POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Rhino-septo-turb reduction - 8 Months Post Op (love it!) - Melbourne, AU
ORIGINAL POST
Hi. I'm plucking up the courage to start my...
Newnose4meAugust 26, 2012
WORTH IT$6,600
Hi. I'm plucking up the courage to start my journey here. Finding this site has been such an encouragement and has provided me with a wealth of information & support.
The first time I noticed a change in my nose was when I looked at my Year 6 school portrait; the tip seemed to be pointing slightly to the left and lengthening. Through my teens I was aware my nose was not my best feature but photos were never taken side on and usually taken at a distance. The first time I saw my profile in a picture was at 22 and I was horrified to see a huge, pointed nose with a hump....when did that happen?!! At that time I would have loved a nose job, but had no idea how to go about it and soon got caught up in working, getting married, having kids etc etc. Over the years I've learned ways to cope with my twisted nose (that looks different from every angle): I purposely place myself on the left of people in photos and turn slightly side on to minimise it and avoid the pointed humpy look; I turn my body to speak to people and avoid having a person engage in conversation from one side; I use makeup to play up my eyes; I always were a fringe (bangs) and would dream of having my hair pulled back off my face. Ah the things we do! Funny it's just become part of what I do and I hadn't questioned it until reading others peoples stories.
A few weeks ago I visited the doctor as I had become aware of a lump in my nose and was concerned it was cancer. I was so embarrassed presenting with it and drawing attention to my nose, and felt ashamed. My doctor commented on how crooked my nose is and if it had become worse with the lump.....I didn't think so. She was to refer me to an ENT when it dawned on her that I could actually see a plastic surgeon and maybe have my nose fixed at the same time. It took me totally by surprise that I could still have my nose corrected in my 40's. I went along to see the plastic surgeon and he suggested septoplasty and open rhinoplasty to correct the bulbous tip. Part of the procedure would be covered my Medicare due to breathing difficulties. Wow, my head was spinning with excitement. Since then I've been combing the internet obtaining as much information as I can and reading through the reviews on the site. The surgery will cost in total $6600 which the hospital and $2800 being covered my health insurance & Medicare. I need to save the balance and hope to have the surgery carried out late January. I a little scared of the recovery and adjusting to a new nose, but still very excited.
Also, I think as I'm getting older my nose appears larger because my face has become thinner. I would love to be able to spend my next 44 years with a nose that matches my face. It's not likely I'll have much to say until later in the year, but thanks for reading my story so far......it will help me keep moving forward. Bless you all.
UPDATED FROM Newnose4me
4 months pre
I have been feeling a bit down & in limbo, & have...
Newnose4meSeptember 13, 2012
I have been feeling a bit down & in limbo, & have felt that the opportunity may pass and I wouldn't end up having it done. Anyway, it now looks like it could be back on again so I'm hopeful once again. I have been placed on two lists with my PS with a date to be confirmed. Both dates will work well because my kids will be on school holidays.
I have also experienced feelings of being ridiculous wanting this at my stage of life, and also for not being satisfied with the nose I have when there are so many others with real disabilities. However, when I remember that I do have real breathing issues, a lump that still needs removing (& testing) & look at the photo looking up at my nostrils, it reminds me that it's not just for vanities sake that I am doing it. Bring it on I say!! Let the count down begin. :)
I have also experienced feelings of being ridiculous wanting this at my stage of life, and also for not being satisfied with the nose I have when there are so many others with real disabilities. However, when I remember that I do have real breathing issues, a lump that still needs removing (& testing) & look at the photo looking up at my nostrils, it reminds me that it's not just for vanities sake that I am doing it. Bring it on I say!! Let the count down begin. :)
Replies (10)
September 13, 2012
By doing this I'm sure you'll be able to breathe a lot better! I was shocked when I saw my profile for the first time, too. I finally realized why I was teased so much. I never looked to plastic surgery as an option. I honestly thought I was stuck with it the rest of my life which depressed me. After doing research, I finally saved up the money to do it. It was tempting to just back out of it & use the money for clothes or a vacation, but I'm so glad I didn't change my mind. I'm already happy with it & it's only been a week! I'm looking forward to reading your updates in the future :)
September 14, 2012
Thanks so much for your reply. How exciting that you stayed firm and didn't spend the money saved & have now had the surgery. You have such beautiful fine features (& gorgeous hair!) & now have a nose that suits your face. Keep the pics coming. My surgeon has put me on his January list, so now I am feeling like it will actually happen. It can be easy to decide to spend the money elsewhere. I'm not a person who spends money in myself much, so it does feel a bit wrong spending so much on this. But, I have lived with the problem for 30+ years & think I deserve to have a normal nose for the next 1/2 of my life. Thanks again for your encouragement :)
September 14, 2012
I am the same way! I'm always spending money on gifts & stuff for people which doesn't bother me. I love seeing my loved ones happy, but I've never felt happy with myself. It was affecting my life every day & kept me from doing so many things & I'm so glad I don't have to worry about it anymore. Don't feel guilty for doing something for yourself. It's something you want so go for it. Try not to look at the cost & just aim for your goal & think about how happy you'll be! & thank you! I'm so happy I went through with the surgery & I don't regret it for a second. I'm excited for you :)
October 7, 2012
Hello Me.in.Aus! You reminded me a bit of me, in that I went through periods of not feeling entirely comfortable about spending money on my nose at my age (52). Like you, I also had several busy decades with marriage, a child, and a career. In the end, I decided I'd always regret it if I didn't do it. I want to experience life with a nose I'm not busy hiding all the time, and it sounds like you feel the same. Whenever I'm unsure, I always ask myself, what advice would you give your child if they were in your shoes? I know I'd tell my child that they will only live once, so they should not let age or money hold them back from a dream. So here I go, and here you go too! Hang in there... the time will be here before you know it!
