African-American Revision Rhinoplasty with Dr. Yoo!!!

Hey ya'll. So here are some 1 month update photos. Couple of notes and FYI:
I have been taping nightly since I got my my tape removed 2 weeks ago.
My nose is slightly slanted to right side but that is 100% due to swelling (so don't let that discourage you if you experience that)
My scars are completely healed. (under nose, rib cage, and scalp scar are healed and look great)
I lifted weights yesterday for the first time (I started doing cardio -walking/jogging Monday of this week)
My next appointment with Dr. Yoo is Monday. (via skype)
That's about it. If you have an questions, feel free to drop below :-)

Photos are up. Will Post more at 1 month. Enjoy!

Man, where do I begin! First, let me start by saying that if you are considering Rhinoplasty (Primary or Revision) I STRONGLY advise that you go to Dr. Yoo. (Disclaimer: I will be adding photos...lots of them, just waiting to get some "before" images from my desktop)
Ok, so..the process. For the last 3 years, I researched several Doctors and consulted with 4. Being an African-American patient, I thought it would be wise to select an African-American surgeon so I consulted with 2 African-American Doctor's in Maryland. Doctor 1: Liked him but there was no acceptable level of comfort I got from his skill and my expectations. Also, their Front desk coordinator was everything but organized. To me, the front desk is a reflection of the Doctor and what was to come so that decision was a no for me. 2nd Doctor: Skype consultation. I chose to meet with him because one of my African-American male friends went to him. My friend wanted a nose like the rapper Nas'... The Doctor gave him a nose like the rapper Nas'....so what could go wrong here? Well, this Doctor told me that I had a cute nose and that he wouldn't touch it. Now, let me go on record and say that yes, I did have a cute nose but that was only with makeup and from one particular angle. I personally think he was not comfortable with touching someone else's work ...and I get it, Revisions can be tricky but don't learn to build a house if you aren't comfortable with doing upgrades and repairs. So, he declined me. 3rd Doctor: I consulted with a doctor in Korea. No Skype. Sent pictures and corresponded via email. I liked their online photos but mama ain't raise no fool. I'm not letting anyone put a hole in the middle of my face and I can't see their face until surgery day. Nah - I'm good. I'll pass. Besides, I had a close friend of mine email them inquiring about Rhinoplasty (we have extremely different noses) and she got the exact same feedback and suggestions I got. Nope. Im cool on Dr. Casper the friendly ghost.
And then there was Yoo. The formidable Dr. Donald Yoo. My first Skype with him was in 2016. By the way, noticed I migrated from African-American Doctors to Doctors specializing in Asian Rhinoplasty. I had an Asian inspired nose and decided that someone who specialized in that was going to be my best best option. I dont know if I found Yoo on Instagram or Realself, either way, I IMMEDIATELY LOVED HIS WORK! So I researched him, then researched him some more, Skyped with him, then researched him again. I was sold and trust me, he ain't in the selling business; he's just an extremely talented, honest, realistic surgeon. I knew I was going to go with him now it was just waiting until I got a nice break in my work schedule. Fast forward 2018. In February (or March), I met with Dr. Yoo again (in person this time as I now live in LA full-time ), booked my surgery date for May and here I am, 16 days later, excited to share my journey with you.
Day prior to surgery: visited the office for the Pre-Op visit. Got my opioid prescription, talked about the game plan for the next day (surgery day), and received all my post-operative supplies I would need. The non-opiod prescriptions were called in a week prior. Just an FYI: I had to get a physical to make sure I was a successful candidate for surgery. For whatever reason, the physical cost me $300. The facility I went to (Exer) stated that since the physical was for cosmetic surgery and that the Doctor would have to sign off to say I was a good candidate for surgery, that insurance wouldn't cover it. She stated I could try and file it under insurance but that if my insurance got wind that the physical was for cosmetic surgery, that they would have billed me for way more than $300. We in the 9th hour. I paid the $300 and kept it moving. Back to Dr. Yoo's office - Your procedure comes with a Hydrofacial treatment. I didn't know it was scheduled for later that day but I declined it since I flew my aunt in that morning and wanted to spend a day with her before I had surgery. I will get the facial at some point just not until this beauty on my face finishes baking.
Surgery Day!!!! 5/17/18
