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Devastated

ORIGINAL POST

I don't even know where to start with this long...

_12345
$8,165
I don't even know where to start with this long depressing review. I've been living my worst nightmare going on for the past 5 years now that I thought would come to an end this year. I used to be a happy, confident person full of life, grateful and appreciative of my appearance that I used to get a lot of compliments on. That all came to an end in November 2012 at the age of 17 at a "friends" sleepover that I was invited to at the end of a school year. A girl that posed as my friend violently hit me in the nose out of pure jealousy that broke my nose cartilage. Within 2 months I noticed my nose became very unsymmetrical making me extremely depressed that my beautiful nose was lost. I immediately started looking for a plastic/reconstructive surgeon online to restore my nose, 5 small surgeries (that had complications) and two surgeons later my nose looked like a botched version of my nose. I felt more depressed than ever, hopeless and unable to leave the house to see any family members or even show my face to the general public out of pure embarrassment. I was too depressed to even get ready basically being an ugly version of myself. Every year has gotten worse and I haven't left the house since 2015 (besides doctor’s appointments). My last surgery with a different surgeon who is now retired was in September 2016 so another year of my life was down the drain waiting for my nose to heal in hopes that my 6th surgery would be my final and I would get my life back.
I met Kien Ha earlier this year in May he came across as polite, professional and very knowledgeable and confident that he could help me. He recommended a rib graft and a micro fat transfer. I immediately felt extremely uncomfortable about the idea, I just pictured a massive nose in my head especially after my mum's experience with rib graft from a previous plastic surgeon after losing her beautiful nose in her 20's to a so called experienced ENT surgeon for sinus surgery. He completely broke her nose that then over the years collapsed. Kien Ha then reassured me that I would not have a bigger nose by showing me a before and after photo of his previous work with a rib graft. I agreed the nose did not look bigger in the after photo just a better version of the before photo and I felt comfortable that it would be the same for me. I showed him old photos of my nose so he could get an idea of how it used to look. He also computer edited pre op photos he took of me to show the desired outcome which looked 95% like my old nose. I felt even more reassured that I had found my surgeon.
I had some time to think it through and booked in my surgery and met up with Kien Ha again in August to go over things two weeks before my surgery, he added that he wanted to use temporal fascia grafting as a layer of coverage for my thin skin. I was ok with it if it meant having a better result as I trusted him with my nose at this point. I truly believed he was the man for the job with how confident he seemed in himself. On the day of my surgery I was the most anxious I'd ever been before any of my past surgeries, I just had a feeling in the back of my head that it could go horribly wrong. Kien Ha worked on my nose for 9 and a half hours which I appreciated a lot as I know no one else would spend nowhere near as much time.
The recovery for me was horrible I'd never had any pain or issues in the past and I can't even explain the amount of pain, it was pure agony for 10 days especially the first 7. I had 20 or more endones which didn't even touch the pain and in the past I'd never had more than 3. I was constipated with extreme pain in my stomach and ended up vomiting. I was unable to sleep for over a week due to the amount of pain keeping me awake, as well as the usual not being able to breathe after a rhinoplasty. Still to this day I can barely breathe particularly in the morning because the swelling is so bad from the amount of overdone grafting in my nose. Now to the result (so far) which besides any swelling isn't going to change shape, size and projection. I've had enough experience to know how noses heal from surgery including my mums 5 surgery experiences. Kien Ha obviously did not take in any of my concerns about my nose. I thought we were on the same page from the first consult. I was blessed with a beautiful nose and ever since the first surgery I wanted it restored, NEVER changed. The result is literally my worst nightmare that I didn't even think was possible. I am the most depressed I've ever been, even more depressed than when I realised my nose was wrecked after being violently hit before any surgery. I had a naturally curved, short, small feminine nose with a slightly upturned tip and it is now exactly the opposite. It is nearly double the size, bulky, extremely long, straight, not even slightly curved, too projected, pointy and the tip too low I can barely see my nostrils. It also feels extremely hard like a brick and feels really heavy and unnatural. Not only is it not feminine at all but it doesn't suit my face in the slightest. Kien Ha seems to use rib graft on all his patient’s even primary rhinoplasty which is extremely odd, seems he has a one size fits all technique which doesn't make sense as everyone's face is unique. I have no idea how he stretched my damaged thin skin over this massive structure. He's literally built a whole new nose on top of my nose. My face is destroyed and I look hideous and absolutely nothing like myself. I've worn the nasal splint over my nose to hide it ever since. I have to remove it to do my skincare and it destroys me every time I see it in the mirror. I not only have to hide from everyone else now but including myself. I have not left the house since the surgery. I can't even go to my doctor anymore. As a result from the distress caused I'm breaking out in incredibly itchy rashes all the time and I've never had a rash in my entire life, I'm also experiencing a lot of hair loss with an actual bald patch that has appeared at the back of my head.
I expressed my feelings to Kien Ha in my second post op appointment and that's when his professionalism just went out the window. He got quite angry that I wasn't happy with the result. He stated that he had to give up 10 hours of his time that could've been spent with his kids, which was an extremely unprofessional comment considering this is the rest of my life we're talking about. He seems to care more about his reputation than me living with my worst nightmare for the rest of my life. He won't do a revision as he sees no issue and doesn't understand what my nose means to me, he has just taken my parent’s money that I pay back to them fortnightly. The only "help" he has offered is to see a psychologist. Kien Ha also said that I'll never be happy, which is far from the truth. My nose that has been taken from me is what's making me depressed and unable to live a normal life, there's absolutely nothing any psychologist or psychiatrist can do for me at this stage. The only person who understands is my mum who has experienced the same trauma as me. It's far more depressing to have something taken from you that you love, than be born with something that you hate that you're used to. I have seen so far two other plastic/reconstructive surgeons and a third booked who have said to me this result is way too drastic a change and too much grafting has been inserted. They both sympathise with me about what I have gone through and they are both prepared to operate on my nose in due time but it is devastating to wait. I am now 22 and as this issue started straight after high school I've never been able to get a job or study. I'm so scared that no one will be able to help me fix this impossible mess. I want my face back so I can finally start my life and be happy like I used to be and hopefully in time overcome this extreme trauma that has destroyed me as a person.

