Happy but it took a year

I’m now almost exactly 2 years from the surgery. I feel like my nose still gets irritated very easily with the wearing of the masks, and I still have morning swelling, but overall I’m really happy with my results. I can’t believe how much more natural it looks now two years out.

My nose was fine when I was younger, but over time changed to have the droopy tip and bumps my dad had. We aren't close and I see him when I'd look at my nose. It made me look increasingly 'witchy' as I aged through my 20's, and it distracted from my eyes.
I did a ton of research over multiple years. I finally settled on Dr. Shaw and after a consult set my date. Eunice, his coordinator was WONDERFUL and took her time with me. Dr. Shaw breezed in and was there less than 10 mins. I felt like he was in a hurry, but that he did understand what I wanted. He has a system down that, while it feels a bit like a factory, clearly maximizes the value of his time. He comes to the room ONLY to do the things no one else could do, and otherwise relies on a large team of coordinators and assistants. Can't say I blame him, but his bedside manner is so so but his reviews were good and his pics too.
I decided to go forward. The day of was a polar vortex with -60f temps. I was worried we wouldn't go forward, but Dr. Shaw and staff were there as planned and we went for it.
Woke up confused and was horrified at my first glimpse and the er post-op pics he took. It looked WAY WAY too short and upturned. Not what we had discussed and I was so freaked. Dried blood all over my cast. Also had buccal fat excision and my stitches on the right side came out during the 2.5 hour drive home.
My first week was rough and when my cast was removed I almost cried. It was nothing like what I expected. Bizarre and pig-like. So so swollen and upturned. It looked so short to me. My stitches were removed by Dr. Shaw's MA and she actually missed some permanent stitches, which I had to visit a local surgeon to remove. Very traumatic. I do feel that Dr. Shaw is always in a hurry. The stitches in my collumnella and nostril bases were a bit sloppy and have actually permanently scarred. The buccal fat removal ended up fine and I can't even feel the scar even though the stitches fell out same day.
No one prepares you for the ups and downs. The swelling was much more than I expected. I looked bizarre to myself for six months and experienced a lot of under eye hollowing for the first two months. (No one talks about this!) tip was swollen and upturned. I felt hideous for a long time.
It took 7 months to like what I saw. Swelling all summer, and every morning for the first 11 months. Prepare. I can tell that my nose is still very sensitive. Spicy food, warm weather, wine, allergies or any other vasodialator causes me to be stuffed up and swollen, though now 1 year post-op it doesn't last as long or react as much.
Took 10 months to feel I was better-looking than before. Now I LOVE it, but it's truly taken a full year to settle. I'd do it again, but I wish someone told me how much it can change from 1 day to 1 year. I really thought I'd ruined my face.
Now I am so glad, and though I don't love his super rushed and somewhat impersonal manner, Dr. Shaw is a great surgeon and that's what matters. His support team fills the rest of the gaps. I would do it again and it has totally changed my face for the better.
Think carefully about whether you are in a position to ride out the journey, but for me it was the right decision and I'm so happy with it.