POSTED UNDER African American Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
African-American Rhino - Excited to See the Final Results!
ORIGINAL POST
I'm at the point where I need to sit down before I...
WORTH IT$8,600
I'm at the point where I need to sit down before I hurt myself, but :ding!: I had an idea shortly after popping my sleeping pills.
When I was looking up surgeons, I was mostly looking for surgeons with experience doing ethnic rhinoplasty especially on those of us wIth African descent. It was quite a doozy! Why not post a review tonight and help someone out?!
So, I originally had 2 surgeons in mind. Dr. Kwak's staff were the most professional and the best communicators. I went in for my consultation and was immediately put at ease. The office is nice, the people are professional and the doctor knows his stuff. I, however, was a bit of a mess.
Dr. Kwak took my long narrative of what I wanted my nose to look like and made sense of it using less words. It was important that I stay true to my African and Native American ethnic makeup. I wanted to keep my not-so-perfect hump and narrow my nostrils just a tad-- all in all, I still wanted them to flare our when I smile. Dr. Kwak is super patient, he listens to what you have to say and doesnt push you to get acookie cutter nose or exta work on something youd never even noticed. The consultation went well and I left with quotes.
I had a second, more in depth consulation. This is when the fany imaging was brought out. What's that you say? My nose could look just like that? Sign me up! A date was confirmed and the deposit was paid.
Fat forward a few months aND. Surgery!!! I'm still within the first 72 hour bUT I knew I'd be happy with the results at firate glance. I'LLC be documenting this joined. More awkwardly cropped pictures to come
g to come.
When I was looking up surgeons, I was mostly looking for surgeons with experience doing ethnic rhinoplasty especially on those of us wIth African descent. It was quite a doozy! Why not post a review tonight and help someone out?!
So, I originally had 2 surgeons in mind. Dr. Kwak's staff were the most professional and the best communicators. I went in for my consultation and was immediately put at ease. The office is nice, the people are professional and the doctor knows his stuff. I, however, was a bit of a mess.
Dr. Kwak took my long narrative of what I wanted my nose to look like and made sense of it using less words. It was important that I stay true to my African and Native American ethnic makeup. I wanted to keep my not-so-perfect hump and narrow my nostrils just a tad-- all in all, I still wanted them to flare our when I smile. Dr. Kwak is super patient, he listens to what you have to say and doesnt push you to get acookie cutter nose or exta work on something youd never even noticed. The consultation went well and I left with quotes.
I had a second, more in depth consulation. This is when the fany imaging was brought out. What's that you say? My nose could look just like that? Sign me up! A date was confirmed and the deposit was paid.
Fat forward a few months aND. Surgery!!! I'm still within the first 72 hour bUT I knew I'd be happy with the results at firate glance. I'LLC be documenting this joined. More awkwardly cropped pictures to come
g to come.
NextChapter2016's provider
UPDATED FROM NextChapter2016
4 days post
4 days later
So far, so good. It looks like I'm healing well and I feel confident about everything. My cast comes off in 3 days. I know my nose will be more swollen and upturned on the day that my cast comes off, but when I look at it today it looks good to me. I even had an outside suture come off the night of surgery (one of many stitches, so no biggie) and that's healed well. You never would've guessed that my nose was sewn back down to my face just 4 days ago! Gross, but true. :) I had an open rhinoplasty. I guess I don't have that much to add today. I look gross in the pictures, but I swear that is ointment, not nose nastiness! I only iced 2-3 times after surgery instead of the like 10 times that I was supposed to. I thought I was doing it right, but then I realized that proper icing procedure is 15-20 minutes every hour. I was actually proud of myself until I realized I was doing it wrong. D'oh! But I think my bruising is going down anyway.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM NextChapter2016
7 days post
Cast removal later today
Today I'll have my splint/cast removed. This whole thing has been interesting (read: emotional) because the last time a doctor was talking to me about a nose job it was after an insane man had given me 2 black eyes. I struggled over whether or not to tell the plastic surgeon this, but I was asked by a nurse the day before surgery. I was a little relieved they asked so I wouldn't have to bring it up. It was a little traumatizing seeing myself with bruises, again. But I think it will be worth it.
