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For as long as I can remember, I have been unhappy...
Fed up with how big my nose looked in pictures, I finally decided to take the plunge and get my rhinoplasty.
But then I was met with another challenge...
...which surgeon could make my "dream nose" a reality?
As an African-American, it's especially important to find a surgeon who truly understands how to deal with thick skin. Living in Canada, I have found that although many surgeons market themselves as "ethnic rhinoplasty specialists", their photo galleries show otherwise. Beware: ethnic rhinoplasty is on the rise, so there are many inexperienced plastic surgeons out there hoping to gain market share.
I spent months Googling "african-american rhinoplasty", "ethnic rhinoplasty", "rhinoplasty for thick skin"...you name it, I googled it.
Finally, I stumbled on a well-known Facial Plastic Surgeon by the name of Dr. Paulo Andres Escobar in Bogota, Colombia. A note: Facial plastic surgeons receive extensive training in the anatomy and function of the face. Regular plastic surgeons do not have this specialized training in the face. To boot, he is also an ENT which means he understands how your ears, nose and throat work together so not only do you get an esthetically pleasing nose, but a functional one as well! TIP: The nose is a complex structure, so your best bet is to put your face in the hands of a facial plastic surgeon.
Now I know you might be thinking..."Sounds great..but Colombia?"
Here's the thing: I knew I wanted to get it done right the first time. And I knew that Dr. Escobar has the skills and expertise to make that happen. Skills and expertise that I simply could not find in Canada. Besides...I figured, where better to go than Colombia? Land of plastic surgery where many of the patients have also been blessed (or cursed) with thick skin. So I scheduled my Skype consultation.
I first spoke to Dr. Escobar in July. The extreme care and length of time he took to explain my case, my expectations and the entire procedure to me totally exceeded my expectations. After that 60-minute consultation, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was the right choice.
During the Skype consultation, I also met his wife, Anne-Marie, who manages the practice and is a total whiz with logistics and planning. She takes all of the stress out of the process for you and makes the entire journey seamless from beginning to end.
When I arrived in Bogota, the lovely Anne-Marie met me where I was staying and accompanied me to all of my pre-op tests which she booked within walking distance of each other and with perfect timing. She's a pro! She then brought be to my in-person consultation with Dr. Escobar. The entire face-to-face consultation went perfectly. He was just as warm and personable as he was on the Skype consultation. He spent even more time with me and took measurements of my face. TIP: Do not do a rhinoplasty with a surgeon who doesn't even bother to measure your face and make a real surgical plan. The way Dr. Escobar approaches your facial surgery is like how an architect would make a blueprint of a house, building or bridge. This is the only way to guarantee an amazing result. At the consultation, we discussed a chin augmentation which would greatly enhance the balance of my profile.
I decided to add on the chin implant - and I couldn't be happier that I did!
Two days later, I arrived at the clinic feeling unusually at ease for my pending surgery. The clinic is gorgeous and very comfortable. It makes you feel safe and taken care of. Dr. Escobar and Anne-Marie are not operating a factory where you feel you are just a part of their lineup. It's the total opposite. While you are at the clinic, you get the Star Treatment.
As I was wheeled to the operating room, Dr. Escobar reassured me before the surgery began and instantly put my mind at ease. The nurses and anesthesiologist at the clinic were wonderful and exhibited the utmost in professionalism. As the special cocktail was put into my bloodstream, all I remember saying was, "I feel weird"...
...Next thing I knew, I woke up in the recovery room with the nurse by my side already ready to take care of me. Dr. Escobar and Anne-Marie came to visit the clinic that evening to check up on me which was super sweet. They also came the next day to do another check-up and I was then be released from the clinic.
The Follow-Up Care:
I could have never expected to have such amazing and close follow-up care as I have had with Dr. Escobar. I have an appointment every 3-4 days which I believe is unheard-of in the plastic surgery world. I have never met a doctor who cares so much about his patients and their results as Dr. Escobar does. There is no question that is too small or too big to ask. There isn't a day that goes by where you're left wondering about your nose or feeling alone in the healing process.
The Results:
Every time I look in the mirror, I still can't believe this is my nose. I loved my results from day 1. And now that I'm on day 29, I'm still in awe of the defined, thin and shapely nose that I have now. My chin implant is literally perfect for my face. Unlike most surgeons who choose between a "small", "medium" or "large" implant that may or may not fit your face - Dr. Escobar measures your face and makes you a custom implant! I personally believe that there is no other way...especially if you're a female who wants an attractive, feminine chin and not a large "Jay Leno"-looking chin. (no offense, Mr. Leno).
Dr. Escobar is a true artist and genius at his craft. The best part? Because of his expert skill, he was able to accomplish this amazing result with Closed Rhinoplasty - which means no scars! He is the ONLY surgeon who suggested a closed rhinoplasty. That alone just goes to show you that his level of expertise is truly unmatched.
Dr. Escobar and Anne-Marie are seriously some of the warmest, most caring and professional people I have ever met. The entire process has exceeded my expectations 10x fold and I couldn't be happier with my decision. My only regret is that I didn't find them sooner! :-)
Provider Review
Why trust your face in the hands of anyone else? Dr. Escobar is one of the most skilled and talented facial plastic surgeons in Colombia...if not, in the world. The care from pre- to post- op has been a truly exceptional experience. I see Dr. Escobar for an in-person follow-up appointment every 3-4 days, which I believe is unheard-of in the plastic surgery world. There isn't a moment that goes by where you're left wondering about any step of your healing process or your care. As a patient with thick skin, rhinoplasty of this kind is very difficult for surgeons without adequate experience. Dr. Escobar has been able to transform my nose from bulbous, droopy, wide and flat - to thin, shapely and defined with a beautiful and super natural upturn curve. The best part? He accomplished these amazing results with Closed Rhinoplasty - something that no other surgeon would have been able to do. To complement my rhinoplasty, I added a chin augmentation. And unlike most plastic surgeons, Dr. Escobar actually measures your face and creates a custom implant for your chin to create the most beautiful, feminine and attractive result that perfectly balances out the profile of your unique face. Dr. Escobar is "The Ultimate Face Architect" and I wouldn't trust my face in the hands of anyone else.