Finally Doing It! - New York, NY

I have been wanting to get my nose done FOREVER. Whenever I told people that I wanted it done/tell people that I'm finally doing it, I always get why? I don't think you need it! But then I look at my pictures and I'm like what are these people CRAZY!? Anyway, I knew I had to write a review because once I was finally ready to take the plunge I turned to RealSelf and that's how I basically did all my research. After many months poring over pictures and reviews, I decided on two doctors in NYC. I am from Long Island so it's about an hour and half train ride into the City. I knew I needed to get an ENT with specialization in facial and/or nasal surgery. I'm not knocking the doctors that do it all (boobs, butts, etc.), but I just felt more comfortable with a doctor who specializes in noses. Additionally, I'm sure I'm not alone here but I'm really scared of the results. I mean, I cry and freak out if my hair is out of place - imagine if I get a botched nose job. During my RealSelf research, I kept coming back to Dr. Edward Kwak. I found only ONE poor review but the rest were absolutely glowing. His pictures seem to be the most natural looking as well. I knew I needed to at least interview one more doctor but I couldn't decide. I did more RealSelf research and decided to book a consult with Dr. Richard Westreich. I went to Dr. Westreich first last month. It was $250 for the consult. The office was nice and clean and the girls were nice. Dr. Westreich spent more time with my mom and I than I thought - we naturally asked a ton of questions. He was incredibly patient and knowledgeable, and took the time to draw for me what he was actually going to do be doing. His pictures of my before and afters were perfect, as well. The price of my surgery was quoted at $12,500. I thought it was a little high but after doing my research I knew I had to keep an open mind and knew I would be paying top dollar for a top NYC doctor. Then we went on to meet Dr. Kwak. His waiting room wasn't as comfortable as the first, but whatever that's the least on my worries. He actually came in and took the pictures of me himself which wasn't done at the other office. Not a huge deal but just something that stuck out. He brought me and my mom into his office and we looked at his pictures. He said he just straightened out the bump on the bridge but didn't touch the tip. I said no I want deprojection on the tip! He then fixed it and then we had the pictures you see here (the ones against the blue screen). At first I liked the first doctor's better (I didn't get digital copies of those - but on those my bridge was just straight down, Dr. Kwak's gives my nose a bit of a curve - which I didn't want at first but I think it's a little more feminine now). Anyway, we then met with his office manager Stephanie who might be the sweetest girl I've ever met. She told me my price of surgery would be $9,100 but if I split the room fee with another patient (meaning Dr. Kwak would do two surgeries in one day so me and another patient could split that day's costs) then it would be $800 less. At that point I was sold. I know that price shouldn't really be a consideration when someone is going to operating on and changing the look of your FACE for God's sake but here I had two very comparable doctors and with nothing else to really make me lean one way or the other, price was the tipping point. Its also worth noting that I had Dr. Kwak on my radar for a long time. Also, the first doctor was going to have to do the surgery in the hospital rather than a private suite (he did have the option for his surgical suite but that would have been more money than the original quote) and I wasn't really trying to go to a hospital. Another good thing about Dr. Kwak's office is that they were able to accommodate me with Saturday appointments (not for my consult - which was $250 as well, by the way) - but for my pre-op appointment. I voiced my concerns about having to take off work and they were able to get me in on a Saturday for my pre-op, which is coming up on 12/31/16. I'm really excited and nervous and will keep posting as more goes on. I paid an additional $250 to book my surgery date (1/30/17) and the balance is due 1/9/17.

Had my pre-op appointment this weekend. I am equally excited and terrified at the same time, but I am so confident that I chose the right doctor. I am more concerned that I am going to expect too much too fast, and that if it's not perfect I will be really upset. I have to try to keep telling myself that healing takes time and if it doesn't turn out perfect it will certainly be an improvement.

In terms of exactly what occurred at the appointment, I went in where dr kwak took pictures of me head on, at a 45 degree angle, and also a side profile. My dad and I then went into his office and looked at the original pictures and morphs from my consult. I brought a manila folder FULL of some of your guys' pictures with things I like and don't like, want and don't want. I also had quite a few emails I wrote to myself with just random thoughts and various questions and concerns. I'm one of those people who think of things late at night while I'm trying to get to sleep, or in the middle of a project at work; so I just email myself things before I forget. Dr kwak was so so patient and answered all of my questions throughly and without hesitation. He also made sure to make me aware that I will look a little rough after, and not to freak out. I will definitely have a bulbous tip for a bit he said which freaks me out but at least he's expecting it so I can try not to freak out about it. I think he could sense my anxiety about it and the outcome-which is good. I'm glad he's concerned about how I feel. He also made sure to tell me to feel free to call the office and not necessarily look to the internet with questions or concerns because let's face it the Internet can be scary and he his staff will know my personal situation the best. He just wanted to assure me, and I quote, "that [I] am not alone". So nice.

