“Excited!!!”

First of all I would like to say how much help and support I have received from the real self community. I am a 23yrs old African American female and I hate my nose. Even as a teenager I would make jokes about getting a nose job. At the time I wasn't serious but as got older it became more realistic. Although, I come from a very religious family that oppose cosmetic surgery, I ultimately want to do what is best for me.

I am scheduled for an open rhinoplasty on jan 30 with dr Eric Joseph in West Orange, NJ. I originally came across dr. J on real self where I read many excellent reviews and saw photos of his work. I had two consultations with him and I'm impressed. My pre-op visit is on Tuesday and I'm happy, nervous, scared and anxious all in one. I was hoping to get some feedback , tips, or suggestions

Updated on 28 Jan 2012:
Pre-op visit went very well. Dr. J and I are on the same page and he seems pretty confident that he can meet my expectations. I am having my nostrils narrowed, tip redefined, and bridge narrowed with an implant. My prescriptions are filled, which consist of, vicodon, zofran, Xanax, and some antibiotics. I have to be at the facility 6:15 Monday morning. I'm praying for the surgery and recovery to go smoothly.

Updated on 29 Jan 2012:
Pre-op visit went very well. I am glad that Dr. J and I are on the same page. He will be narrowing my nostrils, redefining my tip, narrowing my bridge and adding an implant. We did some more imaging and he basically walked me through the procedure. He also provided me with arnica montona, which i started yesterday. Overall, it was once again a pleasant experience and it give me a lot of reassurance. At this point, I'm more excited than nervous. I will be arriving at the facility at 6:15 in the morning. :)

Updated on 4 Feb 2012:
I arrived at the facility at 6:15. Didn't have to do much paperwork and all the staff pre and post were great. Dr. J was great he made me feel very comfortable going in to surgery and he called later that night to check on me. It took him around 2.5 hrs which was what we discussed. He said he was in no rush and I appreciated that. Recovery hasn't been terrible. I did vomit as soon as I got home, took zofran and was fine. I only took Tylenol for the first 3days. However, I do have a high tolerance for pain. I'm still feeling some pressure from the splint and tingling at the incision sites. Sleeping for the first few nights was difficult, sleeping on my back and not being able to breathe was torture. The second night I used a vaporizer and took Xanax, both diff helped. Sore throat and bruising hasn't been an issue for me but on the 3rd day my face blew up like a chipmunk...the swelling for the most part has resolved.
I guess the worst of recovery is over, I just want this splint and tape off already. I can see some of my nostrils and tip with the bandage which looks good so far. Tuesday is the big day and I'm praying for the best.

Updated on 10 Feb 2012:
Let me start off by saying I love my new nose... really shouldn't even say new because it looks like my old nose just refined, which was what exactly what I wanted. When the cast came off I was in shock, it wasn't the nose at all but I guess just seeing myself different. It has taken me a few days just to adjust but dr.j did an amazing job. I now have a bridge, which I had none at all, my tip is more defined and my nostrils are narrowed. He did a perfect job with the nostrils and the scars are almost inconspicuous already. I actually had to show my family where the scars are. I am very impressed because this is what I believe the area of ethnic rhinoplasty many ps aren't skilled at. Overall, I am very pleased, he exceeded my expectations, I just have to get use to the changes...a bit swollen in the tip of course and I'm 11 days post op so a lot of swelling to go down...I really don't even want it to change much :)
Btw went back to work 9days post op with no swelling or bruising, thanks to the arnica dr.j provided and my bodies ability to heal rather quickly. Thanks for all your support. I now have to adjust to my beautiful nose.

Updated on 10 Feb 2012:
Let me start off by saying I love my new nose... really shouldn't even say new because it looks like my old nose just refined, which was what exactly what I wanted. When the cast came off I was in shock, it wasn't the nose at all but I guess just seeing myself different. It has taken me a few days just to adjust but dr.j did an amazing job. I now have a bridge, which I had none at all, my tip is more defined and my nostrils are narrowed. He did a perfect job with the nostrils and the scars are almost inconspicuous already. I actually had to show my family where the scars are. I am very impressed because this is what I believe the area of ethnic rhinoplasty many ps aren't skilled at. Overall, I am very pleased, he exceeded my expectations, I just have to get use to the changes...a bit swollen in the tip of course and I'm 11 days post op so a lot of swelling to go down...I really don't even want it to change much :)
Btw went back to work 9days post op with no swelling or bruising, thanks to the arnica dr.j provided and my bodies ability to heal rather quickly. Thanks for all your support. I now have to adjust to my beautiful nose.