POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
2 Weeks Post Op - Already Loving my New Nose! - Glendale, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I'm usually not one to write reviews, but I am...
K_L89October 22, 2015
$9,500
I'm usually not one to write reviews, but I am absolutely blown away by the amazing work Dr. Grigoryants has done on my nose! Although it has only been 2 weeks and there is still a lot of swelling present, I am already loving my new nose. Like many of you, I decided to have this surgery because I was unhappy with the way my nose looked. From the moment I met Dr. Grigoryants, all of my nervousness went away. I felt so safe and the "what if" questions immediately left my mind. The anesthesiologist was also amazing and very kind. It was my first time going under general anesthesia and he made me feel comfortable the entire time. He was one of the funniest people I have ever met. Within minutes of talking to him, I went from crying to laughing and forgetting why I was even nervous in the first place! Before I knew it I was in the surgery room and out like a light. The surgery itself was a breeze and recovery wasn't too bad. Having someone with you during recovery makes a world of difference. I am so happy that I decided to have a family member come with me rather than going through this alone. Overall, I had an amazing experience and am so grateful. It's very surreal to think back on things. I used to believe that my nose was my worst feature and I was so self conscious about it. Now I think it is one of my best features and my only regret was not having this done sooner! I couldn't be happier with everything and am so excited to see the final result once the swelling goes down!
K_L89's provider
UPDATED FROM K_L89
2 months post
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I update this review...
K_L89December 5, 2015
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I update this review... I apologize for the delay and I want to thank you all for the kind words! These past few weeks have been a very low point in my life. After surgery, I was absolutely in love with my profile (as you can see from my previous pictures). Despite this, I still wasn't happy with the frontal view of my nose. I emailed Dr. Grigoryants and was told multiple times that it was just swelling. For the first few weeks I believed that, but slowly I started to have doubts. Everyday, I looked in the mirror and couldn't figure out why my nose looked so strange. I slowly shied away from taking pictures unless I was angled towards the side. I even began to dread being around mirrors, I was starting to not recognize myself. The frontal view of my nose haunted me every day and I constantly debated if I made a mistake. I became distant from family and friends until I finally decided to sit down and figure out why the frontal view of my nose was eating away at me so much. I took multiple photos of the front of my nose as you can see and compared them to a photo I took pre-surgery. The profile view of my nose is still perfect, and I could not be happier with it. In addition to this, Dr. Grigoryants was able to shorten the overall length of my nose which I am happy with as well. Despite these improvements, the front of my nose is nearly twice the width it used to be and appears slightly crooked (especially when smiling - shown in the photos). I believe that this is due to the nasal valve repair that was only performed on one side of my nose (setting it off balance possibly?). At 2 months post-op, I highly doubt this is all credited to swelling. From my research, it may be the surgeon's error or my bones spread during recovery. Either way, I am trying to stay hopeful but am finding myself devastated recently... It is extremely hard to look in the mirror and not recognize yourself. Although it is far too soon to even consider a small revision to narrow my nose, I am going to consult with a well respected surgeon near me to evaluate the cause behind this issue. I will keep you all updated, thank you again for all the kind words. I apologize for writing such a negative update but I feel that this needed to be addressed.
Replies (57)
December 5, 2015
Please keep us updated on how you are doing. i wish you the best!
December 5, 2015
Thank you love! I will definitely keep you updated, I am planning to meet with another surgeon next week (:
December 5, 2015
I am so sorry you are going through this. Your profile is amazing. It is possible that your view straight on will improve, but I had surgery two months ago and I am not happy with my results either and I don't think my nose is going to change much in the right direction from this point either.
I have come to realize that rhino is a crap shoot. You can pick a good surgeon and hope for the best but they are no guarantees. my nose was not better before and it's not better now it's just different. I would not have paid $10K for different. I wanted an attractive nose and my surgeon led me to believe he could give that to me. Now I see how much can go wrong. I need a revision and planned to get Dr G but I read your review and it makes me worry.
Who will you go see for a consult? I am doing the same locally for my nose.
What is Dr G saying about why your nose is exhibiting the issues that it is? I still think your nose is nice. ITS WAAAYYYY nicer than mine :)
I have come to realize that rhino is a crap shoot. You can pick a good surgeon and hope for the best but they are no guarantees. my nose was not better before and it's not better now it's just different. I would not have paid $10K for different. I wanted an attractive nose and my surgeon led me to believe he could give that to me. Now I see how much can go wrong. I need a revision and planned to get Dr G but I read your review and it makes me worry.
Who will you go see for a consult? I am doing the same locally for my nose.
