Rhinoplasty: Stories

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5 weeks post-op. So incredibly happy :) - Toronto, ON

Hi everyone, I am 22 years old and I have...

Hi everyone,
I am 22 years old and I have finally decided to go ahead with rhino/septo surgery! I had a bad fall when I was a child that resulted in a small hump, two uneven bumps on the bridge of my nose, uneven nostrils, and the bridge of my nose as well as my septum crooked. My surgery is about 6 weeks away and I am starting to get nervous and anxious.
I have uploaded several photos for you guys to take a look at. My doctor morphed a photo to show me what my results would look like, however I am beginning to wonder if I would prefer more of a slope. What do you guys think?

Hey Guys, So my surgery date is coming up pretty...

Hey Guys,
So my surgery date is coming up pretty quickly. Needless to say I am getting pretty nervous! Just had my pre-op appointment yesterday and everything went well. I discussed perhaps having more of a slope. The Dr agreed it would look nice so we are going to go ahead and do that!

Hey everyone, So just about 4 more days to go...

Hey everyone,
So just about 4 more days to go until my surgery. I just wanted to throw a question out there for anyone who has had to stay in a hotel for their first week of recovery: Is there anything different/any tips you think I should know about?
Thanks!
Ill update Tuesday after my surgery :):):)

Just adding some new (unedited) pictures.

Just adding some new (unedited) pictures.

Hey all! So Im lying in bed right now just trying...

Hey all! So Im lying in bed right now just trying to relax. I had a pretty crazy day!
So I had to be at the hospital for 6am this morning. I am not from Toronto so my mom and I gave ourselves a bit of extra time to get there this morning in case we got lost. We got there nice and early (about 530am) before realizing that I forgot all of my medical paperwork! So we had to turn around and go back to the hotel. We ended up being 20 minutes late! But luckily it didn't really matter.
Then I realized - I was a chewing a piece of gum (which you are not supposed to do as you are not supposed to put anything in your mouth 8 hours before surgery). Again I was freaking out! I thought for sure they would cancel my surgery (it said this on the paperwork). They didn't though, luckily!! But the gum chewing incident and then the lateness had my really stressed. And this was on top of just being a bit nervous in general.
My surgery ended up lasting 4 hours (whereas initially it was only supposed to take 2.5). I guess it was a bit more complicated than the doctor anticipated. I am very thankful that he took his time instead of rushing through!
When I woke up from surgery I had a few problems. Ive only had anesthesia once before and it was a while ago so I didnt really know what to expect. I immediately started shaking (I guess shivering) but the nurse gave me something in my IV and I stopped pretty much right away. I also got sick to my stomach... a lot. At least 10 times. All blood. That was pretty bad, not because I was throwing up but because the convulsing was hurting my nose. So I ended spending 4 hours in recovery (instead of 2) because they kept having to give me gravol and morphine for the sickness/pain.
The nurses (and of course Dr. Smith) were all very very nice. In fact one of my nurses had surgery with Dr. Smith a few months ago (but I didnt have my glasses on so I couldnt really see how it looked. According to my mom though it looked really good.) Also, one of the other nurse's son had rhino/septo with Dr. Smith and said it went really well. And countless other nurses told me that Dr. Smith was the best. It was definitely reassuring!
I unfortunately didn't get to see Dr. Smith when I got out of surgery, but I didn't really mind because I knew that my surgery had taken way longer, and besides he came out to talk to my mom and gave her the full update.
Once I got back to my hotel room I was sick to my stomach again, unfortunately. Again it didnt really bother me but it hurt my nose and made it bleed quite a lot. I feel better now. Ive had some juice and yogurt so I think that will help.
I can already tell my nose is much straighter. And I can see my nostrils when I take of my gauze and they look even! Very excited to see the final product.
If I think of anything else Ill update tomorrow. My next appointment is Friday in order to get my stitches out. My pain level is good right now. Doesnt really hurt, just a bit of a headache.

Hi all, So recovering is going pretty well. I...

Hi all,
So recovering is going pretty well. I have to admit the first few days were rough. I was quite nauseous and had a bit of a headache. Today has been my best day so far. The swelling has started to go down though, I think it reached its peak yesterday. I was quite swollen (one eye was basically swollen shut). I had a few moments when I wondered if this was worth it - I must admit it is hard to look in the mirror and not see yourself. But now that I am over the roughest part (or so I suspect) I think it will be nothing but uphill from here.
I had another appointment today. I had my stitches taken out and my nose cleaned. I am scheduled to have my cast removed Tuesday morning and then I make the long drive back home. Still have a bit of a headache which I am taking advil for (also to help with the swelling). I stopped taking the pain medication I was prescribed as I think that was part of the reason I was feeling nauseous.
I'll update again soon!

Hello all, So I got my cast off this morning. I...

Hello all,
So I got my cast off this morning. I can already breathe sooooo much better than before surgery! So far everything looks good! Of course my nose is quite swollen. I had A LOT of work done so this is to be expected. In fact my face is generally still quite swollen, in fact it kind of looks like I got my wisdom teeth out lol! Also have some bruising still.
I've uploaded some pictures. I have to drive home now, so maybe I'll update later tonight.

