POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Rhinoplasty with Dr. Grigoryants - Finally! - Glendale, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I decided that I would document my experience...
PerfectlyImperfect25March 17, 2015
$4,000
I decided that I would document my experience since some of the experiences documented on Real Self helped me in preparing for this procedure. Grateful to the RS community for this!
Firstly, let me begin by saying that I had no doubt in my mind that Dr. Grigoryants was going to be my surgeon. Everyone who has gone to him has had the best experience and results, and I know over 7 friends that have had rhinplasty with him. Additionally, I had gone to him for the non-surgical option and completely trusted him when time came to do something permanent.
My nose was never big or obnoxious to me; in fact, I have a super small nose and I was happy with my face from the front. In my teens, I started realizing that I was unhappy with my profile, and being that I was so young, I never realized why. It was not until I started editing photos that I realized it was the shape of my nose that made my profile look a bit masculine and stern. Additionally, I started getting recurrent sinus infections almost monthly and was having a hard time breathing through one nostril due to a deviated septum. In fact, one doctor told me that I wasn't taking deep enough breathes due to it so not enough oxygen reached my fignertips!
After 11 years of contemplating a permanent solution to this issue both medically and aesthetically, I decided it was time to go for it (now or never). So I did! At first I felt a little selfish and vain about getting my nose done. What a first-world problem right? I remember this morning thinking of how mad I am at myself for wanting to do this for the added aesthetic reasons as the motivator. I guess a whole world of crazy thoughts go racing through your mind right before your procedure.
I had scheduled my consult with the doctor thinking I was going to wait until September. He is a busy doctor and if I had chosen to get my procedure done at the hospital, that would have been the case, but since this was medically necessary, my insurance kicked in and covered the surgery center fees, so I was scheduled for 2 months later. The consultation for me was short since I had met with the doctor prior to this, and the pre-procedure appointment was a total of 5 minutes. I just kept saying no MJ and no Miss Piggy! I didn't want my nose to be too small or too short and too uplifted.
Note, Dr. G doesn't typically show you a sample of what your nose might look like, so do not expect this. He is very realistic about setting your expectations and if you show him some of your morphed pics, he'll tell you what is feasible. I've heard that sometimes he might draw your nose, but he didn't do this for me, and I was okay with that since I had my own pics and had explained exactly what I didn't like about my nose.
The weekend prior to my surgery, I got all my supplies and prepared myself mentally for what I was about to do to myself. I did get cold feet, but obviously it was too late to back out and besides, my nose was going to be improved, so onward and upward.
I barely slept the night before - kept reading experiences on RS. I had to be at the surgery center @ 6:30AM - and I'm no early bird. Anyway, one thing that I would've liked to see on RS is a detailed timeline of the day of the procedure, so here is my day:
6:30AM arrived at the surgery center in Tarzana - arrive in time! You'll have forms to complete so it's important you do so.
7:00AM I was brought to the back alone to provide them with a urine sample and change into my gown
7:15AM The lovely nurse went through the health questionnaire with me and started the IV. It's on your hand and quite uncomfortable, but I'm not one to be scared of needles. A few minutes later they asked my husband to come in and another lovely nurse provided me and my husband with post-op instructions.
7:25AM Dr. G came in to speak to me at which time we discussed the plan and I showed him my pics again, which I had printed for him to keep throughout the procedure
7:30AM I was escorted to the OR by a nurse where I had to hop on to the operating table - kind of tall and super thin; this is when the anesthesiologist introduced himself to me. He was very gentle and I remember we kept talking about our dogs. He and the nurse placed the breathing mask on me and asked that I take deep breaths and I was OUT! I remember thinking "this is where I go..." when the ceiling started to spin.
-- The rest of my timeline is an estimation of time since I wasn't too concerned about checking a clock--
Around 9:30AM-ish the nurse asked that I wake up. I'm not sure if it was the first time she asked, but I was already in the recovery room. About 10 minutes later they called my husband in and he stayed with me for about 40 minutes when the recovery nurse came in and asked how I was doing. I was feeling really good - a bit tired, but GOOD! I was thinking that I'd be there for a few hours post op, but I felt okay and I'd rather be at home, so I told them I was ready to leave. I got dressed and the doctor came in to check up on me and told us that everything went well. I'm pretty tough when it comes to these kind of things, but even I surprised myself as I walked out of there like a champ! No wheelchair, nothing! :)
Anyway, I'm in bed now. Surgery was a few hours ago and I am obviously well enough to be typing this long review...I have lots of bruising around my eyes, but no pain. Very congested and bleeding, but changing my pad every 2 hours. I'm getting used to the congestion. I've slept for a few hours. His office called and said that once the anesthesia wears off, it will get much harder (day 2 and 3). I've been expecting that, so I'm prepared. Bring it on!!
