Septal Reconstruction Rhinoplasty!!! Inferior Turbinectomy (endoscopic) (Alar Reduction) Finally Going for It!!! - Chatswood, AU

Hi all!!
Hope you are all well and that you have had a good start to the new year!!

I had my one month follow up with Dr S and this is the outcome ;

1: I'm still inflamed - so I had another round of antibiotics. I Had a bad smell in my nose, and I think this was a sign of it, however I forgot to confirm that with Dr S
I'm finished that now and all seems to be ok.

2: I'm still congested with packing - Dr S said to rinse minimum twice a day, however I've been doing this at least three to four times a day, to help get it out quicker

3: Starting to use the scar cream morning and night.

4: still applying antibiotic ointment to scars once scar cream is dry

5: using an oil spray in nose to help moisten the nose as this can get dry from washing it all the time

6: taping nose at night - this is heaps comfortable as the cast was getting way too loose. Was told this will also help with the tip not dropping g too much :-)

I still have moments where I like my nose and then other times when I'm not so sure. Dont know if it's my age and that I have thicker skin, combined with the swelling, that I'm just taking longer than others to take shape etc.

It is really annoying me that my nostrils are so uneven and that they go to the left. One is heaps thinner than the other.
Dr S did reassure me that this is from the swelling and that I'm also swollen inside my nose in the middle :-/ I think I can honestly say I hate swelling!!! lol
I really hope this is the case, and that it will straighten itself out over time :-D

I have added a photo of my nose at 5 and half weeks with the comparisons.
Let me know what you think??
It's pretty close to the computer image, I did however think it was more on the straighter side, and I really wanted a little bit of a curve like in the computer image.
Does the profile change over time also??? I just thought that this was what it is as soon as the cast comes off....... Im happy with the profile, I'm just hoping it will look slightly more curved once the swelling gone!!! The tip is still projected also, so hoping that goes down too. Only time will tell!!!

I would have to say that I only felt closer to 100% at about 5-6 weeks, and getting better everyday. When Raleigh told me I was only 10% healed, it then hit me that I have a long way to go ....
I Will update again after my 4 month follow up.
I hope everyone is healing well and are doing good.

Hi everyone hope your all well, sorry I took a while to post an update and pics.
So cast removal was about six days ago and OMG I was shocked!!!! I thought oh no what have I done, it was swollen, fat, projected, pimply and so congested!!!
the kids said it looked like I had clay on my face hahaha but that I looked better lol

I was reassured by Raleigh of my concerns which where as follows;

Swelling - told that this will take time and that it will refine heaps over the next few months

Projection of tip and wideness - Also told that this was due to the swelling and will definetly go down as swelling does

Unevenness of the nostrils - I had an alar adjustment and also due to swelling this makes them look asymmetrical and uneven... (This is actually bothering me more than the wideness and projection :(, but was assured that they will also even out when swelling goes down)

Tingling/ stinging feeling - I am getting this around my stitches sometimes in the nostril and also between my eyes and at the ridge of my nose. It's not constant, it comes and goes. Not painful but uncomfortable. I was told that this is all normal and that some people get this and some don't.

I'm on my second round of antibiotics and cream for my stitches. Was told I don't need anymore after completion :D

I'm rinsing a few times a day, which helped me get all the funk out of my nose in order to finally breath through it!!! Still slightly congested so still rinsing at least three times a day :D
I found that this was better when the water was warm, it really loosened all that packing up, but boy was it a gross but fantastic feeling once it came out!!!!! Now when I rinse it actually goes straight up my nostril and into my throat (gross but pretty good feeling, and I do spit this out lol)
I was told not to do any facial expressions at least in week two and three and even up to the month if I can. This is to ensure that my nostrils stick and it doesn't affect the shape of them... I'm always a smiler so this has been a challenge, but I've been good so far!!!!

I wear my cast every night, and sometimes during the day. As much as I can really. Sometimes it feels like it's just sitting there and took me a while to master how to tape it down lol I also double up and cut the gauze to the size of my cast so that it sits more comfortable :D
I was told wearing the cast controls the swelling.

I will be seeing Dr S in the new year for my one month follow up. Hopefully I have healed well by then and there are no issues :D

Hope everyone is healing well!! I've learnt a lot and have been helped by a lot of you on here and really appreciate it!!
If anyone has any questions feel free to message me. I'm happy to help.
I hope my posts are helpful to everyone :D

These three days were also pretty much the same for me..
I still took the panadol for my teeth, and started to get a stinging feeling that would come and go around my stitches. I advised the office of this and was told that its normal and that some people feel this and then their are other that don't...
I am yellow under my eyes where the bruising was (which was hardly visible), hopefully this goes in a few days...
The tape on my cast has slowly started to lift at the edge.... But I take the cast off at 10 am tomorrow so should hold down till then.
My nose is throbbing not sure if this is the swelling and my nose trying to come out lol but I really wish it will stop doing that!!
All in all the week hasn't been too bad, uncomfortable but bearable.
Mixed emotions about tomorrow but the most felt is excitement.
Also I can't wait to wash my hair!!!! And have a normal shower!!!