POSTED UNDER Revision Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Much-needed Revision and Zero Tolerance for Empty Promises
ORIGINAL POST
My rhinoplasty slippery slope started years ago,...
WORTH IT$15,000
My rhinoplasty slippery slope started years ago, when I decided to have my dorsal hump filed down amid an ENT surgery. While this approach may have worked for some, it certainly didn't for me; I am Middle-Eastern & my nose shape comes with its challenges (high radix, wide bridge, long nasal bones, bulbous tip) & not any plastic surgeon can address these specific features. I actually made my nose worse after 2 attempts to "fix it" in revision surgeries. I was so unhappy with my results, despite the endless promises of each surgeon that my changes were "easily doable." My nose ended up wider and my tip droopier/asymmetrical-- I hated being in photographs & my self-image really took a hit.
First and foremost, we all understand the healing process isn't fun for anyone and I didn't have it in me (financially and emotionally) to go through ANOTHER failed procedure. I did a LOT of research on RealSelf.com & scheduled many consultations with other doctors before finally choosing Dr. Denenberg. I am now two weeks post-op and so far, I am very happy with the decision.
I will summarize my observations/lessons learned (and will continue to do so throughout this healing process):
1. SPECIALIST: See a rhinoplasty SPECIALIST if you're considering a revision. I was so impressed by Dr. Denenberg's attention to detail and his ability to see the nose as a geometrical figure vs. a blob of cartilage that can be sloppily dissected. He's the only surgeon I consulted with that actually used measuring devices to better understand the proportions he was working with and how to appropriately adjust each of them surgically.
2. EGO: Avoid surgeons with the "God complex." You know what I'm talking about here. I had several consultations with the "top notch" doctors, who just didn't make me feel at ease. I'd read several reviews about unhappy patients or lack of follow-up from these doctors, and it's more reason to steer clear if you get the slightest sense that this could be the case. I was SO impressed with Dr. Denenberg's personalized responses, all because I submitted a simple inquiry via RealSelf. Mind you, I had to travel to see him, so he had plenty of back-&-forth email traffic with me and really took the time to understand my needs. I booked a flight to consult with him, and he made his Friday AM available (on his day off) to see me, at no charge. He just "gets it" & it shows. He's humble. He knows what he's doing. Do not underestimate how important this is when choosing your doctor; you need to feel at ease, regardless of how highly ranked the specialist is.
3. IMAGING: I cannot stress how important this is. This was my mistake in my last procedure. We see our noses every day, harp on the imperfections, and expect our physicians to just "get it." Do not rely on verbal evidence that your changes are doable until the surgeon can digitally edit them and show you what to realistically expect.
4. PATIENCE: The healing process sucks... and I have to remind myself every day to stop staring in the mirror and expecting to see final results. I'm only 2 weeks post-op, and my nose has already shrunken significantly. I can already see corrections in the asymmetries from prior procedures. I'm excited to see how the next few months play out ...
To be continued... !
First and foremost, we all understand the healing process isn't fun for anyone and I didn't have it in me (financially and emotionally) to go through ANOTHER failed procedure. I did a LOT of research on RealSelf.com & scheduled many consultations with other doctors before finally choosing Dr. Denenberg. I am now two weeks post-op and so far, I am very happy with the decision.
I will summarize my observations/lessons learned (and will continue to do so throughout this healing process):
1. SPECIALIST: See a rhinoplasty SPECIALIST if you're considering a revision. I was so impressed by Dr. Denenberg's attention to detail and his ability to see the nose as a geometrical figure vs. a blob of cartilage that can be sloppily dissected. He's the only surgeon I consulted with that actually used measuring devices to better understand the proportions he was working with and how to appropriately adjust each of them surgically.
2. EGO: Avoid surgeons with the "God complex." You know what I'm talking about here. I had several consultations with the "top notch" doctors, who just didn't make me feel at ease. I'd read several reviews about unhappy patients or lack of follow-up from these doctors, and it's more reason to steer clear if you get the slightest sense that this could be the case. I was SO impressed with Dr. Denenberg's personalized responses, all because I submitted a simple inquiry via RealSelf. Mind you, I had to travel to see him, so he had plenty of back-&-forth email traffic with me and really took the time to understand my needs. I booked a flight to consult with him, and he made his Friday AM available (on his day off) to see me, at no charge. He just "gets it" & it shows. He's humble. He knows what he's doing. Do not underestimate how important this is when choosing your doctor; you need to feel at ease, regardless of how highly ranked the specialist is.
3. IMAGING: I cannot stress how important this is. This was my mistake in my last procedure. We see our noses every day, harp on the imperfections, and expect our physicians to just "get it." Do not rely on verbal evidence that your changes are doable until the surgeon can digitally edit them and show you what to realistically expect.
4. PATIENCE: The healing process sucks... and I have to remind myself every day to stop staring in the mirror and expecting to see final results. I'm only 2 weeks post-op, and my nose has already shrunken significantly. I can already see corrections in the asymmetries from prior procedures. I'm excited to see how the next few months play out ...
To be continued... !
romanakheer's provider
Replies (10)
December 29, 2016
Yes, can you please let me know who you've seen before. I am considering rhinoplasty revision, and I have a year to go about researching doctors, but I would love to know who you have vetted prior to choosing your doctor. And did you have the bridge of your nose raised?
