Rhinoplasty: Stories

I have hated my nose since I was a teenager. I have an fraternal twin sister who ended up with my mother's cute little nose, while I got my dad's schnoz (as he likes to call it). I always thought that someday I would do it and then, after series of life changing events, I decided that time was now at 28 years old.

I began looking around for surgeons in the Portland area, reading reviews, etc, but was having trouble picking which one would be the best. Its hard to trust someone you don't know with your face, no matter how great their reviews may be.

Then my long time childhood friend took the plunge and got the procedure done by one of the surgeons I had been looking at. Her results looked fantastic. Not too much, not too little, so I made the consultation appointment.

My advice when going into a consult is to have as many questions as you can think of already written down. Make sure you know exactly what you want to be different about your nose so you can communicate that with your surgeon, so you get the best results. They will tell you if its doable or not. I went in wanting two things but after discussing the it with the doctor decided on three major changes: taking away the width from the bridge (my bridge was abnormally wide), making the bridge shorter and then my doctor suggested changing the tip so it wasn't pointed down so much, which I agreed with but not until he pointed it out. One good piece of advice he gave me to pass on is: almost always have an open procedure. If you don't the tip of your nose will not look right. Its very rare to change the bridge with out slightly altering the tip and having it look balanced.

I scheduled the surgery for December 10th (just yesterday!) and even though I am still in the beginning stages of recovery I am so glad I did it.
Here are some things to consider that I didn't at first:
-Anesthesia: if they give you an option go for the twilight anesthesia, its less risky. I was scared to do it this way at first but actually preferred it to general. I didn't feel sick and I could leave 30min after my procedure was done.
-Have someone that will take care of you for at least the first 24 if not 48 ( my twin sis was so helpful, I wouldn't have made it through that first day with out her). She changed all my nose "dressings," made me food and got me ice.
- Make sure you get all your loose ends tied up before surgery: clean your house, pay bills, get tons of movies, easy to make food, etc.
-Go into it knowing that having a couple days in which is feel depressed or regretful of your choice is totally normal.
-Ice, ice, ice! I don't think my face would be so swollen had I iced more in the beginning. Its one of those things you have to stay ahead of


Now that I am almost two days post surgery I am finally feeling a little less zombie like. My eyes are incredible black and swollen but I went in for my first post op visit and the doctor said that it was fine. He said that some people get all of their bleeding and swelling all at once, while other people have it come on later.

Even though the cast is still on, I can tell its so much smaller!!! I am so excited and will post pictures when my face calms down.