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POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS

Rhinoplasty is a Crap Shoot - Orange County, CA

ORIGINAL POST

I got a nose job on my giant Jew nose back in 2002...

susancharle420
$10,000

I got a nose job on my giant Jew nose back in 2002. It was an improvement anything would have been I mean it looked like a clown nose. However, it is far from perfect. It collapsed on one side and became crooked as time went on.
I recently had a revision by the same doc which was in his words a simple alar graft. I had high hopes but it hasn't turned out so well. The scar tissue has madd it very flat on that side and the graft is showing through my skin. The other side of my nose is severely dented and makes for a large shadow. I wonder sometimes if I should have just kept the darn Jew nose I was born with.
Anyway, I am finding after reading hundreds of experiences and doctors opinions that nose jobs are a major crap shoot. It's funny to me to see that most people that are happy with their nose jobs are usually people who have recently had it done. They haven't had time to have their nose collapse, twist etc.
Doctors always have the same lines for people that are unhappy. Oh it will get better it's just swelling or it's easily fixable. It also seems that every doctor has many horror stories that go along with their work. No doctor has a perfect record. Some worse than others. For doctors who don't have complaints I have found they have just started their practice or have gag orders. As the old saying goes if its just to good to be true it probably is.
I guess my situation could be worse I could have started out with a perfectly good nose that I ruined. I have seen that many times on this site. So many people have perfectly good noses that they went and had screwed up. At least I can honestly say my nose was always a mess.
I guess my point is the whole nose job thing is a scam. The 74 percent of the people that say it's worth it. Well I say just have them wait a few years and see how happy they are in the years to come. If you are considering a nose job please think about why you are doing it. If it is for something very minor like a little bump or its just a little bit big. DON"T DO IT. Every doctor says they can help they just want your money. They all have the same canned lines and sorry they are all full of it. I really doubt that 74 percent of people are actually happy with their results especially in the long run. I am sure the numbers are much much lower. You don't know how many people work for these doctors who are leaving reviews for them. The photos they show on their websites are most likely photo shopped and they usually show results only one year later. I just really think the WHOLE BUSINESS OF NOSE JOBS IS A SCAM!!!!
Doctors promising things they know they cannot deliver. Anyways I needed to vent. I am sure I am going to get people saying I am so happy with my nose job etc. etc. And I say I am happy for you albeit jealous. But I do think these are the rare cases. Not the norm.

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Don't get a nose job for something small you will regret it.

Replies (38)

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May 11, 2011
Hi there, I'm sorry you're angry about this whole experience. My story is similar to yours, in that my nose was awful and, even though I've been through one rhinoplasty and one revision, it's still flawed. Just in different ways. I'm 9 years out from my revision and I can honestly say that I'm happy I had rhinoplasty done. Rhinoplasty is known as one of the most difficult and intricate of cosmetic procedures and it can, and sometimes does, go wrong. I do want to assure you that we work hard to make sure no reviews make it onto RealSelf that have not been written by a genuine patient. We have a zero tolerance policy for doctor's offices posting fake reviews. I do believe the 74% worth it index is accurate, because in what I've seen, more people generally get online to complain about something they're unhappy with rather than to praise a doctor or office staff. The people who seem to be most happy with their rhinoplasties are those who are seeking improvement, but not perfection and, like you said, aren't just seeking a tiny  change to an otherwise lovely nose. I hope you're able to come to terms with your rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty and that your nose won't continue to bother you. If so, you might consider seeking a second opinion from an ASPS board certified surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty. Thanks so much for posting your story and insights to RealSelf.
June 14, 2011
You say you have zero tolerance for fake reviews but there is no way to confirm they are real. Everyone knows how easy it is to create an email account and make up a name. I do like this site don't get me wrong I think it's great. But you cannot confirm if the reviews are fake or real.
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June 24, 2011

We have some high-tech methods that might surprise you. We really take pride in not publishing fake reviews.

August 28, 2011
I have to also add that some of the people who like their noses are delusion because their noses look terrible.
December 26, 2019
I agree a lot of the afters look worse than the befores. Just because it's smaller doesn't mean it's prettier. I wish I had my big symmetrical nose back and not this whacked off mess.
May 12, 2011
The dr who did my surgery has the same reviews from the same people. Even on other rating websites, the same people or same comments are copied. Although he did an ok job on my nose, I can't say I'm thrilled like some of those "comments."
May 12, 2011
Ps...My dr. was also an Orange County dr.
May 12, 2011
I do believe they sell a dream that is unattainable. They take advantage of desperation. I have seen some amazing nose jobs, Ashley Simpson for example. But even in Hollywood these results are rare.
December 26, 2019
Why do all these surgeons good reviews sound so contrived and seem to have certain elements, words, and phrases in common. They sound like they were written by a PR person and not an actual patient. Reviews that are posted the same day the account was created with no photos or any other account activity are extremely suspicious to me.
May 15, 2011
I think your right. But how about doctors like dr nassif I think he would do a exceptional job , or dr keplor in la. If so many people have surgery every year it's hard to believe it's dangerous or imsufciant to peoples standard .
May 16, 2011
I have heard dozens of horror stories about Nassif.
May 16, 2011
I have to say look at the people that say it's worth it. Most are like, I had my nose done two weeks ago and I already love the results. To get an idea of how happy people really are after the surgery they should check back after a few years. Its just misleading to think this many people are actually happy with the results.
May 22, 2011
You have a good point most people don't post in a year time but maybe they feel the surgery was a success with no need to post anymore. But I know what you are saying.
May 25, 2011
Wow! Thank you for your email Susan. I'm asian origin so we are pretty much cursed with a long nose too and sometimes I get so down about the way I look. I think I'll just get a nose job-have a smaller prettier nose-look beautiful. But your review has made me think twice. That is absolutley true most reviews have been written freshly after the surgery has taken place. Can I ask do your friends and family agree with your comments about your nose too? So sorry to hear your story. Have you thought about compensation at all? x
May 26, 2011
Please be cautious. If you are going in for a small improvement don't do it! My nose was never okay because I injured it when I was 8. I ran into a shopping cart lol. It was smashed pretty badly. The surgeon tried to fix it but it only lasted three years and now it looks smashed (dented) on one side again. Along with other problems caused from surgeries.

