William Russell Ries, MD (in memoriam)

As a child, I was teased about the "bulb" tip of my nose. Also as a child, I was a daily victim of physical or verbal abuse by my mother. At 14, one of those instances resulted in a broken nose that was never treated. Worse yet, now in my 40's, I look JUST like my mother as I remember her during those years and am often told that. After years of psychological therapy as well as struggling with the deviated septum and chronic sinusitis, my internist referred me to a dr who specialized as both in otolaryngology as well as board certified facial reconstruction and plastics. After determining to physical need, he confirmed me psychologically sound with good reasons for my cosmetic choice. I had my surgery yesterday, and can already see from underneath he cast that he did an amazing job! I feel blessed!



Updated on 19 Sep 2012:
Looking pretty good 6 days post-op. cast off tomorrow! Less initial bruising than I expected. Absolute worst pain was in my TEETH, which was unexpected. A little concern about a bruise the runs under my cast that is remaining purple (rest are yellow). Will post pics.

Updated on 20 Sep 2012:
Cast came off this morning! "MOVE THAT BUS!". I was nervous about what to expect, but LOVE it. Even with residual swelling at bridge and tip, the new definition is evident and I actually now have a TIP to my nose, its straight, and I can breathe! AND, I have my own look now (not a visual clone of my mother). For the first time ever, I really like what I see when I look in the mirror--and this is only DAY 1 post-cast! I am far more pleased than I expected to be at this point. Can't wait to see what lies 3-6 months down the road! I actually have full feeling in the tip, and only slight upper lip numbness. Still some bruising, but nothing a little makeup won't cover. What swelling I do have leaves me still with a nose smaller than my original. My doctor was happy and chuckling at my "ecstatic-ness".

Updated on 20 Sep 2012:
I failed to mention another thing I love about my Doctor. I am a tall woman and a leader in my community--he understood that I did not remotely want some "standard definition of a perfect nose", or a dinky or pointy little Hollywood diva nose. Without drawing pictures--he understood and delivered exactly what I wanted. THAT is a good doctor.