October 8, 2012
Hi Murphy's Law. Thanks for your message, it's great to hear from another mature aged person who is considering this procedure. I'm kind of getting cold feet, mainly because of not recognizing myself in the mirror and seeing people for the first time afterwards. I am still to read your story but will do it now. Thanks again for your friendly positive support!
October 8, 2012
Good morning (5 am here on Monday) !
Only you can decide if you want to go through with it or not! But so many people say that others don't notice... they just think it's a new hairstyle or something of that nature, so you might not need to worry about that part. As far as recognizing yourself in the mirror... I don't know if that will be odd or not. Maybe some of the other profiles on this site can give insight into that. In my case... I'm HOPING I won't recognize myself, but that I will like what I see - lol - I figure I'll get used to the new me quickly enough, especially if the new me has a nicer nose :>)
October 9, 2012
I love your positive outlook.....you are so ready to have yours done! I have applied to take leave from my work in January, so once that is locked in it will be full steam ahead. Having people here being so encouraging makes a huge difference. Someone suggested here, getting really healthy in preparation for surgery; are you doing anything special so the operation doesn't knock your body around too much? :/) ...... lol smiley... i have a crooked nose!
October 14, 2012
Good luck! You will do great and I am sure you will breathe much better when it's all over too! I breathe a million times better. My nostrils were also pinched and septum crooked so my breathing was very obstructed. Now my nose looks great and I breathe the best I ever have! Best wishes.
October 14, 2012
Thank you! I hope I will be as thrilled with my result as you have been with yours. Only 3 months to go now until my big day :)
UPDATED FROM Newnose4me
3 months pre
Today I received all of the documentation from my...
Newnose4meOctober 18, 2012
Today I received all of the documentation from my plastic surgeon and the hospital where the procedure will be carried out. It is looking very official now. My next appointments with my plastic surgeon will be on 6th December (with his nurse), then himself on the 10th. I believe I am to have a MRI done at some stage too.
I applied to take leave in January for a week (hope that will be enough because it's all I can take), but my employer is yet to approve it as he has been working away a lot recently. I really need to get that and the money sorted, then I can complete the paperwork and start making plans. With Christmas and New Year in the middle, I'm sure it will be here in no time at all. I do have a slight hassle, even though my kids are on holidays during that time (no school runs), my husband it to return to work after a two week break. He is fairly new to the company and feels uncomfortable asking for a couple of days off. Hopefully he'll address it soon. All I need is for him to drop me off to the hospital then pick me up and take me home the next day....not a big ask.
I have told a couple of friends that I plan on getting my nose fixed up (straightened I've told them), but I am yet to tell my parents. I'm going to underplay the rhinoplasty part and concentrate more of the lump that needs to be removed and the septoplasty for breathing purposes. My parents are likely to feel hurt, as if they have passed on some feature that I don't like....actually my nose looks nothing like theirs or any of my brothers. The plastic surgeon said the septum was probably damaged during my birth (I won't tell Mum that either!!).
I applied to take leave in January for a week (hope that will be enough because it's all I can take), but my employer is yet to approve it as he has been working away a lot recently. I really need to get that and the money sorted, then I can complete the paperwork and start making plans. With Christmas and New Year in the middle, I'm sure it will be here in no time at all. I do have a slight hassle, even though my kids are on holidays during that time (no school runs), my husband it to return to work after a two week break. He is fairly new to the company and feels uncomfortable asking for a couple of days off. Hopefully he'll address it soon. All I need is for him to drop me off to the hospital then pick me up and take me home the next day....not a big ask.
I have told a couple of friends that I plan on getting my nose fixed up (straightened I've told them), but I am yet to tell my parents. I'm going to underplay the rhinoplasty part and concentrate more of the lump that needs to be removed and the septoplasty for breathing purposes. My parents are likely to feel hurt, as if they have passed on some feature that I don't like....actually my nose looks nothing like theirs or any of my brothers. The plastic surgeon said the septum was probably damaged during my birth (I won't tell Mum that either!!).
Replies (10)
October 21, 2012
I hope all your time off and rides details get sorted out easily! I have my time off squared away, but not my rides. My surgery's on a Tuesday so everyone's working! I will probably take a taxi to the hospital, and then by the time I am ready to go home, friends should be ready to leave work anyway. I also did not tell my family. But they live across the country from me, so I don't think it's necessary. My son and friends who live nearby know, and are supportive. Are you planning on telling your co-workers? I won't, cause I don't feel like having 50 pairs of eyes watching my swelling subside over time, and having my nose be a topic of staff lunch conversations!
October 21, 2012
Hi gift2myself. Yours is getting closer now. It sounds like everything is falling in to place well for you. My parents live in my town so I will tell them, and I will tell 3 of my closest friends at work but that's all. I don't plan on telling anyone else much but if anyone asks, I'll confirm I've had my nose straightened. Have a lovely week :)
October 30, 2012
Woo hoo, my leave has been approved today, funds have become available and hubby has got the time off to take me & pick me up the following day (my PS keeps his patients on overnight. So, now it is up to me to get the paperwork signed and submitted.
Only 5 weeks until my appointment with the nurse.
October 30, 2012
Great! I'm happy for you that things are all turning out okay. That is a wonderful sign of things to come! It's amazing to me that something like a nose can have such a profound effect on people's lives if they've got a big one, and are completely meaningless if they've got a good one. Six months from now, this will all be behind us and we'll both be sitting pretty! Yeah!
October 30, 2012
Thanks! It's true about noses not being a big deal to people who have nice noses. Hey, how are you feeling? What stage are you up to now?
November 4, 2012
Hi Newnose! I think I'm at the "OMG this is super-expensive and I must be crazy" stage. I'm sure if I was younger I would more easily see the value in spending so much money, but at 52, it's not as easy to justify. Even so, I'm not backing out. I wish our world didn't put so much emphasis on appearance, but it does, and I think my self-esteem because of my horrible honker deserves a chance to heal... so it's full-steam ahead for me, and I'm trying not to think too much about the money. Other than that, it's just a loooonnng waiting game till the big day. How about you? Did you get your paperwork signed and submitted? No dallying now, down in Ozzyland!
November 4, 2012
Hi! Yes I know what you mean about the cost and justifying it at this stage of life. For me, I know beauty and youth are fleeting, but I want to be an elderly lady who has a kind face and my nose gives me a hard look. I pour my money into others all the time so this is something I'm doing for me. I just hope I am happy with the outcome, then it will be worthwhile. Getting cold feet and questioning the reasons is probably very common. So, let's keep moving forward and pray everything goes smoothly and we are thrilled with the results.
November 4, 2012
You sound very level-headed, and your comment was right on. If a person feels kind, they want to look kind as well. You're right on about the money, too. I spend a small fortune each year on my students... it's time to not feel guilty about spending it on myself. Your comments made me feel better -- thanks!
November 14, 2012
How excited are you!? January is going to be here before you know it. I know exactly how you feel about "positioning" yourself in photos and rest assured it feels so amazing after surgery not to have to worry about it! I'm proud of you for having the courage to change something so huge and glad life has worked out so you can do it now. You're not ridiculous at all for wanting it now because if you don't do it now when will you? I hope your parents are supportive - there's no reason for them not to be, if they are upset it is only because you are so beautiful already! Though they were a bit surprised at first, when I explained the issues with insecurity and whatnot my family completely understood. You are going to feel so good being able to breathe properly too! Can't wait to see your journals!
December 5, 2012
Hi there! I just read your beautiful message. Thanks so much for taking the time to encourage me. It's getting close now; only a month to go :)
Replies (5)
Thank you so much for sharing your story so far! The photo of you showing the bottom of your nose is very telling. I'm glad you'll be able to feel comfortable with your nose. It's extremely liberating, let me tell you! You might want to check out this post (written by yours truly) with a few insights about rhinoplasty. Good luck and please keep us posted as you get closer!