Rhinoplasty + Rib Graft

I've disliked my nose since I was 15 and decided when I was old enough and could afford rhinoplasty - I would do it. I'm south east Asian and have a flat bridge, wide nostril and round (bulbous) tip.

I looked at many avenues when I turned 18, plastic surgery in Thailand or Vietnam due to cost saving but was always scared about surgery in a developing country, being away from home, etc. I still sent email request for quotes and would receive anywhere from $3000 - $5000 AUD total of surgery and hospital (flights, accommodation, expenses not included).

When I turned 22 I had saved up enough for what I thought the surgery would cost ($10,000 - $13, 000) base on reviews and email quotes. I did research, spoke to people who had undergone rhinoplasty and decided to book a consultation with Dr Shahidi.

The consultation fee was 250 (you get a medicare rebate back, I believe it was around $70 - can't recall.
I was so excited to meet Dr Shahidi because I was mentally ready to do surgery that year.
We spoke about what I was after and expecting from rhinoplasty, he was very informative, genuine and took the time to explain + answer any queries.
Due to my flat bridge, he explained in order to build it he would need to use my own material. Different to past surgeries and rhinoplasty in developing Asian countries which use synthetic implants, this form of bridge building is prone to infection as it is a foreign substance entering the body. It is also susceptible to collapse and potentially cause future damage.
Dr Shahidi informed me my own material meant using cartilage from either behind my ear or rib. The rib graft is more invasive however would allow more material to build height.
Now this is wear my heart broke a little, because I needed to the ear or rib graft, it meant more time and effort which in turns meant more money.
After the consultation I met with his Office Manager who was lovely and explained the process, procedures and fees. The total estimated quote landed in the $18000 - $20000 range – including anesthetist and hospital fees. This was way out of my budget and I really couldn't justify spending nearly 20K on my nose.

A year later I decided to get non-surgical rhinoplasty - inserting fillers in the nose to build height. It was still a new concept back then and after sending out numerous email enquiries I found a couple of places that had qualified injectors who would do it. To keep this brief, I was happy with the results in the first couple of months but once the fillers started dissolving, they deflated first and made my bridge appear wider/bigger. After 2 years of being disappointed when the fillers became deflated, I decided to get Rhinoplasty with the rib graft.

In May 2017, I saw Dr Shahidi again and after a month of thinking I booked and paid for my rhinoplasty rib graft for August. The cost had increase since 2015 which was to be expected.
I had my surgery 10 days ago at the Hospital for specialist surgery and currently recovering at home.
My surgery took nearly 4 hours, due to the rig graft which cost me a little over $3K for fees.

6 days post op was the worst week of my life: The breathing tube irritated my uvula/throat and I couldn’t eat for the 6 days due to the most excruciating pain when swallowing, felt like I had a thousand ulcers at the back of my throat and I rather starve than go through that pain again. I was also very tender/sore where the rib graft was conducted and god my neck and back was also aching.

7 days post op: had my stitches and splint removed – Dr Shahidi recommended for my cast to stay on another week due do the delicate material that was used to build my nose.
14 days post op: had my cast removed today and I am thrilled with the results. Dr Shahidi has replicated the shape and height I was after – made the 7 days post op ugliest/pain/discomfort all worth it.
I highly recommend Dr Shahidi and would refer my family and friends to anyone who was in need of a genuine, skilled ENT/plastic surgeon.