_12345's provider

Kien Ha, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Kien Ha, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Specialist Otolaryngologist

4.9 | 237 Reviews
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Replies (5)

January 16, 2018
Oh my goodness - I am so sorry for you. I'm also suffering from a bad primary after suffering an injury to my nose. It can really steal your sense of self. People don't understand how devastating it is until they go through it. Try to focus on something else until you can get it fixed, a hobby, anything to give your mind a break. I wish you all the best and i'll pray that this gets resolved.
March 14, 2018
Thank you, I appreciate your thoughtful comment. I also pray that your issues get resolved so you can be your happy self again and live life to the fullest.
March 1, 2018
I am so sorry you have had such a terrible time. I have had 8 surgeries on my nose and can completely sympathise! I have had 4 surgeons work on my nose before finding Dr Ha. My nose was completely gone and barely anything left. I had the rib graft, fat transfer and "temporal fascia grafting as a layer of coverage for my thin skin" too. So I think we had an almost identical operation with Dr Ha. My surgery took 7.5 hours. Unlike you I didn't have much pain. I was pretty uncomfortable but I got away with a couple of panadol and that was it! I was lucky.
I know you are extremely unhappy with how you look because your nose doesn't look like your original nose. But I had to give up that wish a long time ago and I think it would be good for you to do the same. That amount of surgery, you will never look like you used to. I think the important thing is to focus on the fact that now you have at least got a normal looking nose. My nose looks nothing like it used to but I am just thankful that I at least look normal now. If I could turn back time I would never have had surgery at all! But I had to come to terms with what I have had done and be happy with what Dr Ha has been able to do for me. I now have a straight septum and a normal looking nose. If you are like me, you look at it and focus on it and to you, you see all the imperfections. But I bet you no one else can see what you are talking about. Whenever I told my friends I hate my nose, they couldn't see what I could see. My advise would be to learn to love yourself, you are beautiful. More surgeries probably won't make you happy and could make it look worse. I am more than confident Dr Ha has done an amazing job, if yours looks anything like mine. Good luck!
June 24, 2018
So sorry for the sadness you must be going through. I was Just wondering if your nose shape has changed and size reduced since your rhinoplasty as I had a four hour open rhinoplasty surgery with Dr Ha a month ago and my nose is also to big for my face and swollen too. The description you mentioned of your nose sounds just like mine. I’m just hoping in time the size and shape of my nose will change to look more normal and appealing.
June 25, 2018
I'll inbox you
July 24, 2018
July 24, 2018
Clearly you haven’t had you’re nose botched so you wouldn’t understand. Ohh in all honesty I think you’re the one that should seek professional help here
July 24, 2018
Telling her to go see a psychologist isn’t the best response she’s looking for. Keep your comments to yourself if you have nothing positive to say.
October 9, 2018
I agree.
October 9, 2018
October 9, 2018
October 9, 2018
UPDATED FROM _12345
4 years post

4 years and 2 months post op.

