Should Have Done It Sooner. Not Perfect, but Well Worth It. Buckle Up!

Three from before, and three from after.
As you can see, when I smiled really big my nose used to dip down into a witch-like point, so I had grown accustomed to smirking instead. The 4th photo was taken about 3 months post-op, and the 5th was later that summer about 6-8 months post op. The last one was just this past June. Really happy with the results. It’s been exactly 19 months now since surgery. My nasal breathing never really recovered and I do sometimes have to sleep with a nose strip to breathe fully. I still battle with excess snot on a daily basis, I blow my nose at least 3-4 times a day. I still feel as though I look younger (and even a tad thinner perhaps - which isn’t true, I’ve actually gained weight) with my new nose. Also as you can see I dyed my hair as well. I don’t regret it one bit and I look at profile pictures of myself and am still astounded by how much prettier my profile is now. Highly recommend doctor Balikian.

My nose is the first and only thing I've ever wanted to do since my teen years. I was petrified of going under the knife and could never afford it anyway. My parents and friends always hated the thought and highly discouraged it, even up until months before I finally had it done. So glad I ignored them and finally did something for ME. They all eat their words now considering how it turned out. In retrospect I guess my nose was never really THAT bad, but it was always my biggest insecurity. Never took profile pics because of the way it protruded. It wasn't so bad from the front, but I mean let's be honest. It was Big. Sure now being on RealSelf I've seen other noses that make me feel bad about complaining in the first place, but I still regret not doing it sooner.
I did research upon research and had 8 consultations with different doctors in 3 different cities. The rhinoplasty "experts" here in LA were stupidly expensive and though they seemed to do amazing work, their fees were double if not worse for the beverly hills price tag, as compared to what I paid with still an excellent, board-certified, facial surgeon and rhinoplasty specialist. That's what I wanted. Someone who specialized in facial surgery only and rhinoplasty in particular. I'm very happy with my choice of Doctor.
No matter how much you research, nothing can prepare you for recovery. My procedure was intense - a fully open job, bone breakage, cartilage shaving, nostril reduction, you name it. I actually had to go to the ER immediately post surgery because I was having trouble recovering my breathing and my lungs kept spasming. I had a short cold about 4 weeks prior to surgery and had already recovered from and gone through antibiotics so we thought everything would be fine, but it was still probably a little too soon to go under. I really had no choice though since I had already mapped out the time off from work to recover so it was this or nothing. Don't let that scare you, though. As soon as I recovered my breathing I was sent home and was just fine. The ER was really just a precaution and my doctor said that is NOT typical. I was definitely in a lot of pain and super loopy for those first 48 hours, though. I pretty much stayed in bed for a good 5-6 days post-op. I was able to get off the painkillers in 3-4 days, though. Sleeping sitting up in bed for over 2 weeks was SO uncomfortable, but very necessary. OMG and the dryness!! That was the worst. I can barely remember it now, but part of the reason why I had so much trouble sleeping. Kept waking up to drink (Aloe Juice and Coconut Water really helped to moisturize, also sucking on lemon-soaked swabs) since my tongue and throat hurt from being so dry. You don't realize how important nose breathing is until you don't have it! I also have an ethnic nose so recovery is a bit longer. Very thick, porous and sebaceous. It's gross, really. My blackheads are out of control. But that's for another story...
I digress. What was MOST surprising in the recovery process was just how congested and numb I was for even months after the procedure. I had thought I'd be pretty much back to normal within a few weeks. I took 3 weeks off from work for initial recovery and I'm glad I did, my bruises went away only days before I had to return to work. Even now, 9 months later, I can't fully breathe out of my nose and I feel constant mucous in my nostrils. I definitely sneeze a LOT more and I almost feel as though I've developed some allergies, which I've never had before. My sense of smell also used to be like a bloodhound (probably due to my freakishly large nostrils) but it's definitely lessened since surgery. Still I don't regret it. Barring a few little concerns which I'll write about in my follow up with pictures, my new (almost) perfect nose has given me a lot of confidence and my only regret is having waited until my 30s to get it done. I really wish I could have enjoyed this nose when I was still in my 20s and working my way up thru my career. But, it's possible that I wouldn't have had the life experience by that time to choose the right Doctor and would have rushed into it simply because I wanted to have it done.
My advice to anyone seeking to get a rhinoplasty: DO YOUR RESEARCH. TAKE YOUR TIME TO FIND WHAT AND WHO YOU WANT. THIS IS YOUR FACE. YOU CANT HIDE IT ONCE IT'S DONE. DON'T CUT CORNERS, DON'T TRY AND SKIMP ON THE FINANCES. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. BE PREPARED FOR A LONG-TERM RECOVERY. A YEAR OR MORE!! YES, IT'S TRUE!! YOUR NOSE WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE 6, 8, 10, MONTHS DOWN THE LINE AND YES YOU WILL NOTICE IT.
(SIDEBAR: One doctor I went in for a consultation with tried to convince me that I also needed a "chin implant" to even out the symmetry in my profile. RUBBISH! My chin is and has always been just fine. Besides a little neck fat, I don't have a weak chin whatsoever and this was totally unnecessary and would have changed the entire structure, shape of my face which I did Not want. I could tell Rhinoplasty wasn't really his specialty. If he would have needed a chin implant to do this then he obviously wasn't a very skilled artist, not to mention surgeon. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Look at the doctor's work, CALL or CONTACT previous patients that have your similar specs, skin type, etc. if you can. Yes, I did this! And good doctors will let you do this! I am amazed at some of the reviews I come across on RealSelf where it is apparent that the patient just googled and went to the first doctor they found, or saw an Ad from the back of a magazine or something. This is your one and only face/body and you have to live with it for the rest of your life!
But. I guess you HAVE taken the time to read through this diatribe of a review so you're probably on the right track)
Overall, you want to do it? DO IT. Nothing is better than feeling great about yourself. Plus its 2017 and plastic surgery (esp. rhinoplasty) is so routine now. No longer a "taboo" thing and the way technology has come is amazing. Scared? You should be. Be truly prepared to buckle down and expect the worst in recovery. It's never as pretty or easy or quick as you think it will be. Worth it? Yes, if it's done right.. and half of that is your own responsibility. It's never wrong to do something good for yourself -- as long as you do it the right way. And remember, nothing is perfect. You think (hope) you're going to pay all this money and come out with on the other end with the nose only of fairy tale princesses or photoshopped instagram models, but that's simply not how it works. Minor/Slight imperfections are normal and you're going to scrutinize every millimeter. You have to be realistic with what can be done with what you've been given.
Best of luck and you're worth it!