HAPPY with Septoplasty/ Rhinoplasty in Omaha

TWO WEEKS POST RHINOPLASTY - I'm loving my nose! Today I looked in the mirror and thought to myself that Dr. Johnson did exactly what we discussed. Later my husband told me my nose looked fantastic. At this point, I only have two bruises left and they can be covered by make-up. I don't have any noticeable swelling left. I've been using a saline sinus rinse (e.g. nettie pot) and I've continued to sleep in a reclining position. I think those things may be helping speed my recovery.

ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY: I saw the doctor this morning for my 1 week post op appointment. He took the cast off and stuffing (like tampons) out of my nose. I can breathe and I am liking my nose! What a relief!

The little piggy effect was temporary and due to the way he had taped my nose after surgery to control swelling. Now that the tape is off, I still have a slightly upturned tip but can see it is swollen. In response to my questions about the swelling and what to expect, he said if someone doesn't like their nose six weeks after surgery, then they can assume they aren't going to like their nose because all the significant changes occur in the first 6 weeks. Right now I am happy.

In addition to the mild swelling, the skin on my nose is red and irritated. I have Eczema and otherwise very sensitive skin, so that doesn’t surprise me. I know it will calm down over the next few days. The fact my nose was under a cast for a week without air and then the cast was pulled off (a little ouch), it only seems logical that I'd be red. I have broken capillaries on the side of my nostrils that were there BEFORE surgery. I plan to get them treated. Dr. Johnson said to wait about a month. I am happy with the outcome so far and definitely don't hate my new nose!

I am totally breathing through my mouth. I keep a glass of water with a straw beside the bed to occasionally sip. I also have a humidifier in the bedroom so the air is not quite so dry. That might be helping a little. I can only see the tip of my nose right now. The nostrils were huge at first but the swelling has steadily gone down. He's got it taped up and back. I am trying not to think about it because I think I resemble Miss Piggy :o I've read that the tip comes down once all the gear is off and swelling continues to reduce, sooo I am trying not to panic about it. When I see him on Friday, he'll take the splints out and cast off and I should have a much better idea. I think I may still have some stitches after Friday based on what I've read. One caution - when they say "take it easy" there is a reason. At times when I've felt pretty good (probably the pain pills), I've gotten a little motivated. One time I cleaned off the kitchen counters and another, I painted my toe nails. Seems like no big deal, but I could feel the difference the next day. More junk in my throat, nausea, and more bleeding on my dressing below my nose. I think leaning down to paint my toe nails was the issue and light cleaning got my blood pressure up a bit. Neither are good for my healing nose... The bruising hasn't been as terrible as I thought it would be. I had surgery last Thurs. Today's Tuesday and my eyelids are just red and my skin is yellow underneath my eyes.