Rhinoplasty before & after photos
78%
876 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Rhinoplasty Cost $6,300 average cost

Unsuccessful Rhinoplasty Experience

Comments (25)
Updated 4 Aug 2009
Posted 18 Jun 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $5,650 in U.S.

Pros: The operating procedure and the physical pain experienced afterward weren't nearly as awful as I thought they'd be.

Cons: The "stuffed up" feeling during the recovery period was uncomfortable, but that was to be expected. However, I'd honestly feel relieved if the recovery period was the extent of the problems. It would have been completely worthwhile had the results been in any way what I'd desired.

I'd gone in for 2 consultations on possible solutions for my protruding, large, convex nose with an obvious hump, but I hadn't really connected with the first doctor on a personal level, and I thought he seemed a bit distant and aloof. The second doctor seemed infinitely better in my inexperienced eyes, and it seemed he really wanted to help me out. His level of friendly care immediately put him in a better light. As far as I could tell, he knew what I expected and seemed confident in his ability to bring about the desired results--a straight nose.
So I proceeded to schedule the necessary appointments, and surgery day finally arrived. We went in and the doctor informed me there seemed to be no problems, and I should be happy with the result. As I recovered over the next few weeks, I felt great anticipation and excitement for what was going to be revealed after the removal of my splint, and to my great delight, it seemed perfect! I felt the whole thing was completely worthwhile after seeing my new, straight nose. I was informed that this was just the first stage, it was still swollen, and the true result would reveal itself in time. I was told it would get better and better as it became more defined in the coming months. I guess I was a bit too naive when I believed this. Over the next few months, I was overjoyed that I could finally be myself without feeling overly self-conscious about my huge honker of a schnoz. I went on with life with this new feeling of accomplishment and acceptance of my myself with my new and improved nose.

But to my utter dismay, after about 4 months, I noticed a slight downturn in the lower 1/3 of my nose. Slowly and despairingly, my nose began to show it's true shape as the swelling receded. I did some research online hoping to find some answers about the new shape my nose was taking on. Almost everywhere I looked the same answer almost immediately popped up-- the the Pollybeak (supratip) Deformity. I fell into somewhat of a spiral of depression and anger, asking myself why I hadn't just went to the first doctor, telling myself the results would have been better. When I revisited my doctor and asked what he thought of it, he went on and on about how it hadn't taken it's final shape yet, and how I should come back after a few months for a real evaluation. He denied the possibility of it being a Pollybeak deformity, and told me to come back in 3 months.

During this time, I took the liberty to consult with a different plastic surgeon in the area, only to confirm my fears that it was in fact, a pollybeak deformity. Upon looking at it, he immediately came to the same conclusion I had.

When I went back to my surgeon, he again denied that it was a pollybeak/supratip deformity, and tried to seem oblivious to that concern. He did realize that the cartilaginous section protruded farther up than the tip, and was elevated higher than the bony dorsal section of my nose, along with poor tip support. (My right nostril also seems to be elongated compared to the left one, and my nose seems to be slightly crooked as well.) It seems that he had only worked on reshaping the humped bone of my nose and had not done work on the cartilaginous part to allow it to match up with the now straightened top section.

^^ Now here is where I would really appreciate some input on what to do in this case. In the event that I consider allowing the same surgeon (for a greatly reduced price) to do revision work on my nose, what, in a professional opinion, should be done to straighten and define the lower section of my nose? Should excess cartilage by removed along the supratip, or would doing so create higher risk of that area having too little support and perhaps collapsing? Would a tip graft work to alleviate such a problem? Would elevating the tip of my nose slightly decrease the chance of the tip falling into it's original, poorly defined structure? I would greatly appreciate some professional advice or advice from someone who experienced something similar. I've included some pictures for further understanding of the problem.



