Rhinoplasty: Stories

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Septorhinoplasty: Almost 9 months post-op - VERY pleased - Ottawa, ON

  • posted 10 months ago
  • updated 21 days ago

All through my adolescence and university, I have...

  • 3 Aug 2012
  • 10 days pre

All through my adolescence and university, I have disliked my nose...I get it from my father's side of the family, and it's not terrible, but i've just always disliked it immensely! Now that I am done school and working full time, I was able to put the money away, and get the vacation time I needed to finally go through with it!

It is slightly wide and the tip is bulbous, crooked and droops downwards...! Especially when I smile, it is extremely evident! I've always avoided certain angles and smiling big in pictures because of it, so i am really looking forward to not having to worry or obsess over angles, and actions that make it more 'pronounced', so to speak!

So a few months ago, i went in for a consultation - it went great, and I was even told my septum is deviated and that a correcting could be made while in surgery to improve my breathing (my left nostril barely takes in any air, i never really cared to much for it, but now I'm quite happy they will be able to repair that! It makes me excited to look forward to how my breathing will be changed/improved afterwards :) Probably better nights of sleep, too!

Anyways, my pre-op was last week, and i got my Arnica (swelling/bruising), my prescription for pain meds (I will confirm what they are later) as well as a prescription for ointment for my nose/nostrils (will confirm this as well!)

The doctor wasn't in (on vacation), so that worried me a bit..but the pre-op still went wonderfully with the nurse! She gave me info on what to eat, what not to eat/drink...etc etc.

Will spend this weekend getting all of my post-op supplies!! :)


Ps. my only real concern is 1. not getting my nose the way i like it/it turning out much worse than it is now...(which is common, i know, but still!) and 2. i LOATHE anesthesia...i get extreme anxiety and panic attacks and am NOT looking forward to be put to sleep....but the nurse has told me that I will be given a relaxer if i ask for it...so, fingers crossed!! haha


Thanks to everyone's support!! Seeing other reviews and experiences on here has made me more confident and excited about the procedure overall :)

Bought some supplies over the weekend - Qtips,...

  • 7 Aug 2012
  • 7 days pre
Bought some supplies over the weekend - Qtips, Peroxide, facial cleansing wipes - will be picking up my prescribed pain meds and ointment tonight !

Surgery is in exactly 1 week today!

Still excited, but still very nervous about the general anesthesia!

Any tips or advice would be amazing :)

Prescribed medication includes: Arnica Montana...

  • 7 Aug 2012
  • 7 days pre
Prescribed medication includes:

Arnica Montana tablets: for swelling and bruising

Fucidin ointment: antibiotic cream for incisions

Tramadol/acet : for post-op pain

Day before surgery is today, I am nervous, but...

  • 13 Aug 2012
  • 1 day pre
Day before surgery is today, I am nervous, but moreso excited to just get it over with at this point!

I am spending the day prepping my room for the long week ahead of me: TV, DVDs, books, Qtips and peroxide, meds and meds calendar, comfortable clothes, etc etc.

Will update tomorrow, or day 2 of recovery!

Surgery went well, anesthesia was scary but a LOT...

  • 14 Aug 2012
  • Day of treatment
Surgery went well, anesthesia was scary but a LOT easier than I expected this time around..my nose hurts a bit, but nothing I can't bear! The nurses were beyond nice, I am so far very happy to be done.

Off to sleep it off, updates tomorrow!

I find myself sleeping 3-4 hours, then woken up by...

  • 15 Aug 2012
  • 1 day post
I find myself sleeping 3-4 hours, then woken up by what appears to possibly be my nose trying to breathe..I don't have packing, so maybe that's why, but oh well. The majority of the time, I am breathing through my mouth.

Also, my nose is still bleeding/dripping..don't know if this is normal for day 2, but I change it about every few hours or so.

And lucky me, no intense swelling or bruising, SO FAR! They say day 3 is the worst, fingers crossed!!!

Slight bruising in the inner corners of my eyes,...

  • 16 Aug 2012
  • 2 days post
Slight bruising in the inner corners of my eyes, and no breathing yet whatsoever. Nose has stopped bleeding, not wearing the mustache gauze - but it is fully blocked. Not fun! Cannot wait to get the cast off!

Today is day 5 of post-op! My bruising is minimal,...

  • 18 Aug 2012
  • 4 days post
Today is day 5 of post-op! My bruising is minimal, and already yellowing, and should be completely gone by day 7-8! My nostrils are unblocked and it feels amazing!! FINALLY! They unblocked on day 4, and although I feel 100% better and the closest to myself in a lonnng time! Was able to wash my hair in the tub lol absolutely worth it. The only downfall right now is the ITCH! My nose is so itchy under my cast...i can't wait to get it off on day 7! Also, can't wait to go back to sleeping regularly again - sleeping on an incline is starting to drive me CRAZY! Haha I can't wait to see the final result!!! :)

17 days post op, I am loving the result so far!!...

  • 31 Aug 2012
  • 17 days post
17 days post op, I am loving the result so far!! And there is still much swelling in the tip to go. Pictures coming soon! :)

2 months post op - and i am feeling very confident...

  • 16 Oct 2012
  • 2 months post
2 months post op - and i am feeling very confident and happy about my surgery outcome!

Although there still seems to be some swelling to go down on the tip, the side view is gorgeous and I am extremely content..! The only thing is I really would like for the swelling from the front to even out and become symmetrical...!

However, I am being my own worst critic and quite picky..Time is the only thing that will help the swelling!!

I am not the most patient person, but I am getting there! haha

My 6-month follow up appointment i schedule for...

