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Originally, I planned to wait to review this...
Dr. Michael Kim of OHSU performed my rhinoplasty this past Monday, so I'm wrapping up day five with my new nose.
Overall, I expected recovery to be a little easier. I had a breast augmentation in 2009 and comparatively, that was a cake walk. I was back to work two days later (granted I had a sedentary desk job at the time.) With this, however, only yesterday evening (Thursday) & today did I start feeling much better. I hope I never require or desire a revision because the first three days were miserable. At this moment, I feel great, just congested, but I do not want to relive Mon-Wed.
Pain wasn’t so much the issue as was discomfort. I had not been able to sleep for more than two to three hours at time until last night when I finally broke seven. Basically it felt like I had a severe head cold, major congestion, light headedness, photosensitivity and very, VERY, VERY sore throat and teeth. To be fair, after op-day, I chose not to take my pain Rx (hydrocodone) as it made me feel useless, groggy, completely disoriented and I was still in pain regardless. Instead I am managing pain very well on Advil, taking 800mg every 4 hours & that has helped exponentially. I will likely reduce to 400mg tomorrow since I am feeling so much better. Yesterday I started using Afrin twice a day to help stop the random nose bleeds (I was soaking through my drip pads multiple time a day) and to help with some congestion that was brought on by a cold (not the procedure,) I think that has also contributed to a better recovery.
As far as my results are concerned I'll say this; my approach is rational. I am fully aware that today's nose looks nothing like it will in three weeks, three months or even one year. I let my emotions get the best of me when I had my breast aug… I went from regret, to self-pity to loving every single thing about them.
I’ll try to evaluate a bit from a level headed standpoint. I have virtually no bruising. Love it. Underneath my left eye is a very small, inconspicuous red patch that is easily covered by my trusted Kat Von D concealer. Swelling, on the other hand, I have plenty of. Obviously my nose is swollen, but so are my entire cheeks, lips and under my eyes… my face feels fairly “tight.”
One aesthetic observation that I will share at this point is the change in what was/is my number one concern- the width of my nose. Despite the crazy swelling, my nose is still narrower than my “old nose!” I am eager to see it with my cast off and it’s continued healing. Even my cousin & mom who took care of me after surgery noticed and admitted they’re excited for me (these were naysayers beforehand.)
For the past decade I have mastered the art of “sucking in my nose” almost on reflex whenever I took a picture, so it’s actually hard for me to find pictures of my nose in it’s normal, relaxed state. I have found a few that I will post when I have a little more time. As for now, I’ve posted some recovery pics.
Also, I am a gym rat by nature and am having major gym-withdrawal… today since I was feeling better I was tempted to at the very least to go walk on the treadmill and lift some (very) light weights… but I read, and researched that even light exercise probably would have caused bleeding and MORE swelling. I compromised by going on a relaxed 20 minute walk and doing some slow yoga stretches. My nose did drip a little bit of blood during my walk but didn’t swell. Breathing was very hard.
I will post more on my motivations, decisions and journey to rhinoplasty as I continue to update & expect to hear more from me this coming Tues when I get my cast off and splints out. Xoxoxoxoxo.
Wrong Doctor Listed!
I emailed RealSelf and hopefully it is corrected soon.
Side-by-Side
While I've always considered myself attractive and very few are aware of any insecurities I have about my nose, it really is something that I believe has effected my self-esteem over the years. But in recent years, with my child doing so well in academics and athletics, me starting graduate school, securing a great career and cultivating great interpersonal relationships... my confidence has grown, so I began thinking that getting a rhinoplasty (after sixteen years of wanting one) may be a bit too indulgent in my vanity.
But then I would look in the mirror, see a beautiful woman with a horrid nose and thought... just do it! :)
Although I am only seven-days post-op, and my cast is still on, I can see such a difference and I am absolutely ecstatic. More to come. Cast of tmrw. Can't wait to see what my bridge looks like. xoxo
Provider Review
***This is the CORRECT doctor, thanks for fixing the problem, RS*** I have only positive things to say about my experience with Dr. Kim thus far. On my road to rhino, I consulted with four surgeons, two in my hometown, including Dr. Kim, and two in Beverly Hills. Dr. Kim is the only surgeon not in private practice which was a bit unusual to me at first, but ultimately I’m glad he works in a hospital setting because it made me feel that much safer about the procedure and anesthesia. I also am happy I chose a surgeon who specializes only in facial plastics. Getting his office on the phone was my only initial problem because you’re first sent through the hospital systems phone tree and you’re not sure if you’re calling the right place. But ultimately, I made it. Dr. Kim’s bed side manner is superb and he showed a genuine interest, concern and game plan for what I wanted and I’m able to communicate with him naturally and without reservation. We had similar visions for my end results & I am eager to continue working with him in my recovery.