What is Dr G saying about why your nose is exhibiting the issues that it is? I still think your nose is nice. ITS WAAAYYYY nicer than mine :)
December 5, 2015
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm happy that I'm not the only one going through this... I constantly pray that my nose starts to become narrow soon. It's very surreal to look back on before photos and see how wide my nose is now, especially considering Dr. Grigoryants said he was going to narrow my nose! To my knowledge, he did not use any spreader graphs so it is strange that my nose even appears this wide... I am going to consult with Dr. Anil Shah only because I trust his opinion and have been going to him for years for fillers so he knows my old nose. That is so true, it's a shame that even with a good surgeon you can never be sure. I am so sorry that you are unhappy with your results. I honestly think your nose looks nice but I suppose we are all our own worst critics. We are both pretty early in the recovery process so hopefully we will see some positive changes in our noses. I emailed Dr. Grigoryants many times in the past but he kept saying it was swelling. I really do hope he is right but I need a second opinion. I have not felt this down for a very long time but am trying to stay positive. I will keep you updated(: good luck on your journey, I will be following your progress!
December 6, 2015
Ok, I will be blunt, because I too am in your boat. Let's be frank for the sake of making our way through this head trip:
Your previous front view of your nose was a 10 but your side profile was say a 5 (sorry, it's just sooooo nice now, it's that much improved!) Now your side profile is a 10 and you're front is an 8. If your front improves to even a 9 you are way ahead of the game, you've gone from a 15 to a 19! And remember, people aren't looking at your nose they are looking at your whole face, and your nose is still REALLY pretty. Like REALLY REALLY pretty, so don't let yourself get down. You're a knockout and you're not asymmetrical.
I was likely about a 5 side and 5 front, now I am a 6 side and 3 front. So I went from a total 10 to a 9 and paid $10K to it.
My surgeon said he was going to do osteotomies on my bridge to narrow and straighten the face-on view, and then do a slight curve of the bridge and rotate my tip slightly. Instead, he removed excess cartilage from the sides of my bridge (where he was supposed to break it) and did a columella grafts and alar grafts?!! I find myself asking "Did you have a fellow observing surgery that day and he was more interested to see that performed than what was planned?" I find it baffling as to why the heck he would totally deviate from the plan?
I guess your sure you don't have spreader grafts? I thought Dr G always used them.
I think you're tip will shrink it. It's early days still.
Even myself, I had a stitch in my left nostril and it was irritating me. (I didn't know it was a stitch, thought just healing) then the stitch came out and the very next morning there was significant reduction in that side of my tip.
There are likely as many as 10 knots (of stitches) in your tip that will take 4 or 5 months to dissolve. When that happens you tip will be less irritated and come down more.
I honestly think your nose is so so so pretty. I really think you need to recognize that you have a significant overall improvement from your surgery and being so soon out from surgery and having a good symmetrical shape and beautiful profile, it's only waiting for tip refinement and that will come. Believe me, my tip reduced visibly and palpably OVERNIGHT when I pulled one little stitch out. Imagine all those little knots (10) against your septum, irritating your cartilage. It takes a bit of time, and it's gradual. You won't even notice. Just take weekly photos. Don't obsess daily. :)
Your previous front view of your nose was a 10 but your side profile was say a 5 (sorry, it's just sooooo nice now, it's that much improved!) Now your side profile is a 10 and you're front is an 8. If your front improves to even a 9 you are way ahead of the game, you've gone from a 15 to a 19! And remember, people aren't looking at your nose they are looking at your whole face, and your nose is still REALLY pretty. Like REALLY REALLY pretty, so don't let yourself get down. You're a knockout and you're not asymmetrical.
I was likely about a 5 side and 5 front, now I am a 6 side and 3 front. So I went from a total 10 to a 9 and paid $10K to it.
My surgeon said he was going to do osteotomies on my bridge to narrow and straighten the face-on view, and then do a slight curve of the bridge and rotate my tip slightly. Instead, he removed excess cartilage from the sides of my bridge (where he was supposed to break it) and did a columella grafts and alar grafts?!! I find myself asking "Did you have a fellow observing surgery that day and he was more interested to see that performed than what was planned?" I find it baffling as to why the heck he would totally deviate from the plan?
I guess your sure you don't have spreader grafts? I thought Dr G always used them.
I think you're tip will shrink it. It's early days still.
Even myself, I had a stitch in my left nostril and it was irritating me. (I didn't know it was a stitch, thought just healing) then the stitch came out and the very next morning there was significant reduction in that side of my tip.
There are likely as many as 10 knots (of stitches) in your tip that will take 4 or 5 months to dissolve. When that happens you tip will be less irritated and come down more.
I honestly think your nose is so so so pretty. I really think you need to recognize that you have a significant overall improvement from your surgery and being so soon out from surgery and having a good symmetrical shape and beautiful profile, it's only waiting for tip refinement and that will come. Believe me, my tip reduced visibly and palpably OVERNIGHT when I pulled one little stitch out. Imagine all those little knots (10) against your septum, irritating your cartilage. It takes a bit of time, and it's gradual. You won't even notice. Just take weekly photos. Don't obsess daily. :)
December 6, 2015
SquirrellyD that was amazing. You made me even feel calmer about my swelling hahaha
And K_L89 I totally understand how you feel, but for what it's worth you do look beautiful! It's so hard not to obsess over every little change in your nose - I'm a little over a month out from surgery with Dr. G and I'm trying so hard not to obsess or worry about every change. It's sooo hard
And K_L89 I totally understand how you feel, but for what it's worth you do look beautiful! It's so hard not to obsess over every little change in your nose - I'm a little over a month out from surgery with Dr. G and I'm trying so hard not to obsess or worry about every change. It's sooo hard
December 21, 2015
Sooo I'm from Chicago too :) ...but also like Dr. G. Just wondering why you decided to go with Dr. G versus Dr. Anil Shah? I consulted with Dr. Shah too!
