New Nose! New Life :) - Los Angeles, CA

Thank you all for youre lovely messages and support, today was the day and I finally had my surgery at 6:30 AM! I'm so glad that I did this and I can't wait to see how it looks as it heals. For all of you who are considering rhinoplasty with Dr. G here are some things I've learned from this experience so far.

1. 95% of this is mental. I have bad anxiety and I was really working myself up with being scared about the surgery. I've never broken a bone, been under anesthesia or even had a cavity. Essentialy, I've been lucky enough to experience no physical pain in my life for 22 years. I had my surgery at the surgery center in tarzana, the staff was amazing and really helped me calm down. I was so cared about the anesthesia and potentially vomiting from it due to my weak stomach, they gave me a mask and told me it was Oxygen and those two breaths were the last thing I remembered!
2. As soon as I got woken I up I felt SO groggy. Very disoriented. very loopy. I guess that's anesthesia for you. They sprayed some biotene mouth spray in my mouth and it helps so incredibly much. I suggest buying some due to the fact that youll solely be breathign out of your mouth. Cough drops help a lot as well!
3. It took my about 30 minutes to feel awake and alert enough to get in the wheelchair and get rolled out. Before I left Dr. G came and checked on me and said the surgery went very smoohtly. He was able to do all the things I wanted to be done as well as straighten my septum and decrease the size of the turbinates to increase my airflow while breathing.
4. I've had to change my drip pad around every 45 minutes or so... ew.
5. I wear glasses and have them tapped to my forehead.
6. Bruising under my eyes is pretty bad- i have olive skin so that is quite normal for my skin type and complexion. I've been putting topical arnica montana on it as well as taking Arnica montana orally. Make sure to not touch the pill with your hands! It can't come into contact with the skin it makes it inactive.
7. I don't feel swollen yet but I am sure that is soon to come!
8. Fresh squeezed pineapple juice and juices from whole foods are my life saver right now. I find it best to put the straw at the very back corner of my mouth so i dont have to [RS bleep] my lips and hurt my nose.
9. At the surgery center they give you gauze and tape to make the drip pad at home. I bought the blue Nexcare sensitive skin tape and it works so much better and doesnt hurt your skin when you take it off!! highly recommended :)

All in all, I arrived there at 6:30 and immediately filled out paperwork, took a urine sample, then changed and was hooked up to an IV. The anesthesiologist came and talked to me, then Dr. G did. Before I even knew It the surgery was over and I was in my car going back home at 11:30! Loved being the first patient of the day, I would highly recommend booking this appointment time! Much easier to not eat for 8 hours too :)

Please let me know if there is anything I can possibly answer! Thank you for all your support! Day 1 (almost) complete :)

I'm officially 10 days away from surgery and im so excited! I have started taking the Make Me Heel pre op vitamin and mineral pack (no vitamin e) to get my body ready for this surgery. I've never been under anesthesia before (never even broken a bone knock on wood) so I knew i had to prepare for the emotional and physical challenge. I feel great with my decision to go with Dr. Grigoryants!