To be honest, a very big part of my decision process was around feeling a sense of safety. As the world gets a lot more cruel and tendrils of hate are weaving themselves into the fabric of our lives, I am more aware than ever of risks we take by simply existing. There is no going back for me, the never has been truly, but as I look to the years in front of us, I want to be able to live and to do that I need to feel safe.
So, I arranged to have a "transoral thyroid cartilage reduction" performed. What does this mean? Well, rather than going direct through the neck, the surgeon goes through the inside front of my mouth, between my lip and my jaw. It's pretty invasive, and I am trying desperately not to think of what that must have looked like, but the big win is no scar when I finish healing.
Now, healing is a much bigger process with this. You're stuck on soft foods for a couple of weeks, pain levels are higher (but manageable), and you have to spend a lot of time wearing a head wrap so as to ensure all of the tissue reconnects along your chin and jaw. Oof.
Worth it though. This procedure does add a lot to the price tag, somewhere around an addition $5000 to do it, but honestly, I think it's worth it. The lack of scar is a big deal to me.
However, now two weeks later, I'm feeling pretty good. I've been able to get back to my ballet classes (no jumps though), and I am glad I had this done. I can't wait for all of the swelling to go away. On that, the swelling does make me look like I swallowed a gold ball, but it should start to come down in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I am bringing back infinity scarves as a fashion statement.
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