My family tries to protect me and they tell me its fine. They just know I would break down if they told me the truth I am pretty emotional. I can see it looks bad when I take pictures and videos of it. It has multiple problems. Silly of me to believe any doctor could really fix it. They act like everything is so easy to fix, and problems and complications are rare. When actually the opposite is true.

Thank you for your kind words. I think I signed a waiver so I am not sure about compensation. I just emailed them today with my pics and it seemed like they planned on blowing me off. I don't think I would trust this doctor again anyway but I feel he owes me something for the bad results and broken promises.

By the way I think asian noses are cute and I have seen ALOT of botched Asian nose jobs seems they harder to work on.

Susan
May 26, 2011
It sounds like you know something about rhinoplasty . You believe these surgeries are only good for 3 years ? The. Gets worse? I want to know why that is and if it was the truth why would they claim otherwise? Is it because cartilage gets weak and breaks down?
UPDATED FROM susancharle420

Well I worked up the nerve to visit another...

susancharle420
Well I worked up the nerve to visit another revision doctor. Dr. Frankel in Beverly Hills. He says I need spreader grafts because of mid-vault collapse. This is the second doctor who has told me that so I am starting to believe its true. I am upset about the diagnosis but I think I am more upset about my original doctor who obviously knew what was wrong with my nose but didn't tell me. I hate being treated like an idiot !! When I told them what the other doctors said he got mad at ME! Guess it's my fault it's collapsed. He also claimed I have thin skin which I knew was a lie and was confirmed by other doctors. I actually have thick skin. Guess he doesn't want to spend the time and money to fix it. I wouldn't trust him again anyway. But I think the jerk should pay for my revision surgery. I wrote him a scathing letter telling him he should pay for my revision with another doctor. If he doesn't he'll be sorry he treated me like an idiot. I wonder with my nose being so big originally how the hell he managed to take SO much off it collapsed?

So does anyone have any experience with spreader grafts? I have heard lots of negative things about them. Any positives?

Replies (1)

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August 30, 2011

Here's what some doctors on RealSelf have to say about spreader grafts. Hopefully some folks who've had them will chime in!

UPDATED FROM susancharle420

This piece is entitled warning signs. I have...

susancharle420
This piece is entitled warning signs. I have analyzed my situation very thoroughly. I believe, in retrospect, of course there were many warning signs I missed. So for those of you considering a nose job or revision these are the things that were red flags. Some obvious some more subtle.

1. Doctor only performs the closed approach. My nose needed an open approach from the start. I realize now my doctor doesn't even do open nose surgery! From my extensive research closed surgery is for less complicated problems. If they only do one approach their skills are lacking.

2. The doctor's assistant,or receptionist has a bad nose job. I don't think I met my doctor's assistant until after my surgery so this one is not my fault. But my doctors main assistant has a bad nose job, looks something like mine. I assume he did her nose. So look at your Doc's employees noses. During my original consult I was introduced to another assistant who was beautiful not the one with the botch job. Very tricky of them.

3. The pictures on their websites only show profile before and afters. The profile is quite easy to improve while the front view is much more challenging. My doctor mainly shows the profile shots and not many front shots. Don't trust a doctor that doesn't show all views in their before or afters. Furthermore, his pictures are very outdated. He has the same rhino pics on there since I had my surgery in 2002 and probably before.

4. Does not do computer imaging. My doctor said he didn't do this because patients came out disappointed. Okay folks this was an obvious one but in my dazed ignorance I missed it.

If anybody wants to add some warning signs or comment feel free. Thank you.

Replies (6)

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November 7, 2011

Thanks for the update!

June 30, 2012
In this article one of the patients has written about his experience that he gained after taking the rhinoplasty surgery. It is very important for the patient to select the nose surgeon very carefully before taking such surgical treatments. The qualification, experience and the past records of these nose surgeons are the best way that helps in selecting top surgeons.

surgeonsrhinoplasty.com
March 13, 2013
I'm genuinely sorry for what you're going through, i can't even imagine what you must be going through. Are you considering taking your surgeon to court, and what has his response been? Also would you mind telling us what the surgeon's name is, please? I'm looking into rhinoplasty (a much needed one) in the States and i'd like to get as much insight as i can. Sorry if i ask to many questions. Thank you for sharing your story and i really hope you get everything sorted -and some kind of justice- soon.
November 27, 2014
I can absolutely relate to being unhappy with a nose job. I had mine done at 20 and again a few months ago at 27. The first was an improvement although subtle and left me looking a bit Pinocchio ish with a long, scooped out tip. I got used to it though and adjusted to a point where I was at peace if not happy per say with the results. Several years later though, my nose had refined so much that I had developed tip bossa or buckled cartilage sticking out of the tip. This I just could not live with. So I had it redone this time by a facial surgeon/nose specialist. My narrow refined nose 6 years in the making now looks wide, bulky, and bulbous. It's been 4 months since my surgery so I'm not really feeling optimistic. I feel for anyone going through the same thing. And for those thinking about it, think long and hard. Save a Lot of money and go to the best surgeon that specializes in only noses. And if your not sure or have any hesitation at all...there's your answer...do not do it.
October 3, 2018