I got a folder with my medication list (an antibiotic, nasal spray, Tylenol w codeine, and bacitracin) and gave them my pharmacy info so they can call it in a week before the surgery. I also got a TON of pre and post op instruction. I'm going to have to read it all through a couple times to try and remember it all. I can't drink or eat ANYTHING not even water after midnight on the night before. Then I have to be at the office at 10:30 and my surgery at 11:30. It's on a Monday. I'm staying in the city overnight at a hotel then going back to the office he next day for him to remove the packing. My cast will come off on Saturday and I go back to work on the next Monday. I'm not too concerned with work I work in a small legal office and aren't too concerned with people 1. Knowing that I'm getting my nose done 2. Seeing bruising and swelling 3. Talking about me. It's whatever- this is too important to me and if they want to talk let them talk. I must say, however, that I am having second thoughts but I know it's out of fear and I would be so so disappointed in myself if I don't text this risk. I'm taking a lot of risks in my life this year (this procedure, going back to school full time at age 30). And I hoping it all turns out for the best. As I said, I know that I will more disappointed if I don't try than if I do try. (Let's hope at least, unless this gets botched ????)!

My major concern is not being able to work out. What did you guys do? I work out a lot and to be totally out of commission is really going to suck. I want to try and walk around the block during the first week and then maybe brisk, uphill treadmill walking once cast is off? What about the stair stepper, that doesn't seem like it would cause too much stress on my sinuses. I will def ask my surgeon (he is being very cautious and saying light walking ok but mostly rest the first week) but I just wanted to hear he community's thoughts and experiences. Thanks guys!!

So I wear contacts during the day but glasses at night. I am blind as a BAT without them. My dr said no glasses for six weeks after cast comes off because it could change the contours of your nose and i don't want that (unless of course it comes out terrible). I bought this contraption on Amazon and it works great! Your glasses hover right above your nose but don't touch. Yes you (I) look ridiculously silly, but it you're a night-wearer like me or just don't gaf then this thing is awesome! Only $15. I had some trouble finding it so if you need a link pm me!

Just an emotional status update. my payment is due on Monday and I'm getting really nervous. I found no bad or even mildly negative reviews on here about my doctor and while I would think I would be jumping for joy, it made me a little nervous and suspicious. I found a couple unsatisfactory reviews on yelp and ratemds but the positive greatly outweighs the negative and I have to remember that not everyone is going to be happy. We're all so vain ;). I just hope that I am not one of them! I also found a woman on Reddit who advised that this forum took down her negative post and that scared me - moderators can you comment on this? Is that a normal occurrence to take down negative posts of doctors? I thought that was this forum was all about-honesty. What was interesting too is that the negative posts on yelp were under a very obscure and hard to find link called "Not Recommended" at the bottom of the page. Weird, I feel like people's experiences on both sides of the coin should be recommended and represented. Anyway, this person on Reddit who claims her negative post was taken down here was posting on some other questionable Reddit threads and seemed to be a bit unstable so I'm wondering if that's why it got taken down.

I feel like I'm just getting cold feet and nervous that it's not going to come out good and trying to find every reason not to do it. But I've wanted this for so long and I know if I back out now I'm gunna look at myself in the mirror or in a picture and be like you idiot you should have done it, you were so close! The rollercoaster of emotions has already started and I don't like it! I'm thankful for everyone else's posts too because I have to remind myself to expect improvement not perfection (even though I absolutely expect perfection-ugh!!) and I have to remember that I may feel depressed or regretful and my nose is going to look better some days and worse on others. Getting nervous, that's all. I think also that the moral of the story is try to be wary of the internet- while it can be a great, useful, and informative place, it can be scary and you can get a lot of crazies as well.

Did everyone give blood work to their dr? Mine didn't ask and I'm not sure if this is normal or not. Also I've been emailing the office constantly with questions and concerns and up until this point the staff has been great. most recently I asked a question about the visibility of my nostrils after the procedure since my tip is going to be rotated and I was advised that my Dr would answer my questions on surgery day. I didn't really like this. Like I'm concerned about this now....and on surgery day i just going to be a big ball of nervousness and emotions and not capable of carrying on a thoughtful and meaningful conversation about how my appearance is about to altered forever. I don't want to like [RS bleep] him off by demanding an answer so I'm not really sure what to do. I'm nervous even posting this that my dr will read and be pissed lol. Ugh the mind is a crazy place.

His morphs are perfect and I have to remember that whatever happens, it will likely (hopefully) be an improvement and despite the few negative reviews I have been able to uncover the positive is overwhelming.