I slept fairly well, without any pain. As instructed by the Doctor I slept with several pillows under my head in order to prevent swelling.
I was afraid to wake up with my face all swollen and with an oedema like I have seen in some blogs but I had nothing at all.
In the morning I passed by the clinic so that the nurse could remove the bandage from the donor area and for the Doctor to have a look. He told me that everything seems to go well. Well, at least I felt great despite the fact that I had to use a ridiculous bandana.
The nurse also taught me how to wash my head and the regimen for the next days:
Medrol:
- First day: 1 full tablet
- Second and third days: ½ tablet
- Fourth and fifth days: ¼ tablet
Temesta: It was given at the clinic.
Analgesics – Paracetamol 1g: take 1g every six hours, i.e. three times a day, for the first three days after the surgery.
Antibiotics - Amoxicillin 1g: to be taken morning and evening for the first three days after your surgery. (I didn't take it)
Antibiotic and healing cream: Apply only to the donor area. Rub in well.
Oh yes, fresh!
Post-surgery care of the recipient area:
From the first day:
- Spray the saline solution onto the transplanted area every 20 minutes on the day of surgery.
From the second to the seventh day:
- Apply the saline solution every hour.
After this I was told to use a Keratene spray once every two hours.
Oh yes, fresh!
- Shampoo with Iso-Betadine: using the sprayer, spray the transplanted area and leave for the time required to treat the donor area. Under no circumstances should you should massage the recipient area. Rinse with plenty of lukewarm water, using a suitable container (cup etc.). A powerful jet of water, such as a shower, can damage the transplanted area.
Wash once a day.
From the eighth to the fourteenth day:
- Continue applying the KERATENE saline solution 5 or 6 times a day.
- Shampoo with Iso-Betadine: spray on using the sprayer and massage, using small and very light circular motions.
- Rinse with water at normal pressure.
- Wash the area once a day.
Post-surgery care of the donor area:
From the second to the fourteenth day:
- Apply the shampoo with Iso-Betadine using the sprayer and massage with circular motions.
- Rinse with water at normal pressure and dry.
- Then apply the cream provided by the clinic and rub in well.
- Wash the area once a day.
From the fifteenth day, return to "normal life". You can use the KERATENE shampoo (also provided by the clinic) to care for your hair two or three times a week.
Tips:
Resting and sleeping position: the ideal position is a semi-seated position with the trunk raised at 45 degrees. You can use a pillow to maintain this position. This will help to reduce swelling.
This position should be adopted for the first three nights after the surgery.
Conclusion, for me, for the next 2 weeks, no sports, no alcohol and no sun. I will try my best to do everything by the book!
