I was in an accident two weeks ago and broke my nose and eye socket. I also had a laceration on my forehead that required 30+ stitches and is healing well. At the time of my accident I saw Dr. Peck in the ER and he had stated that my nose could possibly be snapped back into place. Once I saw him for follow up, however, he stated I would need surgery to fix the break and realign my nose. It's pretty bad. I had always thought about a nose job, but had learned to accept my nose as a part of me. It is unique, but many people have been attracted to me for having a rather prominent nose (yes people have said that believe it or not). I was initially just going to have my nose popped back into place considering it is the least invasive treatment. Regardless of the method needed to fix my nose, I knew I wanted my nose back to how it was pre-accident. Having my glasses sit crooked on my face is not something I could live with. Since Dr. Peck deemed I would need surgery to correct the break, I have elected to have some additional refinements done. Considering I have to endure an invasive procedure to fix my nose, which is not an option to skip, why not have a little touch me up? "Kill two birds with one stone." I am getting nervous though. I hope he does a great job and makes me look like a better version of myself. I do not want to look plastic or artificial. My mother has friends who had horrible results with rhinoplasty, but I believe it was due in part to having very unrealistic expectations for how they should look. Dr. Peck was able to identify my concerns with my nose and inform me how he would address them. He made it clear that I had to be realistic, which I am. He also understood me when I repeatedly said I just want to look like me, but more refined. My examples of the procedure I like is that of Jennifer Aniston's. While I do not want her nose, I think the surgeon did a great job because he subtly enhanced her natural beauty. I feel like he will do a great job and just enhance my appearance. But I'm still scared. My mother is flying out to be with me for the surgery and help me for a few days post op. My fiance will also be there and he has been amazing through this whole ordeal, but he sure deserves a break. I am blessed to have people who love me for me, regardless of me choosing to do this surgery. I am so lucky to have a man who makes it clear that if I choose not to fix the break he will still love me and think I am the most beautiful girl in the world. It will be ok because it has to be. I'm staying positive.Updated on 27 Feb 2013:In less than 12 hours my mother will be here and at this time tomorrow I will put my trust and faith in the plastic surgery team. At this point I am feeling positive. These past few days at work have been difficult since EVERYONE has a comment on how I look now. I am going through with this, however, for me. I want to feel positive and beautiful again. My nose crooked is just not something that I would have been able to be happy with so this is the right decision for me.Updated on 28 Feb 2013:The surgery was completed by this afternoon, but I cannot fall asleep. I'm wondering if this is a side effect of Percocet? I have no idea how I look under all this gauze and tape, but I'm feeling hopeful.Updated on 1 Mar 2013:End of Post Op Day 1 Today was rough. I was not taking as much Percocet as I should have so the pain was quite intense (I blame my mom since she didn't read the RX label, but technically neither did I). I took 1.5 pills of Percocet instead of 1 around 10pm and I am now feeling good, a little loopy, but good nonetheless. I am going to keep taking this pain medication around the clock because I can't focus, function, or sleep when the pain breaks through. I took out the packing in my nose today, which was easy (yes I did it myself), but scary because I did not know what was going to come out of each nostril. My nose seems to be running, but I have just kept the gauze taped under my nose to catch any discharge. I'm feeling very tired now so goodnight. I survived day 1.Updated on 2 Mar 2013:Today is Post Op Day 2. I am very tired and nauseous today. Without the Percocet I am in pain so I am not sure what to do about the nausea because it is just lingering. The best position I find is propped up on the couch with lots of pillows, but even then it is hard to get comfortable. I have not actually thrown up, but my stomach is very upset (I think this might also be due to the fact that I have not gone to the bathroom). My nose does not hurt as much as I feel a lot of pressure. My nostrils, however, are painful due to the stitches. Further my ear is quite painful, swollen, and tender to the touch since they had to take cartilage from my ear to support my nose. While I had been informed that this might be an option, the doctor had assured me that he would not need to take cartilage from my ear so that was somewhat disappointing. At this point I'm just trying to stay comfortable and out of pain. Percocet really messes with your stomach. I have added a picture from the recovery room. I look dead sexy.Updated on 5 Mar 2013:Today is Post Op Day 5 I have not been updating like I should. I go through periods where I start to feel better and then the pain medication wears off and I feel crummy. I had a lot of trauma going into the surgery so I am thinking (and thank you everyone for your suggestions) that the preexisting accident contributed to the increased pain. Or I am just a wuss. Today is Post Op Day 5 I have not been updating like I should. I go through periods where I start to feel better and then the pain medication wears off and I feel crummy. I had a lot of trauma going into the surgery so I am thinking (and thank you everyone for your suggestions) that the preexisting accident contributed to the increased pain. Or I am just a wuss. I'm still taking the Percocet and I am able to get a good 6 hours sleep. Also I finally took a BM and that was after days of taking stool softener and laxatives, which I do not recommend. In the future I would skip those meds until I was desperate to go to the bathroom since they just upset my stomach and I have a sensitive tummy to begin with. My throat is still slightly swollen. The bruising and swelling under my eyes is very minimal. What's under my cast I cannot tell... Tomorrow I get my cast off and I'm starting to worry. I do realize that my nose is not going to look like the finished product in less then a week, but