Some more tips...this is long, but hopefully there's someone out there that will appreciate this information.
WHAT I PACKED FOR THE PROCEDURE DAY - use lots of zip-lock bags:
1. ID, checkbook, bank card and insurance card
2. Old zip up sweater that I didn't mind trashing
3. Extra underwear - never needed it since they let you keep your undies on under your gown
4. My folder with before/after morphed pics, any other documentation received from the office
5. My meds
6. Head band to keep my hair back / hair band to tie up
7. Baseball cap
WHAT I WORE:
1. Sweats
2. T-shirt which I didn't wear post-op
3. Bra which I didn't wear post-op
4. Toms slip on shoes
5. Zip up sweater which I swapped for an older one post-op
6. I had my hair up in a bun with a head band
7. No jewelry, no nail polish, no deo, nothing but clean/bare skin!
The gown they give you at the surgical center includes a cap for your hair, but it's impossible to tie the back, so you're going to be holding the back while walking around. You get to keep your own underwear on, but no bra, so you kind of need to be careful with the gown as you move around.
POST OP SUPPLIES (* represent the most important)
1. *YOUR MEDS*
2. *A BOYFRIEND PILLOW* I bought mine from Target
3. *A TRAVEL PILLOW* used my memory foam one that I never use when I travel
4. *BIOTENE MOUTH SPRAY* I actually didn't have this until just now. This is very high on my list. There's no way I can sleep without it. BUY IT!
5. Arnica Supplements and gel
6. Bromelain
7. Canned or fresh pineapples that you can throw into a blender with some protein powder
8. Pineapple juice - 100% natural
9. Extra strength Tylenol
10. Chap-stick
11. Water / fluids
12. Soups
13. Yogurts
14. Cough drops to sooth your throat
15. Facial wipes
16. Frozen peas which I packed into smaller zip lock bags and flattened to the size of my eyes.
17. Mirror to keep at your bed-side
The surgery center provided me with Gauze and surgical tape, which I kept on my nightstand.
Peeking at my nose through the cast, it looks lifted, but I think that's because it's taped up pushing it to stay up. Hopefully that will settle after removal of the cast which is this Friday! I will update you all then...Very anxious, but very excited.
I posted some pics of my modified images and a pic post-op. If you want more detailed info, reach out to me with your story and I will do my best to share some more info with you.
Firstly, let me begin by saying that I had no doubt in my mind that Dr. Grigoryants was going to be my surgeon. Everyone who has gone to him has had the best experience and results, and I know over 7 friends that have had rhinplasty with him. Additionally, I had gone to him for the non-surgical option and completely trusted him when time came to do something permanent.
My nose was never big or obnoxious to me; in fact, I have a super small nose and I was happy with my face from the front. In my teens, I started realizing that I was unhappy with my profile, and being that I was so young, I never realized why. It was not until I started editing photos that I realized it was the shape of my nose that made my profile look a bit masculine and stern. Additionally, I started getting recurrent sinus infections almost monthly and was having a hard time breathing through one nostril due to a deviated septum. In fact, one doctor told me that I wasn't taking deep enough breathes due to it so not enough oxygen reached my fignertips!
After 11 years of contemplating a permanent solution to this issue both medically and aesthetically, I decided it was time to go for it (now or never). So I did! At first I felt a little selfish and vain about getting my nose done. What a first-world problem right? I remember this morning thinking of how mad I am at myself for wanting to do this for the added aesthetic reasons as the motivator. I guess a whole world of crazy thoughts go racing through your mind right before your procedure.
I had scheduled my consult with the doctor thinking I was going to wait until September. He is a busy doctor and if I had chosen to get my procedure done at the hospital, that would have been the case, but since this was medically necessary, my insurance kicked in and covered the surgery center fees, so I was scheduled for 2 months later. The consultation for me was short since I had met with the doctor prior to this, and the pre-procedure appointment was a total of 5 minutes. I just kept saying no MJ and no Miss Piggy! I didn't want my nose to be too small or too short and too uplifted.
Note, Dr. G doesn't typically show you a sample of what your nose might look like, so do not expect this. He is very realistic about setting your expectations and if you show him some of your morphed pics, he'll tell you what is feasible. I've heard that sometimes he might draw your nose, but he didn't do this for me, and I was okay with that since I had my own pics and had explained exactly what I didn't like about my nose.