January 6, 2016
I agree with MG1234, that really was amazing SquirrellyD! Even though I'm just now getting around to responding, I remember reading your comment back when I posted this review. I was feeling so down I could barely see through my tears to type (dramatic but true lol). Your comment honestly was the one that eased my mind the most. After reading it I was able to finally fall asleep and not worry. I sincerely can't thank you enough for all your kind words, and that's a really good way to look at things! I am still so happy with my profile, I think I just needed time to step back and be able to appreciate all the positive changes in my nose instead of the negatives. For what it's worth, I honestly think your profile is beautiful. I know how easy it is to get caught up in all the small imperfections. If you give it time I'm sure you will see more improvements! There's always the option to revise it in the long run but for right now I would try not to focus on it because you really are stunning. Im so jealous of your smile and I really don't think your nose looks as bad as you think. We definitely are our own worst critics, just give your nose time. And that was so wrong of your surgeon to deviate from the plan especially for the amount of money you paid, not to mention very unprofessional. Were you able to discuss it with him? Sometimes a surgeon has to take different approaches during the surgery based on the anatomy inside your nose, but it still seems strange to me that he completely changed the plan you made with him... You were so right about the stitches as well! Mine have been falling out randomly and my swelling has definitely improved. It really is a long process, I've learned it's best not to focus on it. Thank you again for your comment, I hope everyone going through this journey has a chance to read it because it has helped me so much. good luck with the rest of your recovery, I'll be following your progress(:
January 6, 2016
Oh wow that's awesome! What a small world(: It was a very hard decision but ultimately Dr. G had worked on more noses that were similar to mine. He also had more reviews for rhinoplasty so I felt safer with him. Dr. Shah is more conservative I feel like but he's still an amazing choice as well especially if you are looking to stay close to home. I have been going to him for years for fillers and he is a great surgeon. You would be in amazing hands! Good luck with your journey love(:
December 5, 2015
I am very sorry, please let me us what your Dr said.
January 6, 2016
Thank you! I have not contacted him recently but he initially said it was swelling. Luckily my nose has stated to slim down so he may be right
December 6, 2015
So sorry that you experience this. Your nose post op on your profile pic is one that I've fallen in love with, I mean, your profile is so cute. I think it's a good idea to see a dr. for a second opinion. Looking forward to hearing from you. Hopefully it's just swelling. We cross ur fingers. XX
January 6, 2016
Thank you so much! And I agree, luckily it has started to slim down recently though(: it really is a long process!
UPDATED FROM K_L89
3 months post
Finally Seeing Improvement!
K_L89January 6, 2016
I apologize for not updating this review as often, but I am now almost 3 months post rhinoplasty and my nose has finally started to slim down! Although I am very happy to see this improvement, there are still a few concerns I have. The pictures I have shared show how my bridge remains slightly disfigured. I am hoping that this is just swelling but am planning to meet with another plastic surgeon to get an alternative opinion in a few months. The first photo was taken with flash at a close range. Luckily, the small imperfections are not as noticeable when taking photos without flash (see additional photos). In addition to this, these imperfections are hardly visible to the human eye. I am slowly starting to love my nose again when I look in the mirror and I really hope to see more improvements in the future. I also want to thank you all for your encouragement and kind words, this website has honestly helped me get through some pretty dark days... I am so grateful for the support I have been getting and hopefully I will be seeing some more positive changes in my nose. I will keep you all updated!
Replies (8)
January 6, 2016
Please don't be hasty. Give it time. They say it can take up to two years to see the actual result. I am 8 days post op with Dr G and I have thick skin. Right now I look like a darker version of Miss Piggy but I am going to wait it out. Like you I have no issues with my profile it's just my front that I am unhappy with but I am trying to stay positive and I'm hoping that each new day brings change. Btw what app/ tool did you use to cover your eyes? I want to do a review as well.
January 6, 2016
Thank you for your kind words! I am beginning to see that the front takes the longest to improve so don't worry. It can be hard to be patient but it'll get better, lol I remember my Miss Piggy days! I use the app edit lab to cover my eyes (:
January 6, 2016
It's just gorgeous !!! I think I will bring you pictures at the pre op visit!
January 6, 2016
Wow beautiful results. I too have some imperfections I am 2 weeks post OP and I see my old bump on the side of my nose..but do to the fact that I have thin skin he said would be really hard to hide. For me it's more swelling getting to me at the tip...how long before our saw the tip slimming down?
Replies (51)