Puffy face
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: willow glen, ca
Posts: 2
Puffy face
Sober for a month, however, my face looks very puffy and swollen everyday. I am drinking plenty of water and trying to cut on salt as much as possible. I exercise. But when I look into the mirror, I just want to cry - I never ever looked that horrible. And swelling barely goes down during the day. People give me funny stares and I just feel so self-conscious. I already have doctor's appointment set up, but still wondering if I am the only one who will take forever to recover. I went through this forum and sounds like most people are reaping the benefits of sobriety in about two weeks or so.
P.S. I've been social drinker for 15 years, but it was last two when I started drinking every day more and more. Don't really want to start drinking again, but feel very depressed and discouraged.
P.S. I've been social drinker for 15 years, but it was last two when I started drinking every day more and more. Don't really want to start drinking again, but feel very depressed and discouraged.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,319
Sorry to hear about the swelling, pumpkin. I think a doctor is a good idea. One thought: are you eating more salty foods? I know the first month of sobriety in particular I craved a lot of fried foods and pizza. I noticed I gained a few pounds, but now seem to be loosing it.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,632
Hi Pumpkinface -
Welcome to SR & Congrats on 1 month sober.
A visit to the doctor is a great step to get you back to feeling good. After years of alcohol abuse, it can take a while for the body to normalize, and your doctor can work with you to help that process along. Sometimes it just takes time.
Hang in there! I know you can see this stage through to feeling and looking your best!
Welcome to SR & Congrats on 1 month sober.
A visit to the doctor is a great step to get you back to feeling good. After years of alcohol abuse, it can take a while for the body to normalize, and your doctor can work with you to help that process along. Sometimes it just takes time.
Hang in there! I know you can see this stage through to feeling and looking your best!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denver
Posts: 244
Don't know what to say except that people probably aren't giving you funny looks. You are probably projecting your insecurity outward on them. People are too wrapped up in their own thoughts, lives, and problems, to care about how your face looks.
It's kinda like when you were a teen, and had a big pimple.. No one else cares about it as much as you.
It's kinda like when you were a teen, and had a big pimple.. No one else cares about it as much as you.
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
Welcome to SR Pumkinface 
I know I wasn't reaping the benefits at a few months sober. I am not sure how long it took for the puffiness to go down but I think it was months. I remember thinking though that that is how I must have looked for years but I was too drunk/hungover to notice/care. Maybe check with your doc what vitamins you should be taking and whether low sodium is a good idea...
Well done on a month sober anyway! It does get better, it just takes time.
I know I wasn't reaping the benefits at a few months sober. I am not sure how long it took for the puffiness to go down but I think it was months. I remember thinking though that that is how I must have looked for years but I was too drunk/hungover to notice/care. Maybe check with your doc what vitamins you should be taking and whether low sodium is a good idea...
Well done on a month sober anyway! It does get better, it just takes time.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 451
I was puffy all over and couldn't bend my fingers they were so swollen. It took me a good 6 months to see an improvement in my face. Keep drinking water and eat healthy food. You may find other people you don't see everyday will notice a difference before you do. Good luck
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: CA.....Hometown : Sioux Falls
Posts: 2,624
I think you're body is just trying to hang onto fluids. Alcohol is a diuretic and we urinate a lot. When we quit we tend to blow up. Drink lots of fluids mostly water and see if that helps and gets things moving. If not I would see a Dr. Not to scare but kidneys can cause a lot of bloating. Take care.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,554
Originally Posted by oldsoul1122 
I think you're body is just trying to hang onto fluids. Alcohol is a diuretic and we urinate a lot. When we quit we tend to blow up. Drink lots of fluids mostly water and see if that helps and gets things moving. If not I would see a Dr. Not to scare but kidneys can cause a lot of bloating. Take care.
I am bloated. It is taking more time to fall away this go round. I think we best make this our last time quitting.
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 174
Originally Posted by Chillly
Don't know what to say except that people probably aren't giving you funny looks. You are probably projecting your insecurity outward on them. People are too wrapped up in their own thoughts, lives, and problems, to care about how your face looks.
It's kinda like when you were a teen, and had a big pimple.. No one else cares about it as much as you.
It's kinda like when you were a teen, and had a big pimple.. No one else cares about it as much as you.
Yes this is correct - a sociologist by the name of Cooley coined this phenomenon as The Looking Glass Self - The view of ourselves comes from the contemplation of personal qualities and impressions of how others perceive us.
I will NOT drink to that!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Baltimore MD USA
Posts: 634
Originally Posted by pumpkinface
Thank you all for support. I know it is going to be a hard work, but vanity sometime takes over - I just want to look better, that's all I am feeling better already though
I am feeling better already though
A month of no drinking is awesome!!!
Stay the course, you are worth it!
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