POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Travelling abroad. Rhinoplasty in Belgium, BE
ORIGINAL POST
It's 04.30 am and I am unable to sleep....
Clemsy15October 5, 2015
WORTH IT$4,450
It's 04.30 am and I am unable to sleep. Combination of nerves, excitement and a tickly cough have woken me up ???? I hope this won't cause any complications.
Reading other peoples reviews are what have led me to choosing to have surgery in Belgium. I am writing this review in the hope that it may help someone else with their surgery journey.
My surgery is booked at 08.00 am in less than 4 hours. Eeeeek!!!!
Thankfully the hotel is just a 5 min walk away from the hospital- Sint-Jozef Bornem.
We arrived early yesterday evening and was pleasantly suprised by how easy the journey was.
Eurostar from London to Brussels.
Train from Brussels to Mechelen then change for train to Bornem.
Bornem is nice. Small but with enough little places to eat and relax.
Anyway, let me explain how this journey began...can't actually believe the day is here and what started out as an idea, a dream, is actually about to happen.
I have disliked my nose all my teenage and adult life. An early memory is being told I had a nose like concorde at the age of 10 by a boy school. Then again as a teenager someone said I had an elephant nose. As I have got older I have good days and bad days, days where it doesn't bother me. Then I will catch a glimpse of myself at the wrong angle or be caught off guard in a picture and be like errrrgh. I have recently become more aware of it in the last 2 years since having my son. Maybe pregnancy hormones made it grow or I just look more tired and it draws attention to it. Its long and uneven and from side angle it has a hump and is angular and pointy.
I am fed up of being insecure about it and have decided life is to short to make do and put up. I would have done it when I was younger had I the money. I am now in a good secure place, good relationship, stable job/career, wonderful son and comfortable enough to afford the Belgian prices ????
I decided on Belgium mainly for cost, half the price of London surgeons and also not too far for me to travel. I did enquire at a few places in Poland but was unsure by the fact that consultations would only take place just before surgery also didn't fancy flying. After weeks of scouring the Internet and reading reviews I came across Dr Oelbrandt. He does regular consultations in London and I will be able to see him after for check ups if need be. He has some very positive reviews in particular for rhinoplasty.
I have met with him twice now and feel confident with him doing the surgery. He has been very good in corresponding to my emails and queries.
its now 5 am and my alarm is set for 15 mins time. I'm going to shower and get my bits together and wake my partner who is here next to me snoring ???? I'm dying for a cup of tea or something stronger to calm me nerves. Every few minutes I realise what I am going to do and my belly does a somersault. I'm told that it is perfectly normal to feel this anxiety so I am just riding out. The desire to have a new nose is far stronger than any worry. I'm kind of on auto pilot, a woman on a mission!!!!
I hope to keep this review up to date and come back to upload some pictures.
Reading other peoples reviews are what have led me to choosing to have surgery in Belgium. I am writing this review in the hope that it may help someone else with their surgery journey.
My surgery is booked at 08.00 am in less than 4 hours. Eeeeek!!!!
Thankfully the hotel is just a 5 min walk away from the hospital- Sint-Jozef Bornem.
We arrived early yesterday evening and was pleasantly suprised by how easy the journey was.
Eurostar from London to Brussels.
Train from Brussels to Mechelen then change for train to Bornem.
Bornem is nice. Small but with enough little places to eat and relax.
Anyway, let me explain how this journey began...can't actually believe the day is here and what started out as an idea, a dream, is actually about to happen.
I have disliked my nose all my teenage and adult life. An early memory is being told I had a nose like concorde at the age of 10 by a boy school. Then again as a teenager someone said I had an elephant nose. As I have got older I have good days and bad days, days where it doesn't bother me. Then I will catch a glimpse of myself at the wrong angle or be caught off guard in a picture and be like errrrgh. I have recently become more aware of it in the last 2 years since having my son. Maybe pregnancy hormones made it grow or I just look more tired and it draws attention to it. Its long and uneven and from side angle it has a hump and is angular and pointy.
