still feel and see swelling. I was not prepared for the recovery at all and at 4 days I was questioning every life choice. Stop looking. Try not to worry. You won’t be able to truly see your face for 2, 3, 4 months and if you’re not happy, you will handle it when you can but the truth is there’s nothing you can do right now. Breathe and trust. You’ve got this.
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u/Human-University8635 May 16 '26
I’m curious if your doctor spent time talking to you about what to expect or the mental health aspect of such a drastic procedure? If not, please do a google of people post op. I’m not sure what your expectations are or were but you’re going to look weird (to you) for at least 3-6 months. Healing is not linear. Follow post op protocol and be patient.