Updated on Aug 4, 2009:

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Name not provided

There was the inability to recognize any sort of problem with the final result on his part, when a common type of post-rhinoplasty deformity is almost certainly present.
Vote: 5 members found this review helpful

Comments (25)

Post a Comment
Sort:
landeez (5 posts) 23 Mar 2009
My comment is the words "pollybeak" and "deformity" are so strong and seem inappropriate in your case. Your nose seems 'cute' and 'feminine' to me. I am not a professional. In a way professionals tend to be critical of other surgeon's result. More cynically, they are in the position to potentially profit from any revision you might do. Maybe don't sweat too much would be my two cents advise.
Blah (unregistered guest) 24 Mar 2009
There is nothing wrong with your nose, it's beautiful. I'd kill for that nose.
Roothy (unregistered guest) 29 Mar 2009
Don't touch your nose. It's perfect.
snow white (5 posts) 30 Mar 2009
pleeeease dont touch it .. i had exactly the same problem and i tried to fix it and became worse:( if u really wanna fix go with fillers
oneofmanypatients (11 posts) 31 Mar 2009
hi, snow white- Really? What did your surgeon do to try and fix it? How did it make it worse? thanks
snow white (5 posts) 1 Apr 2009
my nose became kinda small for my face and if u lived whole ur life with a little curved nose u won't really like it when it gets very straigh .. anyhow make sure u ask the doctor if the surgery will make ur nose smaller or thinner and see if that will make a dramatic change in ur face .. if u really don't like it now try fillers that would go away in 4 months and see if u like the result then later u can think about rhinoplasty good luck
penelopenose (25 posts) 8 Apr 2009
Don't even think of using the same dr for a revision. Most likely he'll fail and your nose can be operated on only so many times. I think it looks like a bad nose job and definitely polly beaked. Seems many people who respond on this board haven't gone thru the experience and don't know what they're talking about. It's not what you paid for and your dr should not even charge for a revision not that you should consider him. I love that they all use the same lame excuse of not healed yet to avoid liability. I've been on 3 consultations so far for an over-shortened deformity caused by an obviously poor and inexperienced dr. with bad taste. They all said after 3 months you have a very good idea of the final result. I knew the moment the splint came off it was dreadful. I'd rather a pollybeak than pig nose. I'm seeking the best rhinoplasty specialist (who ONLY does facial surgeries) to avoid several revisions. Primaries and revisions are 2 completely different beasts. Be sure to seek a revision specialist who can show you several cases similar to your own. And you'll need to wait at least 8-9 months post op to get re-operated on. Run from any dr telling you otherwise. Hope this helped.
Ash12345 (50 posts) 9 Apr 2009
You are so right, I am in the same stinking boat!! I saw my first surgoen and he finally admitted, after I told him I had gotten a 2nd surgeons opinion, that he had scooped out too much. He offered to take the graft out that he put in but I don't think I trust him anymore with my nose. I only have so much cartiledge in my nose left and I don't want him to ruin what is left. I wonder if he thought I would like a scooped out, turned up nose or why he did what he did to my nose. I like the 2nd surgeon I've seen and he seems to be more artistic and understands what I want as far as the aesthetic part of my nose. I was wondering though if you are going to a surgeon in your home state or if you are traveling to get your nose fixed. You mentioned that you can only operate so many times on your nose so I know it's important to find a surgeon who can fix whats been done. It seems like the best doctors are In California and New york so how did you find your new Dr? Would you mind sending me his name? Thanks.
Ash12345 (50 posts) 9 Apr 2009
be careful and make sure if you have it revised your surgeon doesn't turn it up too much. I have that problem because my surgeon thought for some crazy reasosn that I wanted an up turned nose. Now I am having to consult with another surgeon, who I shouldv'e went to in the first place, to have my nose fixed. The 2nd surgeon I saw is more of an artist and I wish that my first surgeon had been too. I would rather have my nose go down a bit then have a little piggy nose. The thing that is killing me is the time I have to wait to get my nose fixed. I am supposed to wait a year and I really wish I didn't have too. I think a downturned nose is cuter than one that goes up so at least you don't have my problem. Good luck.
cvillian (5 posts) 12 Apr 2009
Hello, Who were the doctors? I had 1 really bad Rhinoplasty (in Reno, NV), then returned home to Mpls only to find that I had some cartilage protruding through the inside of my nose and thus causing an infection. Went to a local doc (referred to by the offending Reno doc), only to be told, "there's nothing wrong." He refused to recognize the visible nodule of cartilage, and the offensive smell it was causing. Went to the chief of plastic surgery at the U of M, and had to have corrective surgery.
can you please (unregistered guest) 16 Aug 2009
Hello, thanks for sharing your experience. I had similar bad experience with this Dr. who performed twice on my nose, each time resulting in worse result. I too am looking for a good rhinoplasty surgeon in Michigan area. Can you please tell me the name of this Dr.? Thanks
Interested*** (3 posts) 20 Apr 2009
Hi, I am going to get a rhinoplasty in the Twin Cities and I am wondering who your surgeon was. I have looked into several. Thank you.
oneofmanypatients (11 posts) 21 Apr 2009
Hello! I'd be glad to tell you who the surgeon was, but I don't see a way to contact you on your user page, and I'd prefer not to publicly post it.
Interested*** (3 posts) 22 Apr 2009