I am fed up of being insecure about it and have decided life is to short to make do and put up. I would have done it when I was younger had I the money. I am now in a good secure place, good relationship, stable job/career, wonderful son and comfortable enough to afford the Belgian prices ????
I decided on Belgium mainly for cost, half the price of London surgeons and also not too far for me to travel. I did enquire at a few places in Poland but was unsure by the fact that consultations would only take place just before surgery also didn't fancy flying. After weeks of scouring the Internet and reading reviews I came across Dr Oelbrandt. He does regular consultations in London and I will be able to see him after for check ups if need be. He has some very positive reviews in particular for rhinoplasty.
I have met with him twice now and feel confident with him doing the surgery. He has been very good in corresponding to my emails and queries.
its now 5 am and my alarm is set for 15 mins time. I'm going to shower and get my bits together and wake my partner who is here next to me snoring ???? I'm dying for a cup of tea or something stronger to calm me nerves. Every few minutes I realise what I am going to do and my belly does a somersault. I'm told that it is perfectly normal to feel this anxiety so I am just riding out. The desire to have a new nose is far stronger than any worry. I'm kind of on auto pilot, a woman on a mission!!!!
I hope to keep this review up to date and come back to upload some pictures.
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM Clemsy15
3 days post
3 days post op
Clemsy15October 8, 2015
I made it! I was so scared about the anaesthetic that when I finally came round, I wasn't concerned about my nose but relieved to be alive. An added bonus is that there does already look to be an improvement to my nose so it's all been worth it.
Overall my experience has been straight forward, Dr Oelbrandt and the care I received in the hospital from the nurses was very good. I found everything in Belgium to be very efficient from the train service to checking in at the reception of the hospital through to the recovery after care. Almost everybody who works in the hospital speaks a good level of english so I never once felt "lost in translation".
My surgery went well according to Dr Oelbrandt. I got to have a good chat with him prior to the op to confirm what we were aiming for. I had a very narrow nose and my septum was deviated so functionality was also an issue. I ended up having a septoplasty, turbinate reduction and rhinoplasty to bring down the bridge of my nose. Due to my nose being very narrow, he did not need to do osteotomy and closed the roof with grafts using cartilage from my septum.
I felt confident that he would make the right decisions and make me a nice nose that I would be happy with.
It's early days but I can see it is already taking shape nicely.
The first few days have been difficult, I won't lie. Not much sleep due to severe congestion and pressure. Swelling so
bad that I look like that puppet girl thing from the "Dark Crystal" film and mad itching in nostrils which is making me do a funny dance. Healing is happening quickly though. 3 days post op and I have minimal pain, much less swelling and hardly any bruising and already I am forgetting the discomfort of the first 2 nights. Despite the discomfort I have still been getting on with day to day stuff, my appetite is as good as ever and I find going out for walks is good distraction. It keeps me away from my phone and doing random Google searches checking every single symptom ????
I have managed mainly on paracetamol for pain relief which I bought with me. There was an option to get a prescription for something stronger but I thought I would manage and I did. The worst part was the packing/gauze which was like having a king sized duvet stuffed into your nostrils. Removing that was a nice relief. Right now my nose feels tight and itchy and dry. It is still oozing some pinkish mucus and I can only breathe through one nostril. Each day there is more relief and I am counting down the days till splint removal. ..which I will be doing myself either Sunday or Monday.
I will be back with some more pictures and an update when I take the splint off.
Overall my experience has been straight forward, Dr Oelbrandt and the care I received in the hospital from the nurses was very good. I found everything in Belgium to be very efficient from the train service to checking in at the reception of the hospital through to the recovery after care. Almost everybody who works in the hospital speaks a good level of english so I never once felt "lost in translation".
My surgery went well according to Dr Oelbrandt. I got to have a good chat with him prior to the op to confirm what we were aiming for. I had a very narrow nose and my septum was deviated so functionality was also an issue. I ended up having a septoplasty, turbinate reduction and rhinoplasty to bring down the bridge of my nose. Due to my nose being very narrow, he did not need to do osteotomy and closed the roof with grafts using cartilage from my septum.
