My Experience when Plastic Surgery Goes Wrong

I have had 2 different cosmetic procedures and a total of 3 surgeries with Dr. Trevor Born (one being a revision surgery). I wanted to share my polarized experiences with anyone considering cosmetic surgeries, as I was not aware prior to having surgery what can happen when things go wrong.
My first procedure with Dr Born was a great augmentation in 2010. I had no issues with the surgery and was happy with the results.
With the first procedure being a success, I opted to have have my second procedure a rhinoplasty also with Dr Born. During the consultation, I clearly articulated what I was trying to accomplish, and brought in sample photos to illustrate this vision (the vision was to get rid of the small dorsal bump on my nose so that I never hated my profile in pictures again like I had with my wedding photos). Dr. Born analyzed my nose and stated that it would also be necessary to alter the tip, so as to ensure that the nose was symmetrical. I asked if it would be possible to see what it would look like, but Dr Born does not have the technology to do so. A warning sign. However, trusting on past experience and his expertise I booked the surgery for a few months later.
My initial reaction after surgery was positive. I was pleasantly surprised at how pain free rhinoplasty surgery was. It was impossible at this time to tell what my surgical results would be, as swelling persists for months after surgery. I was asked to write a review within two weeks of surgery, while I was still swollen and healing. Another warning sign. I would caution any patients from being pressured into writing reviews so quickly after surgery, as surgical results and healing can take up to one year for rhinoplasty.
At the onset, healing and the overall appearance of my nose was satisfactory. However, around the 10 month post-surgery mark I noticed a white protrusion on the tip of my nose. I took a couple of photos, emailed Dr Born's office, and made a follow-up appointment. At that appointment I was told that it appeared that cartilage was pushing forward. I was told that it may or may not get worse, that I could leave it, I could try fillers (a lifetime commitment), or I could have revision rhinoplasty to correct. Having just spent close to $15K on my nose, I didn't mind spending another $3K more to go back in and have the issue permanently corrected. During this same meeting I was told that I was ruining Dr Born's "numbers". Another warning sign.
Prior to the revision surgery, I mentioned to Dr Born that there was a small bump on the dorsal bridge that was still noticeable from one side - specifically stating that it looked perfect from one side, but from the other side you could see slight little bump. I asked if while we were in there could be file it down. He analyzed my nose, asked no further questions, and stated that he didn't have enough time, and it wouldn't be worth it. In the end we agreed to leave the dorsal bridge alone with me stating "you're right, let's leave it, I was just being nit-picky since we were going on". When I awoke from surgery I was told that he had taken extra ear cartilage out (an excruciating procedure) and straightened out my nose. I was confused but happy initially thinking he had done what I asked.
Within two weeks of surgery I realized that what he had done had not fixed the problem but instead amplified it. Putting hard ear cartilage over a small bump only amplified the problem. In addition, I had lost the lovely slope and curvature of my nose - something I had never wanted to do. I immediately emailed the Dr's office and asked how soon before I could take the ear cartilage off the bridge of nose. I went in for a follow-up appointment, but was told I was still healing and needed to be patient with the results. After a few months of trying to be patient but agonizing over the way my nose looked, I went back in for another follow-up appointment. At this appointment, my perception of Dr Born was irrevocably changed...
During this appointment I was told that "sometimes the issue is not what's in the middle of a person's face but what's in their head" (basically implying I had body dismorphism), that he "couldn't help if I wanted to take photos of myself" (the very reason I had surgery in the first place was because I hated my profile in my wedding photos - and I stated that as being my goal), that "some people are incapable of being happy", that my nose was "better than it had been before", that he would "not be fixing my nose", and that he would "refer me to one of his colleagues". Up until this appointment I had given Dr Born a great deal of credit, assuming that it had simply been miscommunication between us, an error I was willing to have him once again surgically correct (not something I relished given the immense pain I had been in with my revision surgery). After the way he spoke to me however, my perception changed.
I left that follow-up appointment in a flood of tears, feeling betrayed and abandoned by my surgeon. The very person I had entrusted my face too. The person I had just spent close to $18K on rhinoplasty with (a significant amount of money for me). The person I had referred other patients to. After the way I was treated I lost all faith and confidence in Dr Born. How could I trust a surgeon who didn't care what my goals and objectives were and cared more about his vision and his numbers? The large bouquet of flowers I received shortly after, confirmed to me that they realized how poorly I had been treated.
Having lost all faith and confidence in Dr Born, I sought out a revision rhinoplasty specialist to correct what had been done to my nose. Who would advocate for my goals or objectives or protect my best interests while I was under anaesthetics? I no longer trusted that Dr Born would. How could I after how I had been treated?
It took a year before I was able to get into my new highly regarding surgeon to have my nose corrected. I spent that entire year prior to revision rhinoplasty hating the reflection in the mirror or photos that showed my nose's profile. You see as my nose healed I realized that it was not simply the dorsal bridge/bump that was an issue. The tip of my nose as it healed began to look like a bottle cap had been placed under the skin and perched highly on the tip on my nose. It was horrendous. I cried constantly. How had this had happened? A renowned surgeon had completely botched my nose, leaving me wishing I had never had surgery in the first place and had simply kept my original nose. There was no turning back at this point though, I simply could not live with my nose and had to have revision surgery one more time. I vowed that no matter what I would not have cosmetic surgery again after this, I simply wanted to stop hating the way I looked. Thankfully, the surgeon was able to repair my nose and I'm once again happy with the way I look.
But what now? A word of warning that revision rhinoplasty with a new surgeon is far more expensive than initial surgery. I had just spent another $20K having my nose revised - another small fortune to me. Was it ok that a surgeon did something to your nose that you had never agreed to do? Was it ok that a surgeon didn't care what your goals and objectives were and simply did what they wanted? Were there no ramifications for such actions? In short, there aren't. The legal system is set up to protect doctors NOT patients. I know this because I attempted to go the legal route to be reimbursed the cost for the second revision surgery I should never have had.
Even though cosmetic surgery is not medically necessary, and the desired outcome/look is completely subjective to the patient's vision, the doctor is not obligated to deliver upon your desired outcome/vision. In fact, so long as the doctor is not medically negligent (i.e. leaves a glove inside of you or amputates the wrong limb), they can operate with virtual impunity.
Since their was no recourse for what happened to me, I write this review in hopes of educating future cosmetic surgery patients and giving insight into the things I've learned (outlined below):
1) Find a doctor who can show you renderings of what your nose will look like (through technology or drawings) - it is important that there is a clear understanding of what you are trying to achieve.
2) Rhinoplasty is a complicated surgery and has a high revision rate. Find a surgeon who specializes in this surgery and perhaps only this surgery.
3) Be willing to pay more for the right surgeon (if necessary). If you're surgery is botched, you will be out of pocket for another surgeon/surgery.
4) Things will continue to heal and shift over the course of the year - do not write reviews while you're still going through the healing process as you do not know what your whole experience will be like.
5) Before having revision rhinoplasty, try injectables if they are an option. There is no guarantee that revision rhinoplasty will work, and injectables may give you the desired result you seek (though this is a commitment).
From my experience, it's not what happens when things go right that is a reflection of character, but what happens when things go wrong. It is easy to treat someone well when everything goes as planned, but how do you treat someone when things go wrong? I can only speak to my experience, but hope that others do not go through what I have gone through. I have spent far too much money on what was a minor imperfection to begin with, I've had to endure three operations physically/mentally/emotionally, and I've had to endure the legal system designed to protect doctors. Do your research before embarking on cosmetic surgery.