Primary rhinoplasty regret - a smaller nose doesn't equal better
Primary rhinoplasty regret - a smaller nose doesn't equal better
I've always hated my nose.. and that's the common story you hear from most people that opt for Rhinoplasty. I hated it. I would start a my reflection at cry. I would turn my face the other way when sat in traffic so that people couldn't see my profile and I would refuse to go out when I thought my nose was looking particularly bad. I've also been bullied about my nose and I thought I would leave comments like that in my past (I'm 29) but only last year in Summer someone shouted out their window that I should get a nose job. This was the turning point for me. That, and getting married next year. The thought of being photographed without perfectly positioning my nose so that it looked *somewhat* acceptable sent me into sheer panic and didn't want to spend my wedding day anxious of what angles guests were capturing my nose. So I finally decided to go ahead with surgery.
This was propelled when I saw a reality TV star in the news that had her nose done. Her results were extremely natural and subtle and that's exactly what I wanted -I wanted the bump taken down, less projection and I didn't want the tip of my nose plunging down like a witches when I smiled. So I went full steam ahead and booked a consultation with the surgeon that did her nose. As I wanted a natural result also.
The surgeon didn't do computer imaging as he felt that it can sometimes give an unrealistic idea of the result as it's not until he operates does he see a full picture of what can and cannot be done. So I had to explain as articulately as I could my expectations. I really liked the surgeon, very calming and it seemed a simple procedure.. I was going for closed rhinoplasty as I'm tall, he felt an open rhinoplasty scar would be visible and I could risk the scar not healing very well too. During this process I did also consider Lucian Ion but he had a very long waiting list, and stupid me and my impatience decided to just go ahead with this surgeon. I was excited at finally having a nose I no longer felt ashamed of and I could start enjoying my life. I foolishly thought it would make me more attractive as I felt that my nose took over my face.
My surgery was booked on 6 January and I nearly backed out. I woke up and I thought 'I'm I being completely ridiculous risking something on the middle of my face' But my Fiance reminded me that I had wanted this since 18, which was true and that if I didn't have it done I'd regret it.
I don't want to bore you with the details but a day after the operation I spiralled into panic and regretted my decision. I looked at the state of myself and wondered what the hell i'd done.. whilst looking at my old photos thinking 'my old nose wasn't THAT bad'. I had to keep my cast on for 2 weeks and it was a total NIGHTMARE. Spent most days crying in panic, wondering what on earth was beneath the cast.
My surgeon strongly reminded me that the nose will swell when the cast comes off within minutes and that the tip can retain swelling for 18 months. Well, I never took that comment too seriously when considering Rhinoplasty and I wish I did.
When the cast came off, I liked my nose, it looked refined and straight and a smaller version of my nose. Within hours...it was a swollen fat, mess and I haven't liked it since.
My nose now looks very rounded on the end and i also have a curved profile which I didn't ask for or want.. it wasn't curved when the cast came off so I'm not sure if there was swelling concealing the curve or where the tip is swollen, creating the illusion of a curve.
In addition my nose has been upturned.. I didn't want this. I only wanted my nose not to dip when I smile. I also have a longer looking lip now and I think this is because my nose has been upturned it creates the illusion of a longer lip which makes me look plain weird. I feel fake and ugly
Other things I didn't know about rhinoplasty:
-After surgery I couldn't smile and my lip covered my teeth. This lasted 4 weeks and was very scary.
-When the cast came off my whole face was stiff especially at the base of my columnella. But this could be because my surgeon had to break that bone (unexpectedly) because during surgery it looked bent once everything was straightened.
I'm trying to be patient as I know that Rhinoplasty has a long recovery time.. but I am honestly struggling. I have never felt so ugly and disgusting in my life and never did i think i'd want my old nose back because i think it suited me much better. I just hope I have tip swelling that will go down in time.
I encourage everyone to think long and hard about rhinoplasty as it's not a simple fix, it can affect the other features on your face and I didn't consider that. I wish i realised my large nose wasn't such a big deal as having a smaller nose doesn't necessarily make you prettier, it can have the opposite effect.
Replies (4)
It's early 3 months since my procedure and…
Replies (5)
3 month visit to Surgeon
I then had photos taken and then a before and after comparison. I do not think they look good. I just think my nose looks fake. He said he raised the tip a bit and my old nose was pointing downwards which is 'masculine' apparently. But I dont think a raised tip suits the rest of my face. However he did say it could drop some more. He also admitted to putting in a slight curve to my bridge!! Again I didn't ask for this.. even if apparently it is more feminine. I don't think it's natural or what I asked for.
All in all, he said I still have lots of swelling to go down and that I should come back in December to review. If I'm still unhappy he said we could discuss what he could do to make it better but he's confident that that won't be the case once the swelling goes away. I'm praying this is the case and that the tip drops some more.
All in all I feel in mourning for my old nose. Yes it was big and projected too much but in hindsight it just suited my face so much better. He said I need to just forget about my nose for now as I won't notice the changes by constantly obsessing over it.
If I could turn back time I would. After being tormented about my nose and feeling so self conscious of it, I thought a rhinoplasty would finally allow me to live life to the full, but it's only made me feel far worse.
Replies (5)
Generally, the results of rhinoplasty may show up to 2 years after! Here in Armenia most nose tips are long and a surgery like yours is ASKED by many, funny as it is. However, their disappointment comes when a year or two later their nose tip slighltly comes down again :) Overall, noses are such a concerned topic here that rhinoplasty is one of the most developed spares and people from different countries arrive here exactly for that, and prices are way lower.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope you find support in the community. Â