The weekend prior to my surgery, I got all my supplies and prepared myself mentally for what I was about to do to myself. I did get cold feet, but obviously it was too late to back out and besides, my nose was going to be improved, so onward and upward.
I barely slept the night before - kept reading experiences on RS. I had to be at the surgery center @ 6:30AM - and I'm no early bird. Anyway, one thing that I would've liked to see on RS is a detailed timeline of the day of the procedure, so here is my day:
6:30AM arrived at the surgery center in Tarzana - arrive in time! You'll have forms to complete so it's important you do so.
7:00AM I was brought to the back alone to provide them with a urine sample and change into my gown
7:15AM The lovely nurse went through the health questionnaire with me and started the IV. It's on your hand and quite uncomfortable, but I'm not one to be scared of needles. A few minutes later they asked my husband to come in and another lovely nurse provided me and my husband with post-op instructions.
7:25AM Dr. G came in to speak to me at which time we discussed the plan and I showed him my pics again, which I had printed for him to keep throughout the procedure
7:30AM I was escorted to the OR by a nurse where I had to hop on to the operating table - kind of tall and super thin; this is when the anesthesiologist introduced himself to me. He was very gentle and I remember we kept talking about our dogs. He and the nurse placed the breathing mask on me and asked that I take deep breaths and I was OUT! I remember thinking "this is where I go..." when the ceiling started to spin.
-- The rest of my timeline is an estimation of time since I wasn't too concerned about checking a clock--
Around 9:30AM-ish the nurse asked that I wake up. I'm not sure if it was the first time she asked, but I was already in the recovery room. About 10 minutes later they called my husband in and he stayed with me for about 40 minutes when the recovery nurse came in and asked how I was doing. I was feeling really good - a bit tired, but GOOD! I was thinking that I'd be there for a few hours post op, but I felt okay and I'd rather be at home, so I told them I was ready to leave. I got dressed and the doctor came in to check up on me and told us that everything went well. I'm pretty tough when it comes to these kind of things, but even I surprised myself as I walked out of there like a champ! No wheelchair, nothing! :)
Anyway, I'm in bed now. Surgery was a few hours ago and I am obviously well enough to be typing this long review...I have lots of bruising around my eyes, but no pain. Very congested and bleeding, but changing my pad every 2 hours. I'm getting used to the congestion. I've slept for a few hours. His office called and said that once the anesthesia wears off, it will get much harder (day 2 and 3). I've been expecting that, so I'm prepared. Bring it on!!
Some more tips...this is long, but hopefully there's someone out there that will appreciate this information.
WHAT I PACKED FOR THE PROCEDURE DAY - use lots of zip-lock bags:
1. ID, checkbook, bank card and insurance card
2. Old zip up sweater that I didn't mind trashing
3. Extra underwear - never needed it since they let you keep your undies on under your gown
4. My folder with before/after morphed pics, any other documentation received from the office
5. My meds
6. Head band to keep my hair back / hair band to tie up
7. Baseball cap
WHAT I WORE:
1. Sweats
2. T-shirt which I didn't wear post-op
3. Bra which I didn't wear post-op
4. Toms slip on shoes
5. Zip up sweater which I swapped for an older one post-op
6. I had my hair up in a bun with a head band
7. No jewelry, no nail polish, no deo, nothing but clean/bare skin!
The gown they give you at the surgical center includes a cap for your hair, but it's impossible to tie the back, so you're going to be holding the back while walking around. You get to keep your own underwear on, but no bra, so you kind of need to be careful with the gown as you move around.
POST OP SUPPLIES (* represent the most important)
1. *YOUR MEDS*
2. *A BOYFRIEND PILLOW* I bought mine from Target
3. *A TRAVEL PILLOW* used my memory foam one that I never use when I travel
4. *BIOTENE MOUTH SPRAY* I actually didn't have this until just now. This is very high on my list. There's no way I can sleep without it. BUY IT!
5. Arnica Supplements and gel
6. Bromelain
7. Canned or fresh pineapples that you can throw into a blender with some protein powder
8. Pineapple juice - 100% natural
9. Extra strength Tylenol
10. Chap-stick
11. Water / fluids
12. Soups
13. Yogurts
14. Cough drops to sooth your throat
15. Facial wipes
16. Frozen peas which I packed into smaller zip lock bags and flattened to the size of my eyes.
17. Mirror to keep at your bed-side
The surgery center provided me with Gauze and surgical tape, which I kept on my nightstand.
