Sharing My Rhinoplasty Recovery Experience

I am 23 years old and have been wanting Rhinoplasty ever since I was around 12 years old. I am Italian and German and had the traditional hump on my bridge, as well as a large bulbous tip. Sometimes I would look in the mirror and cover parts of my nose with my hand and picture how much better I would look if I got the surgery done. Of course it cost a lot, and my husband (best husband in the world) told me I was beautiful no matter what, but supported my decision. So I did the research online for good reputable doctors who have a lot of experience, and read their reviews to see how many stars they had. I finally chose a 5 star averaged doctor in the area of Raleigh, NC where I live and had my consultation about 8 months ago. I wanted to wait until my school semester was over, and I had enough money. 8 months later I was ready!

My concerns of course were common, such as the fact I have never been under anesthesia before. The staff was very supportive and reassured me kindly that the chances of me dying are so low. I was also afraid, because my older sister had rhinoplasty as well in Atlanta, and had a bad experience along with major swelling that her nose turned out to be crooked. Everyone is different and I trusted my doctor, so I tried to be positive.

Being nervous and all, I looked up a lot of blogs and youtube videos on people's experiences and tips for an easy recovery. It helped calm be down and realize it's such a common surgery, so I didn't feel so alone.

I was initially told I was going to have a closed rhino, but in order for the tip to be done properly and have better results, he wanted to do an open, which I just agreed and said hey do your thing. I took two weeks off work to recover and hopefully stitches will not be that noticeable soon enough. The stitches will dissolve so that makes me feel better than having to get them taken out.


THINGS I EXPERIENCED AFTER SURGERY:::

- First day: Head ache from dehydration and because I didn't take my pain medicine right away I felt like I got hit in the nose with a bat or something, but wasn't TOO hurtful. Of course had a lot of drainage leaking and my husband helped me change my bandages. I didn't feel nauseated until around 4 am, but the medicine I got for nausea was WONDERFUL. Lol I felt like melting in my bed and it helped me sleep too. I also found it surprisingly easy to sleep up right, but that is probably because the pain meds help with me to relax. So have plenty of soft and firm pillows. I have a big dog who is still a pup and doesn't jump much, but still crazy, and so I am making sure she is not around me except for my cat. It was adorable because my cat sensed I was going through something and has been by my side the whole time. Nice to have a fluffy friend with me.

- THE HARDEST part for me still is the dry mouth due to the fact I can't breathe through my nose. Especially sleeping with my mouth open, I'd dose off for a couple hours and be woken up for my mouth being so dry I could touch my tongue and it felt like the driest piece of meat and was hard to swallow because my through was dry too. So having plenty of water or gatorade nearby can help.

- Frozen peas on my head and eyes helped me with swelling. I actually have very little bruising which I was so afraid I'd be just like my sister and blow up with huge swollen black eyes.

TIP FOR PREVENTING BRUISING- I took Arnica (vitamin supplement) that I got from a vitamin shop and started taking it three days before my surgery and I literally have very little bruising at all and I am on my second day which I am told from other stories is the worst. I am fair skinned too. You take four tiny dissolved pills under your tongue FOUR times a day, and I am continuing that throughout my healing process.

As far as eating is concerned, I stuck with soups such as spaghetti O's! Cause when I'm sick I like to feel like a kid and nothing makes you feel kidish than yummy food that brings happy thoughts too. The doctors recommended I also eat crackers, but my mouth was too dry it felt like eating sand that was soaking up any moisture I had in my mouth and was therefor hard to swallow. Lol


So today I am swallowing blood and I feel like I want to cough it up, but I want to be careful, so I just drink plenty of fluids. One thing that is weird is when I swallow, my nostrils try to let air out or something and I don't know if that is safe or okay but I can't control it so I guess just roll with it.

Anyhow, I just wanted to share so far and let people who are afraid, anxious, or worried that it's actually going to be okay and don't freak out. Roll with the flow and be careful. This is coming from someone who is a worrier and is a hypochondriac.

Make sure you look for a reputable doctor who has good reviews and specializes in rhino mainly. Do your research, make sure you tell them all your health concerns or anything your allergic to. TAKE vitamins ahead of time and don't stress out.
I cant wait to see the results!

I'll keep everyone updated soon! =)

FOURTH DAY--

I finally got my due for some bruising, but mainly on my right eye. In my updated pictures you can see how painful it may look, but it really isn't that painful.... or is it (lol)? The pain meds make me a little itchy around my neck and forehead (especially when I have the frozen peas on me) and my husband will joke with me because I look like I am an addict itching myself even tough I'm far from it. =D

I started cleaning my nostrils with the q-tips as instructed which has been easy and not painful. Still on soft foods, mainly because they are just easier to eat. Some people I have read say their top teeth may hurt, but I didn't experience any pain. I recently discovered pear applesauce and I could eat it all day! Haha, it's just so cool and refreshing and sweet treat to have.

So overall the worst part now is swelling. Frozen peas will be your best friend for the time being. It makes me laugh a little thinking of the beginning of the movie Bridesmaids, where the crazy British roommate literally pours frozen peas on herself instead of keeping them in the bag. =D If you have not seen the movie, you must because it's hilarious!

And for those with feline friends accompanying you... my cat apparently realized I'm not dying or anything and am not going anywhere so now he tries to hide from me when I go searching for him to sleep with me all day... except for when it's MEAL time! Ugh! =P

Skipping now to my 6th day in recovery after my surgery this past Tuesday, and I have to say Friday and Sat. were both my worst days for pain.

WORST PART: Head aches non-stop regardless on any pain meds I took, and my throat is a little sore.

- I also am finding it a little painful to eat even soft foods now.
- Nose still drips here and there, but I clean routinely throughout day with q-tips to help that.
- Still swelling in face (cheeks), but around the eyes has pretty much subsided.
- My right eye bruise has turned mainly yellow now, except for on my eye lid.
- I get nauseated late at night sometimes, but rarely. Sometimes it's just easily prevented by eating before taking meds. and drinking enough fluids.
- I found out the less I move and talk, the less pain I am in and the faster the swelling goes down. If your like me, I get stir-crazy and feel like I have to do something, but trust me, the more you rest the faster you will heal.
- The tip of my nose is mainly numb, but I started to feel a little when I touch it now.

Of course, remember no showering, so taking baths is nice and relaxing, and very challenging to wash hair. I can't wait until I can take a proper shower!

TIPS FOR FACE CLEANING: I just use some cotton balls and some witchhazel to clean my face when I see it needs cleaning, in areas I would have a hard time cleaning otherwise. You can use any cleanser you want though.

Oh yeah, try not to laugh cause it hurts and causes more movement for your nose that should be stabilized.

Hard to believe I get my cast off this Tuesday. I am scared it's going to be painful, especially where my stitches are. I am also scared to go back to work after next week. I work at a bar while I am in school so people are always cutting corners and not watching where they are going. I guess hope and pray no one runs into me.