Ethnic Rhinoplasty Journey- AA

Today officially marks one month post-op!!! My nose is getting better each day! :) Of course, my main area of concern was my bulbous tip, and my tip is still very swollen, so I will probably see my final results in a year. It still looks awesome, though. I am continuing to take the recommend supplements and I am still sleeping on my wedge, but I have switched to only taping my nose at night before bed. I also still do my cleaning routine throughout the day. There are a few lingering disposable stitches that have not fallen out yet, but I think they're getting close. I will update with pictures soon.

I also had Kybella treatment, so I will provide a separate review for how that is going so far.

So, here we are at day one and I feel like I got about 5 minutes of sleep last night... I had to start taking the pain meds after getting home last night and I also had my S/O get me some numbing lozenges because of the sore throat from removing the breathing tube. I took one Xanax before bed and woke up after having crazy dreams, then proceeded to wake up every hour or so. I received cooling eye masks, gauze and q-tips after my surgery, so I changed out my dressings quite a few times overnight, applied peroxide and the antibiotic ointment so my sutures didn't dry out.
Word of advice, you will want to make sure you have everything by your nightstand or someone to help you when you get home and the first day after your procedure. I have a wedge pillow to sleep on, plus a travel pillow to make sure I don't roll on my side because I'm a side sleeper, but three pillows would be fine in place of a wedge pillow as long as you have a travel pillow as well.
I am not gonna lie, I am super uncomfortable right now. I have been staying hydrated, so getting up to use the bathroom multiple times has been my life today. I have my humidifier on and I am taking my meds as scheduled. I didn't have any issues with nausea or eating after surgery, but if you do, try to stay with clear liquids and bland foods until you feel better. My nose is extremely swollen and my ears are plugged, but I don't have any facial bruising. I did begin a vitamin regimen that Dr. Rohrich had suggested about two weeks ago, so that combined with the ice packs and face masks may have helped stave it off. I also tried a homeopathic treatment called Arnica Montana the day before surgery and that is supposed to help with the bruising as well. I am having to learn to sneeze with my mouth wide open so I don't use my nose, but that isn't too difficult. My suggestion for day one post op is to rest and relax, similar to day one.

The big day started at 5:45 AM! ( super early, but I couldn't sleep well anyway). The cool thing about this office is that the surgery center is literally right across the hall from where the consultation takes place, so you know exactly where you'll be going. How convenient is that?! I was the first surgery of the day, so I was the first patient in. The surgery center receptionist took my temp, then had me fill out another covid survey, a consent and release form to ask whether I would be ok with filming for educational and social media purposes,and took me back for a urine sample. She then took me to a privacy room so I could get changed into my gown socks and hair net. They have recliners , blankets and heating pumps so you can relax while you wait on the Pre-Op nurse to come check vitals and administer pain and anti-nausea meds. The pre op nurse also had more consent forms for me to sign and went over each of my medications in detail.
I had to swish with antibacterial mouthwash(yucky) and do a nasal swab, then after about 10 minutes my surgery nurse came in to tell me about what to expect and what would happen upon regaining consciousness. My anesthesiologist also came in a few minutes after and went through the administration process step by step and asked about my health status again. ( They really want to keep you safe during surgery!) The last person that came in was my surgeon, Dr. Rohrich! He gave me a fist bump and once again went over my top three concerns. I decide to opt in for the filming, because not many African-American patients agree to it, and I figured it will help people who have reservations about it. We had a short filmed interview and I was walked back by my surgery nurse and anesthesiologist to the surgical suite, getting one last fist bump from Dr. Rohrich along the way! :-D
They had me sit on the operating table, fixed my surgical gown and hooked me up to the IV and monitors. I was surprisingly not freaking out at that point because everyone had such a great vibe. The photographer came in as well to get some pre surgery shots, and my anesthesiologist began administering my meds. I was fitted with calf massagers for my surgery and a warm blanket which made me feel extra cozy which is something I never equated with surgery, lol. The nurse and anesthesiologist chatted with me for about 5 minutes, then I was told the "feel good" meds were about to start. :) They told me to imagine being on a beach with my fav. drink, and let me tell you, those meds kicked in and they kicked in FAST! I was then put on an oxygen mask for a bit and finally told that the anesthesia gas was starting......... aaaannnddd next thing I knew I was coming to in the recovery room with oxygen! My anesthesiologist did tell me beforehand that she would be right there beside me when I woke up, making sure I didn't try to touch my nose, which of course I did, lol. It took about 30 minutes for me to really come to, and I remember hearing that my blood pressure was a little high but didn't seem distressed. After I was a bit more coherent, they said everything went well and helped me get dressed. I was still a little unstable standing up and getting into the wheelchair, but they had called my significant other throughout the entire process and had let him know that he could come back to pick me up, so he was there waiting for me. :)

I have to say Dr. Rohrich and his team are top notch, and I chose him because he is the best in the field!

I will continue to share my recovery process as well!