T-minus 7 days till FFS.

Theoretically* this time next week I’ll be in a hospital checking in to have my face peeled off (FFS).

*I find out the exact arrival time, but considering my FFS is planned for 8-9 hours, was told pretty much to expect a 6am arrival time.

#SamanthaFFSJourney
#SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Surgery day.

At the hospital already. Hopefully all goes well 🤞

#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Things seem to be going okay.

I was sent home Wednesday morning. Wednesday and Thursday mainly spent resting and taking meds.

Swelling has gotten worse over the last 2 days, but my spouse said it looks better this morning.

Just got done with a morning shower, resting in bed for a bit before I attempt clothing and breakfast.

#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Good morning everyone.

#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Got the spoons earlier today to check out a souvenir from my surgery.

Yes. That’s a 3D printed model of my skull. It was used in my surgery as a reference for the work that was done.

Pretty fucking amazing.
#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

This morning I am now experiencing things from prior surgeries I forgotten about such as:

-The joys of finding dried blood in random spots 🤣
-Glue residue that won’t come off.
-Being exhausted and my metabolism being in overdrive but not being hungry (PSA: After a major surgery you may need 15-20 calories per pound per day).
-Fighting the feelings of failure and being worthless due to not being productive (to myself: bitch, your face was peeled off and bones removed, your job is to lay on couches / bed and rest!)

Doing okay this morning. Slow start with breakfast in bed (thanks spouse!) and a assisted shower. Pain is more of a general discomfort now.

Maybe will post a selfie later.

Still trying to work through my masto backlog 🤣

#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Had a dose of cat therapy today to aid in my recovery.

#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Today I did some things!

- Made breakfast for myself for the first time since surgery (scrambled eggs and oatmeal 😋).
- Then promptly vegged out recovering energy.
- Unloaded / Loaded Dishwasher and hand washed dishes!
- Cue more resting.
- Left the house for the first time since surgery and did a short walk outside since the weather was nice and a friend came over to escort me.

I am one tired girl now 🥱
#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Had my first post-op appointment today! It well considering that I had:

~40 staples removed.
1 nose cast removed.
2 nasal stents removed.

Surgeon is very happy with the progress!

Honestly I’m shocked at how I looked, never thought I would get results like this.

#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Yesterday was a bit of a rough day mental health wise.

I’m pretty sure it was a combination of having gone out to a roller derby meetup the afternoon prior and it being the day before shot day. Spent most of yesterday on the couch resting and recovering.

Today, 13 days after FFS, I noticed that the swelling seems to have come down noticeably. No pain, only thing is my chin continues to have tingling, which according to surgeon is a good thing cause it means the nerves are healing. I can feel pressure and cold on my chin. I have a large numb spot on the top of my head above the indecision, but before I have feeling.

Energy I still get tired easily, but each day I’m noticing improvement. This is a good thing since my short term disability ends Tuesday and I go back to work Wednesday.

Kitty snuggles are helping with the recovery 💜

#trans
#transjoy
#transgem
#SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

Holy shit.

I am so tired.

Did a bunch of chores, including ripping out hard drives of laptops and desktops and recycling the systems, along with house cleaning.

Then went for a 2.6 mile walk today after.

Even exhausted, no makeup, I’m see myself in the mirror and in random selfies so much more clearly.

While recovery is hard, I’m so glad I made this jump.

#trans #transjoy #transgem #SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

An unexpected side effect of getting FFS is that I’m fine going out without my glasses and being seen, or taking photos without them.

Yes, they are prescription, but it is a “mild” correction mainly for eye strain both for close and distance.

I can function fine without them, but for the past several years, I used them to help feminize my face.

Today, it was past time to update my photo with the YMCA due to confusing people when I pickup my kid (they use a app which has photos of pickup people, and my photo was from 4 or so years ago, needless to say things have changed since then 🤣). And cause I came in from the rain, my glasses were wet and causing issues, so my new photo is sans glasses, and looks pretty amazing.

#trans #transjoy #transgem #SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney

No real changes, right? 😉 🤣

October 2021 to today.

#transtimelime #trans #transjoy #transgem #SamanthaFFSJourney #SamanthaFaceOffJourney