This is getting old...

Wearing the same bandage for a week, on my face, is getting old, literally and figuratively.  I feel self-conscious venturing out, since the bandage is so large and has dried blood at the edges.  And I haven't been wearing foundation because it's difficult to keep the rest of my face clean without getting the bandage wet.

I ventured out to Starbucks this morning for the first time, then to CVS.  The CVS guy asked me what happened--only the 2nd person to ask in 2 weeks--I just say I had some surgery that required stitches.  The only other person who asked was one of the women cleaning our hotel room at the beach.  But that week the bandage fell off a few days early, so I was in the process of replacing it with a nonstick pad and tape when she saw me.  That didn't work--the tape seemed to have no stick to it at all.  So I ended up using a regular Band Aid, which (barely) covered the wound area.

I ended up taking my normal 30+ minute walk this morning; I walked a bit more slowly than I usually do, but I don't exactly power walk anyway, so I didn't think I would get flushed in the face (which is what the doctors want you to avoid the first week after surgery/sutures).  It felt good to move my legs more.  Next (after a break and snack of black grapes and almonds) I'll vocalize for 1/2 hour, then take another break and do yoga to a DVD.  This afternoon I will try to play the flute and see how that feels.

I have a bunch of questions for the doctor when I see him tomorrow morning, but he doesn't hang around--he's in and out so fast that I don't even remember what he looks like.  I looked at the photo of the doctors in the surgery practice on their website, and wasn't sure which one he was.  He's one of the two guys with the beard.  I think.  Anyway, I hope someone can answer my questions--mainly about wound care and scar prevention going forward.  One web site suggests that one should wear the silicone strips for 3 months.  That's a long time to have something on my face.  But maybe it's better than having an exposed scar.  I'm assuming they'll say I can resume normal activity as tolerated, but I'll ask.  I do so many things that involve physical exertion--walking, bicycling, weight lifting, yoga, fitness classes, flute playing, singing...I'm not sure what's considered "normal".  But I know I'm tired sitting around on my butt for nearly 2 weeks--in fact I do get tired easily--not sure whether it's from the inactivity or the aftermath of surgery or both.  Funny how doing nothing seems to be more tiring than being physically active.