my email is {removed} :) thank you. also do you know any surgeons in the area that have a good reputation? Thanks again for the help!

Moderator note: Please click on the username "Interested*" to access our private contact form.  This will allow you to email Interested* with doctor recommendations.

joannh (18 posts) 1 May 2009
the pic on the left is that before or after. if they are both after shots. Don't do anything the pic on the right i see what you mean. but you may be looking up. the right is completely cool. if the pic on the left is the before. then don't go to him again. he should have told you not to get it fixed! there is a doc in ny that a friend of mine went to from a botched up nose job. might recommend him. she looks great.
oneofmanypatients (11 posts) 1 May 2009
Both pictures are of my nose after the rhinoplasty. I do plan to get it fixed--would you mind telling me the name of the doctor you recommend? Thanks!
Interested*** (3 posts) 1 May 2009
one more question, did you pay $5600 total or was that just the surgeon's fee?? When I went to a surgeon in the Twin Cities area they gave me an estimate of $6800 total. My rhinoplasty is pretty basic, so I was wondering if that is too much. Thanx
oneofmanypatients (11 posts) 1 May 2009
Yes, the $5600 was for the surgeons bill and everything else--it was the total. The price all depends on who you visit, but the few surgeons I went to all estimated it to be around the same price as what I paid, and mine was a breaking of the bones and everything--so I'm not too sure about $6800 for a basic job.
keekstraw (1 post) 11 May 2009
Can anyone recommend a Reputable Dr. In Michigan that specializes in septorhinoplasty???I dont want to choose a bad one....
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager - 4,028 posts) 12 May 2009
Hi keekstraw, You can search through our Michigan rhinoplasty and Michigan septoplasty directories. Scroll to the bottom to read reviews and recommendations for Michigan rhinoplasty docs. Good luck in your search!
morena (46 posts) 20 Jun 2009
i would like to respond to u in light of the comments people made saying dont touch ur nose coz its perfect, or they dont see anything wrong. what annoyed me the most about when people were saying that to me over my stomach is that, ofcourse others are not going to see the flaw, because its not on THEM. all too often, women would say to me, "ur stomach is fine, ur making a big deal over nothing"...and then they wud walk away with their flawless stomach. other women wud say "oh please, i have the same thing happen after i had my kids", but i dont have kids. bottom line, if ur not happy with ur nose, by all means, have the revision, because nobody else has to live with ur nose but YOU. same doctor? i duno. take his price, and see if u can find another doctor with good cridentials that is sympathetic to what happend with the last doctor, and see if he is willing to match the price. how about that?
curious101 (1 post) 3 Aug 2009
Hi, can you tell me the name of your surgeon?
oneofmanypatients (11 posts) 4 Aug 2009
Hi there! I would gladly tell you the name of the surgeon, but I'd prefer to keep it at a one on one basis rather than posting the name outright :) Perhaps I'm mistaken, but your profile doesn't seem to show means of contacting you directly..?
joannh (18 posts) 5 Aug 2009
sure email me at katebakerjazz@gmail.com
lynn smith (15 posts) 18 Aug 2009
god how awful. I am so distressed with my nose that i am not to sure now what is the best thing to do. Unlike yourself i have a piggy nose with a big fat tip so dont worry your not the only one

Post a Comment

Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.