After the adrenaline of surgery day wears off, the real healing begins. In this episode, I share what recovery actually looked like — physically and emotionally. From managing pain, living with a drain, and seeing my incision for the first time, to the mental challenges of trusting my body again, this was a process that took time, patience, and a lot of adjustment. Recovery isn’t just about healing your body — it’s about learning how to feel like yourself again.Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Everything shared here is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice.

In this episode, I walk through my entire surgery day from start to finish — the day I had my cleft lift procedure after years of dealing with pilonidal disease.

From waking up in a hotel in a city I had never been to, to meeting my surgeon for the first time, to being wheeled into the operating room… this episode covers every detail. I talk about the fear leading up to surgery, the vulnerable moments you don’t always hear about, what it was like going under anesthesia, and waking up afterward not really knowing what to expect.

I also share the small moments that stuck with me — the amazing nurses, the nerves about being intubated, the strange feeling of relief mixed with uncertainty, and even the unexpected things that made the day a little easier.

This episode is honest, detailed, and emotional, because surgery day is something so many people with this disease fear. If you’re preparing for surgery, considering it, or just want to know what the experience can actually look like, this episode is for you.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Everything shared here is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice.

In this episode, I talk about the moment everything shifted — when managing it wasn’t enough anymore and I had to decide whether I was willing to change my body to get my life back.

From booking the surgery to counting down the days, this was the season of dread. The fear of the unknown. The panic of Googling images I couldn’t unsee. The internal battle of “What if this works?” and “What if it doesn’t?”

I share what it felt like to commit to a cleft lift procedure, knowing it would permanently alter my body — and how I wrestled with fear, control, doubt, and hope all at the same time.

If you’re in that space of deciding… postponing… spiraling… or quietly researching at 2 a.m., this episode is for you. You are not dramatic for being scared. You’re human. And you’re not alone in it.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Everything shared here is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice.