A Long Waited Revision

An update: 2 months post op from my revision. The swelling is gone, the shape is getting better and better, and the nostrils slightly evened out due to skin softening and elasticity. I still have to use the nasal spray, 2 times a day, for three months. Just thrilled!

This is going to be a long post, but if you are considering a revision rhinoplasty, please read. I will post the photos, too.
I have done my third revision rhinoplasty with dr Rady just about a month ago. Make a note, first two were with another doctor in Europe, 8 years ago. It was a very long wait for me to find the doctor who will expertise in my case: chopped nose, over projected nostrils, hanging columella, pinched and collapsed alar wall, unable to breath for 8 years, nose bleeds and dryness. I have found dr Rady 2 years ago here on RealSelf, found his IG page and followed his procedures that had to do anything similar with my case. After listening to his self made interviews about damages made in primary rhinoplasties and use of temporal fascia and cartilage grafting, I knew I found the perfect doctor for me. We got in touch end of 2019, first having the video interview as I am out of LA. Right there, he already recognized my problem and said it in all realness that 90% can be improved. I wasn’t surprised. I knew I had a very heavy case, and would be satisfied with just fixing that one nostril so I can breathe. To note again, I was not able to breath thru my right nostril for 8 years since my second rhinoplasty due to damage the doctor made by not making the support for my nose. Hence it collapsed, a cartilage was sticking out of my nose tip, got pinched appearance, and making closure of my nostril that blocked the airflow. I have visited couple of more doctors in LA few years ago, and they all promised it’s an easy problem to take care off. None shared the knowledge of what exactly was supposed to be done, but to just come in and they’ll fix it. The doctor gave me a chance and I flew myself to LA two months since our e-meeting, to meet in person. Even tho I had to wait a bit more for my appointment, I understand the doctor is very busy, he still gave me the full attention and explanation during my 1h appointment. We also got into next person’s time but he still made time for every patient. I tried before to photoshop my nose in photos to show what I would like but it just wasn’t possible for realistic picture. I didn’t want look-alike celebrity noses. This doctor gives the real view and what fits you. I had written down questions for the doctor, and he already gave me the answers before I even asked. Such as, elevation of my nose bridge to straighten it instead keeping the slope. Also, as we weren’t sure about the cartilage left from previous surgeries, the doctor proposed Cartilage Harvesting from an ear and/or rib. I have studied about this procedure for the past couple of years that I can almost perform it myself now. I searched all the possible ways of reconstructing the collapsed nose. Only needed a doctor who will not just say, but follow with actions too. The hardest part, and those 10% of no success, was to widen my alar base of the pinched nostril. He didn’t advise to cut it open and extend. My nose is too small already with very thin skin, it would only distort my nose shape even more.All I had to do now, was to start with all of it. I was a bit of a control freak, given the two previous traumas. The doctor understood that but was very firm with me that I ll have to let him take over the control now. So I did. The surgery last for about 3.5h, the awakening was very easy and my first reaction was grabbing my underboob to check for rib scars. None of it. Turned out I still had some of the nose cartilage left so the doctor used extra ones from behind the ear only. I was very happy about it actually, even tho I was ready(and signed it) for extra scaring just to make my nose right. Even the pinched right alar base was properly widen without causing any scarring but it naturally followed the graft widening in the alar wall. My second scar was from the temporal fascia on the side of my head. Very thin, fine line, 4cm long, above my ear. I had staple stitches and because of that I wasn’t able to chew properly for about 3 weeks. Also no washing hair for a week. Temporal fascia is used for covering the nose bones with an extra layer of fascia. For those with thin skin, it would prevent the nose looking too bony and gives more natural appearance. As the doctor said, it’s like putting a blanket over table. I heard about this procedure only from this doctor sometime last year and got into research of it as well. As for the recovery, it went pretty well. Didn’t use much of prescribed pain killers, and even bruising was less than what I had before due to medication I was given . After two weeks all the stitches were taken off and few little bruises left on top of my cheeks that make up easily covered up. My nose was finally cleared by doctor and for the first time I took in a full deep breath!!! I cried! I screamed !! It doesn’t collapse anymore! For the appearance, I finally have an even profile! My nostrils were always uneven naturally so one still looks a bit higher. Doctor said if it really bothers me, in a year or so I can lower it with a tiny bit of filler. And that’s fine with me. I am currently 4 weeks post op, the swelling is still inside the nostrils only due to grafts. I can’t pick my nose just for couple of weeks more, but I find disinfected twisters very useful to pull the stuffing out from time to time. No nose blowing for up to 6 weeks, so this will do. I know it sounds gross but it is very much relieving to make the airflow go smoothly. Forever grateful to dr Rady and his team for making sure I was heard and talent care of.Here are the before and after photos, just 2 weeks post op, as well my original and previous rhinoplasty. Zorana