Posts by ruggedpuma11

this is it! just hoping it isn't some kind of thriller movie😁

been sitting here in this total drought since midnight—anyway, the show starts in about three hours...

Donna Bennett73 said:...
here are the photos from day one up until now—if I did this right, you should be able to see them..🙂)

http://imageshack.us/g/210/dsc03424fy.jpg/

Oh, bless your heart! >>Are you feeling any pain at all? And how’s that bruising around your eye looking?

Everything is coming together so fast, I'm actually losing my mind a little bit... 🙂>

quietviper16 said:does anyone happen to know what the wait times look like at the Vinogradski clinic?

I ended up going private to see that doctor—paid $100 out of pocket... he’s only at that clinic one day a week, and I think it was about three days after I called him.
If I’d tried to go through the hospital using a referral, I would've been waiting about four months just for the initial checkup. And who knows how long the actual surgery would take...

Amy Richardson86 said:Hey everyone... what's up?
So, it’s been ten days since the surgery... I haven't had any swelling on my face for about two days now, and honestly, the puffiness just seems to be dropping off way faster than I expected—so yeah, I’m feeling pretty great about how this is going...😛

Nice work! 🙂
I’ve been following your posts with nothing but pure anxiety... honestly, I finally feel like I can take a breath now. It’s almost like you were writing about me this whole time... 😁

So, you want the lowdown on lymphatic drainage... like, the whole "wellness guru" version of it? Honestly, it sounds a bit mystical when people talk about it, but if we're stripping away all the fluff, it’s basically just helping your body's internal plumbing move along... Think of your lymphatic system as the body's little cleanup crew—sort of like how the sanitation department works in a place like Chicago. It's constantly sweeping up waste, toxins, and extra fluid that hangs around between your cells. Usually, your body handles this stuff pretty well on its own, but sometimes things get a bit sluggish... maybe because of stress, sitting at a desk too long, or just life being life. The "healthy living" approach isn't about some magic potion; it’s more about manual stimulation and lifestyle tweaks to keep that flow moving. People usually do it through light massage—nothing intense, just gentle, rhythmic strokes toward the lymph nodes—to encourage that fluid to migrate. It's less about deep tissue work and more about a soft, flowing motion... almost like a gentle wave. If you really want to lean into the wellness side of things, you pair that movement with plenty of water, staying active—even just walking—and maybe watching the salt intake so you aren't holding onto unnecessary bloat. It's all about reducing inflammation and keeping the pipes clear... though, let's be real, it won't solve every problem in your life, but it might make you feel a little less puffy... if that's what you're after. 😉

man, 🙂ruggedpuma11

Rachel Lopez5 said:Hey everyone,
just thought I'd check in and share how things are going after my surgery...

Great info—thanks a ton, especially since we're talking about the exact same hospital!

Shout out to Mayo Clinic, but honestly, the whole thing about having to ditch my contacts is a bit of a drag... I’m gonna try to fight it if I can, because let's be real, I can't see a damn thing with a -6 prescription...

Quick question though, regarding the ICU—how long are people usually stuck in there?

Got an email about this, in case anyone's actually interested:

(Sorry, I have no clue how to shorten a link...)

Susan Foster45 said:Of course—you can bring a book or a laptop, whatever makes sense for you. I mean, you aren't exactly going to be hiking through the hospital halls all day, but reading or just browsing the web... yeah, that's totally fine. I actually managed to sit down for a coffee once, so...😁

Oh, I love that idea, really! 😍
Honestly, I don't care much about wandering around if I can just find a way to keep myself entertained 😁

Man, I can't wait for the day I finally get this whole thing behind me... It’s been such a relief having you guys answer all my questions and help me work through the uncertainty, so thanks everyone!

I've just been doing a ton of research lately, but I'm sure some kind of panic attack will hit sometime next week, so I'll definitely be back to check in... 🤣

New question for you guys! 😁

So, I wear contacts—not that I’d ever bring that up unless someone specifically grills me about it. Without them, I'm basically blind... total nothingness. I’ve been wearing them for maybe 15 years now, so I’m well past the "newbie" phase; I can even sleep in them if I really have to, which is just one of those perks of being legally blind, I guess. And glasses? Yeah, they aren't really an option for me... so, is my current plan actually okay? 😉

Thanks guys, you’ve been such a huge help!

I’ve officially given up on driving myself—I’m a total klutz whenever I’m dealing with a cold or sinus congestion, and this could honestly be even worse than that.

And I’m thinking about grabbing some Advil somewhere, though I know I probably shouldn't...

The tips about things like soap and toilet paper really mean a lot—basically, I'm bringing everything I need with me, except food 😉—but even that straw helps. I just assumed the cups wouldn't be an issue, otherwise I'd be soaked through the whole time 😁. I was also hoping that bottle with the cap would be okay too...

I'm starting the testing phase on Monday. I got my list of tests ready, so I'll handle the consultations with the internist and the anesthesiologist at home first, then head to the hospital with all the paperwork in hand.
I'd love to try and bring up cosmetic stuff while I'm already on the table—the doctor was pretty blunt about not wanting to touch anything aesthetic, but obviously, it looks way too big to me 🙄. If I can pull that off, great; if not, still fine, because at least I'll finally be able to breathe again.

Right now, I'm a little worried about whether I'll be nauseous when I wake up, either from the anesthesia or from swallowing all that blood and those little clots 😢

You mentioned that sleep is pretty much hit-or-miss anyway, between being a miserable wreck yourself and the whole snoring environment 😁—so, does it even make sense to bother bringing something to read, a laptop, or some other kind of entertainment? Am I actually going to be in any state to focus on words or a screen, let alone process them? 😉

Hey everyone!
I’ve been lurking on this thread for a bit now, but I’m starting to spiral again because honestly, I can't keep track of who said what, who was happy, or why—and since my surgery is creeping up on me, I’m low-key losing my mind... 🙂
In a couple of weeks, I’m heading in for septoplasty and RF submucous mucotomy at the Mayo Clinic with Dr. Baudouin, so I could really use some intel from anyone who’s been through it—either with him specifically or just at that facility.
Full disclosure: I have zero experience with hospitals. I’ve never had surgery, never even broken a bone—I’m a total wimp (or a "panic artist," if you want to be mean 😁), and I'm terrified of pain.

I have to check in on Monday, but it looks like I won't actually be on the operating table until Tuesday—will I still get a chance to chat with the doctor then? He only saw me once last year, so we're basically strangers.
Also, am I looking at an overnight stay, or can I realistically head home by Friday?
And how am I going to feel once I'm discharged? Since I don't live in New York City, I'm worried about whether I'll be able to drive myself home alone 31 miles.
Should I bring my own painkillers, or will they just give me whatever I need once the time comes? And will the nurses notice if I'm, you know, vomiting blood or something... or are my roommates just going to go crazy hitting the call button? 😁

What do I actually need to pack for a hospital stay? 🤷

Thanks!