After a couple of consults, I booked in for surgery with Dr Imani for 16 July 2019. I originally went to Dr Imani for breathing/sinus issues but also wanted to get rid of the small bump in my nose and also refine the bulbous tip so it suited my small face better.
I asked for a:
Smaller
Feminine nose (slightly upturned)
Refined tip
Smooth the bump out
Dr Imani was excellent throughout and is a really good guy, we had great rapport. I am documenting my recovery journey here.
Updated on 19 Jul 2019:
Here is a pic I took as soon as I woke up from surgery. I had no pain anywhere except a searing pain in my throat from the breathing tube. It was so sore they gave me OxyContin. Then I felt much better!
Updated on 19 Jul 2019:
I had some bruising appear but not much, left hospital at 9am with some scripts for Panadeine forte, antiobiotics, steroids for the swelling and nasal washes. I felt very sleepy most of the day and was nervous about sleeping in my own bed at night. I propped up 4 pillows so I was sleeping pretty much sitting up.
Updated on 19 Jul 2019:
I woke up with a red bruise and feeling a bit more swollen, but after I took my meds as instructed I felt better. Nasal washes still painful to start - the tips of the nostrils are so sensitive, but getting better.
Updated on 19 Jul 2019:
I feel much better today, no longer need the Panadeine forte, am just on normal Panadol. Still have a stiff/weird upper lip so can’t smile like I used to but I’m told this is normal for a few weeks. My post op instructions say to try to avoid smiling or any big expressions, but my friends keep coming to visit and making me laugh it’s tough!
Updated on 19 Jul 2019:
I’ve just woken up and don’t feel too bad, just soreness around my stitches. I have some blood/mucous pooled in my nose but it isn’t dripping out. I had a pretty good sleep, slept from about 830pm to 5am. I’m sure I’ll nap again soon!
This is how my face looks first thing this morning - I haven’t used my nasal wash or anything yet.
It looks like the bruises are turning yellow which is good as I think it means they’re healing. I feel like I have a mild sinus headache but I’m assuming it’s because I last took Panadol over 8 hours ago so it’s worn off.
Updated on 19 Jul 2019:
Post-op instructions are not to get your bandages wet or wash your hair for a week. I am so glad I got my hair braided before surgery - it’s out of the way and not getting all matted/knotted from all the bedrest and also not getting in the way of my nose. I also wake up and it’s already ‘done’. I’ve had these braids in for 5 days and they still look ok. I highly recommend if you have long hair to get French braids the day before surgery !
Updated on 20 Jul 2019:
Bruises going down, nose still congested with blood/mucous (I’m doing sinus washes 4-6 times a day) but not dripping. Stomach not feeling great, probably from all the meds (antibiotics, steroids etc). Feel a lot of pressure around my nose but trying not to take anything stronger than Panadol as I have work tomorrow and want to be able to drive
Will try to eat lots of probiotic yoghurt today to help my tummy
Updated on 20 Jul 2019:
Updated on 22 Jul 2019:
No swelling (although I didn’t seem to ever have any?), bruises disappearing really quick, just small slivers. Forgot a pic but will take one for Day 7 cast removal.
Updated on 23 Jul 2019:
Today was the day! I was so excited I was 20min early for my appointment . I accidentally misunderstood the instructions though and didn’t have a warm shower with face wash to loosen my cast, so it was a little bit painful (kind of like the feeling of pushing on a bruise) to get it off, even though Dr Imani was very gentle. I highly recommend having a warm shower and washing your face before the cast off appointment so the glue melts away before your appointment. Oops!
Also I have not been on any painkillers (not even Panadol) for two days now, but I will take one tonight.
Nose is already looking super cute!!! It’s very swollen especially where they had to break it to get rid of the bump and also on the tip, but I’m loving it already, so excited to see the end result!
I was a bit too nervous to do the recovery massages on myself this week (it has to be 4 times a day and it was so sore for me when I first tried it that I didn’t know if i could do it all week) so Dr Imani kindly taped me up for another week to reduce the swelling so I don’t need to do the massages just yet. Maybe by next week I will be brave enough to do the massages hehe!
Updated on 23 Jul 2019:
So I was so extra careful about not disrupting the surgeon’s good work or any stitches that I probably didn’t clean my nose out as thoroughly as I should have with the peroxide. There were still some bloody crusts around when I went to my cast off appointment. Dr Imani cleaned it out for me properly. Going forward now I know I can be a bit more thorough with the cleaning - so that’s good to know!
Updated on 23 Jul 2019:
Day 7
Upper lip can move more now, feeling great
It’s still not back to 100% but I’m confident once all my swelling goes down it will be
Updated on 23 Jul 2019:
Updated on 23 Jul 2019:
1 x headband
1 x piece of string
Updated on 23 Jul 2019:
I still can’t wash my own hair so here I am at the hair dresser
Updated on 25 Jul 2019:
Nose is still a bit sore even at rest today, it’s my first day having a whole day of no Panadol. My nose is taped and I guess it’s the pressure of the swelling pushing against the tape. Feels kind of dry inside I think because of the tickly stitches or decongestant spray I used. Getting excited to take the tape off on Tuesday, although I hope it doesn’t hurt!
Tried to touch my nose but it’s quite painful even just to lightly touch it - I guess it is a broken nose after all so to be expected
Updated on 26 Jul 2019:
My smile is almost back today, I would say it’s 80% back
Updated on 27 Jul 2019:
Today I woke up without a headache for the first time since the surgery - I think it’s because I’ve started sleeping flat instead of on two pillows. My nose also doesn’t hurt to touch anymore (first time since surgery - prior to this it was sore even to lightly touch it as it just felt like a huge bruise) Yay!
Updated on 2 Aug 2019:
Still swollen but looking and feeling great already!
Updated on 8 Aug 2019:
Feeling good - have been doing the lymphatic drainage massages and it looks like the swelling has gone down a lot - although it’s still noticeable from the side. Breathing not quite excellent yet because I’ve got a cold. A lot of people have said they don’t really notice the difference - which is a good thing in my opinion, it means it looks natural! I can notice a significant difference :)
Updated on 12 Aug 2019:
Update pic