To tell you the truth when I first booked my surgery date a few weeks after I came upon this website and what people were writing scared the crap out of me. Some people had a great experience while others had a ruff experience. It almost ruined my experience in the surgeons office as I waited to be taken in for surgery.
My surgery date was December 22, 2011. When I arrived at 10:15am this lovely nurse Carol grabbed my hand and walked me back to the room where I was to change and wait for the surgeon. The whole time I was only thinking about what I would feel when I would awake after surgery. Would I be in pain? Discomfort? Or completely out of it? Every nurse that I was introduced were angels including the anesthesiologist. I cried in fear.
The nurses scolded me for looking at websites like this because everyone is different. Everyone's pain tolerance is different. I have had multiple surgeries in the past including screw put in elbow than taken out, eye muscle surgery, and others. Honestly when you read these reviews don't think too much into it like I did. Everyone is different.
When I woke up I was in a daze for a few minutes. I started realizing where I was and the people around me. The nurse immediately asked my pain level on 1-10 scale and I said 7. She kept giving me pain medicine thru IV until I was at a 2. My boyfriend, dad, and mom soon came in the room when I became more awake. The doctor came in and told me that he did my nose once and he didn't like it so he took another 15 minutes and re did it until he was happy with the result.
I went into surgery around 12:05 and by the time I left the surgery place it was about 4pm. They even pushed back a kid after me from 12pm to 2pm because he wanted to make sure he was happy with my result. I can't tell you enough how nice those ladies were in the recovery. Convenient enough the surgery center and my doctors office are in the same building on the same floor.
When I first got home I laid down in the recliner and they told me to ice every 30minutes and boy did my mom do that religiously. I think its the main reason why I was barely black and blue. The first two nights are terrible. I barely slept. Every time I finally fell asleep my breathing through my mouth woke me up. I ate a lot of mashed potatoes and soft foods. Took my perks religiously. They helped me fall asleep. I ate on them and still felt sick though.
The third day my surgeon had me come in the office on Saturday and took the packing out. I could finally breathe!! It felt a little weird but I took 2 perks in case it hurt before I went in. Each nostril had packing than he sprayed something in the one nostril and than had me drink water. Told me I was good to go and the next time I'd come back is this Wednesday (tomorrow) to get the cast off and the stitches.
By reading so many reviews I'm not setting my self up to be excited. I know its going to be swollen and probably not look the best, but I do realize in a few weeks I will start to see results. All the nurses said it came out beautiful so as long as they were not lying I can only hope for the best. I'll upload pictures soon of me with the cast on etc.
Best advice...Choose the right doctor for you. Even if he's pricey but you really like him...go with him! This is your nose..the first thing people look at it when they see you almost. I'd rather pay the extra and have a great result than go for the cheaper price and have a terrible result. I've saved up since I was 16 and am now almost 22 in a few days.
So far I am thrilled but indeed it has been a roller coaster of emotions...excitement, fear, tears, sadness, content and now excited for tomorrow and nervous about the stitches hurting when they come out. UPDATES TOMORROW!! Hope this helps!
