POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Rhinoplasty with Dr Lucion Ion - London, GB
ORIGINAL POST
I've been fussing about my face since I first...
$9,920
I've been fussing about my face since I first became aware of how much looks seem to matter in society. My nose particularly was something that I obsessed over, prodding constantly and envisioning as some delicate elfin feature. While my nose hasn't got any dramatic deformity, the reason why I dislike it so much is that it just doesn't seem to "fit" into my face. It's bulbous and makes my face look goofy and masculine.
After years of dithering over the prospect of surgery I've now reached the point where I'm just about to book the procedure, but I'm still completely petrified that I'm going to have a surgeon completely destroy my face like some crazed Frankenstein, and I end up looking like the lovechild of Bruce Jenner and Michal Jackson.
I've been to see Dr Julian De Silva for a consultation, which hasn't filled me with confidence - it just felt like a very awkward meeting. I am very swayed by the reviews I read, but then again they almost seem too good. While there are plenty of brilliant reviews, I can't follow them up - on the Google reviews almost everyone who had written something only had that one review (often an indication of fake reviews) and on the realself forum so many of the people literally post their review and then vanish - no pictures, no comments. It's extremely disconcerting and it frightens me terribly, especially as I have no way of choosing my surgeon other than the reviews I find!
I've discussed the possibility of Dr Uppal with some people on the forum, but have yet to meet with him.
Basically, I need advice! Help! Has anyone been to Julian De Silva or Uppal, and if so, were you happy? Any thoughts, opinions etc are most welcome! :)
After years of dithering over the prospect of surgery I've now reached the point where I'm just about to book the procedure, but I'm still completely petrified that I'm going to have a surgeon completely destroy my face like some crazed Frankenstein, and I end up looking like the lovechild of Bruce Jenner and Michal Jackson.
I've been to see Dr Julian De Silva for a consultation, which hasn't filled me with confidence - it just felt like a very awkward meeting. I am very swayed by the reviews I read, but then again they almost seem too good. While there are plenty of brilliant reviews, I can't follow them up - on the Google reviews almost everyone who had written something only had that one review (often an indication of fake reviews) and on the realself forum so many of the people literally post their review and then vanish - no pictures, no comments. It's extremely disconcerting and it frightens me terribly, especially as I have no way of choosing my surgeon other than the reviews I find!
I've discussed the possibility of Dr Uppal with some people on the forum, but have yet to meet with him.
Basically, I need advice! Help! Has anyone been to Julian De Silva or Uppal, and if so, were you happy? Any thoughts, opinions etc are most welcome! :)
Vogelina11's provider
UPDATED FROM Vogelina11
Settled on a Surgeon
After all the feedback from people on this site (thank you all so much by the way, you are magnificent!) and doing some research into reviews, I went for a consultation yesterday with Lucian Ion.
First off, the house that he works out of in Harley Street is insanely gorgeous. If I was to take over the world, that is where I'll set up my headquarters. The staff were all gracious and friendly which I very much appreciated. I mainly dealt with a woman called Nikki, who is lovely.
I got taken through to see Dr Ion fairly promptly and immediately felt completely at ease. He is warm and chatty and completely relaxed in his own self. I also noticed that he had taken the time to read through my notes before I came in, because he referred several times to my profession (I'm a web developer, just by the way, if anyone's ever in need - just a wee bit of self promotion there). He was also very observant of me, complimenting my handwriting and asking about my tattoos and my surname. I know this is an odd thing to comment on, but I like a doctor that notices and pays attention to his patient. I've had to endure doctors that just completely dismiss you and prattle on about their own importance with absolutely no interest in who their patients are or what their needs may be. Little things like what Dr Ion did has such a positive effect, because I know he is paying attention to me.
The time spent in consultation was fairly simple. He inspected my nose, mentioned a slightly deviated septum (which I already knew from Dr De Silva) and took some pictures which we then modified together. Now I never did this with Dr De Silva, and even though a picture may not necessarily be identical to what you ultimately achieve through surgery, I think it is important because you know that the doctor visualises the same things you do. He also gave me the pictures to keep on a snazzy 8gig flash stick which is AWESOME! Kinda like how the doctors always used to hand out a sweet after you'd been to see them.
