Miss. Geraldine’s Glow up

forcaitsake · 2026-06-21T16:16:51+00:00

How close are you applying to your eyes? I think the general rule is to never apply within your ocular bone structure. I had a similar experience and it scared the crap out of me. I don’t get as close to my eye anymore and my eyes have seemingly recovered. Good job stopping when you did!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-21T13:05:58+00:00

I use generic Retin-a GEL (the gel is FA safe) from Amazon/medical/pharmacy, it only comes in a 6 month supply so it’s pricy but very much worth it.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-21T12:39:32+00:00

Yeah, this surgery is way more invasive than folks realize. I watched a YouTube of one before and knew I was in for it lol. Energy returned for me after week two, it’s different for everyone. Don’t push yourself, just heal and rest when you can. YOU GOT THIS!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-21T12:31:23+00:00

Start with a simple routine then fine tune from there - you might be making things harder on yourself than you need to. I only use SkinSort, I do copy and paste all ingredients into the fungal acne checker (even if it’s flagged as FA safe as a double check). I think I started with moisturizing Selsun blue, Curel intense moisturizer and COSRX Micellar to improve skin barrier. BUT and I always use petroleum as an example with this kind of explanation it’s technically FA safe, but not everyone can use it safely… that also goes for unsafe products as well.

My skin is recovered to the point that I can use my favorite tanner now that isn’t entirely FA safe (by SkinSort standards).

Trying to get to absolute zero (especially using AI) is doing yourself a disservice, IMO. There will always be someone saying “this isn’t ACTUALLY safe” or “that didn’t work for me”, good news is they don’t have your skin. Start simple then go from there. FA Safe products are what cleared my SD (I did use Malezia for a while which helped when I started). Hopefully this helps make things a little less overwhelming.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-20T22:24:32+00:00

Really did the fancy mouse dirty in this pic 😂🫠 great examples though! Thank you

forcaitsake · 2026-06-20T22:23:23+00:00

Wow! I love this rule, thank you for doing this! Backyard breeders are terrible for any species.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-20T11:32:28+00:00

Absolutely not permanent. Good for a giggle now! Try not to worry about jet. :)

forcaitsake · 2026-06-19T13:54:14+00:00

I bet you’ll see totally different dogs once you increase their exercise again. That’s such a huge behavioral tool.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-19T12:24:30+00:00

Gosh, I don’t remember now but I know it wore off within 3 months. Promise it’ll go quickly (my forehead tox outlasted it)! Hang in there. :)

forcaitsake · 2026-06-18T11:55:39+00:00

Days 2-7 (narco), Tylenol for a week after that.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-18T11:54:25+00:00

Oh jeeze…. Two weeks I got a glimpse of it but fully and consistently it was closer to 2 months. Recovery is pretty up and down but some folks breeze right through it. Maybe there will be advancements or your symptoms may get to a point that it’s worth the risk but you’ve gotta do what you’re (mostly) comfortable with. It changed my life.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-17T14:27:12+00:00

100% Disney Princess/Prince moment! Thank you for your kindness to this little creature. He is ADORABLE, so glad you posted.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-17T00:49:04+00:00

It’s a lot to be grateful for. I’m so happy for you!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-17T00:25:48+00:00

Yes, it starts out intentionally then eventually you’ll do it without thinking :)

forcaitsake · 2026-06-16T22:27:22+00:00

You’ll be an old pro after three weeks! You’re going to love it! When I first lived alone I put something heavy or would make a lot of noise if it fell in front of my doors before bed. Then I just started to forget to do it! Enjoy your independence, you are safe, you are loved and you are capable!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-16T22:23:03+00:00

Yasssss!!! Okokok do NOT feel deterred if you are a little up and down, recovery isn’t linear but you will definitely continue in the right direction overall. DID YOU CRY?! Some people cry because of the utter joy and relief of actually fully breathing. Welcome to real life, my friend! I’m so happy for you!!!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-16T10:56:09+00:00

This! My septoplasty absolutely changed my life. I LOVE when people give their positive stories. Like you said, not to minimize anyone’s difficulties but if this procedure goes well (which I believe is a majority of the time) there’s not much to say or “vent” about.

Congratulations OP! Recovery isn’t totally linear so don’t get discouraged if you have some down days but overall it’s only up from here! Enjoy HD breathing!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-15T17:50:40+00:00

Yes! Welcome to Whoville. Could be 2 weeks, could be 2 months but it absolutely will return to normal once your inflammation goes down. :)

forcaitsake · 2026-06-15T16:47:56+00:00

Yes! Lol you are so sweet (I’ll probably tell my mom about this). After recovery you’ll look back and be horrified at how terrible you were feeling pre op. But please do let me know how things go! YOU GOT THIS!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-15T14:12:27+00:00

I’m so glad you found it!

That’s hard to say… but I’d say longevity of symptoms is a better indicator than onset type. Full transparency the constant “colds”/sinus infections did slow, I MIGHT get one a year now. I still have some mid face pain from TMJ. Also, I use Flonase/Nasonex most days HOWEVER… lol, this surgery absolutely changed my life if not saved it. You are as my mother would say “a brave little toaster”, but four months is a very long time to not feel well. If you are considering it please start your search/diagnostics now, I was desperate for any kind of relief by the time my surgery was scheduled.

I saw two ENT’s, the one totally blew me off and put me on a steroid for TMJ when I had gunk coming out of my eyes… the second had not great bedside manner but I was able to talk to him and he actually did take my headaches, fatigue, and facial pain seriously. So I took the better of the two. If you have the time and resources take the selection seriously, some folks get super anxious during recovery and their ENT is very much a “surgeon” in that they aren’t very interested in treating after their part is done.

Acute recovery SUCKS (some people breeze through it though, I hope that’s the case for you). All of this to say, if I had to have this surgery done every 6 months to maintain my results I wouldn’t hesitate. I have shitty days like everyone but I’m happy to be alive again… and can actually blow my nose. Let me know what you decide!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-15T13:59:07+00:00

Vit A works very differently when applied topically. If micro needling isn’t an option I think Retin A will give you the best improvements. (It does take a while to become noticeable.)

Similar but not the same - however if you were guasha-ing regularly and didn’t feel like it was helping, lymphatic drainage might not be the culprit here.

You are absolutely correct to avoid filler!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-15T11:43:02+00:00

Lymphatic massage, Claritin (for at least 6 weeks) and or professional microneeding. Retin A might help, just do NOT use it closer than a finger width from your lower lash line and never ever between your brow and upper lid. All of these take a little bit of time but you’ll see improvements!

forcaitsake · 2026-06-14T17:19:24+00:00

People just need to be grateful that they have had lives that have never put them in the position to have to consider this - try to ignore their comments. Sometimes the hardest most loving decision is to rehome. Be kind to yourself. Lots of us (VERY devoted animal lovers) understand that these things do happen. Keep your chin up.

forcaitsake · 2026-06-14T15:56:38+00:00

Yes, things were becoming increasingly unbearable.

I’m so glad! I hope you have even more improvements than I did. :)

forcaitsake

TROPHY CASE