Obsessed with my nose! Healing process was relatively easy

(Just updating the review to add some more recent photos from the 5 month mark. Swelling in the tip has decreased significantly since around the 2/3 month mark and I have regained almost all sensation back)

My initial consultation with Dr. Portuese was in July 2023 via Zoom. The day before the consultation I was sent my simulated after photos as a starting point to discuss my wishes during my appointment. Throughout the consultation he was very knowledgable and answered all of my questions. I never felt pressured during the meeting to commit to anything and I appreciated the transparent pricing online. For the work that he does, his prices are VERY fair and more affordable than some of the other surgeons I had met with. I knew Dr. Portuese was the right surgeon for me as I had no feedback on the simulated image, it was exactly what I was wanting and the fact that he had nailed it before even meeting me meant our goals were aligned.

All of the pre-op phone calls and emails went smoothly. I paid the initial deposit with my debit card and I was able to pay the remaining total by check via mail.

The morning of my surgery the nurse let my mom sit with me until I went into surgery. Picking out my cast was a welcomed distraction from the anxiety I was feeling. Dr. Portuese met with me before the operation and explained exactly what he would be doing in the simulated photo. The anesthesiologist was absolutely amazing and I had the best anesthesia experience I’ve undergone. The surgery was relatively quick and I was back to my Airbnb within 2 hours.

The healing process was relatively easy. I didn’t feel the need to take any of the pain medication that they prescribed. By the third day I didn’t need the Tylenol anymore either. The nurses called periodically to check up on me. The bruising and swelling was very minor and by the time I went in for the cast removal, my face was back to normal. The biggest discomfort was honestly sleeping elevated on my back. Within a week I was working from home and within 2 weeks I was back in the office.

The cast removal process was quick and easy. My nose looked much different than it does now. It looked artificially straight and not what my simulation looked like at all. My smile was also very stiff and my natural smile didn’t return for roughly 6 weeks. The following day after the cast removal, my nose started swelling without the cast to constrict it. Initially, this was very alarming, but I remained patient. The first two months was very challenging for me mentally. My nose was changing daily and my smile felt forced but I kept reminding myself that this was all apart of the process.

I am just over 5 months post-op now and absolutely love my results. I have no regrets and wish I had done it sooner. I feel the best I have ever felt about myself. I relied heavily on these reviews and people posting their cast removal videos on instagram to ease my anxiety, so this is me paying it forward in hopes that I can be someone else’s reassurance!