Rhinoplasty: Stories

Write a Review

Rhinoplasty in Newport Beach, CA

  • posted 1 year ago
  • updated 3 months ago

I have always disliked my nose. I was often made...

  • 5 Feb 2012
  • 8 days pre

I have always disliked my nose. I was often made fun of because of its size and it unfortunately has affected how I view myself. I have a wide nose with a hump and no real definition. I think it's just a blob that takes up way too much of my face.

I scheduled my consultation with Dr. Elam on the 4th of February. The consultation went wonderfully. I was shown what my nose should look like post op and I absolutely love it. My surgery is scheduled for the 14th of this month and I cannot wait! I have wanted this for so long and I am so excited that it will soon be a reality.

Tomorrow I go in for my blood work and to get my...

  • 6 Feb 2012
  • 8 days pre
Tomorrow I go in for my blood work and to get my medications. AHHH! I'm soo excited. I literally cannot wait for this next week to pass.

Had my last pre op visit today. We went over all...

  • 7 Feb 2012
  • 7 days pre
Had my last pre op visit today. We went over all of the procedures leading up to and following the surgery. I met the nurse and anesthesiologist who will be taking care of me, they were both very sweet. I got my blood taken (wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be) and picked up all of my meds. Surgery is scheduled for the 14th and I arrive at 6:30 AM (ughhh). :) Let the countdown begin!

Surgery is at 9 AM tomorrow! :D I'm driving up...

  • 13 Feb 2012
  • 1 day pre
Surgery is at 9 AM tomorrow! :D I'm driving up with my two best friends and we're staying the night in a hotel so I can get my packing removed the next day. All of the staff at Dr. Elams office has been so helpful and kind. I am so excited to finally be doing this. I'll be posting lovely pictures of my swollen bruised face ASAP. hahaha

Got out of surgery a few hours ago. Now I'm just...

  • 14 Feb 2012
  • On day of treatment
Got out of surgery a few hours ago. Now I'm just relaxing in the hotel room. My nose is bleeding a lot so I have to keep switching out the drip pads. I have very minimal discomfort. The most annoying this definitely the packing in my nose, but that'll be out tomorrow morning. I remember nothing about the surgery (obviously) but the nurse said everything went very well. Everyone was so kind and helpful. It has been an amazing experience so far. Now I just cant wait to get the splint off!

Packing taken out this morning. I can sort of...

  • 15 Feb 2012
  • 1 day post
Packing taken out this morning. I can sort of breath out of my nose haha. I've got a pretty good shiner under my right eye but besides that all is well. Just a slight headache sometimes. Last night I had some trouble sleeping, but apparently that is normal. About to have a nap but I'll update later. :)

Recovery so far has been a breeze. I'm way too...

  • 17 Feb 2012
  • 3 days post
Recovery so far has been a breeze. I'm way too stir crazy to stay at home, so I've been going out to lunch with friends and seeing movies etc. Minus the black eye and swelling on my face everything is awesome. I'm really liking the shape my nose has taken so far. Sleeping at night is a little uncomfortable, but it's not unbearable. Only 4 more days until my splint is off. WOOOHOOO!

Cast comes off tomorrow. I have a few concerns...

  • 20 Feb 2012
  • 6 days post
Cast comes off tomorrow. I have a few concerns though:
Is it going to hurt to get the stiches out?
Am I going to hate my nose at first because of the swelling?
Also, my nostrils and swelling are very asymmetrical right now. The right side of my face (where I have the big black eye) has a lot more swelling and my nostril on that side is shaped differently right now. I'm sure it'll go away, but I hate that I'm probably going to be disappointed initially.

Uploaded a picture to show the asymmetry and swelling.

  • 20 Feb 2012
  • 6 days post
Uploaded a picture to show the asymmetry and swelling.

Got my cast off yesterday. :) Everything is...

  • 22 Feb 2012
  • 8 days post
Got my cast off yesterday. :) Everything is amazing. Dr. Elam says I still have a lot of swelling in my tip, but even with the swelling I am beyond happy with the results. The first day was kind of weird and my nose took some getting used to, but I'm loving it now. I of course am picking out all the tiny imperfections with it, but they are more than likely because of swelling and even with them I love it.

One thing I'm experiencing that I want to ask you...

  • 22 Feb 2012
  • 8 days post
One thing I'm experiencing that I want to ask you ladies about, my upper lip/front teeth have been slightly numb since surgery. I literally can't smile with out looking like the Grinch because my upper lip won't move properly...haha how long do you think it'll take for that to subside?

