Open Rhinoplasty + Septoplasty - Before/During/After. London, GB

My name is Julie, I wanted to share my surgery experience as I found a lot of help online, lots of advice, I think it’s great that people share this process even though everyone is different. It has been reassuring (and scary!) being able to see what people go through. On the 8th of June I had an open rhinoplasty done in London and I was super exited! I kind of always knew I was going to do it, my nose has never been the best looking to put it nicely. I just wanted it to be straight, you know? Nice shape, nothing too fancy.

Here is how the day of the surgery went:

1pm went to the hospital, they put me in my room and I had to choose what I wanted for dinner and breakfast
3pm met the nurse, anaesthetist and saw doc, took some pictures and draw on my nose, went through what we are going to do for the last time
5pm went into the theatre, when I woke up I could not open my eyes because I was so dizzy and felt a bit nauseous, i haven’t been sick at all though and I haven’t eaten as I don’t feel hungry
8:45pm started feeling normal again, slept until about 00:00, little bit swollen but nothing scary, drunk water, coconut water and pineapple juice. The packing is very annoying at the beginning but you get used to it.
01:30 fell back asleep after taking pain killers (no pain but I am just being cautious)
04:00 woke up again, swelling gone, still no bruises but it is starting to arrive on the side of my eyes! Anyway I am so impressed, the work I had done was quite tricky as the doctor said my nose was deviated in every way I was expecting my face to be destroyed. Took some painkillers even though no pain still. Started to swallow some blood/liquid coming down from my nose so I got medication to avoid being sick as well. Everyone is super nice! I feel fantastic and very proud, can’t believe I did it!

Just got home! I feel tired but very good, finally had some food! My nose is completely blocked and a little itchy but I can live with that. I have some antibiotics to take just twice a day and some very strong painkillers I can take if I need, I do take some as I don’t want to take the risk of feeling any pain. Everyone is surprised to see my face as we were all expecting a lot worse. I did take arnica pills a week before the operation which I believe really helped, also drunk fresh pineapple juice everyday to get some bromelain in my body. I have some bromelain pills now that I will take with the arnica to minimise the swelling and bruising. I can see my nose is smaller and straighter, the nostril are so different in a good way obviously, this day 1 and I could not be happier! I am expecting a delivery of fresh vegetables & fruits juice to come tomorrow with some immunity shots containing lots of good stuff which will help my body to recover and cleanse from all the medications.

My nose is quite crusty which is annoying, I really want to clean my face and be able to breathe properly. The nurse told me not to touch my nose at all but it’s very hard not to! No real bruises appeared and the swelling is very minimal which makes me happy. I am quite tired today so taking it easy, staying in bed all dayyy!