POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Somewhere between 3 and 4 months post op
ORIGINAL POST
If I didn't absolutely hate my nose, I wouldn't...
je5296January 10, 2013
WORTH IT$4,635
If I didn't absolutely hate my nose, I wouldn't choose elective surgery for myself. But I know it's necessary for me and now at 22 I finally saved enough to do it.
I've always dreamed of the day I could get my nose fixed and be able to wear my hair ALL up and out of my face. Or not worry 100% of the time that someone would see me from the wrong angle. Not only is my nose big, but it's crooked too so from one angle it looks huge and horrendously terrifying. So I won't have to hide anymore.
I've had one consultation so far in Chicago with a doctor I liked a lot. I live a couple hours north of Chicago so I drove down and met with him alone so I was very nervous.
He answered all my questions, took pictures and then showed me morphs of a nose he thinks would work best for my face. I didn't have anything in mind because I'd be happier with just about anything other than what I have.
I'll be meeting with another surgeon in Madison on January 18th. My mom will come with this time so I'm happy about that. After I meet him, I'll make my decision right away of who I like better, and get the surgery scheduled for as soon as possible. It can't come soon enough for me.
je5296's provider
UPDATED FROM je5296
26 days pre
Now I've consulted with two doctors. One would use...
je5296January 19, 2013
Now I've consulted with two doctors. One would use general anesthesia and the other would use IV sedation.
Long story short, I'm liking the surgeon who uses IV sedation more, but the idea of being somewhat conscious during surgery is absolutely horrifying and I wanna cry just thinking about it.
If anyone has any advice or opinions or just anything to make me feel better/relax, I'd appreciate it.
Long story short, I'm liking the surgeon who uses IV sedation more, but the idea of being somewhat conscious during surgery is absolutely horrifying and I wanna cry just thinking about it.
If anyone has any advice or opinions or just anything to make me feel better/relax, I'd appreciate it.
Replies (15)
January 20, 2013
My advice you should have this done under general its the safest way to get a surgery like this done. Majority of the surgeons will tell you that too. Personally I would want all my surgeries done under general. I do not want to hear or know what they are doing. I want to wake up and be ready to leave the hospital. Why do you want to local vs. general? Also if you don't mind me asking who the doctors that you are consulting with? I am in Chicago as well and probably know most of the rhinoplasty surgeons in the area. Not personally but I consulted with many myself.
January 20, 2013
IV sedation is not just local anesthesia.
I don't live in Chicago, I live in Wisconsin. I've consulted with dr shah in Chicago and also dr parfitt, who is the only double board certified facial plastic surgeon in WI that I found
January 20, 2013
I am sorry that's called twilight I called it wrong. Did you decide on the doctor yet? And from what I remember of Dr. Shah he does general. I consulted with him but didn't go with him. Looking back I probably should have or maybe not. Its hard to tell but he was very nice at his consultations.
January 20, 2013
I haven't scheduled anything yet but my gut is telling me to go with Dr. Parfitt. I felt much more comfortable with him during my consultation. But don't get me wrong, from everything I've heard, Dr Shah is an excellent surgeon.
January 21, 2013
I've also read that general anesthesia is technically safer than twilight. I was considering both since my surgeon gave me the option, however I decided to go with general (even though I was leaning toward twilight because of the faster recovery time, less nausea, etc). I read some discussion boards where anesthesiologists had actually debated which was the "better" option among themselves and a few of them said they felt that general was just all-around safer because you're controlling the patient's breathing through their breathing tube, whereas with twilight this isn't the case so if an emergency DID arise where the patient stopped breathing, they'd have no oxygen until a breathing tube could be inserted and artificial respiration initiated. Of course those situations are not common, but I just thought that was a good point.
January 20, 2013
Both of the rhinoplasty specialists I spoke to recommended Twilight (IV) sedation, because the likelihood of nausea afterwards is far less likely, and you won't be left with a sore throat afterwards from the breathing tube. However, some people prefer the idea of being completely zonked out for surgery, which is understandable.
Maybe this will ease your mind, but I was nervous at the idea of Twilight sedation for the exact same reason as you (afraid to be conscious during the surgery). I've heard different peoples' reactions to it - for most people, it acts as a memory eraser; even though you might be conscious during, you don't remember anything afterwards, so it's kind of the same as having slept the whole time. Another girl said she could remember the whole thing, but it makes you so out of it that you don't feel anything, and you're not completely there, if you know what I mean. She described it as a really cool experience.
