Post HT help

[LSK]

I had an FUE HT on Monday evening. I have a lot of swelling around my forehead, eyes and down almost to the bottom of my ears. Should I be worried that the swelling has reached this far?

I lost my medications on my way home (from Turkey to the UK). I obviously cannot go back for them. Will I be OK without them?

Is it normal to feel rough afterwards? I'm pretty much OK when sitting down but feel lightheaded when standing/performing light tasks.

Sorry for all the questions. Having a mini freak-out.

 

[Bigmac]

Swelling is quite normal, use an ice pack on your forehead to help reduce the swelling. Have someone get you Ibuprofen or other the counter pain pills if you are feeling any pain. Check with your doctor what other meds were in the post op care as you may have had some antibiotic meds to help keep infection away.
Try to rest up as the travelling time, fatigue may be making you light headed.

 

[LSK]

Thanks Bigmac. I know there were some blood thinners and antibiotics in the pack.

Do you think I should see my GP?

 

[Bigmac]

Contact the clinic first, he may advise to take Aspirin for blood thinning and the antibiotics are just a precaution, lots of clinics don't give out antibiotics after surgery now. If you keep the area clean I think you will be fine.

 

[LSK]

Thank you. I will do, but it takes a good while to hear back. Why would I need blood thinners?

Do you think people coughing near me could have increased the risk of infection? I got stuck next to every sick person possible on my way home.

 

[Bigmac]

Not sure why they would give you blood thinners unless you need them for some kind of medical condition. I would send them an email asking why.
It's impossible to say if you caught something from the sick person near you, maybe you got a bug/cold etc. Rest up but if you begin to feel ill a trip to your GP will put you at rest.

 

[LSK]

As far as I know they give each patient the same medications - including 4 days of blood thinners.

I don't have a cold - yet! :T: My recipient and donor area were both uncovered during my journey. Could those cough germs get into the wounds? I guess I'm being a bit paranoid. Haha.

 

[whatyalookingat]

Hi LSK how did the OP go? Swelling is very normal I looked like the elephant man until about 4-5 days but it went down fairly quick on the 4th day almost immediately. Be interested to hear your story on the Op. My swelling went down to the eyes and its normal. The op really took it out of me to be honest. it takes a few weeks to get bak to normality.
Did you wear a hat on the way back? Did you have the temples done by any chance?

 

[Bigmac]

I think you will be fine by the weekend.
Be great to see your pictures in the patient section.

 

[LSK]

Hi whatyawant, it did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. I knew it wouldn't it be fun but..
That's good to hear. I really need to stop looking in the mirror as it makes me anxious haha. At what point did your swelling stop increasing? Yeah, I was not expecting to feel this rough. Can't wait for this bit to be over. I did not wear a hat. I was told not to for 10 days. Lots of people were staring and others were trying not to look but I was too tired and uncomfortable to care! Did you wear one?
Yeah, I had my temples done and my hairline lowered.

 

[LSK]

Thanks for the help/reassurance Bigmac.

I will make a post in the patient section at some point. I assume we are allowed to point out negatives as well as positive elements?

 

[LSK]

First hair wash tonight. I'm quite nervous about it. Apparently I spray panthenol on, leave for 30 mins then rinse with luke warm water. Then pat shampoo onto head and rinse. Dry with paper towel.
Any opinions/advice?

 

[Bigmac]

LSK wrote:

Thanks for the help/reassurance Bigmac.

I will make a post in the patient section at some point. I assume we are allowed to point out negatives as well as positive elements?

Yes post everything about your experience.

 

[LSK]

The swelling is still increasing. It has spread down my face.

Is it normal for some of holes in the recipient area to bleed slightly after the first hair wash?

 

[whatyalookingat]

Hi LSK all isnormal man don't worry! As soon as your swelling goes your going to be worried about the scabs going then the redness then when will it grow! To be honest the next while is going to be difficult for you i wish someone would have told me how difficult! Im 7 weeks tomorrow with patchy hairline and redness! Have to return to work keeping the hair trimmed with some fake tan but it is still obvious to me... I suppose I just have to keep waiting and hoping! its quite a big risk to be honest

 

[whatyalookingat]

I hope it pays off!

 

[LSK]

It is certainly a lot more stressful than in thought it would be. It better be worth it!

Did you suffer any shock loss?

When did you stop using the blow up pillow to sleep?

 

[janna]

LSK wrote:

I had an FUE HT on Monday evening. I have a lot of swelling around my forehead, eyes and down almost to the bottom of my ears. Should I be worried that the swelling has reached this far?

I lost my medications on my way home (from Turkey to the UK). I obviously cannot go back for them. Will I be OK without them?

Is it normal to feel rough afterwards? I'm pretty much OK when sitting down but feel lightheaded when standing/performing light tasks.

Sorry for all the questions. Having a mini freak-out.

Hi LSK,
It's normal to swell three days after surgery and it lasts three days. So a week after surgery you'll be fine. Be sure to stand slowly if you're feeling lightheaded. As an FYI - I've heard many FUE patients say they experience more pain after the second week during the healing process. The back of the head (donor) area will feel prickly and tingly. We'd tell our patients to take Ibuprofen to help sleep at night. The prickly sensation lasts about 5-7 days. Heal well and all the best with the growth process.

 

[LSK]

Thank you Janna. Much appreciated.

 

[bullitnut]

You should be fine pal, i would take ibuprofen too and use ice packs for the swelling like the others said. Its perfectly normal for swelling as Janna and Bigmac explained,....i had some too but it will subside. Give it time pal you will be right i'm sure the light headedness will subside too.
Take it easy