I wanted to be sure I put these in the right place. This is Dr. Cognetti’s work from yesterday.
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DocHoliday (I love your screen name BTW )~
There really isn’t a “right place” to post things but the title of this post does lend itself more to your post op pics. 
How are you feeling today?
All things considered, not bad. My throat isn’t sore at all, so I can eat normally. I have no problem talking either. I think my smile has mostly evened out, but the skin/muscles around the incision feel tight, so when that lets up I think it’ll go back to normal. My biggest complaint so far is how DRY everything is. One of the medications they used during surgery dries out mucous membranes, so my mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, and eyes have all been super dry. The eyes are probably the most irritating.
I know I’m still in the “honeymoon” phase, but so far it isn’t as bad as my appendix or gall bladder were. Check in with me in a few days, though!
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Days 3-5 seem to be the worst…see how you get on!
Hi DocHoliday,
Putting a comfortably warm (NOT HOT) compress over your eyes (some ice packs are also warmable in the microwave) for about 10 minutes several times/day will stimulate the oil glands in your eyelids & will help naturally lubricate your eyes. I have to do this myself because my eyes are dry due to age. It’s part of eyesight preservation for me. 
I’m glad that, so far, things aren’t too bad, and yes, you’re still in the “honeymoon” phase. Some people never exit that & just feel better & better as the first week goes on. Hopefully that will be your situation. 
I diagnosed ES myself. After years of doctors appointments and no results i had them give me the images and tried to visualize it myelf. Those are the pictures i was able to get by myself.
After the diagnosis was confirmed, the doctors took this picture
Had surgery summer 18. Photos of progress are chronologically. Right now the scar gets iritated every time my beard grows and is more visible. When i shave it’s super irritated for a few days until it calms down again. They put it right in a neck crease and if i’m not having my head sideways it’s barely visible
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Looks good now, you men do have a hard time with healing & facial hair…Did Dr Schubert do your surgery?
Dr Schubert diagnosed it and prepared everything but I can’t remember the name of the suegon. I think i met her the day before surgery but i think that was when there were like 30 other doctors and medical students cramped in one room because they wanted to see the patient with the ES. I’m not sure but i might have met her after surgery but i can’t really remember
Hi John_h -
Good work diagnosing yourself! That is TOTALLY AWESOME! I’m glad you were then proactive in finding the help you needed.
Your incision does look good, but I imagine the frustration of continuous ingrown beard hair is annoying. Have you tried anything like Mederma, Bio Oil or silicone scar patches to try to help that area heal more completely? Even gentle finger tip massage w/ vitamin E oil a couple of times a day might help. Another option would be to see a dermatologist & ask for guidance.
We’ll it’s been 1.5 years since the surgery. I’m afraid it’s probably too late to do anything for the scar now
Hi john_h -
Our bodies are constantly healing & recovery to keep us in tip top shape. I think if you tried something I mentioned, you would see improvement over time. It might not be quick, but it would “be”. I’m still seeing improvement from nerve damage I sustained in my first ES surgery which was in 2014.
My surgery was 5 years ago, I do still massage the area regularly, it tightens up otherwise.
Interesting, i assumed it was all done healing. Any chance that first bite syndrome will get better over time?
Yep, it’s Day 4 and I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. Headache, nausea, tenderness, and definitely the swelling. Not unbearable, but not pleasant. Plan for the day: ice.
Ice packs was always my go to - not just for swelling but for pain as well.
I wish you as speedy recovery.
BG
Ice & rest too I hope?
It does improve with time, I get occasional jolts now, but rarely. I think Isaiah still gets hers sometimes too.
Hi john_h -
YES!!! My FBS went from being unbearably intense to less intense to intermittent episodes to very occasional episodes which is where I am now. I do get a real jolt once in awhile, just like Jules, but those are few & far between anymore. Now I actually have days where I can say I didn’t have any FBS symptoms. It’s been 5.5 years since my first surgery after which FBS started, & I’m still experiencing nerve healing.
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Hi John_h,
My FBS was intense for two months after my second surgery. Now 3 months out it rarely happens. When it was in the intense period it helped me to expect it and welcome it if you will. It was when I forgot about it that it was the most bothersome.
All the best,
BG
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Thanks for keeping us updated Doc. Im preparing myself mentally for what to expect.