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POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS

Healing Nicely but Still Swollen

ORIGINAL POST

Originally, I planned to wait to review this...

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carvansan
WORTH IT$8,575
Originally, I planned to wait to review this procedure until at least three to four weeks post-op so I could genuinely evaluate my results, however, I'm itching to share my recovery thus far, so I will update as things proceed.
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.

carvansan's provider

Michael M. Kim, MD

Michael M. Kim, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

carvansan

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Replies (26)

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November 22, 2014
Oh my gosh! I like it already! Can't wait to see it when the cast comes off.
November 22, 2014
Your nose looks wonderful already, very lucky no black eyes and it looks like very little swelling. But I think you listed the wrong Doctor Kim in your review. If you went to OHSU in Portland, you want your review under Micheal M. Kim M.D Portland, OR. Good luck with your healing I hope it continues to go smooth.
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November 22, 2014
Whoa, thanks for catching that. I will message the admin. At the top of my post it lists the RIGHT Michael Kim (of OHSU, Portland, OR) but the lower review shows the wrong one. & thanks for your kind words. :)
November 22, 2014
Looking really good so far ! And yeah I felt the same way I thought this was going to be easier but wow sleeping was a night mare the first few days. Glad to be over the third night hump. I didn't think we were allowed to take any NSAIDS like advil? It seems like every doctor has their own instructions . Take it easy
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November 22, 2014
Thank you & cheers to your speedy recovery as well. I had no restrictions on NSAIDS before or after surgery, only Aspirin. When I informed my doctor during my one-day post-op that I was choosing to take Ibuprofen (advil) vs. the pain meds he said that was fine but to just be very diligent about taking it every four hours. Maybe one of your pre or post op medications had a contraindication with ibuprofen? But you're right, every doctor has a different approach. :)
November 22, 2014
Possibly I might ask to switch to ibuprofen because it's like the miracle pain killer to me :)
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November 22, 2014
Oh boy do I understand your workout withdrawals. It was very hard for me as well, but I highly recommend NOT doing it. The couple times I gave in and did it, my nose was THROBBING. It literally felt like it was going to fall off my face. Everytime I got super antsy, I would just jump into a bubble bath and that would really calm both my body and mind. I can tell you're going to have beautiful results! Please keep us updated.
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November 22, 2014
Thank you, I hope my results are as beautiful as yours! :) At what time did you go back to your "real" workout routines? Or have you yet?
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November 22, 2014
You look amazing! You're so pretty already, even before surgery. Can't wait to see what it looks like under that cast! Dr Kim really is as good as the reviews say. I've been in contact with a few patients of his on here and everyone is happy. I'm so glad I went to him. Keep us updated!
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November 24, 2014
Thank you so much. I'm just as excited to see underneath this cast! Will be updating Tuesday. :)
UPDATED FROM carvansan
5 days post

Wrong Doctor Listed!

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carvansan
Thanks to the member that pointed out the wrong Dr. Kim was listed after my review was published. The surgeon I had was Dr. Michael M. Kim of Portland, OR... he is a board certified Facial Plastic surgeon and board certified ENT & has 20+ glowing reviews on this site. I do not know anything about the doctor that is listed below in Ft. Meyers.

I emailed RealSelf and hopefully it is corrected soon.

Replies (1)

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November 24, 2014
Correct doctor is now listed. Thanks, Real Self.
UPDATED FROM carvansan
7 days post

Side-by-Side

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carvansan
I have disliked my nose ever since I've been cognizant of the impact of one's physical attractiveness on our socialization and success, around age eleven or twelve. As mentioned above, somewhere along the line... probably my early teens, I managed to start "sucking" it in for pictures, which eventually became a habit then reflex. It was like automatic duck face before duck face was ever a thing. But sucking it in didn't change much, especially not my wicked wonky bridge, width or bulbous (oh so VERY bulbous) tip.

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

Replies (9)

November 24, 2014
Wow! Looks amazing already! Did you have alar base reduction? I don't see any stitches
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November 25, 2014
Thank you so much. :) & to answer your question, yes, I did. There are about 10 small stitches at my base but the lighting, low picture quality & swelling are masking them.
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November 25, 2014
Can't wait to see it! Don't ever feel like you're being too self indulgent or vain. If it makes you feel good, do it. You are gonna look amazing :)
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November 25, 2014
Gracias! I am definitely utilizing that mindset these days. & I'm so excited for tmrw. :)
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November 26, 2014

Wow your nose looks awesome already, thanks for sharing your story!

November 30, 2014
Hey hows recovery going!? Are you happy with your results? I noticed we got our cast off the same day!:) Did your doctor break your bones? I ask because I have swelling in between my eyes and my nose is still really swollen which is really masking the results. Are you experiencing this? Ive been confined home because my face and nose are still really swollen. I see him Tuesday and will probably get a kenalog injection which I'm hoping will help ease some of the swelling so i can get back to my normal routine!
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December 1, 2014
Hey there, I just posted below on the status of my recovery so far. I got so busy with Thanksgiving and family that I didn't have the time to give a detailed account like I wanted to. But I did now. :) My surgeon did not break any bones, the way he explained things, I don't think whatever was going inside of my nose to make it look so wonky was nearly as "bad" as I imagined. He also didn't use any ear cartilage grafting... which he had discussed doing. My nose ended up having enough cartilage to use in itself. We're both Black women, meaning I imagine we both have relatively thick skin that inherently is more prone to swelling, but I've been fortunate enough to not have any swelling that is beyond what is considered normal. Did you have your bones broken? Do you think that may be we you're having the extra swelling? I am so sorry you're experiencing this... I know it makes your already tough journey THAT much harder. I hope the kenalog injection helps subdue some of the swelling and you can get a genuine read on your what your final results will be like. How are you doing overall? Your spirits? I know being limited in our activities is one of the major downers. Let me know... I'm wishing you the best everyday! :)
December 1, 2014
Your results look rrrreallyyy good! only enhances your already beautiful face! It sounds like your happy with the results and I could not be any happier for you!:) Just know things will only improve and get better going forward! By the way you really can't even tell your swollen which is amazing for being this early into your pre op! My doctor did break my bones to narrow the nose more and this was also my fourth surgery and like you said i have really thick skin , and he did a lot of work within my tip and used both ear and rib which is all contributing to the swelling and it taking longer to heal. From my previouse experiance with kenalog it seems to really help with the swelling. I also just have to be patient! Which is always easier said then done! Lol Overall I'm doing ok, some days better then others, thank you for asking!:) It helps having this site for support and people who can relate to what I'm going through. I know once that swelling starts to go down i will finally have the nose I've always wanted! Thank you for the well wishes and positive vibes! Again you look amazing!!:))
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December 2, 2014
I can't believe you've gone through four surgeries- you are one tough cookie. I can't imagine the frustration you've felt but it sounds like you are optimistic about this surgeon and he knew what he was doing. It does look pretty fantastic already. That's a big fear of mine, that I need/want a revision. I'm trying to embrace the mindset that "no matter what, it's better than before!" Lol... but for the amount of money we shell out for these things, we definitely deserve perfection. I'd really like to see some more of your before and afters with your other surgeries if you'd be willing to share w me. I have some more "befores" but I get so.... embbarased of my old nose I'm reluctant to share too many. Can you believe there is not one pic of me on social media where I didn't mildly photoshop my nose? Ugh. I'm horrible, I know. Well... just PM me if you wanna share of just talk. Thanks so much for the nice words too, means a lot.