  • 26 Mar 2013
  • 7 months post
My 6-month follow up appointment i schedule for May 1st! So far the recovery is going well..my nose survived cold season (haha) and I am loving my new nose! The only thing is that i still notice a bit of asymmetry, but that could very well be me just overthinking it/being a bit of a perfectionist. Will keep you posted on the doctor's assessment in May and I have included a 6month post-op pictures! :)

Before & After - 6 months post-op

  • 29 May 2013
  • 9 months post
Just a little side-by-side snap :)

Great review?

My Doctor:

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

Great surgeon - very knowledgable and friendly, but I spent more time speaking with his staff than him...pre-op was with his staff and not him..so some questions went unanswered, but oh well - Google was my best friend during the pre-op jitters! I would still recommend him to anyone, especially those living in the Ottawa area!

Comments (27)

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Did your tip drop after your cast was off?
  • Reply
A little bit, yes. Very normal, considering the inflammation and of course, gravity. But within a few months, the tip rose up slowly but surely...As the inflammation disappears, your nose will regain its final shape following your surgery. You really need to trust your surgeon and the result he achieved post-surgery.
  • Reply
Did you notice changes still occurring after 6 months post-op?
  • Reply
Absolutely - definitely when it comes to assymetry and residual swelling...I mean, the general shape of my nose has mostly stayed the same, but as time goes on, I am noticing that swelling is subsiding and my surgeon has confirmed this saying that more swelling will go down in my particular case! Thanks for your comment/question :)
  • Reply
Looking at your "before" nose, I truly didn't see room for improvement.... yet your new nose looks fantastic! Really love your result!
  • Reply
Thank you!
  • Reply
It looks great! Congrats
  • Reply
Thanks !
  • Reply
I'm from Ottawa too, haha! (Up until like 2 years ago, but born and raised!) It`s always fun to find someone else from the same area as you :) You obviously don`t have to answer this but I grew up in the Kanata area (if you`re familiar with it?) and went to Ottawa U for two years before I transferred. It's always fun to wonder if you've ever crossed paths with someone on here before! Anyways, back to business haha your nose looks fantastic! Very natural and fitting results! :)
  • Reply
Haha thanks!! Small world :) I was born and raised here, and still live here today. Also went to Ottawa U, but graduated two years ago! And thanks for the lovely comment! Much appreciated :)
  • Reply
It's a perfect nose, but you looked so much more exotic before.
  • Reply
Thank you - that was the native american in me I suppose!
  • Reply
Your new nose looks great! How's the recovery going?
  • Reply
Thank you! The recovery is going well - my nose feels a little tender some days, but mostly it's healed up quite well. I can blow my nose like I used to, I breathe 10X clearer and better than I used to, and sleep much sounder. The tip is still a bit tingly and hard, but that is improving every day! :)
  • Reply
you nose looks perfect. I think thats exactly the shape I want
  • Reply
Thank you! :) Keep me posted on your progress, I'm sure it will look great!
  • Reply
You nose looks perfect! I think its exactly the shape I want for me.
  • Reply
I feel like I'm in your situation! I just had rhinoplasty 5 days ago because of a deviated septum. I got my nose from my dad which was kinda big so I always was self conscious about it. They fixed both of my problems, medical and looks wise. Don't be nervous! I'll share my experience which of course this will be different than yours but just know this - there is nothing to fear. The staff will always make you feel welcomed and secure, and trust me, there is nothing more calming than that. I met with my nurse who sat me in this area where every patient got dressed in the hospital gowns, met with their anesthesiologist, talked to their surgeon, and got the IV placed. Then they took me to the operating room, had me lay down, and put in the anesthesia. I fell asleep and what feels like seconds later, it was over and I woke up in the recovery room.

The first 2-3 recovery days are not the best days. There's discomfort but it's not too bad. Part of it was getting frustrated because I so badly wanted to breath from my nose and couldn't. Also you may get bruised under your eyes if you have light, sensitive skin like me. You may have a sore throat from the breathing tubes they put in during surgery but that lasted only a day. I was told I would have a splitting headache the day after and to my surprise, I didn't! I didn't even use my painkillers. I go back on Monday morning to take off the cast and I can't wait.

Best of luck, you'll be just fine!
  • Reply
I have arnica montana for swelling & bruising, so hopefuly that helps! Because I too have pretty fair skin ! But thank you so much for the kind words of advice!
  • Reply
To be honest I can't remember anything after entering to the operation room. I got my rhinoplasty 3 days ago and honestly the hardest part until now has been how nervous I was before getting it. For me it hasn't been as bad as they describe it. The day after the operation was probably the worst as it was the day that I had more swelling. There has been almost no pain for me, which is great. I had no nausea after the anesthesia. Everything went great! Good luck on your operation. You'll be fine!
  • Reply
Thank you :)
  • Reply
Hey. I just had mine last week and you sound just like I did. I was nearly throwing up I was SO nervous. I too have anxiety but it's honestly the EASIEST part. I remember feeling the liquid enter my body and saying I feel it while giggling. That's the last thing I remember and then waking up in recovery. Can't even tell you how I walked Bc I don't remember! You'll be fine :) Good luck!
  • Reply
Thank you!! I hope giggle and pass out, that would be much better!!! haha
  • Reply
I just had my surgery yesterday and I had such mixed emotions up until the moment in the operating room. The anesthesia is exactly like falling asleep and I don't even remember anything until phase 2 of recovery and by that point I was good to go. My throat was really dry but I was wide awake and felt great. Don't be nervous, everything will be fine. The surgery is really the easy part.
  • Reply
Thank you! :)
  • Reply

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