December 29, 2016
Hi Floyd. I saw Dr. Toriumi in Chicago (supposedly one of the best) but his cold/standoffish demeanor made me go running for the hills. Not to mention he also has the highest consultation & surgery fees along with the longest wait times in his lobby so imagine the level of one-on-one consideration you'd get as a patient...
I also saw Dr. Anil Shah, Dr. Michael Lee, & Dr. Jeffrey Weinzweig, all of whom were personable and easy to talk to, but not the revision rhinoplasty specialists that I felt could accomplish my specific goals.
One other doctor I have heard great things about is Dr. Jay Calvert in California, but I did not actually follow through with that consultation once I found Dr. Denenberg.
I did not have the bridge of my nose raised; I did, however, have it narrowed, as prior surgeries had left it very wide and flat.
Hope this helps… Good luck in your search!
April 23, 2017
AMEN to 1-4. Wish I read this 4 months agon. You look great.
UPDATED FROM romanakheer
16 days post
2-Weeks Post-Op Pic (as requested)
Still swollen but already seeing corrections on the droopy tip, nostril asymmetry, and wide bridge! Fingers crossed for continued success!
Replies (2)
December 30, 2016
Looks good!!! So excited for you!! It's a hard process to go through, you're doing brilliantly :)
UPDATED FROM romanakheer
4 months post
4-months Post-Op Pic
Shrinking ... slowly but surely! Bridge is slimming down and radix reduction is more noticeable ... especially from the side view.
Replies (12)
April 18, 2017
It's great already. Wish you fast healing. Did he use rib or ear cartilage? How did he make your bridge less wider and fix that two parallel lines?
April 27, 2017
Thank you! I already had ear cartilage in the tip from a prior procedure, so he worked with what was in there. He cut some out and evened out the tip with what he cut out.
I'll paste here what I said in above comment, as I think it will address the bridge question... Let me know if you need anything else! Best of luck.
Regarding my specific procedure, he did some heavy work on the bridge. My bridge was really strong/pronounced ... he chizzled down the crooked side of it and also chizzled down the radix to give a more shapely look. He did break the bones & narrow as well. Tip: I had previously had ear cartilage put in there (and it created major asymmetry). Dr Denenberg cut some of that cartilage out and balanced it out on both sides of the tip. The bottom of my tip was long/droopy, so he shaved off cartilage there, giving it a shorter (and still natural!) appearance.
I'll paste here what I said in above comment, as I think it will address the bridge question... Let me know if you need anything else! Best of luck.
Regarding my specific procedure, he did some heavy work on the bridge. My bridge was really strong/pronounced ... he chizzled down the crooked side of it and also chizzled down the radix to give a more shapely look. He did break the bones & narrow as well. Tip: I had previously had ear cartilage put in there (and it created major asymmetry). Dr Denenberg cut some of that cartilage out and balanced it out on both sides of the tip. The bottom of my tip was long/droopy, so he shaved off cartilage there, giving it a shorter (and still natural!) appearance.
April 27, 2017
Thank you for the info, I just want to know what do you mean by "chizzled" ! and can you put photos of your profile as well. Thanks.
April 27, 2017
Chiseled it down spelled like a layman lol. Exactly as it sounds though… look up osteotomy ... cutting the bone with a shaping tool. I will take some profile photos and load… More to come!
April 18, 2017
Wow looks great ...I would not have thought of Dr Denenberg for an ethnic rhino revision ..my assumption was he was good at more cookie cutter upturned ones but your revision is one of the best I've seen.
Congrats !
Congrats !
April 18, 2017
Can I ask what he did to your bridge and tip. Did he put an only graft on. It's much stronger and straighter looking that pre revision
April 27, 2017
Thanks for the comment! Yes ... I didn't necessary notice that he "specialized" in Ethnic either (usually it's on their websites), but I was beyond impressed with his work in the Revision Rhinoplasty photos.
Regarding my specific procedure, he did some heavy work on the bridge. My bridge was really strong/pronounced ... he chizzled down the crooked side of it and also chizzled down the radix to give a more shapely look. He did break the bones & narrow as well. Tip: I had previously had ear cartilage put in there (and it created major asymmetry). Dr Denenberg cut some of that cartilage out and balanced it out on both sides of the tip. The bottom of my tip was long/droopy, so he shaved off cartilage there, giving it a shorter (and still natural!) appearance. Hope that helps!
Regarding my specific procedure, he did some heavy work on the bridge. My bridge was really strong/pronounced ... he chizzled down the crooked side of it and also chizzled down the radix to give a more shapely look. He did break the bones & narrow as well. Tip: I had previously had ear cartilage put in there (and it created major asymmetry). Dr Denenberg cut some of that cartilage out and balanced it out on both sides of the tip. The bottom of my tip was long/droopy, so he shaved off cartilage there, giving it a shorter (and still natural!) appearance. Hope that helps!
August 2, 2017
Hi did your surgeon take in your nostrils? Your nostrils look less wide comparing your first picture to the last. I like your results. Hope your content.
August 8, 2017
He did not take in the nostrils. They may look less wide since there is some ear cartilage atop the heavy creases that were there beforehand!
I pulled together a frontal side-by-side of my original revision and then the one Dr. Denenberg just did (updated in my review). Obviously, I'm still quite swollen at 2 weeks, but pay attention to the corrections on the nasal tip, droopiness of the tip, and width of the nasal bones up top. You can already see those corrections and hopefully will continue to see the nose shrink as it heals. Let me know if any questions! I know I used this site like crazy before deciding to go through with this!