Primary Rhinoplasty, 22 Y/o - Ellicott City, MD

I’m around three and a half years post-op from my primary rhinoplasty, and I couldn’t more highly recommend Dr Le. Since then, I’ve had some minor non-surgical tweaks done to other treatment areas, and the final results have greatly improved my physical appearance.

I had never considered myself a shallow or superficial person, but now realize I was often judged or treated differently by others for how I looked. Taking care of these minor physical flaws has allowed me to focus more on the more important parts of life.

While I never perceived my nose as a huge, life-changing insecurity, I can't remember a time I haven't cringed taking photos or seeing my profile in a dressing room mirror. Prior to graduating college next year, I decided to have a rhinoplasty -- both to correct functional breathing issues and address cosmetic issues.

Researching plastic surgeons began as a really overwhelming process. I wasn't comfortable having a rhinoplasty with any plastic surgeons in my local area (Richmond, VA), and I even considered traveling to California or Florida to have the procedure done. I'm so grateful to have come across Dr. Le in Baltimore.

For what his website is lacking in before/after photos and online marketing, Dr. Le and his office are extraordinarily thorough in every step of the surgical process -- from consultations, to pre-op and post-operative care. My initial consultation was almost three hours long. I understand some people may be distracted by the $50 per half hour consultation fee, but that hourly rate is cheaper than seeing a hair stylist for a hair cut! I felt so much more comfortable with a surgeon who wasn't in a rush to get me into the operating room ASAP... While there are other great plastic surgeons around the country who do hundreds of rhinoplasties a year, that degree of specialization can come with being treated like you're in a factory where the surgeon's only focus is getting as many patients in/out as possible. I never felt pressured into surgery, and as a primary patient, Dr. Le pushed me to consider all of my options, including the limitations of a rhinoplasty.

In terms of cosmetic changes, I was very pleased that Dr. Le described his aesthetic as neutral. I'm aware a lot of patients choose their surgeon based on the "style" of nose he or she may prefer. Dr. Le was adamant in only making changes to the aspects of my nose that bothered me, as opposed to giving me someone else's nose -- or imposing what he thought looked best on me. (I also appreciate that he asked me the type of change I wanted to make: a dramatic one, or a "natural," more subtle one. A lot of surgeons I considered seemed to have an obvious preference towards one or the other.)

About two and a half weeks following my consultation, I received a review of our meeting that included before/after simulations, price estimates, etc. The surgical plan included spreader grafts (using septal cartilage) to correct a nasal valve collapse, nasal contouring to raise my nasal tip, and a bridge reduction. I booked the surgery shortly after receiving the review.

Dr. Le's surgeries tend to be much longer than typical rhinoplasties, but I think this is absolutely correlated to his ultra high rates of success. (At the hospital during recovery, another surgeon commented on how Dr. Le is "the most meticulous" surgeon he has ever met.) Even though I'm a healthy 22 year-old, I had to receive medical clearance, including an EKG, prior to surgery. These sort of precautions helped me with any sort of anxieties I had about the potential anesthetic risks involved in a 6-7 hour surgery.

As I was traveling from out of town, I opted to stay overnight in the hospital. I spent the following two nights at Candlewood Suites (about 15-20 minutes away) prior to traveling back to Richmond. With a full size kitchen, I was able to prepare and store meals in advance of my surgery, which was a huge help.

I've had two post-operative appointments at this point, and I feel great. I didn't realize how obstructed my breathing was until after surgery! Even sleeping upright the past few weeks (with post-surgical congestion), I've had a huge improvement in my quality of sleep. Residual swelling can last up to 18 months but at two weeks, the aesthetic and functional difference is already enormous. I'm so happy with my results thus far.

For the first few days, it was easy for me to get nervous over uneven swelling or small possible imperfections, but I think this is totally normal -- it's your face! Needless to say, each of these temporary concerns completely resolved themselves in a few hours, haha. And if they hadn't, I feel confident that Dr. Le could readily address them. While you can't eliminate any margin of error completely, it's fantastic having a surgeon who you know is absolutely capable of resolving any aesthetic or functional complications that might arise.

My nose is such a vast improvement that I've been motivated to take other positive changes to my appearance I had previously been putting off. Prior to surgery, I felt like my nose was a distraction that outweighed any potential changes I might make. Following surgery, I feel like my mind's freed up of that distraction -- I'm able to focus on other things. When I go out, I don't have to waste time being nervous about photos my friends might take and post online. I feel so much more confident, and that confidence definitely ebbs to other aspects of my life. Even though I didn't consider myself especially self-conscious prior to surgery, I'm starting fitness classes and doing a lot of other things I might have been previously discouraged from because of my appearance.