Rhinoplasty Scheduled for March 9 with Dr. Grigoryants- Glendale, CA

After years of hating my nose I am finally having rhinoplasty! I put it off for a long time because I am scared of going through the actual surgery part (I really don't want to die on the operating table), but also, I have been afraid of getting a bad result and hating my nose even more-- I really don't want to end up with that "plastic-surgery" look.
A couple of years ago I got serious about having this done. I guess my hatred for my nose began to overtake my fears. I found Dr. Grigoryants through an online search, and he is the only surgeon who I have found that I have liked literally all of his after pics.
I will say, he is really busy, and it is really hard to get an appointment with him. Expect to wait up to six months for just a consultation. I ended up doing my consultation via email even though I live close-- to expedite the process, but it was still another six months before I got a surgery date.
I was worried that because he is so busy he wouldn't have much time for me, but when I met with him for my pre-op appointment I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't feel rushed at all and he was super nice and answered all of my questions. I felt very at ease with him and was really glad about that.
Now I am just counting down the days until surgery. I will post before and after photos as soon as I can. Fingers crossed.....

Got a call from the surgery center yesterday-- I have to be there at 6:30 am on Monday. I'm actually pretty happy about that because it means I'll be asleep for the majority of my fasting period. Also went out and got a bunch of post-op supplies based on realself recommendations. I'm so excited for my new nose.. but I'm also starting to get pretty nervous. So I'm spending time on here looking at amazing before and afters to reassure myself.
Thought I would post my before. The picture on the bottom is me now, and the one one the top is a rough sketch of the results I am hoping to achieve. (I just drew on the picture with a phone app, so its pretty sloppy). But essentially, I hate how sharp and pointy my nose is, so I want the tip shortened and softened. I also don't like how high my nose sits of my face, and am hoping for a subtle inward slope. Lastly, the doctor and I spoke about pinning back my tension lip. (I also altered my neck in this picture.. which is something I would consider addressing in the future, but for now, I just want to see how things go with my nose).
I'll post my surgery experience as soon as its done!

My surgery was at the Tarzana surgery center. I had to be there at 6:30 am, which was actually nice because there wasn't much traffic and I really wasn't that hungry since I had woken up not too long before. The center technically opens at 7, so I had to be buzzed in, and then ended up waiting in the waiting room for a good 20 or 30 minutes.
The nurse had me change into a gown- I could keep my socks and underwear on only. Then she checked my vitals. She was very nice-- I explained my irrational fear of being stuck with needles and she was very patient and soothing and explained everything she did before she did it. After the IV was in, I started to get pretty nervous. I think I was shaking or people could see it on my face because people kept asking if I was OK. (they hold you in room with multiple patients separated by a curtain... which is private enough, except I was next to this really loud man who wouldn't stop taking and it was slightly annoying).

I would say it was maybe 10 or 15 minutes before the anesthesiologist came in. He was a super nice, soft-spoken man-- and he too could tell I was nervous. He kept talking to me about random subjects-- I think to take my mind off of things-- which did actually help. Then he said he was going to give me something to calm me down, and I said I didn't need it... but he sort of insisted, which, ended up being a good call because it did really help.

The doctor came in then to see me, but he was only in my room for about. He looked at my nose and re-stated what he was going to do. I might have asked him a lot of questions, but I was slightly sedated and just said OK. He gave the OK and they had me walk to the operating room and lie down an the table and began strapping me in. I was shaking pretty hard at this point. And that's the last thing I remember. I can't remember getting any warning, just waking up in the recovery area.
Waking up from anesthesia wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. The nurse that was with me after was really gentle and kind of just let me come to in my own time.

I did have some pain at this point-- i would describe it as a dull headache with this weird burning sensation-- like I had snorted wasabi. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable. Probably this is partly because I made clear to everyone who spoke to me before hand that I didn't want heavy narcotics. They almost always make me throw up, and I would honestly rather feel a little pain than nausea. (Also, I hate feeling loopy and out of it). After surgery, I remember calling out: "Hello... anyone.. can I have some tylenol?" The nurse asked me what my pain level was on a scale from one to ten and I said like a 2 or a 3, even though I was thinking 6 in my head, because I didn't want her to give me too much. She put something in my iv and the paint went down to a very dull ache
The doctor came in to see me next and was telling me things went well.. I was still pretty out of it. I meant to say thank you, but all I got out was a couple of OK's.

Eventually I started feeling better, and then almost kind of bored. I was ready to go before they came to get me. They offered my some water and I forced myself to drink it, even though it was pretty difficult. A few minutes later she helped me get dressed and I left.

My worst fear was feeling nauseated and/or throwing up. During my pre-op the doctor told me that this is usually caused by blood dripping down into an empty stomach. So I brought water, a small juice box and a banana with me for the ride home and forced myself to get them down. The juice box was great because I could get the child size straw in my mouth, but the banana was tough. I basically had to break off tiny pieces, pull my bottom lip down to put it in my mouth, and then sort of let it dissolve/mash it a bit with my tongue. Took me the whole ride home (about 30 minutes) to almost finish it. Also, the nurse gave me (before the surgery) a little patch that is stuck on behind the ear to help with nausea. Not sure if it is that or the juice/food. But I haven't experienced any sickness so far.

I am, however, horrible bruised. Looking at other people's pictures, it seems like the worst day for bruising is usually day 2 or 3, but my eyes are so purple underneath, they're almost black (and were that way from the time I woke up from surgery). I'm hoping this doesn't mean I'm going to get even worse! I have little plastic ice cubes that I've been lightly holding under my eyes, and I put a little arnica gel on with a cotton swab. We'll see whether it helps or not.

As for pain, I took a couple of extra strength Tylenol when I got home. I was too afraid to try the prescription pain killer I was given, but might try half of one later this evening after I get some soup or something else in my stomach. The t\Tylenol took away most of the pain, except a dull headache. I put an ice pack on my head and that helped also.

Everything is pretty much how I expected, except that I am bleeding more than I though I would. I find myself having to change my gauze at least every hour, although I could do it more often. I keep soaking through them. I hope that slows down soon because it is a little bit alarming.

Ok, wow, that was ramble-y. But I hope it helps someone else. I will try to post some pictures later today as soon as I am slightly less bloody. ( I look like something out of a horror movie-- although I definitely look worse than I feel?)
Happy healing everyone!