After experiencing domestic abuse almost daily for years and then experiencing a sexual assault 2 years ago during which I had to literally fight a man, I've become a little jumpy. Not in business, not in art, just in personal interactions when I'm alone with a man, any man. He could be a saint and I'd still be wary. And I've always felt like I probably should've had nose surgery after a particularly bad night instead of declining because it seemed like my once "perfect for my face" nose became wider over time. I'm not even sure that can happen. But I couldn't figure out how to bring the subject up later, without making the people who couldn't help me the night my face was damaged feel guilty (the policy holder who did the best she could).
Now I feel like I'm sloughing off yet another reminder of the physical abuse I endured for years. And maybe I'llbe able to breath better. I'm just glad that an ugly, quiet, dumb thumbsucking kid grew up to be a smart, funny, beautiful, charismatic businesswoman who values kindness above all else and can afford to live life on her terms. But pray I don't cry when my cast comes off because I know it's going to be emotional!
After experiencing domestic abuse almost daily for years and then experiencing a sexual assault 2 years ago during which I had to literally fight a man, I've become a little jumpy. Not in business, not in art, just in personal interactions when I'm alone with a man, any man. He could be a saint and I'd still be wary. And I've always felt like I probably should've had nose surgery after a particularly bad night instead of declining because it seemed like my once "perfect for my face" nose became wider over time. I'm not even sure that can happen. But I couldn't figure out how to bring the subject up later, without making the people who couldn't help me the night my face was damaged feel guilty (the policy holder who did the best she could).
Now I feel like I'm sloughing off yet another reminder of the physical abuse I endured for years. And maybe I'llbe able to breath better. I'm just glad that an ugly, quiet, dumb thumbsucking kid grew up to be a smart, funny, beautiful, charismatic businesswoman who values kindness above all else and can afford to live life on her terms. But pray I don't cry when my cast comes off because I know it's going to be emotional!
Replies (4)
June 24, 2016
I read your post and Im sorry you went through all that, but clearly you have risen above all of that and grown stronger! Im looking forward to future updates, Im sure your nose will come out looking great! :)
June 25, 2016
Thank you! I'm really touched that you and CJNYC took the time to read my post and respond. Best wishes!
June 24, 2016
Hi there! Firstly, it takes a great deal of heart and resilience to triumph over abusive situations. Kudos to you for not only overcoming adversity but for having the sheer determination to reinvent yourself. You are an inspiration.
On the topic of your surgery, your already cute nose will no doubt look amazing post recovery. Even with the bandages there's already noticeable change. Keep us posted on your recovery. Stay beautiful.
Best!
On the topic of your surgery, your already cute nose will no doubt look amazing post recovery. Even with the bandages there's already noticeable change. Keep us posted on your recovery. Stay beautiful.
Best!
Replies (11)
When I got there, Dr. Kwak was so patient. He let me talk and talk before making suggestions. Some plastic surgeons unknowingly chip at your self-esteem but he didn'the do any of that. I could tell that he understood how important my image of what is beautiful is to me. I did not want a white girls nose on my black face and I've seen results like that from doctors of all races-- whether the patient wanted it or not.
He listened patiently as I described what I wanted, managed expectations and guided me without pushing me or pushing me towards "mainstream" standards of beauty, which I sometimes see doctors do in the QA section. He was confident and explained what would need to be done (inside I was like, "Ew, gross. Let's not talk about this anymore. Lalalalala." I also asked the coordinator if he'd worked on black noses before and she said he had.
The coordinator and assistant influenced my decision, too. They were so warm and responsive from start to finish, I felt confident that I wouldn't be left hanging after the surgery. I was well informed about what to expect and how to care for myself after surgery.
Since it seems like so few black people consent to having their photos used (or maybe they pictures on the site just haven't been updated), I thought I should post a review. I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)