Terry H. McMillan, MD

I noticed I was different than the other kids from the time I was 7 years old. I had battled the horribly crooked teeth with braces treatment I received from Dr Francis in Burlington Iowa many years ago. Very much worth it.
When I was 7 I was beginning to be the ugliest girl in my class. By age 8 I surpassed that... I was the ugliest girl in my SCHOOL! Even the teacher taunted me and made fun of me. Not for lack of hygiene. I was and am very clean. But with long dark scraggly hair. Twisted teeth and a very long narrow nose and a deviated septum. And the cartilage separating my nostrils hung down so far. Very bulbous tip.. My name Was Darlene.I was addressed as"Doglene" for all my school days. I was regularly told that I look like a witch.
My teeth were straightened. My name was legally changed at age 18 because I'd cringe hearing my birth name. These 2 things helped my self esteem. So did moving. But not enough.
Over the years I'd try to put my witch nose in the back of my mind. I became a pro looking dead on in photos. Anything to block side profile shots. Once in awhile one would slip by though. Last year a pic of me was identified by someone saying "anyone can tell whose profile that is". Ugggh.
Kids were the worst
"Why's your nose so long?"
"The nose knows" .
"Your nose looks like a witch's" .
"Are you a witch?"
"Mommy look at her nose!"
I was not raised by my mom. I honestly don't know her well as I was basically abandoned as a baby so given names or looking like my family don't have any sentimental meaning to me. I do have a recent picture of my mother. Long dyed black hair. Very long bangs. She looks witchy so I know my situation isn't going to improve without rhinoplasty.
I'm 45. Never married. No kids. Self esteem has been in the toilet for years.
On the positive I have great hair. Pretty eyes. Nice cheek bones. A nice figure. I have been a hair model. The great source of my unhappiness about my looks for nearly 40 years has been my "hawk beak". I'd kind of like to look normal and maybe even get married before I turn 50 so here is my journey. And I hope I can help others who are considering this option. I will be as honest as I can.
I pretty much decided I was going to do this when I went back home (to iowa) this late summer. I looked online for surgeons in my winter home (Las Cruces NM) where I just purchased a house and had not began working yet.
New Home
New Life
On to a fresh start before anyone here really got to see me and this nose. I literally wanted to put my best face forward. Make new memories and leave my low self esteem in the past where it belongs.
Anyone considering rhinoplasty or any other self improvement procedure needs to do it for themselves. Do it for you. Not to make others happy. Nor should you let anyone talk you out of it if what you feel needs corrected makes you miserable looking at it. This was and is my personal mantra.
I looked at the credentials of Dr.Terry McMillan here in Las Cruces. Read his mission statement. The page describing him. And made him my choice. I contacted his office and had them send paper work to Iowa so I wouldn't chicken out. Filled everything out. Mailed it to him. I wanted surgery asap as to my returning to Las Cruces. Sooner it's done the sooner I can look for work. ;-)
I had a few visits to his office to take pics. To describe what I don't like about my nose. He says you can change 3 things. Within reason of course.
I wanted it to not look witch like
To not be out there so far. Or pointy.
We came up with our game plan
Soften tip
Move it inwards so it didn't stick out so far
Fix the cartilage between my nostrils. I could easily touch that with my tongue.
The day of my surgery I went to Mountain View Surgery Center
The staff was wonderful and kept me comfortable and calmed my fears. I'm a terrible needle phobe. My nurse did a fantastic job. My anesthesiologist explained what all he was doing. And Dr McMillan stopped by again to check on me.
My surgery was over 2 hours. My doctor had a lot to do. He is very meticulous. He looks at every detail.I was in great hands
My recovery nurse did all she could to prevent me from vomiting and I didn't barf even once.
I went to my friends to recover since he has a recliner which is needed to help keep swelling to a minimal.
He and my brother took shifts taking care of me.
After surgery you'll have packing up your nose. So far this was the very worst of it. Mouth breathing. Dry mouth from that. I recommend ice tea. Use a turkey blaster along your bottom molars until you learn to mouth breathe and drink.
Also popsicles in plastic sleeve. Pedialyte for immense dryness. Carmex or Vaseline for your lips. Eye drops for dry eyes. Arnica gel for bruising and swelling. Shea butter baby diaper wipes to keep your face clean and fresh. Qtips in cool water helps clean your eyes. They will feel cruddy and snotty and I have been keeping a glass of clean water and Qtips close by. Keep alp these close to your recliner. You'll need them often.also Afrin nasal spray. And Kleenex. You'll need a small garbage can for tissues and to spit in.
After surgery day. Next morning packing came out of my nostrils. OWWEEE! Don't tense up. They will take forceps and slowly pull them out and clean out your nose. It will be a huge relief. You'll likely be able to breathe out your nose and dry mouth will stop.
You'll need to keep surgical area clean and free of dried blood and debris twice a day. Peroxide. Qtips and neosporin. Use your Afrin often.
I'm going in to day 4 now. My eyes have reduced greatly in swelling. I credit elevating my head and the arnica gel. The black and blue is greenish. The internal and external splints come off/ out Monday. Anxious for it.
Was it worth it? Check yes!
Even with splint on I can see the witch nose is gone. Monday is"unveiling day" so more updates then.

Updated on 11 Jan 2015:
Tomorrow is my big day. The cast and splint come off! I can hardly wait!

Updated on 13 Jan 2015:
My cast is gone. It was awesome to gently wash my face and give myself a much needed facial. Then shower and shampoo the heck out of my hair and wash my face and ears good. Oh yeah!
But next was the big moment after drying off and getting dressed.
Walking up to the mirror to my new face. Big smile.
Putting on my makeup and doing my hair and heading out to start this new chapter in my life.
I didn't go out to eat. No party. No something simple. I looked like I've been in a fight still. Tail tracings of black eyes. So what's a girl to do? Wal-Mart. And now I don't look like one of the People of Wal-Mart you see here on the net. :-)
Nobody staring
Maybe people were a little friendlier even. I don't look like a weirdo anymore.: -)
I have a ways to go with the swelling but everyday is better.
I have more on my self improvement list.
Next is brow furrows.

Updated on 16 Jan 2015:
Things have been going pretty well. The swelling has gone down a lot. It's more swollen on the left side yet. And my tip is still numb which is to be expected. The odd yet nice thing to get used to is my new normal sized tip does not hit pop cans when I drink my Pepsi anymore. It used to hit the tab. Only thing that has been a problem is my Sun glasses. I have light sensitivity and need my sunglasses but it's too tender and too swollen to comfortably wear them yet.
All else is great!
I'm hoping to post pics next week.
:-)

Updated on 19 Feb 2015:
I am very happy with my results. There is still some swelling. I know there will be subtle changes over time. I don't feel self conscious anymore.
I am very glad I did this. I am 45 years old and this has been the only thing I've ever done just for myself.