Peeking at my nose through the cast, it looks lifted, but I think that's because it's taped up pushing it to stay up. Hopefully that will settle after removal of the cast which is this Friday! I will update you all then...Very anxious, but very excited.
I posted some pics of my modified images and a pic post-op. If you want more detailed info, reach out to me with your story and I will do my best to share some more info with you.
PerfectlyImperfect25's provider
UPDATED FROM PerfectlyImperfect25
1 day post
Day 2 of recovery
PerfectlyImperfect25March 17, 2015
I slept well last night. It was tough to fall asleep, but with the exception of a few "dry mouth attacks" I was able to stay asleep. i don't think I would've been able to sleep without the Biotene spray.
Reading the review I wrote yesterday, I realize that I may have been babbling too much. Apologies!
I was able to have cold soup yesterday and itty bitty pieces of bread with pineapple juice. My husband made me a pineapple protein shake which was awesome!
This morning, I woke up quite congested. My nose was making funny sounds - air bubbles. Not very much blood so I'm hoping I can remove the gauze under my nose by tonight. My face is also way more swollen today and I was having a tough time opening my eyes in the morning. I look like an avatar already. It's weird because it looks so bad but I have no pain. I'm taking the meds just in case but I think I really can do without the pain killers.
I sneezed today. I felt it come and started to freak out but it happened. It wasn't as painful as it was uncomfortable - just strange. I want to empty my nose so bad. I have these dreams where I just give up and take off the cast with the packing myself because I'm so fed up from the congestion.
Friday couldn't come any sooner.
Reading the review I wrote yesterday, I realize that I may have been babbling too much. Apologies!
I was able to have cold soup yesterday and itty bitty pieces of bread with pineapple juice. My husband made me a pineapple protein shake which was awesome!
This morning, I woke up quite congested. My nose was making funny sounds - air bubbles. Not very much blood so I'm hoping I can remove the gauze under my nose by tonight. My face is also way more swollen today and I was having a tough time opening my eyes in the morning. I look like an avatar already. It's weird because it looks so bad but I have no pain. I'm taking the meds just in case but I think I really can do without the pain killers.
I sneezed today. I felt it come and started to freak out but it happened. It wasn't as painful as it was uncomfortable - just strange. I want to empty my nose so bad. I have these dreams where I just give up and take off the cast with the packing myself because I'm so fed up from the congestion.
Friday couldn't come any sooner.
Replies (9)
March 17, 2015
Congrats!!! Hold on!!! :)
March 17, 2015
Thank you! Love your results and your story really helped me prep for this procedure!! Xoxo
March 17, 2015
Hopefully you will heal quickly and the nose will be beautiful. I am thinking to schedule my surgery with dr G, but still didn't decide. Last night I was trying to morph my nose on pictures, but I didn't like any result. I don't know exactly what nose I need. Now I am thinking that none of the good noses will fit me. Any suggestions on how to find out what nose will fit the face ? Thank you
March 17, 2015
Lali,
I share your frustration. I can't say that when I morohed my photos I felt the nose that fit me best was the perfect nose by any standard - but it was the right look for my entire face. im not certain that my results are going to replicate my edited photos but again this is just to give your surgeon some insight as to what you expect. The most important part of it is picking the right surgeon who has lots of experience with rhinos and also lots of pics and positive reviews.
I'm a graphic designer so I used photoshop to morph and there are apps like modyourbod that amenity super simple to do on your phone. Try it out and if you need any feedback, let me know.
March 17, 2015
Sorry about the typos - amenity=are and morohed=morphed!! Trying to type as I ice. Clearly not the most brilliant idea I've ever had. ;-)
March 17, 2015
Thank you so much:) and thank you for sharing your story. I hope you will have best result possible
March 18, 2015
Thanks for the Biotene spray suggestion! 3 more days for me.
March 18, 2015
My nose is exactly like yours! please post more pics of your progress soon! Good luck with the results!!! ; ) Still deciding between Dr. G or Dr Etaih in Houston...
UPDATED FROM PerfectlyImperfect25
1 day post
Clarification on cost...
PerfectlyImperfect25March 17, 2015
I have received a few messages asking how I paid so little for my rhinoplasty. My procedure was medically necessary so my insurance covered a majority of my costs for this procedure. $4,000 was what I paid out of pocket and my insurance covered the rest of the costs. I believe the final tab would be somewhere around $8,500 to $9,500.
Replies (6)