AMAZED!! Giant joke nose is no more!
First off, my dr was always fantastic, attentive,...
First off, my dr was always fantastic, attentive, kind, and reassured me before surgery. My original nose is so bad that it's pretty much ruined an otherwise ok face. Anything would have to be better than that! It was hooked, droopy, bulbous, with flaring nostrils plus breathing difficulties and a deviated septum. In short, a nightmare of a nose.
Too early to tell the results, still look messed up and the cast will be on for two weeks for me, and not one.
May I just add though, while the operation went well according to my dr, the recovery has been hell. I feel like an invalid, can't wash my hair, can barely move and can only eat foods that I don't have to chew much.
The congestion is awful beyond nightmares and my body seriously had minor panic attacks when it discovered I couldn't breathe through the nose and switched to mouth breathing instead. Waking up at night is hell, mouth is so dry, and everything tastes like crap!
The plus side, even as messed up as I look, I can see the smaller and nicer shape of the nose even with the cast on. Also considerable swelling so too soon to tell too much. But I'm hopeful.
Don't be fooled, an open rhino-septoplasty is a GRUELLING operation (never EVER google pics of the actual operation, I did and nearly threw up, trust me, better just knowing you'll be asleep!) and while some may have an easy recovery period, with the amount of reconstruction I had done, this first week has been awful. And those nasal washes, UGH. I cringe every time I have to do one, it's horrible.
Fingers crossed for me that the results will be worth it.. I've hated my nose ever since it grew in awkwardly at age 14.. I'll have been happy to go through the pain if it looks the way it should have now.. Rather than the original which looks like someone stuck a big joke nose on my face!
So.. We wait. Update when I get the inner splints out in two days. (and you wouldn't believe how much I can't wait for that)!
Also - cost is inclusive of all fees. Actual procedure cost $9500.
Replies (5)
My dr as an ENT gives these washes to all rhinoplasty patients, it's basically a nose-douche bottle with a saltwater mix, sqiurted up the nose. It helps to keep it clear and to fight infection, but with all the stuff up in my nose right now it is far from fun!
I don't think every surgeon these days will do those but hey, they would have abolished it if it didn't work.
Pics.. Well if it turns out well I'll post as soon as I can wash my hair!! It is so vile right now! Bit shy of posting the old joke nose pics. Others tell me it isn't as bad as I thought it was, but I'll never believe that, lol. I guess though I'd be happy to if only to give hope to others with big joke noses, that help is possible after all!
I've also seen your video of your experience, might I just say your nose looks lovely now :)
Update - had the inner splints and stitches out...
On the plus side things seem to be healing well. The cast is still on for another week, and now it's starting to itch like hell (which I figure is good but damn!). The nostril asymmetry I noticed at the alar base is definitely improving, plus it does seem like the narrower side has been taped a bit more firmly so that could be a factor. But compared to when I first saw it, a drastic improvement.
The side incisions on the alar base have also healed cleanly without scarring (knock on wood) to my relief, and the width of my nose from the front was one of my biggest concerns.
I have a vague idea of the size now as opposed to before (funny how quickly we forget) and can't believe the difference even with a cast!
Nose still feels full and stuffy though my breathing is better. I'm using nose and mouth both to breathe. My recovery has only just started to turn around in the last few days, but I think it's been so bad due to the breathing concerns as well. I had my septum straightened, turbinates reduced, and a bone spur removed that had grown in one side to block the airway. That plus the extensive cosmetic work.
So.. Seven more days until the cast comes off. Here's hoping!
Replies (5)
My friends think the nose looks normal but not an improvement yet. They say it looks like my old nose. I am 2month and 1 week out from getting just the tip worked on and not yet happy with it. Can't do anything about it....I see my Doc tomorrow. He told me 3 weeks ago that I have 50 percent of swelling left to go in my tip. Thinking that it will look better then..fingers crossed.
Cast off tomorrow- I'm both excited and nervous...
This is the fifteenth day the cast has been on - I'd have liked to get it removed on day fourteen but my dr operates I think every day but mon and fri so.. I'm ok waiting until I can see him again to ask the questions I know I'll have.
Just over twenty four hours.. And I'll know. Yay and eek!
Oh well, at least the itching should stop!
I'm sorry your recovery has been so difficult!! The dry mouth and congestion are hell, I agree! I never had to do nasal washes, so I can't relate on that one, but it sounds like you had extensive work done so your recovery might be a little harder than most.
Just believe that the results will be worth it (I think they will!). I had a horrendous "joke nose" too, and didn't even care about perfection, just major improvement. I got it, and you will as well!
Please come back and let us know what you think when the splints come off! We'd love to see photos, too, if you're up for it.
I am two months and on week post from have just my tip worked on and it is still big.
DO you think I have more healing to do? I am not happy at all with the results.