It's now been a year since my initial surgery. I...

  • 19 Feb 2013
  • 1 year post
It's now been a year since my initial surgery. I am so happy with the results. Sometimes I feel like my nose is still wide/large but then I look at my before pictures and I realize how much better it looks. I love that it still looks natural and I get complimented on how cute my nose is now! Best money I've ever spent.
Great review?
Michael Elam, MD

My Doctor: Michael Elam, MD

My rating:

Doctor's Bedside Manner
Answered My Questions
After Care Follow-Up
Time Spent With Me
Phone or Email Responsiveness
Staff Professionalism & Courtesy
Payment Process
Wait Times

Dr. Elam and his staff have been amazing. My experience so far has been absolutely perfect.

Comments (74)

Sort by
nosejob12 9 Mar 2013
Your nose looks amazing!! I'm curious what kinda of work did your get done on your nose. Did you the break bones ? Did you have to get work done on the inside to go with the size of your new nose ? Appreciate your response!! :)
Rayah7 22 Feb 2013
wow! what beautiful results!
tracileigh 21 Feb 2013
With the size of your nose being reduced, its much easier to notice what pretty eyes you have!
tracileigh 20 Feb 2013
And by the way - some small imperfections are not necessarly bad thht the new nose, that just makes it look like its not a fake nose. Just focus on how much IMPROVED it is!
tracileigh 20 Feb 2013
I think your new nose looks great! I think you will be happy with it! I was teased about my nose too in middle school and some in early high school. I got called big nose and pinnochio. It stays with you forever. Congratulations on taking the plunge. I am hopefully soon to follow.
FerreroRocher 19 Feb 2013
You are adorable, and your nose looks natural! This is coming from someone who notices rhinoplasties easily. That being said, your PS did a great job! Can't wait to feel like you do now. :D
sarah_tonin 19 Feb 2013
I just had my surgery today and I hope my results are as beautiful and natural-looking as yours! You were already gorgeous before but you are absolutely stunning with your new nose; much more feminine :)
lisaaaaa 9 May 2012
Hello! No telling if you will read this. But just so that you know I am going in for my pre-op today and will be showing my doctor pictures of your post-op nose to tell him "I WANT THIS"!!
Michael Elam, MD 4 Apr 2012
You look amazing!
View answers from Michael Elam, MD
romes21 29 Mar 2012
Great results! You look awesome!
Los Angeles2748 12 Mar 2012
You look so beautiful-- before and after-- what's great is that your nose was pretty before just a tad too much-- now its perfect for you. Enjoy!
BlueBelle90. 3 Mar 2012
Your nose looks so amazing!! You look absolutely gorgeous! I am so happy for you!
AM22 (RealFriend) 3 Mar 2012
I Cant get over how pretty you aree!
ToDie4Aesthetics 3 Mar 2012
You look AMAZING
Luna from nowhere (RealFriend) 27 Feb 2012

Gorgeous, it fit your face perfectly !! Im glad you're happy with the result :) Now no time to worry about this nose anymore ! 
snownose 25 Feb 2012
Your nose is already looking amazing, and it's just going to keep getting better! I had to chuckle when I saw you were freaking out about your nostrils a few days post-op, because I did the same exact thing. What a relief for both of us! Yay for not being mutants! You look beautiful :)
snownose 25 Feb 2012
Oh, and about the stiff upper lip thing: mine went back to normal after 2 weeks. Still feels weird when I yawn, though!
Kayana 26 Feb 2012
hahaha yeah I was definitely worried it was going to be forever....thank you so much. :)
the_life_obscure 24 Feb 2012
Gorgeous!
Kayana 26 Feb 2012
Thanks! :)
lauraa k 23 Feb 2012
Looks amazing!
Kayana 26 Feb 2012
Thank you!
louisejef 23 Feb 2012
It looks lovely looks really natural and suits your face xx
Kayana 26 Feb 2012
Thank you, I really like that it doesn't look overdone. :)
AM22 (RealFriend) 23 Feb 2012

Yeah you are still very swollen! But it looks really great!  Beautiful!!

More Rhinoplasty Reviews

Surgury is Booked!!! - Paoli, PA 1 day ago

I've been following everyone's stories on here for about a month now so now that I have...

The Jury is Still Out...- Great Neck, NY 1 day ago

I have dreamed of having rhinoplasty for over 25 years but never was able to - either...

My New Nose is an A+ - Stanford, CA 1 day ago

So here's the thing: I wrote out what I thought was a great review for Dr. Most on Yelp....

View more Rhinoplasty reviews

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok