POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty Reviews
My Biggest Regret - Bay Area, CA
UPDATED FROM Faith2012
Still pining for the former me -- hate this plastic surgery unnatural look
$6,500
Nearly two years have passed and I am still very depressed and unhappy with these horrid results. I hadn’t used a mirror to look at my profile or other angles in months because it is too depressing but I finally decided to take another look in hopes that there was some improvement or perhaps I was hoping for a miracle but once again, my heart sank as I have to face the fact that these results are permanent and that I will never be that girl again.
I look at my old photos and would do anything to look like that again…it hurts to look at both my before or after photos. Plastic surgery ruined my neck, my face, my smile, and my life. I now have to live with a very unnatural plastic surgery appearance. I had been aging very gracefully and wish so badly that I would have never stepped foot in that PS office who reeled me in with their rehearsed sales gimmicks.
The cost of a revision is very high starting at 15k+. I still have not been able to save that kind of money and not sure when I will. I have a family and other financial obligations and it’s disheartening to know that I will use money that is much needed for other important things.
I look at my old photos and would do anything to look like that again…it hurts to look at both my before or after photos. Plastic surgery ruined my neck, my face, my smile, and my life. I now have to live with a very unnatural plastic surgery appearance. I had been aging very gracefully and wish so badly that I would have never stepped foot in that PS office who reeled me in with their rehearsed sales gimmicks.
The cost of a revision is very high starting at 15k+. I still have not been able to save that kind of money and not sure when I will. I have a family and other financial obligations and it’s disheartening to know that I will use money that is much needed for other important things.
Faith2012's provider
UPDATED FROM Faith2012
18 months post - My Biggest Regret - Bay Area, CA
Everything that I used to like about my face is now gone. My smile, those unique looks and expressions are completely different and unattractive. I mourn all day for my former face. All I wanted was a refined tip…a small change. Dr. C assured me the changes would be subtle and no one would notice. I trusted him and believed the technique/skill of the before/after photos on his website to be his work only to find out later that I was lied to.
I discovered during a recent (revision) consultation that Dr. C had broken my nose during my primary surgery. We NEVER discussed this! Breaking my nose is not “shaving a little off”! No wonder there was so much swelling and bruising. Why would he break my nose when that area of my nose was never discussed? I never disliked or complained to him about any part of my nose, other than my tip.
I feel like my life is on hold and fear that the rest of my life will be like this. I avoid people so they don’t notice the undesirable changes to my face. The more time that passes, the more visible the asymmetry and bumps become. My breathing was destroyed during surgery and has not improved at all.
Since posting my review, the rhinoplasty section of Dr. C’s website has been edited. They removed the rhinoplasty patient numbers and the comment which credited the actual surgeon who performed patient #1’s rhinoplasty. I have saved the images of their original website and all emails in case anyone ever wants proof of anything I’ve written.
I discovered during a recent (revision) consultation that Dr. C had broken my nose during my primary surgery. We NEVER discussed this! Breaking my nose is not “shaving a little off”! No wonder there was so much swelling and bruising. Why would he break my nose when that area of my nose was never discussed? I never disliked or complained to him about any part of my nose, other than my tip.
I feel like my life is on hold and fear that the rest of my life will be like this. I avoid people so they don’t notice the undesirable changes to my face. The more time that passes, the more visible the asymmetry and bumps become. My breathing was destroyed during surgery and has not improved at all.
Since posting my review, the rhinoplasty section of Dr. C’s website has been edited. They removed the rhinoplasty patient numbers and the comment which credited the actual surgeon who performed patient #1’s rhinoplasty. I have saved the images of their original website and all emails in case anyone ever wants proof of anything I’ve written.
Replies (5)
June 1, 2013
I just pm-ed you, but also wanted to say please, please don't feel like it will be this way forever. I have put my life on hold too so I know it is easier said than done... I know the idea of trying to fix things is quite scary. I battle with it all day, every day, wondering if I should just accept it instead of risking it again. I think you just need to go on more consults when you can and when you meet the right doctor, you'll just know. Try to remind yourself that there is hope! A bright side to look at is that you are past your year and this can and will happen on your own terms, when you are ready. Like my mom tells me, I have to be taking care of myself and have a healthy state of mind before ever getting another surgery, and I think that is so true. I'm trying to work on being able to look people in the eye and interact normally so that I can get my inner strength back... it wouldn't be good to approach surgery in a completely broken state. Just some food for thought when you are feeling down!
June 1, 2013
You are so right MissK....very good advice. Thanks very much for your support and I'm so sorry that you're in the same situation. That's what so hard...when you've just lived through the most difficult 18 months of your life, it's hard to find the strength to go through it again from square one. So scary but on the other hand, there are just too many mirrors to go through life looking at a reflection that makes me cringe. I'm disgusted with myself with how much money I wasted on my first surgeries and now I don't have enough for a revision. Best of luck to you...and may you be blessed greatly.
June 1, 2013
Hi Faith,
Sorry to hear that nothing has gotten better, I'm still regretful of my surgery too. I need to somehow get motivated back to doing consults again. I really wish I could do it this year, I'm scared though. Good luck to you
June 2, 2013
Hi Rain, Thanks very much and good luck to you too. I've been wondering how you're doing. Sorry to hear you're the same. I'm scared too... partly because of what it will do to me financially. So many others things I should be saving for.....like another car and some much need home repairs. Not sure which will take priority. If my car dies before my revision, revision will need to be post-poned. Smiles...
June 3, 2013
Hi,
Sorry for my bad english, i'm french. My situation is really similar (problem aesthetic and functional) and I feel the same feelings. Very difficult period but Miss_k is right : gather strength and regain confidence in solutions (and with an other surgeon).
Sorry, i would be more loquacious and explicit but with my poor english vocabulary... Just you have my moral support and solidarity.
Bonne journée (night in France)
June 3, 2013
Thank you Dersou! Yes, very good advice from MissK! Are you also looking to get a revision? Best of luck to you.
June 4, 2013
Yes, I began my researches. I was operated 9 months ago. It's not for now but after the deception, I need to prepare a reconstruction : do not stay on a failure and stop ruminating.
But i try to find solutions and a good surgeon. I make inquiries on "outfractures". I have little information about this practice to restore bone width (volume). I just know that it's 10% of cases in revisions but not testimonies on the internet.
Thanks, best of luck to you too ;)
June 25, 2013
Hello Faith, I got a rhinoplasty done three weeks ago and I'm not sure how things will turn out. It seems go be worth the trouble as my nose isn't as long as it was before, but I've noticed my smile and other things I liked about my facial expressions have changed. Would you perhaps consider sharing photos to show how the nose and facial expressions change over months? I'm sorry you did not have a good experience and I'm sure it's not as bad as you think
June 26, 2013
Hi Sofiya,
I was unable to smile for about 2-3 months after my rhino. I had what I refer to as a frozen monkey lip. Eventually your smile will return but you may look different when smiling if your nose was drastically changed. I don’t think you’ll have that problem. I look very different now when I smile because my nose has completely changed.
I really don’t feel like publicly sharing photos right now. I look hideous and am very embarrassed and depressed over it. I used to like the way I looked and only wanted a small change to the upper portion of my tip but instead my entire nose was redone and redone very poorly. It looks completely different from every angle, which I find very unnatural. It has lost all its curves and uniqueness and I no longer look like myself. You can see some photos here: http://www.realself.com/question/rhinoplasty-revision-advice-fillers-recommendations-appreciated If you pm me an email address, I will send you some additional photos.
May 18, 2015
I would definitely get a lawyer involved. At least consult one. Doctor's like this shouldn't be in practice.
UPDATED FROM Faith2012
It’s been 14 months since my primary and I wish...
It’s been 14 months since my primary and I wish I knew then what I know now. So many other things I would much rather be doing than searching for a surgeon to perform my revision. It scares me when I read reviews from people who haven’t done enough research and trust the first surgeon they consult with as I know that they could also be making the biggest mistake of their life.
Even worse than hating my new face, is what it’s done to me emotionally. I feel violated and victimized by the unethical plastic surgery office that sold me these surgeries. Makes you lose faith in your fellow man and yourself for falling for their marketing schemes and lies. Being depressed has not only hurt me but my loved ones and I hate that I allowed this to happen to my family because I was too trusting and didn’t spend enough time going on more consults and researching.
I realize that I can never get my original look back but hoping to find an honest and very skilled surgeon who can at least restore breathing. Restoring some of my old confidence back is a dream. I am afraid to hope for more as I don’t want to be let down again.
Even worse than hating my new face, is what it’s done to me emotionally. I feel violated and victimized by the unethical plastic surgery office that sold me these surgeries. Makes you lose faith in your fellow man and yourself for falling for their marketing schemes and lies. Being depressed has not only hurt me but my loved ones and I hate that I allowed this to happen to my family because I was too trusting and didn’t spend enough time going on more consults and researching.
I realize that I can never get my original look back but hoping to find an honest and very skilled surgeon who can at least restore breathing. Restoring some of my old confidence back is a dream. I am afraid to hope for more as I don’t want to be let down again.
Replies (5)
January 29, 2013
this is a horrible story.. Im so sorry for you. I have desperately wanted rhinoplasty for years now, but very afraid of looking like a different person and it possibly going wrong. Perhaps I'll just keep my big shnoz.. :( I hope you get the results you're looking for..
January 29, 2013
Thank you Italian1 :) Most people have much better results but it is devastating when the results are bad. If you truly hate your nose (I didn't) and find a highly skilled and reputable Facial Plastic Surgeon or Rhinoplasty Specialist and communicate clearly what you want so you're both on the same page, your chances are greatly improved of having a successful surgery. I thought my changes were going to be very minimal, therefore I didn't think there was that much risk. Unfortunately, the changes he made were drastic and my entire nose and appearance has been changed immensely. There are good surgeons out there. You just have to do your due diligence.
January 30, 2013
I had a rhinoplasty and I am very pleased with the way it looks. You have to do a lot of research and go to many consultations. Also look at the staff and their noses. If you wee that a lot of them have very fake looking noses stay away! Not always, but it's very likely that that doctor did theirs! That's one of the things I paid attention to and I picked a great doctor. And be prepared to pay a higher price for a better result! Good luck!
January 30, 2013
I am so sorry that your experience has been so painful. I hope you find someone who can provide a great revision soon. Take care.
January 31, 2013
Dont lose hope there are some great surgeons out there that do amazing work. You just have to do alot of research and make sure they perform alot of revision work. Did your projection come down at all since taking the cast off because it is one of my concerns and everyone keeps telling me its just swelling.
January 31, 2013
Thank you Amy. Yes, projection has decreased some...but not to a satisfactory level but I'm sure its because my surgeon purposely projected my nose. It may be possible that I swell more than some people. My nose would swell even before I had rhinoplasty from crying. But I also think that because so work was done to my nose that it caused more swelling than usual. Even though I'm 14 months post, I still notice swelling because I have dents on the sides of my nose that are more noticable in the evenings. I doubt your swelling will last as long as mine did.
I've been doing a lot of research and what I have found most valuable is when people share their consultation experiences with me so I get more insight on the doctor. You're right...I need to find a surgeon who has performed a lot of revision work. Thank you and good luck to you.
February 4, 2013
Wow, i'm so sorry you had to go through all this. i hope you are taking legal action, it's always worth a try and, though it won't change your nose, you may be able to afford a really great revision by a better surgeon -one who will do as you say! It scares me reading stories like this, especially as i'm hearing nothing but bad or below-par reviews on British surgeons, but i really need it done. It's not just cosmetic, i'll put it that way. I wish you all the luck in the world that you get a satisfactory revision -no-one should have to feel this way at the hands of someone else, especially someone who abused their position of power. Good luck and please keep us informed!
February 4, 2013
Thank you Matilda! I appreciate that very much. Knowledge is power and it’s smart to understand all the risks as well as the benefits. I can't stress enough how important a very experienced surgeon is as well as making sure you're on the same page. This is why digital imaging is so important. Just because a doctor has a nice office, doesn't necessarily mean that he is good and honest. There are a lot of honest surgeons who will tell you what they can or cannot do but beware of those just wanting someone to practice on and will lie to get your money. Dig deep looking at filtered reviews and if possible, speak with real patients...a lot of these plastic surgeons are salesman....so trust your instincts. This is way too important.... Best of luck to you finding a great facial plastic surgeon.
February 6, 2013
Your rhinoplasty experience is definitely a tragedy. However, I do believe you can find a good rhinoplasty revision specialist. There are many that help correct structural issues such as the ones you have. So, please, do not loose hope. :)
Replies (5)