Cast Removal Day!!

Just thought I'd write a quick little update. I will be one month post op tomorrow and my recovery has been coming along great... Only big issue is all the scar tissue inside my nose. Wonder how long it takes for all this to subside? Also, I hate not being able to blow my nose, as I have allergies year round and not being able to blow my nose makes it for a very uncomfortable 24 hours for me, but all in all, I like the progress so far. My nose doesn't look much different from the front, it's still my old nose but shortened, which is what I wanted. The big difference is visible from the profile, and I love it!
I was very nervous going back to work thinking that everyone was going to look at me funny and that people were going to be talking about me, you know, the usual paranoid stuff ha! But to my surprise, most people didn't even realize that I had had anything done! In fact, since I always wear glasses because I hate contacts, most of my colleagues just thought I looked different because I had contacts on :) I do miss my glasses though, and I can't wait to wear them again! 2 more weeks, and I'll be reunited with them again :)
well since my profile was the big difference in my case, that's what I will upload. I'll be back to give another update in a month! Take care RealSelf friends, and for those of you going through the first days of recovery right now, stay strong and stay positive!! Much love, MJ

Well today was my cast removal day and I'm so happy that thing is off my face finally! I have very oily skin so I was expecting lots of pimples and blackheads underneath, but instead I was just a bit red and VERY flaky. That glue is not easy to get off, spent a good hour under steaming hot water in the shower to get all of it off my face.
Now to my results....
I have to say that the moment my PS took the cast off I was very nervous to look in the mirror to face myself, seeing how I had been worrying about uneven nostrils and whatnot....I always prepare for the worst and hope for the best....and in this case I definitely went overboard with my "motto." Once I finally looked at myself in the mirror my whole body started to shake because it was all so surreal to me....I loved my nose right off the bat! Because it was still my old nose, but refined :) it was a little shorter and definitely straighter, no hump, and less columella. I haven't been able to stop staring at myself lol
But now, as you all can see, it has gotten very swollen and it doesn't exactly look very different front on, but I love my profile! Best part, my family didn't feel like my nose changed at all, which is good for me because now I don't have much anxiety about returning to work....but the most important part is that I definitely see a difference and I love it so far...
This was not an easy experience by all means, but I am definitely glad I finally got the courage to go through with this procedure, and I am very thankful for all the advice and encouragement I have gotten from all you wonderful RealSelf folks! :)

Well I'm officially one week post op, and I can honestly say, this was definitely not a walk in the park. I had read so many experiences both here on RS and other websites, and the recovery seemed to only be difficult the first 2-3 days and then it would be smooth sailing. That is NOT how my experience has been. I never quite got over the pain and am still taking pain meds 7 days in, and I also got a nose bleed last night which freaked me out because I had accidentally gone a bit too far into my nasal cavity with a q tip before bed. I woke up this morning and felt a mild pain in that area so I called my PS but he said not to worry. Wish I didn't live 3 hours away so I could just pop in for a quick check up, but if he says it's fine then I will trust his word on this.
As far as the pain goes, I feel ok during the day, but at night time I feel this achey pressure on my nose that makes it impossible for me to fall asleep. If I don't take any pain meds before bed, I'm sure to wake up 2 hours later with massive pain and pressure in my nose.
On a happier note, all my bruising has subsided and I am definitely not swollen in the face anymore :) I do still have my cast on. I will be taking it off in 3 days (Thursday) and I CAN'T WAIT!!! So tired of feeling itchy and gross!! I'm scared not only to see what my results are, but also of all the pimples and blackheads I have underneath this thing :/ I have very oily skin so it's not gonna be pretty......
I still haven't rated my experience because I have to see the final result, but without sugar coating anything, if I had to rate my recovery experience, I would DEFINITELY give it a thumbs down for sure! I honestly don't know how some people are able to do 20-30 surgical procedures in their life time knowing the recovery is so emotionally and physically draining, but hey all power to them!!.....I just hope in the end it'll all be worth it! :)