I felt confident that he would make the right decisions and make me a nice nose that I would be happy with.
It's early days but I can see it is already taking shape nicely.
The first few days have been difficult, I won't lie. Not much sleep due to severe congestion and pressure. Swelling so
bad that I look like that puppet girl thing from the "Dark Crystal" film and mad itching in nostrils which is making me do a funny dance. Healing is happening quickly though. 3 days post op and I have minimal pain, much less swelling and hardly any bruising and already I am forgetting the discomfort of the first 2 nights. Despite the discomfort I have still been getting on with day to day stuff, my appetite is as good as ever and I find going out for walks is good distraction. It keeps me away from my phone and doing random Google searches checking every single symptom ????
I have managed mainly on paracetamol for pain relief which I bought with me. There was an option to get a prescription for something stronger but I thought I would manage and I did. The worst part was the packing/gauze which was like having a king sized duvet stuffed into your nostrils. Removing that was a nice relief. Right now my nose feels tight and itchy and dry. It is still oozing some pinkish mucus and I can only breathe through one nostril. Each day there is more relief and I am counting down the days till splint removal. ..which I will be doing myself either Sunday or Monday.
I will be back with some more pictures and an update when I take the splint off.
Replies (6)
October 9, 2015
Hello! Im really interested in your results as I also have a very narrow bridge and pointed end - iver projected. i had my surgery last week and just have to wait for the splint to be removed now. i also felt mine looked like a concorde!! My septum was bent and since the op ive never been able to breathe better! My nostril splints are out now and it feels like my airways have finally been opened! The tip of my nose and middle bit is so swollen at the moment so its hard to tell what the end result will be like! Cant wait to get my splint off. Looking forward to seeing your results :-)
October 9, 2015
Hello, I see from your pics that we have or had a very similar profile. Your tip wasn't as droopy as mine.
You have to wear your splint for such a long time. Hang in there! I suppose it's because your framework is fragile. Sounds like your surgeon is very cautious which can only be a good sign! I was told after surgery that my bones were very thin too and after he had filed down the bridge the edges were very sharp. It looks like my bridge is going to be slightly wider as he has used grafts but I will be happy with this as long as I don't look like a boxer
You have to wear your splint for such a long time. Hang in there! I suppose it's because your framework is fragile. Sounds like your surgeon is very cautious which can only be a good sign! I was told after surgery that my bones were very thin too and after he had filed down the bridge the edges were very sharp. It looks like my bridge is going to be slightly wider as he has used grafts but I will be happy with this as long as I don't look like a boxer
October 9, 2015
Thank you for your message. I look forward to seeing your results too. Not long to go!!
October 9, 2015
I know it feels like an eternity but you're right it's best to be cautious. My surgeon explained that he makes everyone keep their splints on for 3 weeks and he feels because of this he has a very low revision rate so I guess it's a good thing! Yea he said the support structure of my nose was already weak and it's just taken a good battering I guess so needs all the support it can get ha. I asked for a rounder tip so he took a skin graft from the top of my leg and positioned on the tip to help shape it and to help add structure. Looking forward to seeing your results too.. it already looks so different with your splint on. The change is mega already.. looks great! x
October 9, 2015
Your pictures are not showing all the things of your surgery so can't understand your condition. But hoping for the best. Hope you are looking more beautiful as you want.
UPDATED FROM Clemsy15
7 days post
Splint off - Swollen and bunged up
Clemsy15October 12, 2015
Splint came off yesterday. I was advised to wear it for 6 to 7 days and as I had work yesterday, I felt it was a good time to remove it. By Saturday it was sliding off where the adhesive had got sweaty so it was no trouble to gently remove. I now know why it was soo itchy. I had loads of little yellow head spots (eeew) I am a spotty beast anyway!!
