My Rhinoplasty Adventure - Florida, FL

Hello RS, my name is Jay and I just had my first rhinoplasty on June 14, 2013. I am a few years shy of 30 and live in the sunshine state. I'm a rather private person which is why I have blocked out my eyes in most of my pics. I have ALWAYS hated my bulbous/square tip nose and wanted a change. After doing lots of research (mainly on this web site), and having many consultations with local surgeons, I finally decided to make the move and have a rhinoplasty done. Although my friends and family weren't 100% on board, I still did it anyways because after all, it's about what makes YOU happy, not what makes others happy. I will post several pics of me before and then will continue documenting my journey. Here are the most helpful items I purchased prior to surgery:
- Arnicare Tablets (I didn't believe in these until now, my bruising is so minimal, it's shocking because I bruise very easily. I used the tablets pre surgery and the gel, post surgery)
- Lip balm (Blistex Deep Comfort) chapstick did not last that long for me
- Popsicles
-Yogurt
- Frozen peas (split bag, then divide one half into two ziplock bags)
- Airplane Neck pillow (this is a MUST, especially for sleeping nights 1-3)
- Saltine Crackers (to settle your stomach)
- Flexible Straws
- Pineapple (helps with swelling)

Recovery was much easier than I expected. I have had two breast augmentations in the past and was familiar with what to expect with the anesthesia. The nurses and doctors were wonderful and made my experience really great. Once home, my pain medicine worked really well and I only got sick twice, due to the amount of blood I was swallowing (sorry, that sounds gross but your nose bleeds and filters into your stomach which can cause it to be upset). I wasnt ready for that! It was helpful to have my husband keeping track of my medicines so I never had a lapse. Waking up in the middle of the night to take pain meds is no fun, but definitely a necessity to manage your pain. Also, eating a small snack (peanut butter crackers or half a banana) was crucial to keeping the meds down, since I tend to get sick often from strong medications. I slept (a lot), ate ice chips, drank tons of liquids (gatoraid, water, coconut water) and really took it easy for a full 4 days. It was hard to sleep propped up so my recliner was my best friend! :)

My surgeon taped my nose in an upward "pig" stance which does raise some concern. An upward frontal nose is the LAST thing I wanted but I trust my surgeon 100% and know he has my best interest in mind. He said once the tape is removed it will slowly come down and settle within a few weeks. I sure hope he is right.

I did not bruise nearly as much as I thought I would (because I tend to bruise easily) but I did use the Arnicare tablets 4 days prior to surgery and still use them now (6 days post) along with the Arnicare gel. You can pick these up from a local Whole Foods store and I swear this helped with my pain and my bruising. Other than lipbalm, this would be my number one necessity :)

I had my tape removed today and I am still very upward on the sides. I will post a photo tomorrow. Thanks for listening to my adventure. If you are on the fence about the surgery I think you should go for it! Do your research, take your time to find an excellent surgeon and trust their direction. If you make good strategic decisions then you have nothing to worry about! :) 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