Just updating my Doctor's info :) It has been an...

Just updating my Doctor's info :)
It has been an awesome 12 hours with my new nose! Despite the swelling I am already feeling great about everything. So happy :)

Just uploading a new pic. This is the first time...

Just uploading a new pic. This is the first time Ive really gone out or put on makeup since my surgery. So happy right now! I should have done the surgery years ago. Pure happiness.

Hey everyone! I am 5 weeks post-op today. No...

Hey everyone!
I am 5 weeks post-op today. No complaints! Swelling is going down pretty fast which is great. My only regret is not doing this sooner :)

I dont know why the picture I just posted is so...

I dont know why the picture I just posted is so small?? Ah! Ill try to figure it out and post a better one!!

Great review?

My Doctor: Oakley Smith, 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. Smith is a truly awesome surgeon. He is *very* skilful at what he does and is clearly amongst the best ENT surgeons. I think the results speak for themselves. I had a vary difficult procedure (rhino and septo, as well as having very very thin skin). I felt so comfortable with Dr. Smith that I went to him despite being an out of town patient (over 5 hours away) which meant that there were going to be many extra costs accrued to me (hotel, travel, etc). Of course there are surgeons in my area (as I live in a metropolitan area) but I still chose to go him. All of that aside, he is also very friendly and answers questions quickly. I would recommend him without hesitation.

Comments (51)

Sort by
lindz22 24 May 2013
Loved reading your journey!! You look fantastic, congrats :)
Miss.K 15 May 2013
Awww your nose looks SO cute and natural! You were beautiful before and still are. Very successful outcome!
HannaP 15 May 2013
Yes, Avril Levigne...feli cat is right...LOL!! You are much prettier though...gotta say...your results are amazing..wow..congratulations mama..you have GOT to be extatic!
Hope22 15 May 2013
Wow you look Great!! My surgery is in July with Dr. Smith.
Peachii 14 May 2013
Wow a absoltuely stunning! Congrats :)
felicat 14 May 2013
You look like Avril Lavigne now (that's a good thing, shes gorgeous!)
Rayah7 14 May 2013
Oh my goodness! You look SO good! Gorgeous! Congrats!
CountryGirl5402 14 May 2013
Thanks!:)
shelee 6 May 2013
How are you doing? Update! Update! :)
CountryGirl5402 14 May 2013
I just posted a new pic!!
shelee 17 Apr 2013
You look FANTASTIC!!! I have surgery with Dr Smith at the end of June and your experience and results are encouraging. I am getting very excited!!! Still a bit scared though... :) I am so happy for you. Please keep posting pics over the next few months so we can see your continued results as the swelling goes down.
Maybe_Rhino_2013 17 Apr 2013
WOW!!!!! You have such a great profile :) Your doctor did an amazing job!!! What a relief for you huh?!? :)
Peachii 16 Apr 2013
So glad to hear its looks amazing already!
HannaP 16 Apr 2013
Bless your heart! That little thumbs up was so cute:). And your nose looks SO awesome.... Swelling is....well....swelling....I don't get it...not one person on here doesn't experience it so I must say it sounds like its perfectly normal....just remember to tell me that when I'm laid up in about 2 weeks crying over the swelling... Yours looks amazing in such few days post op....keep us updated;)
CountryGirl5402 16 Apr 2013
Aw thank you! And I will :)
AppleCake 16 Apr 2013
Looks great so far! Thanks for sharing your story, hope you're feeling better :)
CountryGirl5402 16 Apr 2013
Thank you :):)
mullinsd2 16 Apr 2013
Hey it looks good so far! Once that swelling goes down you will be super happy!
CountryGirl5402 16 Apr 2013
I can't wait! Thank you!
Matilda24 16 Apr 2013
Wow, your profile already looks amazing! Hope you're doing well, you really do look fantastic already
CountryGirl5402 16 Apr 2013
Thank you :) :)
maggieatl 12 Apr 2013
I am so sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. Do you mind me asking what they prescribed you for pain and if you had anti nausea meds prescribed to you what they were? I had otoplasy on my ear when I was a small child and had that same reaction to the anesthesia which makes me very nervous for the waking up part of the surgery. I hope you get to feeling better soon. Just remember in the end it will be worth all the gross unfun stuff. You will have to remind me of the same next week, my surgery is on Monday. Happy Healing, Maggie
CountryGirl5402 13 Apr 2013
Sure - I was prescribed ratio oxycocet for the pain. Nothing for nausea. I have to admit I have a very weak stomach - as a child I was often admitted to the hospital because I could not stop throwing up and would get very dehydrated. The doctor's ran a bunch of tests and really only concluded that I have a very weak stomach. As I got older I seemed to grow out of it a bit, but I do notice it does affect me every so often. So hopefully my case is not similar to yours. Good luck with your surgery! I will definitely be following your story.
Matilda24 12 Apr 2013
I agree with Rayah, you're gonna look even more beautiful!
CountryGirl5402 13 Apr 2013
Thank you!

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