Edison, NJ- Rhino+Facial fat transfer

I was genetically blessed with a very Jewish/Mediterranean nose, and flat cheekbones. My nose projected too much from my face, was slightly crooked, and had a dorsal hump. Ever since my nose developed, I was always very self-conscious about it, and I felt like it was all people saw when they looked at my face. This was not how I wanted to stand out, and I dreaded any photos that showed me in profile.

I had rhinoplasty+facial fat transfer for undereye hollows and cheeks done. I am getting the fat transfer in stages, and only had a little bit so far. It has been 6 days since my surgery, and today I got my cast off. I visited 4 doctors before I chose mine. It had been recommended to me that I get a chin implant, but the idea of an implant in my body really bothered me, plus I don't think it's worth the price, so I decided against it. And I'm glad I did!

As for the surgery/recovery,

-immediately after the surgery, I was in a very good mood, lol. I was in some pain, but in good spirits.
-I had no swelling/bruising until later in the 2nd day. The little swelling I had disappeared by the 6th day and was worst the 3rd.
-I was able and felt comfortable putting contacts in by the 4th day. Keep in mind I actually just purchased contacts a week before the surgery, so they are pretty new to me.
-My teeth were pretty sore, which has gradually gotten better. They are still slightly.
-My top lip/nose tip were pretty numb, and still are slightly. This made my top lip barely rise when smiling. It is able to a little now, so I presume it will go back to normal pretty soon.
-I had an open rhino, so I had stitches put in. The cast removal/stitch removal were not as bad as I expected. I'd say having the stitches taken out is comparable to what it feels like to pluck your eyebrows, and the cast removal is like a really heavy band-aid being taken off.
-the worst part was the nasal packing. I cringed a little bit when I took it out, and it made me feel a little claustrophobic. I had to keep it in the first 24 hours after surgery, and I couldn't sleep the first night because of it.
-The 2nd and 3rd nights I was able to sleep intermittently, but it was still difficult.
Mouth breathing sucks! I have to say that the pain med helped a LOT with any and all pain I had, so don't hesitate to take it if you need!
Basically, it was about as bad as having the flu, and comparable to getting your wisdom teeth out. Most of my bruising has already gone away and all of the swelling has. TOTALLY WORTH IT!!

As for aftercare, there was no taping recommended as necessary, but my mom bought some skin tape and insists I use it as a warning to other people who get close to me, so I'm doing it anyway. I have to clean the inside of my nose out with hydrogen peroxide 2x/day, do pretty simple nose massages 3x/day, and spray saline spray in my nose 4x/day. Not too bad. The antibiotics will be done tomorrow, and I'm allowed to exercise in one more week. I can almost fully breathe through my nose now. I feel normal already. =)(=

I will try and update at least weekly as I heal!!

Update (5 days after cast removed): Although the surgeon already said I'd notice little bumps around my nose, I've recently found a bigger one in the exact location of where I used to have a (much larger) bump. I am not particularly worried, and it is not noticeable unless you touch it, but I will bring that up at my next appointment, which is in two days. I am still very happy with the procedure, and almost all numbness went away other than some small areas in my tip. I see no swelling anymore.

It has now been (1 day short of) 3 weeks since my surgery. When I saw the doctor last week and mentioned the bump on my nose, he said sometimes a tiny bit of silicone is put in later to smooth it out. However, Dr. Miller said it looks very good. I've realized what looks like a bump is not so much a bump but a very slight deficit of bone right UNDER the bump. This is not noticeable in profile view, and is only slightly noticeable in the front view. I can see it (and only on the left side) slightly in 3/4 view. This same side used to be my very worst and I refused to pose that way in pictures. The fact that it's even acceptable now to me in pictures is a miracle. I am otherwise VERY happy with my results, and even so I'd say 95%. I am pretty much recovered, have been able to smile normally for a week and a half now, and just have some minor numbness and hardness in the very tip of my nose. When I go back for my next round of fat transfer in August I will ask the doctor about having silicone put into that slight lacking spot, which I assume I'd have to wait a full year for (since that's how re-do rhinos tend to go). But even if I can't, nothing to fret over! I will put pictures up when I get a chance later showing this. Thanks for everyone's comments!