My first reaction was shock. I actually didn't want to look in the mirror too long. It's certainly a change. And as they say, a change is as good as a rest ????
It's a lot wider from the front view than it was previously. I was kind of expecting this as the surgeon told me that to maintain good breathing function (what nose is actually for) he would be placing spreader grafts. The side profile is nice. Smooth and lower to my face/cheeks. The tip projection has been decreased slightly, maybe a couple of mm, which I can see from underneath view as my nostrils which were long and stretched are now more relaxed and slightly rounder. My nose is still quite long and I am worried about the tip still being prominent. The tip feels very swollen and stiff. I hope when this lessens the skin will settle back and give me a bit more definition.
Gosh, I wish I wasn't such a perfectionista! I know that this is only the beginning of the healing and not what it will look like In a few days or even months. I read somewhere that if you are most happy the moment you see your nose after cast/splint removal then the chances are that further down the line you won't be. I hope this is true!
My breathing hasn't returned to normal yet either. I can breath perfect out of my left nostril but my right one which had the most deviation is still very bunged. I can get a small bit of air through it but it's so congested. Been using saline nasal spray to clean out which is helping ti relieve the dryness, crusting and scabs. Can also detect a faint strange smell from right nostril. It's prob because that one is most congested and i'm not able to clear it. Hope its not a blockage ????
Nobody at work said anything which I'm suprised by as my bruises are still clearly there. I did notice they were looking at me differently as if they could tell something had changed but hey couldn't tell what. Maybe they didn't want to ask why I looked like I had been in a punch up ????.
I'm looking forward to each day as I know that there will be small changes as the swelling subsides.
I have attached some pics and will be back to keep you updated on progress!
My first reaction was shock. I actually didn't want to look in the mirror too long. It's certainly a change. And as they say, a change is as good as a rest ????
It's a lot wider from the front view than it was previously. I was kind of expecting this as the surgeon told me that to maintain good breathing function (what nose is actually for) he would be placing spreader grafts. The side profile is nice. Smooth and lower to my face/cheeks. The tip projection has been decreased slightly, maybe a couple of mm, which I can see from underneath view as my nostrils which were long and stretched are now more relaxed and slightly rounder. My nose is still quite long and I am worried about the tip still being prominent. The tip feels very swollen and stiff. I hope when this lessens the skin will settle back and give me a bit more definition.
Gosh, I wish I wasn't such a perfectionista! I know that this is only the beginning of the healing and not what it will look like In a few days or even months. I read somewhere that if you are most happy the moment you see your nose after cast/splint removal then the chances are that further down the line you won't be. I hope this is true!
My breathing hasn't returned to normal yet either. I can breath perfect out of my left nostril but my right one which had the most deviation is still very bunged. I can get a small bit of air through it but it's so congested. Been using saline nasal spray to clean out which is helping ti relieve the dryness, crusting and scabs. Can also detect a faint strange smell from right nostril. It's prob because that one is most congested and i'm not able to clear it. Hope its not a blockage ????
Nobody at work said anything which I'm suprised by as my bruises are still clearly there. I did notice they were looking at me differently as if they could tell something had changed but hey couldn't tell what. Maybe they didn't want to ask why I looked like I had been in a punch up ????.
I'm looking forward to each day as I know that there will be small changes as the swelling subsides.
I have attached some pics and will be back to keep you updated on progress!
Replies (2)
October 13, 2015
Wow - you look great! Hopefully your breathing will return to normal soon. Your profile looks so good - looks softer, more in proportion, a really good job :-) You can tell it's still swollen at the tip and on the bridge so don't worry that will gradually settle and go down. :-)
October 20, 2015
It will be better once swelling has gone. When I first looked in mirror at mine years ago, my first thought was that I looked like my brother!
It does get better pretty quickly and the final result is usually a lot more refined.
It does get better pretty quickly and the final result is usually a lot more refined.
You should be on the other side and recovering by now! Please let us know how you are feeling. I hope you love your results when you are all healed up.