Now, the surgery is WAY more expensive then Dr De Silva. Dr De Silva starts at £5500, quoting me £6500. Dr Ion starts at £7500. My quote was £7820 (I think. I'm too lazy to double check). To break it down, it was £5500 for the rhinoplasty, £1,820 for the hospital fees and £500 for the anaesthetic fees. I really wish he could just come do the operation at my house. £1820 for hospital fees is madness. SO, yeah, it is quite a bit more expensive. I'm basically spending everything I've ever saved up on this, which is horrific. My family are not impressed (and I can completely understand).
So why Dr Ion and not Dr De Silva? Because I walked out of Ion's offices feeling completely confident. There was no fear, no nagging voice at the back of my head questioning what will happen if he messes up. I trust him completely, and that trust is worth paying the extra for. There are some things in life you simply can't be cheap about, and your face is one of them.
SO - my surgery date is set for the 13th of October!
Also, on a side note, has anyone had rhinoplasty and breast augmentation done by Ion at the same time? I'm just wondering what the cost is, if it'll be cheaper to do that or have the surgery done in South Africa when I return next year? (I know I said I'll be spending all my savings, but I can always save a bit more between now and the 13th of October!)
First off, the house that he works out of in Harley Street is insanely gorgeous. If I was to take over the world, that is where I'll set up my headquarters. The staff were all gracious and friendly which I very much appreciated. I mainly dealt with a woman called Nikki, who is lovely.
I got taken through to see Dr Ion fairly promptly and immediately felt completely at ease. He is warm and chatty and completely relaxed in his own self. I also noticed that he had taken the time to read through my notes before I came in, because he referred several times to my profession (I'm a web developer, just by the way, if anyone's ever in need - just a wee bit of self promotion there). He was also very observant of me, complimenting my handwriting and asking about my tattoos and my surname. I know this is an odd thing to comment on, but I like a doctor that notices and pays attention to his patient. I've had to endure doctors that just completely dismiss you and prattle on about their own importance with absolutely no interest in who their patients are or what their needs may be. Little things like what Dr Ion did has such a positive effect, because I know he is paying attention to me.
The time spent in consultation was fairly simple. He inspected my nose, mentioned a slightly deviated septum (which I already knew from Dr De Silva) and took some pictures which we then modified together. Now I never did this with Dr De Silva, and even though a picture may not necessarily be identical to what you ultimately achieve through surgery, I think it is important because you know that the doctor visualises the same things you do. He also gave me the pictures to keep on a snazzy 8gig flash stick which is AWESOME! Kinda like how the doctors always used to hand out a sweet after you'd been to see them.
Now, the surgery is WAY more expensive then Dr De Silva. Dr De Silva starts at £5500, quoting me £6500. Dr Ion starts at £7500. My quote was £7820 (I think. I'm too lazy to double check). To break it down, it was £5500 for the rhinoplasty, £1,820 for the hospital fees and £500 for the anaesthetic fees. I really wish he could just come do the operation at my house. £1820 for hospital fees is madness. SO, yeah, it is quite a bit more expensive. I'm basically spending everything I've ever saved up on this, which is horrific. My family are not impressed (and I can completely understand).
So why Dr Ion and not Dr De Silva? Because I walked out of Ion's offices feeling completely confident. There was no fear, no nagging voice at the back of my head questioning what will happen if he messes up. I trust him completely, and that trust is worth paying the extra for. There are some things in life you simply can't be cheap about, and your face is one of them.
SO - my surgery date is set for the 13th of October!
Also, on a side note, has anyone had rhinoplasty and breast augmentation done by Ion at the same time? I'm just wondering what the cost is, if it'll be cheaper to do that or have the surgery done in South Africa when I return next year? (I know I said I'll be spending all my savings, but I can always save a bit more between now and the 13th of October!)
Replies (6)
August 3, 2015
Hey congratulations!
Did you choose your operation date? or is he fully booked until mid october? I'm seeing him at the end of august as you know, and i wanted it for mid october, but now I'm thinking i'll have to wait until november for surgery! :( it's my 21st at the end of november, so i wanted the swelling to have gone down!
im so glad dr ion sounds like the best surgeon I've researched in london! xx
Did you choose your operation date? or is he fully booked until mid october? I'm seeing him at the end of august as you know, and i wanted it for mid october, but now I'm thinking i'll have to wait until november for surgery! :( it's my 21st at the end of november, so i wanted the swelling to have gone down!
im so glad dr ion sounds like the best surgeon I've researched in london! xx
August 3, 2015
Happy birthday for November! :)
I needed it to be in October because I'm going to be away for most of September, but I suspect he's fully booked before then because the 13th was the earliest date he had.
