Late 30s, Droopy Tip, Too Long - London, GB

I am about 6 months post, so thought I would provide a quick update.

At this stage, it seems a long time ago that I had the operation and I do not really think about it. I am much happier with my overall appearance and my hair has grown back to length it always was ( I had a bob cut after operation to detract from the change to my face). The tip of my nose is still very slightly numb, but it does not bother me. The only remaining issue is my breathing. I still sound a little bunged up most of the time and I am a noisy breather. I booked a follow-up appointment (which was free of charge) to see if there was any obstruction in my nose or something Dr Uppal could do and I was pleased to say he very much reassured me that this would not be a permanent issue. He examined my nose and said there was a lot of hard scar tissue block blocking my now smaller nasal cavities. He told me that I should apply vaseline via a cotton bud daily into each nostril and massage to soften this tissue for 2-3 months. Should this not ease things, I could have a steroid injection to help healing. If this still did not work, I could have a simple procedure to excise the scar tissue. I was pleased that this seemingly minor issue was taken seriously and I did not feel like I would be permanently stuck with slightly odd breathing. To be honest, he did mention that I should be applying vaseline and massaging daily at my last appointment, but since that was to deal with another issue (lower hanging enlarged mucosae, which seemed to have resolved itself), I had not been doing this. He also advised to use a handheld steam inhaler to help with breathing. It is true that after having been in the steam of a shower, my breathing goes back to normal temporarily, so the dryness of the scar tissue does seem to be causing the problem. Anyway, I will do as I'm told and hopefully, next timer I update, all will be back to normal! Good luck to everyone who has contacted me/reading this on their procedures!

I just thought I would update where I am now since I had my 6 week check just recently. My nose is no longer swollen and, from 16 days post onwards, which is the time when I would say I looked presentable, it gradually got better each day. The only remaining issues are that the nose tip still feels a little numb and hard (which is normal), but I also cannot breathe normally or smell as I did before. I am still a little bunged up. This is also something I understand takes a little while to resolve and, having had a cold for last three weeks, it may have already resolved, but I am not aware yet. Despite the rollercoaster of last 8 weeks, I am very happy with my result. For completeness, once my breathing and sense of smell come back, I will let you know, so you can see timescale to resolve. At my 6 week check, I was instructed to gently squeeze tip horizontally and vertically each day to get scar tissue moving and healing more quickly and to enable the nerves in tip to join again. One other thing I noticed was that the mucous membrane (mucosae) inside my nose were more visible (white folds inside your nose). They are more visible as they are hanging lower with my new nose shape. At least my two year old thought I had bogies in my nose. This was something I hadn't anticipated. I was instructed to dab them with vaseline on a cotton bud and gently squeeze nose from outside to held reduce them in size. These would, however, only really be visible to someone tiny who can look up into your nostrils from down below in any event. Will update again once I can breathe normally!

I am now 27 days post, time has flown by! I went out without glasses from day 15 post onwards, however, it was probably by day 16 that I felt presentable and confident to do so! I am pleased to say that now that swelling has pretty much subsided, I am happy with the result and, in fact, swelling seems to be still reducing now. The final but that needs to reduce is nasal bridge. I still have a bunged up nose even at day 27 post, but detritus has worked its way out of my nose and are just two lumpy folds from internal stitching that need to go down. Dr Uppal measured my nose in detail and took just millimetres of length and width, so effect is pretty subtle, but enough to make my nose not as much of a focal point of my face as was before and side profiles are vastly improved. It's a good job. He said no-one would notice and it was absolutely true. No-one, not even family, noticed and just commented that I looked younger/well. I had a pretty major haircut though to distract from this. One person at work commented on my breathing difficulty and another kept staring as I could tell she knew something was different, but couldn't put her finger on it! Well, now it seems pretty much behind me already. One thing I should say to anyone contemplating this is to think hard about whether you really need this done and what type of nose is right for your face. Some people prefer the Hollywood turny-upon nose, in which case, I would say Mr Uppal is not that type of surgeon, more the natural look. Also, as much as you think you dislike your nose, it's weird how you can feel attached to it nonetheless as it's you. In some bizarre way, a not particularly nice nose can make you prettier overall. Proportionally, my nose is so much better, yet overall, I have yet to feel that my face is any the more attractive for the change. Other people have commented that I look younger and better, but I don't see it myself. It is probably because we don't see ourselves as others do and it takes a while to psychologically adjust to the new face. Anyway, I have no regrets and am very happy with the result. When I post again, will hopefully be to say has improved EVEN further! A very good result! Thanks so much to Mr Uppal and the team!