My Rhinoplasty Adventure - Florida, FL

Hi RS! Today is day 11 and I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. However, on the contrary, I keep reminding myself it's only been 11 days since I had my nose broken so I know my healing process is still in full-effect therefore I can't let the swelling discourage me. At Day 11, I am still having pain every now and then, but nothing a little Motrin (even just one pill) cant help! I feel it's from the nerves settling back in and my skin adjusting. I also feel hot and cold sensations at times and sharp pains on occasions but all of this is to be expected and normal. You can still see my stitches in the tip (on the sides) but I have been very diligent not to touch them and I am still applying Vaseline and using Saline spray once a day. I also still ice my nose and face at night, use Arnicare gel, and still sleep elevated (yes, with my travel neck pillow) :). All of this I feel is really helping. I didnt do it (ice or arnicare) the night before last and I woke up very very swollen the next day. Also, as my stitches are dissolving, they are falling out of my noes (as little buggers) every now and then. I know it sounds gross but it's really not. Most of my stitches are gone in my canal and just the ones at the tip remain. Every day they are fading so I am being patient :) My nose is still upturned but looks a LOT better this week. I know it will settle even more. My surgeon said I will be completely done in 6 weeks (so 5 more weeks from today). I will be glad when the sparatic swelling ends and especially when the swelling in my tip subsides. That is where I have the most puffiness now. I also learned to keep a little thing of q-tips in my puse for "itches" :) my nose feels itchy throughout the day so I use the q-tip to lightly rub the inner part and also to soak up snot. I DO NOT put it far in my nose or anywhere near my stitches, I just use them to soak up a runny nose or to lightly tap an itch.
Anyways, things are going very well and I am so so happy with my decision. Although I still have much more healing time ahead of me, I am already so thrilled with my results. I do still look a little "mousey" or "whoville-like" in the front but every day it's going back to normal. It's felt like I had collagen lip injections (which I wasnt prepared for) because my lips (and smile) have been so stiff. But every day they are becoming more loose and back to normal. I think when my smile is back to normal, I will look less mousey. Anyways, I am very happy and blessed. I credit my amazing surgeon who is truly one of the most talented surgeons in the U.S. he does incredible work on children (clef lip patients) and adults. I feel so happy with my decision to select Dr. Glassman. He is the best!
Although my case was NOT extreme, it was something I always wanted to do and I could not be happier. I will continue to post pics as I heal and sorry again for the terribly written posts! Time is of the essence now that I am back to work. Please let me know if you have questions! xo Jay

I applied makeup today for the first time in a week and being a woman, it really helped me feel 'back to normal'. I started feeing good again and went out to the supermarket and to a friends house. I was swollen in the evening but I keep icing every night and taking Motrin when pain arose. The swelling is very random...goes and comes in different places on my face but I hear this is normal so I am just staying really optimistic. I swear, it's amazing how thinking positive can really help with healing. xo Jay

Hello! Sorry for the delay. I am so busy with work (I went back two days ago) and therefore my post are delayed, short and sweet! Forgive my shorthand :) I had my tape removed on post op day 6 and it was really much easier than I thought it was going to be. I was super nervous.... a) worried about pain and b) worried how it would look. But looking back it was so easy and my surgeon made me (again) feel so comfortable and confident. It was still turned upward after the tape was removed however my surgeon taped it that way on purpose and said over the next 6 weeks it will drop and settle perfectly. It felt SO SO good to have all that icky tape off! My stitches are still very visible in my tip (dried blood is attached to them so it looks a big gross but I dont want to touch it bc I want it to heal right). They (the stitches) are dissolvable and I was told not to touch them or pick. I apply Vaseline at night and use Saline spray once a day. I did get very self-conscious on day 8 due to my face still being swollen and my upward nose. I really looked like a "who" from Dr. Seuss and was just tired and a bit depressed. Luckily I have an amazing husband who always cheers me up. So thankful for him! Anyways, to help my mini depression I decided to take photos of my nose every day (front, left side and right side) because when I did that, after a few days I could see my nose starting to settle and all of the changes taking place. I highly recommend taking photos everyday so you do not get discouraged. I am also still using the Arnicare gel which I really think is helping. I am now just applying it to the tip. I'll add more photos in my next post. xo Jay