_12345
A hideous botched mess. The skin is so damaged from being completely stretched over many unnecessary grafts and under so much tension that still no surgeon is willing to operate on me. I never agreed to this.

Replies (3)

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June 1, 2022
I feel for u i know the pain . 18 years ago my nose was disfigured from a simple operation .

I then went to Adelaide cranio facial surgery to get it fixed .
Thet did 3 more operations and each times made it worse and worse . Iv felt repulsed serverly fir 18 years .
Last 2 years iv been happy to hv to wear face masks as no one can see my nose .

Last 3 years iv been searching for another surgeon and hv chosen Dtr Robert Coren in North Adelaide . I am hopeful and realistic as my nose has many many issues to resolve and i mean ALOT .

Hope u find help
June 22, 2022
Just wondering if you have seen dr Robert Coren yet as I’m wanting help with my botched job.
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July 18, 2022
Hello . Yes iv been seeing Drt Coren for 3 years and im finally booked in for my operation in 4 weeks time .
Reason its taken 3 years is because of covid and i had to cancel once as i had to take care of my mother .
How u spoke in your messages is exactely the words on how ive felt for 18 years .
And i also went to Dtr Ha and he to said take out rib bone and make a new nose and said 6 hours to do it . He makes u feel u can get want u want and does the digital image of u on the computer so u can see how good you can look and with this intices u to go ahead . His price is way to high .
I didnt get a good feeling about him as re biulding nose doesnt mean taking a rib and getting rid of what is in yr nose.

Dtr Coren is very very realistic with outcome and in my case working with what is in my nose plus i hv 2 prosthetics to be used .

He is very very well priced .
My operation will take 3 hours and 1 over night in hospital . The operation itself is $4,700 and around $5,400 for hospital fees .

Dtr Coren is a calm humble quiet person .
His practis is in North Adelaide

Also regarding some of the comments people made on your heart broken message were terrible i couldnt believe how insensitive they all were so i had to day something even though i thought you probly wont tead ... but you did .

If you want any pics of my nose now or wld like to kerp in contact on here im very happy too . Iv held alot in over 18 years on how gross and repulsive i look with my nose .
September 1, 2022
Sorry just saw your message how did your op go? If you’ve had it. I hope it went really well for you. Yes I would like to see a photo, as I’ve already seen two surgeons who won’t touch my botched job and I hope Dr Coren can help me. I can’t believe how difficult and frustrating it is to find a good rhino surgeon in S.A. I’m so depressed and really would appreciate your help.
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September 5, 2022
Hello . . Well had surgery 3 weeks ago today . Unfortunatly the main area i hated the most on my nose was not fixed . Iv been very very depressed and havent wanted to speak . However the medical issues i had he has resolve atm . I can now breath and the pressure / pain i had on left side always has aldo been fixed .
Asthetically he has done 2 areas that needed to be straightened and tip to be rouned . . Im still healing and as u know nose will keep changing . But because of the areas that needed changing the most .... and havent ! My nose still looks completelynon symetrical and still very bad in photos .
Anyway this site is playing up and i cant even see what im writing do sorry if spelling mistakes etc . Il try to mesg u again
September 22, 2022
Thank you for reply hope your well and nose has healed nicely.
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October 2, 2022
Unfortunetly . I waisted $11,000 .
Still cant breath out of left nostril and nostril is closed even more.
The part i hated the most is friggan worse .
The overall size of nose is exactly the bloody same .
Its been 7 weeks .
The first 4 weeks i was really upset and mad and in disbelief .
Now iv had to except it.

Iv been looking for another surgeon .

I came across dtr edward Clelend . I didnt see him over the time i was looking over the years .
Web site is called ..
One Face .
So im researching mote about him.
December 1, 2022
How did you go with dr Cleland?
January 4, 2025
Have you had any progress with getting your nose fixed or have you just given up like me? Hope your well ❤️
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January 5, 2025
Hello . Dtr coren said he wld re do my nose using rib , but no way was i letting him bugger it up again he is clueless with nose surgery.
I finally ckd afford health insurance so thought i can get noze fixed by Dtr Ha , but i still dont fully trust him because of 2 negative reviews including yours . But he has hundreds of good reviews .
Like you who else can help ?
Atm i have 5 operations i need to hv before nose , so i dont know if it will ever get fixed .
So terrible to look horrible and then the bresthing and constant pressure in my nose .
Thank you for asking .
How are you going ? Are you accepting yr appearance any better ? Do you go in public more now ? I remember you were living at home staying in room .
Hope your well
May 1, 2023
I saw Dr Cleland it was a waste of time
and money he refused to fix another surgeons mistake. I’m still in limbo.
Hope you’re ok ?