I am hoping it is straight and proportionate. It will be nice to get the stitches out in both my nose and ear since they are driving me nuts (itchy and sore to the touch / with movement). My forehead is itching like crazy so I think that is a good sign that the laceration is healing. Only time will tell. And by time I mean 24 hour and change! I have still note rated Dr. Peck because I would like to first see the finished product. Hopefully tomorrow I will have better idea of things.Updated on 7 Mar 2013:Today has been one week since my surgery. I should post pictures, but I don't have the energy to get "cute." These last few days I have had little energy to do anything, let alone try to compose a post. Yesterday I had my cast removed, which was incredibly painful since the tape had melted to my skin. My forehead and nose are still covered in a sticky residue that I cannot get off. I've tried everything from soap and water to astringent, but the tape will not budge. My nose is far too sensitive to keep touching so the tape can win (for now). To say I cried when I first saw my new nose is an understatement. I hysterically broke down, but overall I was really happy. My fear was that my nose would come out poorly or significantly change how I look. I still look like me, but with a cuter, shorter (and really swollen) nose. The change is subtle, but done well. It is still scary because it has only been a week and this is not the finished product. For the amount of work I had done, it appears that I will look a lot better by this time next week, but the full results will take months. My doctor is having me return for post op pictures at 3 months since he feels this is the time when most people can really see and appreciate their new nose. I am happy now, but I will be a lot happier once this swelling has subsided and I can fully smile again. I will attempt to post pictures soon.Updated on 10 Mar 2013:Today is post op day 10. Everywhere I go people look at me like I am a domestic violence victim. The two bruises under my eyes don't help. And I've tried all my makeup tricks, but I can't conceal this dark bruising. I tend to be a bruiser though so I was not shocked to see bruising. If anything I have had less bruising then I had initially anticipated. I was still quite swollen in the face up until yesterday. While I am still swollen today, I have noticed a huge improvement in just the last few days. I keep thinking if this is the worst my nose will look, then that is ok with me. If anything the change was so subtle that I have not had a problem adjusting to my new (and improved) nose. I did have a glass of wine last night and do not find myself to be more swollen today, which is good. While I really want to get back to my exercise, I am following the doctor's orders and abstaining from cardio for 3 weeks total. Staying inside and not exercising is making me a little depressed. It is hard to go from active to couch potato, but I don't want to damage anything. I desperately want to feel like myself again, but I have to keep reminding myself that I need time for my body and mind to heal.Updated on 18 Mar 2013:It had been 2 weeks and 4 days since my surgery. I'm still bruised and very swollen. Despite looking puffier than normal, I am pleased with the results and look forward to the changes that will occur each week. The hardest part of recover for me (at this point at least) has been not being able (or allowed) to exercise. I'm very body conscious, and find exercise to be a huge mood elevator, so this last week I've felt a little low. I've been a good girl though, and have abstained from exercise per my doctors orders. Since I am a bleeder, I would rather be safe and prevent any possible complications like hemorrhaging (and yes, that happens). For now I am just going to have the Fat [RS bleep] mentality: "I eat because I'm sad and I'm sad because I eat." Today was my first day back at work. I took a full two and a half weeks off and a total of 5 weeks plus in all from the accident. I'm a nurse. My job is physically and emotionally demanding. Taking the time off was really necessary for my healing. I would advise anyone having an open rhinoplasty and or revision due to trauma to arrange to have the time off. And I have posted some picturas.Updated on 18 Mar 2013:The one thing I forgot to mention is how much the cold bothers my nose. My poor little puppy says, "mommy, why can't we go on our long walks?" When I go out in the cold I feel like I just drank a slurpee and have awful brain freeze. Only the brain freeze from a slurpee goes away. As long as I'm outside in this frigid New Jersey weather I feel pain in my nose form the cold. I have forgotten to call Dr. Peck about this uncomfortable side effect, but I hope it goes away and so does the puppy.
I am scheduled to have my tummy tuck in a week. I am so excited. I have been reading numerous blogs and watching tons of videos and everyone seems so pleased. My procedure was scheduled at $9,400. I just found out that my insurance will pay for at least the anesthesia and facility charges which total $3,300. The Dr. felt around my navel and asked me if it hurt and said he felt some weaknesses so he put in the diagnosis as if he was going to repair something. My total charges are now $6,100. I was so excited when I found that out because I was going to do it no matter what but WOW I saved some money. My procedure is coming up and I will keep you guys posted on my recovery. I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Updated on 1 Apr 2013: Ok so I am one day away from the big day. I can't wait to see the new me. I took some before photos to post and next week or later this week I'll post some current ones. Updated on 2 Apr 2013: So I'm one hour away. I am nervous and excited. I have so many mixed feelings. My stomach is hurting from nerves. I know this is gonna be great. I haven't even complete this yet but I know that I am going to be so impressed with the results. Watch out here comes a brand new me. Started from the inside and now working on the outside. Will keep you posted.....................:-)) Updated on 5 Apr 2013: Ok so I has my TT 4 days ago and I feel great! The first two days were disgusting but after that it improved dramatically. I went for my first appointment today and the nasty drains came off. Thank god. I finally got a look at my belly. I will post a picture. I am very swollen still but super satisfied with the results.
