26 Years Old, Septorhinoplasty - Buffalo, NY

A few weeks ago, I decided to finally go through with the septoplasty/rhinoplasty that I've wanted for years. I've been reading the reviews here obsessively and researching surgeons ever since, but I wanted to start sharing my story in case it can help anyone the way that so many of you have helped me!

I've had a lot of nose-related incidents in my life - when I was 3, I was on the floor and my cousin fell on my head, breaking my nose. When I was around 12 or 13, I slammed face-first into a wall during a game of tag (yup) and hurt it badly again. As if all that wasn't bad enough, when I was 17, I tripped during track practice and fell face-first, hard, breaking my nose again. That was the incident that finally sent me to the ENT, who confirmed that my septum was deviated and that I would probably want to get it fixed at some point. He then said something which has completely haunted me ever since - "You're a pretty girl, but if you'd just let me shave off that bump, you'd be MUCH prettier." It's true, but it hurt a lot at the time, and I swore that I would go through life with my ugly nose just to spite him.

Well, almost a decade later, and I've changed my mind. I'm sick of feeling self-conscious about my "bad side" in pictures. When I'm walking with someone, I like to be on their right because I'm fairly deaf in my right ear, but then I worry that they're going to be wondering how I ended up with such a hideous nose! I'm finally at a point where I can comfortably pay for the cosmetic portion of the surgery, and I have a job that will let me take a week or more of paid sick time.

I'm still deciding on a doctor. I will likely stay local, since I have quite a few in-network doctors to choose from in Buffalo. All I want is to straighten my nose out and get rid of the bump - should be pretty easy, right?

I scheduled my consult with Dr. Sherris today - sadly he doesn't have anything open until March 9th! I'll just have to be patient.

March 9th still feels so far away! I don't want to wish the time away, but I just want it to go a little faster! It's funny - I was okay with my nose for years, but now that I'm finally in a position to get it fixed, I'm getting SO impatient. I just want to get it done already!

I have to admit that I'm starting to get a little nervous about a few things. I'm afraid that what I want is too subtle - if for some reason my nose can't be straightened out, I'm going to be super bummed, because it'll be a lot of money just to get a small bump shaved down. I'm also terrified of the recovery period - I haven't taken more than 10 days off from running in the last five years, and it definitely keeps me sane. I'm a little nervous that I'll have a meltdown after 4+ weeks off (and I'm a little sad that I'm going to get out of shape). Plus, the fact that my nose will be swollen for months is a little scary. I'm afraid that I'll do something to hurt it again, and I'm also afraid that it's going to be completely obvious to my coworkers and other people who I don't really want to tell.

I hate that I just said the words "nervous" and "afraid" so many times - I'm a worrier, but I'm sure that talking to Dr. Sherris will put me at ease. He really seems to be the best in the business here in Buffalo, and I'm sure he'll do a great job. I really don't think I'll regret anything once it's all said and done.

I added a couple more pictures (from terrible angles, ugh!) that show how crooked my nose is. I never thought to take a picture from underneath until I saw people doing it here - I was shocked to see just how closed off my right nostril is! No wonder I have trouble breathing.