Rhino with Dr. G - Glendale, CA

Hello!

I have been reading all of your wonderful reviews for the past several months, and decided to start my own since all of yours were so helpful for me!

I am 29 years old and have always hated my large Italian nose. It hasn't been until the past two years that I have REALLY considered rhinoplasty. After much research, I scheduled a consult with Dr. Grigoryants in March of this year, and went in for my pre-op yesterday. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3rd.

CONSULT
I was super nervous when I went in for my consult. I decided just to ask him what his opinion on my nose was before I told him what bothered me. The consult was pretty quick, but I didn't feel rushed at all. He is short and to the point, but very nice. I appreciated his honesty and straightforwardness. While I was there, Dr. G also suggested I might consider chin lipo and a chin implant as well. My double chin has always bothered me - even when I lose weight, I still have it. I decided to go with the lipo but no on the implant.

PRE-OP
I was super nervous going in for my pre-op yesterday. I had booked my surgery so far out to accommodate for work/think about it further, and honestly I didn't know if I would go through with it. I feel very confident though after researching everything and meeting w. Dr. G and his staff yesterday. The front desk girls were super nice and I felt really comfortable asking them questions. I had printed out photos of noses I like, as well as pictures of my own nose that I hated (just so I could explain again exactly what I didn't like). When Dr. G came in I showed him the photos, but also said I want him to do what HE thinks would look best for my face. I just said the one thing I really hate is the flat triangle on the bridge of my nose. We went over what he would generally do, and he also said he would fix my deviated septum (I have a 90% blockage in my right nostril). I have really bad allergies and expressed that to him as well, and he said I should stop taking my allergy medicine a few days before so he can see how stuffed up I get. He brought up the chin implant again, but did not pressure me in any way. I said I was not ready for that yet, and he said if I changed my mind after surgery he could always try fillers. I appreciated his honesty.

I filled out all of my paperwork/consent forms and paid for the surgery! The office already had my medicine waiting, which I had paid for over the phone the day before. I asked for Tylenol with Codeine instead of Norco. I've never taken Norco before and didn't want to risk having a reaction on surgery day. Right after I left their office, I took the order form they gave me to get my blood work done. It was fast and painless.

I'm not taking arnica or anything in advance - I figure I'm going to bruise regardless. I'm just going to try to eat healthy and avoid everything they told me. I did buy arnica gel, which I will try after surgery.

I'm not expecting one specific result and just trying to be calm and confident about the procedure. After reading all of your reviews I am really trying to prepare myself for how I will look after surgery (swollen, Miss Piggy-look, avatar-look, etc), and just remember that it will take awhile for the swelling to go down. Overall I'm nervous but very excited!

Please feel free to ask me any questions! All of your reviews have been so helpful to me.

Surgery day was yesterday. I had to be at the hospital in Glendale (the hospital where Dr. G's office is) by 6am. I filled out some paperwork, was directed to outpatient surgery, and was told to change into my gown. From there I sat in bed and my nurse Linda did the usual - took my blood pressure, temperature, asked me health questions, etc. It took quite awhile. Another nurse named Julia came by and set up my IV in my hand. This area is pretty small and not very private, so I could hear the other patients around me and I'm sure they could hear me as well.

Finally around 7:15am I was moved to the pre-op room where I met my operating room nurse, Maria, and the anesthesiologist. Both of them were SUPER nice and knowledgeable. After answering more questions about my health, etc, we just had to wait for Dr. G to arrive. Once he got there he came in and said a quick hello to me and drew on my neck where he would do the lipo. Every time I have seen Dr. G it feels like it's the first time - I know he is super busy and sees so many patients, but that freaked me out a bit when he asked again what we were doing to my nose. Ultimately after he spoke to me I felt better, and I really do trust him. I love all of his results and just had to remind myself of that. He smiled and said I was in good hands and said "see you in there!"