I do know that after surgery he does offer to inject the face with steroids to ease the swelling but I don't know how much of a difference that'll make. I suppose the intensity of the swelling is dependant on the individual. Maybe when you go see Dr Ion ask if they can put you onto a waiting list for any surgery cancellations?
I needed it to be in October because I'm going to be away for most of September, but I suspect he's fully booked before then because the 13th was the earliest date he had.
I do know that after surgery he does offer to inject the face with steroids to ease the swelling but I don't know how much of a difference that'll make. I suppose the intensity of the swelling is dependant on the individual. Maybe when you go see Dr Ion ask if they can put you onto a waiting list for any surgery cancellations?
August 4, 2015
Hello! I wanted mid Oct too but I booked for the earliest day case- early Nov. you can get an overnight case early Oct. Best of luck! Im nervous as hell ;-) x
August 5, 2015
Oh wow! You couldn't have booked much later then I did. Guess he fills up fast - always a good sign! Good luck for the surgery - you're going to look fabulous. :D
August 5, 2015
He does! But I think he's also away the last week of October too so that doesn't help ;-)
Aww thanks Hun, best of luck to you too! You will look amazing! We'll have to swap pics haha x
Aww thanks Hun, best of luck to you too! You will look amazing! We'll have to swap pics haha x
August 22, 2015
Wow thanks so much for the info esp the cost. I really want it done but all my savings would be gone and in a city like london its scary not having extra money. My top three pics for drs was Dr Ion, Dr De Silva and Dr Uppal. Did u check out dr Rajan Uppal at all? What were your top picks?
UPDATED FROM Vogelina11
The Final Countdown
Howdy folks
So, the final two weeks are upon me. Surgery is on the 13th, and I'm having a complete breakdown. Not the best time to freak out, but it's happening and I'm absolutely quivering with fear.
I went for my second consultation with Dr Ion yesterday which is when all my concerns divebombed into me. The problem is that Dr Ion is leaving the decision of how my nose should look completely in my hands. Which is great, except that I'm not attached to some particular idea of how my nose should look. I don't desire a pointy little pixie button or some Grace Kelly slope. I just want a nose that fits better into my face. So what I need is someone who deals with the aesthetics of the face to tell me what, in their professional opinion, will suit my face best. But Dr Ion is leaving the decisions up to me, and I'm so worried I'm going to choose something that will look absolutely absurd on me. Or else something that really doesn't make a difference at all to my face, and then I've just blown my entire life savings on something completely pointless.
Anyway, that's my moaning done for the day. :)
So, the final two weeks are upon me. Surgery is on the 13th, and I'm having a complete breakdown. Not the best time to freak out, but it's happening and I'm absolutely quivering with fear.
I went for my second consultation with Dr Ion yesterday which is when all my concerns divebombed into me. The problem is that Dr Ion is leaving the decision of how my nose should look completely in my hands. Which is great, except that I'm not attached to some particular idea of how my nose should look. I don't desire a pointy little pixie button or some Grace Kelly slope. I just want a nose that fits better into my face. So what I need is someone who deals with the aesthetics of the face to tell me what, in their professional opinion, will suit my face best. But Dr Ion is leaving the decisions up to me, and I'm so worried I'm going to choose something that will look absolutely absurd on me. Or else something that really doesn't make a difference at all to my face, and then I've just blown my entire life savings on something completely pointless.
Anyway, that's my moaning done for the day. :)
Replies (13)
October 1, 2015
Hey I'm due to have rhinoplasty with Mr Ion a week later and although I'm a but anxious I think the nerves haven't kicked in quite yet bit I know they will!
With me he asked me what I disliked about my nose and he agreed these areas need to be addressed and then he created my morph. We discussed it for a while as the tip was lifted etc ans didn't know whether I wanted this but he made me realise it looks better etc. I didn't really have alternative morphs, it was very much 'this is what I would do to your nose' and I was happy with that after some discussion.
I like your first morph, the second is too pointy. Good luck with your surgery xx
With me he asked me what I disliked about my nose and he agreed these areas need to be addressed and then he created my morph. We discussed it for a while as the tip was lifted etc ans didn't know whether I wanted this but he made me realise it looks better etc. I didn't really have alternative morphs, it was very much 'this is what I would do to your nose' and I was happy with that after some discussion.
I like your first morph, the second is too pointy. Good luck with your surgery xx
October 2, 2015
Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it! The general consensus seems to be the first morph, and I think everyone's right. I'm really grateful people on this forum are so willing to chat and offer advice/feedback - all my partner ever does is grunt when I try show him this stuff!
