New Year...'refined Me'. (Rev Rhino, Lower Face Lift, Upper Bleph, Chin Implant-youthful 53 Year Old) - Chicago, IL

MY STORY JOURNAL . (More than a review to help others who are considering procedures)
BACK STORY. I have hated my large nose since childhood. I finally had a rhino about 20 years ago with an ent surgeon. While it definitely helped, i always had a swollen tip and as i got older it seemed my whole nose was sliding downward for a big ball shape tip. I hated looking at pictures as my nose always seemed to be the most promient feature. I had been thinking for years about a revision and even booked surgery with dr toriumi about 7 years ago. But chickened out due to his incredible high prices and rude bedside manner although he is supposed to be one of the best in the world. I had learned of dr shah through research and had a consultation back in 2012 and was impressed. But i didnt have time to take off from work to do it. Finally this year, having my own business and being fortunate to have a good year and knowing i had time off in January to make the plunge. I went back to doctor shah in November for another consultation. He was very kind and professional. Since i am now at the age where i am often shocked at how old and tired i look in the mirror and hate my wrinkling neck and baby jowls, i was also open to anti aging suggestions. He felt he could correct my nose but that it may require cartridge from my ear which sounded scary. He also suggested a face lift and eye lid lift and chin implant. I was surprised re chin implant as ive never thought i had a weak chin but i talked more to dr shah who explained that it would help provide a better jawline and that over time our chin bone slightly thin weakening the appearance The morphed photos really looked impressive. I did not at all get the sense he was trying to "sell me" a bunch of additional procedures but was providing options and reco to consider. Also having it all done at one time makes downtown easier. I really hoped to have the surgery this jan before my work gets busy but dr shah is very popular and was booked up til late jan/early feb. however the staff said sometimes they can get in at other surgicenters and a week later i found out i could have the surgery on jan 6th at river east surgicenter. So i signed up
PRE SURGERY PANIC/DOUBTS/GUILT
As soon as i made the decision i started to really worry. Am i being vain and shallow? Will all the need in the world why am i spending money and taking risks? I was afraid to tell my friends family and boyfriend. Ive always been a pretty low maintenance 'natural' person and i was embarrassed at my vanity. But the more i thought about how this is for me and how i want to feel not what others think i felt more confident. My friends and family were all supportive and not freaked out like i thought
PRESURGERY. I went and got all the blood work and other pre surgical tests at impala clinic right next to dr shahs office at a great price. Got all the meds and supplies recommended so i felt ready to go
DAY OF SURGERY. jan 6 2016. My surgery was at 9 so I went to surgicenter at 8 i was so scared ..kept worrying something could go wrong and id have a stroke or something. I had a panic attack in the triage waiting area and the had to lay me down and monitor my heart rate. In any case all the staff and nurses at surgicenter were awesome .. Very nice and personable. The anesthesiologist came by. He looked like he was about 25 but was super smart and funny and obviously very skilled and experienced. I told him only other time i had general anesthesia i woke up with horrible sore throat and hardly able to breathe and he said he would try to prevent it. Dr shah came in around 900 am (as others have noted he is a very good looking guy and even cuter in scrubs than the nice suits - he is probably around 40 so still young enough to be totally on his game but has years of experience). He went over the procedures again and showed the pictures i emphasized i didnt want anything that looked tight or pulled or unnatural. He drew a bunch of lines on my face w a marker and i was wheeled to the operating room. Scary! I told them to put me out quick!
WILL Be Back Tomorrow to share moreand pics

DAY 1. Woke up amazingly with no sore throat ..just a big bandage around my head and split on nose. Felt sort of headachy and out of it. Dr shah came by and said it went well although he did have to see ear cartilage for my nose. I pretty much just went home and slept. I didnt find the the norco pain killers helped at all so stuck to extra strength tylenol and the viacdin ..yes mothers little helper makes me feel very relaxed and sleepy. Was not a great night felt like i had had some kind of bad dental work done ..sore neck jaw and mouth. Nose and eyes felt fine! Went to shahs office next day to have bandages changed .. No big deal and felt more cleanded up but impossible to tell what any results are

I have been surprised at how truly exhausted i have been. I have spent most of my time lying in bed ..not even feeling like reading or watching movies. Havent really had much appetite so just drinking smoothies and eating soup. Pain has not been too bad -- mainly around my jaw and neck. My eyes and noses feel fine. I am just taking extra strength tylenol and then the valium at night to sleep. Really impossible to tell what results will be .. I still have split on nose comes off tomorrow. I washed hair on sat (day 4) which was awesome .. It was disgusting like bloody dried dreads before. My face doesnt look too bruised a little yellow around eyes but lots of bad purple bruises around my neck My ears are all puffed up and there are very strange puffy skin around them. I cant really feel them at all. Im sure it will all get better as time goes on. Ill post pics after my apt tomorrow