So I'm 4 weeks out from my procedure and tbh the hardest thing hasn't been the pain or the downtime, it's not aware of what's normal.
Like every day looks different. Some mornings my swelling is down and I think I'm turning a corner, then I wake up the next day and it looks like I'm back to day 3. I've been taking photos but they're inconsistent (different lighting, different angles) so I can't even tell if I'm actually progressing or just convincing myself I am.
I tried using notes apps to log how I'm feeling but it gets messy fast and there's no real structure to it. I also don't want to be calling my surgeon's office every other day over things that might be just normal healing.
What have you guys actually found useful for tracking recovery? Example:
- Photo routines that are consistent and comparable
- Apps/tools you've used
- Things your surgeon told you to watch for
- Knowing when something was worth calling about vs just waiting it out
Would love to hear what worked, especially from anyone who's been through a longer and more intensive recovery. Feeling a bit in the dark...