What date are you booked in for? I read somewhere that a girl ended up meeting someone she had been talking to in this forum on the day they both went for surgery (or else it might have been a consultation) but I haven't yet found anyone going in on the same day as me!
Good luck for your surgery, I'm sure it'll be fantastic! xx
What date are you booked in for? I read somewhere that a girl ended up meeting someone she had been talking to in this forum on the day they both went for surgery (or else it might have been a consultation) but I haven't yet found anyone going in on the same day as me!
Good luck for your surgery, I'm sure it'll be fantastic! xx
October 12, 2015
Hey! Only one day to go for you! You must be excited. My op is booked for the 20th October so next week. I will be looking forward to your updates, hopefully that will encourage me and ease my nerves! Good luck for tomorrow so excited for you! Xx
October 1, 2015
love the 1st one!!! - it has a softer feel to it!
my surgery is on the 10th nov! i cant wait to see how everything goes with you, how exciting. I wish mine was sooner! have you had your preop yet?
Amy x
my surgery is on the 10th nov! i cant wait to see how everything goes with you, how exciting. I wish mine was sooner! have you had your preop yet?
Amy x
October 2, 2015
Your name's Amy! So is mine - different spelling though. :)
You've got your surgery almost a month after mine - don't worry, the time goes so fast. I promise, you won't even notice and then suddenly your surgery date is only a few days away.
I promise I'll keep posting so everyone can see the results - I'm really excited to see yours too. The morphs looked stunning!
You've got your surgery almost a month after mine - don't worry, the time goes so fast. I promise, you won't even notice and then suddenly your surgery date is only a few days away.
I promise I'll keep posting so everyone can see the results - I'm really excited to see yours too. The morphs looked stunning!
October 4, 2015
awh yaaaaay TWINNING!!! hehehe!
thank you hun. im so excited for you eeeeek!!! i hope it goes quick im nervous already haha! [RS bleep]
thank you hun. im so excited for you eeeeek!!! i hope it goes quick im nervous already haha! [RS bleep]
October 2, 2015
I like your first option too! It looks beautiful and very natural on you.
October 2, 2015
I'm booked in for the 20th October. I hope all goes well and I will be looking forward to your updates so I know what to expect! Are you taking any supplements like the flx, multi and Probiotics that they recommend? And arnica? Xx
October 16, 2015
Good luck!!! Are you going to be in Weymouth Street Hospital? The staff there are divine, you're in good hands!
I didn't order the flx etc because when I checked out the prices, the total came to almost £200. Instead I read up on what doctors generally recommend and I stocked up on Vitamin C, Arnica tablets and cream, probiotics, actimel and saline spray (which I'll only start using once the cast is off). I hadn't started using arnica cream yet, but when I went to the offices today, the nurses recommended I put some on underneath my eyes where the bruising had started to develop. They also suggested soaking cotton disks in water and chilling them in the fridge before placing them on the face to help with swelling. My face has swollen up really badly, so based on my experiences, I really recommend getting stuff that helps calm it!
I didn't order the flx etc because when I checked out the prices, the total came to almost £200. Instead I read up on what doctors generally recommend and I stocked up on Vitamin C, Arnica tablets and cream, probiotics, actimel and saline spray (which I'll only start using once the cast is off). I hadn't started using arnica cream yet, but when I went to the offices today, the nurses recommended I put some on underneath my eyes where the bruising had started to develop. They also suggested soaking cotton disks in water and chilling them in the fridge before placing them on the face to help with swelling. My face has swollen up really badly, so based on my experiences, I really recommend getting stuff that helps calm it!
October 17, 2015
Hey! I'm glad your surgery went well, I have been looking forward to your update. My surgery will be at weymouth street so it's good to hear the staff are friendly. Like you I'm petrified of needles - tell me it wasn't that bad when they put the needle in!
In the end I bought the flx and just got my own multi vitamins, actimel and arnica. Keep us updated, I need to know whats in store for me! Xx
In the end I bought the flx and just got my own multi vitamins, actimel and arnica. Keep us updated, I need to know whats in store for me! Xx
October 14, 2015
hope your surgery went well!! good luck for recovery! xx
October 16, 2015
Thank you so much! The operation went well, but the past few days have been way harder then I anticipated... I hope it's worth it, I'm freaking myself out now! :)
Replies (19)
I think you are lovely as is, but if you do proceed, do a lot of research (as it seems you have started to do!). Here's a list of questions to ask at consultations. Please keep us posted on your journey!