After that, Maria came back and gave me something in my IV for nausea, as well as something to calm me. She said it would feel like I had a few cocktails, and it certainly did. I was wheeled to the OR and had to move to scooch over to the operating bed. After that I remember NOTHING! I don't even remember fully getting into that new bed, haha. The next thing I remember is waking up in another room with a nurse named Mitch - he was super sweet and gave me ice chips. I just felt a dull pain but nothing major. He gave me some crackers and I was moved back to the outpatient area where I saw the nurse Julia again. She gave me something for the pain and helped me change. Honestly I felt a bit rushed (the anesthesiologist said they would not let me leave until my stomach was settled), but they were super busy so I guess that is why they were moving quickly. They called my boyfriend to bring the car around and I was wheeled out. I felt really out of it and uncomfortable, but not in much pain.

Yesterday was tougher for me than I anticipated - I did so much research and thought I would know how I would feel, but I think I just underestimated the experience. The nausea yesterday was awful and I stopped myself from throwing up a few times. I was worried if I threw up it would come out my nose (SORRY I know that's tmi) so I just took the anti-nausea pills and tried to wait it out. I really didn't have much pain at all. Everyone is right when they say the DISCOMFORT is just the worst, not really the pain. I think my drip pad makes me a little nauseous, too. I set my alarm to take my antibiotics every 6 hours, and when I finally got out of bed this morning every muscle in my body ached. My throat is killing me from sleeping with my mouth open, but that is to be expected. I guess I just thought I would be up and about more, haha.

I have been eating crackers and yogurt with my meds, but that's it. I'm trying to make myself drink cranberry juice and water. I am feeling a little better this morning, so I'll wait to update on POD1 later today so it's more accurate. Dr. G's office said I didn't need to ice besides surgery day, but I feel like I should today anyways - I feel like it will help with my eyes. What did you guys do?

One other thing - I really do look horrendous, hahah. I sent photos to my sisters and they said I look terrifying. My boyfriend hasn't said anything but I know he won't :) I think it will be better once I get this chinstrap off from from the lipo. My eyelids are starting to get tight, so I imagine I will continue to swell throughout the day. I can see how upturned my nose is, and it's really startling to see that on your own face. I just have to trust the process and get through this week! The cast is coming off 9:30am this Saturday!

POD 1
This day sucked, but not because of my nose - I could NOT move because every muscle in my body was in soooo much pain. Dr. G said it was normal, so I looked it up. I guess it's a side affect from the anesthesia, common in young females. It was AWFUL - it felt like I did a hardcore workout, times 100000. When I tried to get up my back would spasm, and I had to physically use my arms to move my legs because they hurt so bad. It finally wore off by yesterday morning, but it was a good 24 hours of dealing with that. I had to hobble when I walked and my boyfriend said I needed a walker!

POD2
Yesterday was fine. The nausea has subsided which is great, and I'm eating small meals like english muffins, yogurt, and rice. I feel so much better after I eat. I tried to get the sharpie marker off of my neck from the lipo, but my neck hurt too bad to scrub - does anybody have any suggestions on the best way to get it off? I took a longer look at my face today (honestly I was trying to avoid it), and I freaked out a little because my nose looks totally crooked. I really hope it's just swelling, but I keep having this fear the cast is on crooked and it's going to heal incorrectly. I emailed Dr. G. and he said it's normal, but I'm really anxious to get in there Saturday and have him look at this.

POD3
It's still early today, but I pretty much look the same. I didn't have much bruising, but I'm pretty swollen. My eyes still feel tight. I have been sleeping sitting up for the most part (I have a boyfriend pillow in my bed and prop myself up with that), but the congestion isn't bothering me too much. I have had terrible allergies my whole life, so this doesn't even touch the congestion I've felt in the past. At least so far!

I really want to take off this ace bandage around my head - it's driving me crazy and so itchy underneath. I want to try to take a shower today, too. I don't know how you guys all look so good in your cast removal photos! I look hideous and don't think I can even touch my face to put makeup on, haha. I'm just trying to stay calm until tomorrow morning and not freak out about my nose looking crooked.