Rhinoplasty Revision

I don’t know what happen along the way. The first surgeon I went to in 2014 for my deviated septum was a qualified ENT in my area and I trusted that it would be a simple surgery. In the weeks following my first septo the septum collapse and completely moved into the left side of my nose it was so severe that it was very visible when you looked at my nose from the outside. 2015, I had to have a septo/rhino with a qualified facial plastic surgeon/ENT to repair it. I had to go to someone who accepted my insurance at the time (Dr A). Dr Silver was my first choice then, but since he was out of network I couldn’t use him. When I woke up from surgery my cast was crooked and I knew then that something was wrong. My nose was as crooked as it was before surgery but this time it went in the opposite direction. Months of steroid injections just made the issues more apparent and I ended up with an inverted V and a Polly break deformity. 2016, I had a closed revision with Dr A and he used an Alloderm implant to camouflage the inverted V. He shaved down some cartilage that caused the Polly break deformity and the projected point on my tip. The revision fixed some things but my nose was still crooked and my nostrils were asymmetrical. My bridge wasn’t smooth and I had to use make-up tricks to camouflage the dips and dents.
Dr A had been very good to me and I believed he tried to do his best, but I wasn’t confident in going back to him for another revision. My instincts sent me back to Dr Silver for a 3rd consultation. My gut had always sent me back to him every time, but I always felt bound by insurance and later by loyalty to go to Dr A. This time I was following my gut! Pre Op done and date for surgery is set with Dr Silver! This review, for now, is set at a “Maybe” only because I’m a nervous wreck! I plan and know that I will change it to 100% worth it after it’s all said and done. Asking for prayers and support if you are following this review or if you are going through this too.

Nerves were shot, but I took the plunge anyway. Putting my faith in Dr Silver was an understatement. This was huge to me and the biggest and scariest decision I had made in years. I had a graft taken from the ear I had left to create a spreader graft on the right side of my nose to help stabilize my septum. He did a couple of other things to smooth out the appearance of my bridge as well. I had also mentioned my asymmetrical nostrils to him, but he believed that when he centered my tip it would help to even out my nostrils. The recovery has not been easy. My ear hurts more than my nose and he placed the left over cartilage behind my ear (in my hairline), which was pretty painful initially. The pain pills work, but all I want to do is sleep. Cleaning my bandage for the first time, I noticed how much I was bleeding and how asymmetrical my nostrils were. Way worse then they were before. It definitely gave me a scare and I am doing my best not to freak out or jump to any conclusions. I knew that this would be scary for me, but I underestimated how scary. Giving someone that much control over your appearance and trusting them with your face (with something that is not reversible) is the most frightening feeling in the world. A surgery like this can either build you up or tear you down.

Thanks to Dr Silver and his wonderful team all my worry and concerns have been put to rest for now. I am going to focus on healing and try not to be my own worst critic or enemy right now. I have a tendency to feel like a bother when I voice my concerns and fears, but Dr Silver has had a lot of patience with me and was very reassuring. So for the next couple of months I will plan to wait and see how things heal and change. I will update when I have my next follow up with him.