Went to the surgery center (same building as his office-different floor), got changed, Dr. Charles came in to make sure I was good (anesthesiologist), Jenni (Dr. Yoo's right hand nurse and my best friend in my head) was AMAZING. We laughed and had a good time. I had a request for them to have J. Cole playing when they wheeled me in the room so of course, they had J. Cole playing as they wheeled me into the room. I hopped on the bed and woke up 8 hours later. After surgery, I wasn't nauseated at all. I mean I wasnt ready to run a marathon but I felt fine. Definitely loopy and a little out of it but no crazy pain. Got home, took the pain meds and tried to sleep but I am not a napper so this was difficult. It was uncomfortable breathing through the mouth but this was to be expected as this was a revision and I've been down this road before. (BTW, My first Rhinoplasty was 13 years ago - 2005.) Slept fine especially with the Xanax. Never had it before but definitely see why people love it. GREAT rest.
Day 1: post-operative visit. I had very minimal facial swelling. I felt fine - a little sluggish. Forgot what actually happened at the post-operative appointment. I think it was just to make sure everything was fine. I remember trying to put on some heels and my aunt telling my ass to put on some flat shoes lol. The office visit was short and sweet but I remember being pissed on the way home. My aunt - who isn't from Cali- was complaining about driving through Mulholland Drive. And I get it, it's a curvy drive in the mountains but man, I'm starting to FEEL some pain so I'm trying to get home to the Norco pain meds. Get home, take some meds, eat some butternut squash and went to sleep. I got up later in the day and watched movies with my aunt. I followed all my instructions (with the exception of the taking the nausea pills) and had a chill day.
Day 2: facial swelling and under eye bruising but it was NOTHING like what I experienced the first time I had rinhoplasy. That was horrible! This was a walk in the park.
Day 3-5: no major updates. Still facial swelling and bruising but it's so minimal. Aunt went home on Monday (day 4).
Day 6: CAST OFF! I got my cast off and the splints out. Man ..let's talk about the splints. Bruh, it feels like tampons being extracted from your nose. To me, that's the WORST part of the entire surgery journey. It takes less than 10 seconds to remove each splints but [RS bleep]...its definitely uncomfortable but man once they are out, get ready to smell the breeze!!! Now the nose...I am one of the most realistic people that I know so I was not expecting to see anything that was going to blow me away when I looked in the mirror so when I tell you I looked like Toucan Sam from the fruit loop box, take my word for it. I looked sooooo different. I had no bridge before, now there was this huge height in the center of my face. My tip was so short before, now something is poking out from my face. I definitely had a new nose but I didnt and wouldn't give it a rating because Rhinoplasty is a marathon not a sprint. Dr. Yoo put the tape on my nose and I went on my way. (Also had some of my nose and scalp stitches removed as well as the rib incision cleaned)
Day 7-8: not going to lie, I was depressed. Not because I didn't like my nose, but because I no longer had my old nose (which is a huge part of you). However, I could literally see my nose changing day-by-day. I have been eating pineapple and I could literally feel the swelling going down. I also think the arnica pills helped.
Day 9: Baby, day 9, you couldn't tell me NOTHING. I felt great. I was starting to get the feeling back in my nose and a lot of the swelling was going down. Still eating pineapple and taking arnica. My rib cage is the only thing that really hurts. Ladies, please take it easy as you may feel fine but your body still needs to heal internally. Don't try and do too much. My head incision didn't hurt too much however don't try and open your mouth too wide. Let that scalp area heal.
Day 15: TAPE OFF. Got my tape off today. Still swollen but I LOVE MY NOSE. Dr. Yoo wanted me to tape nightly for the next 2 weeks. Cool. I also got the remaining stitches from my nose and scalp removed. I can see what the end result is probably going to look like and I love it! Today was a definitely a great!
Day 16: 6/2/18. For those who must continue to tape your nose nightly: here are some tips for you. In the morning when you are ready to remove your tape, put a little baby oil over the tape and let it sit while you shower. This will loosen the tape and prevent you from pulling your skin off. ( I pulled a tiny bit of skin off my bridge---Ahhhhhh I have a bridge!). There is a noticeable difference from yesterday to today. This thing is smoothing on out and is looking great!
Alright guys, that's all I have for now. I will update at one month (which is when I have my next appointment -skype- with Dr. Yoo.). Will upload a couple of photos then aswell. Feel free to ask me anything regarding my experience. My recommendation: No one can do what Yoo can do! #PrettytoPrettier