But I was still nervous. Then I went to my second consultation (with the PS I wound up choosing), and he asked me if I'd ever had anesthesia before, and I said yes, when I got my wisdom teeth removed. I don't know what exactly I was thinking, but I didn't think that was "Twilight" sedation; at the time, I didn't completely know what general anesthesia was in comparison, but because I assume I slept through my whole operation (I don't remember anything so I always just assumed I slept the entire time), I assumed that it was general. Dr. B asked me if I'd received an IV for the anesthesia and when I said yes, he dropped the bombshell for me that I HAD been under Twilight/IV sedation before, and I never really knew it. Lol. For me, it was as easy as, they put the needle in, and then I slowly got tired and out of it. Then I remember "coming to" temporarily (if you can call it that); all I can remember is the light in the room and laughing while saying hello to the surgeon. Then I came to in the recovery room - I don't remember getting up and walking there, but clearly I had. For that operation, I had no nausea when I came to, nor did I feel any later on.
It ultimately comes down to what YOU feel comfortable with. :) My surgery is next month, and after everything I've read, everything the surgeons I consulted with told me, and realizing that I'd have IV sedation before and it was 100% easy, I feel safer and more comfortable going with the IV sedation for my rhinoplasty. Good luck in your decision!
January 20, 2013
I had general anesthesia administered through an IV, so for clarity's sake, maybe double-check with the 2nd doctor if by IV sedation he truly means Twilight.
January 20, 2013
Yeah, just to state further, that general anesthesia can be administered either through IV or mask (gas). When a doctor says "IV Sedation" that tells you how the anesthesia is administered, but not what type of anesthesia it is.
January 20, 2013
Thanks so much sarah_tonin
Reading your comment did put me more at ease. Now I just want to get this scheduled, get it over with and be able to say "Wow I was freaking out for nothing"
January 20, 2013
That's a fair point, and because it was several years ago, I wouldn't even remember who to call to ask to clarify. But which second doctor are you recommending I double-check? Cause both surgeons were very clear that by IV sedation, they were using Twilight. In fact, with Dr. Buonassisi, there's a specific note they made on my file that says that I prefer Twilight and do not wish to have general anesthesia. This is just precautionary in the event that the surgery centers would be switched two weeks before the surgery, and unfortunately, if it's booked at the hospital, their policy there is to require the patient to go under General. But other than that, Dr. B prefers using Twilight, so by putting that note on my file, it guarantees that even if the surgery center is changed, I won't be transferred anywhere that forces general anesthesia. Also, in case anyone is ever interested in either particular doctor, both Dr. B and Dr. Denton prefer using Twilight sedation. In fact, I think that's the only option available with Dr. Denton.
January 20, 2013
I had general anesthesia administered through an IV and they gave me an anti-nausa pill when I woke up and didn't have any problems at all. Go with your gut!
January 24, 2013
That's good to hear, especially since I chose the same doctor so I hope I don't have problems either! Hope everything is going well for you :)
UPDATED FROM je5296
23 days pre
After lots of thinking, worrying, freaking out,...
je5296January 22, 2013
After lots of thinking, worrying, freaking out, talking with my mom, and going back and forth, I made my decision. I'm incredibly indecisive and easily swayed, so choosing a surgeon has been tough. I thought my gut was telling me one thing until I found some very scary reviews about one of the doctors. I'm also NOT AT ALL comfortable with twilight/IV sedation. I thought I could talk myself into it, but that's never happening. So I got to speak with the doctor I ended up choosing this morning. I had lots more questions for him and he put me at ease. I feel great about my decision!
My surgery is scheduled for valentine's day, what a nice gift to myself :)
My surgery is scheduled for valentine's day, what a nice gift to myself :)
Replies (9)
January 23, 2013
Congrats on your decision! Is it the Chicago doctor that you have decided to go with? Just wondering. Glad you decided and ready to move forward!
January 23, 2013
Oh my! How exciting! I'm jealous it's just around the corner for you! That's great you feel good about the choice now. I think that's really important. Good luck and I hope the best for you. :)
January 24, 2013
Thanks so much :) I just read your story and I hope everything goes well for you. If you want this, just know that you're doing it for YOU and no one else. I listened to the different opinions from family and friends, but didn't let them affect my decision making.
January 24, 2013
Yes I'm doing the same. It's important what my parents and husband think but I honestly could care less about what anyone else thinks haha. It really is such a personal choice. I've been wanting it so long I know it's something that I won't change my mind about until it's done.
January 23, 2013
Congratulations! My surgery is 5 days after yours, so we'll be less than a week apart from each other during the recovery process :) I'm excited for you! And don't beat yourself up about not being comfortable with Twilight sedation; it's about whatever feels most comfortable for YOU. It's good that you made the decision that you needed to make!
January 24, 2013
Thank you! I read all of your updates just now and you're not alone... I'm feeling positive yet nervous and it totally changes from day to day. So just think whenever you're freaking out or feeling really nervous, I'm somewhere freaking out and feeling nervous too haha.
Replies (10)
Your nose reminds me of mine before rhinoplasty. And I had the exact same attitude, anything is better. Don't be afraid to go on even more than two consultations if you don't feel 100% comfy with either doctor.
Here's a list of questions to ask your prospective surgeons.
Keep us posted!