Rhinoplasty March 2019 - very long post!

I was never really self conscious about my nose until maybe a few years ago.. but once it began to bother me it was a never ending thing that I noticed. Rhinoplasty became a thought maybe in beginning of 2018, but I didn't officially start looking for a surgeon until beginning of 2019. I went to about 6 consultations including Dr. Ciardullo. They all ranged in price (from 5K- 14K). But there was always something that didn't feel right about each doctor. I was very close to booking with a doctor in NYC, but I did not like that he didn't do nostril tucks, and the drive was a bit far for me. When I met with Dr. C, he made me feel very comfortable, answered all my questions and even answered things I would not have thought of. I went in for maybe 3-4 appointments and in each one he made me feel more comfortable. His sense of knowledge and his ability to ease his patients is something that is honestly priceless. He is very patient, and very honest.
At that point I booked my rhinoplasty for March 19, 2019. I took off 2 days from work (at that point my job was pretty flexible so I was able to from home for 2 weeks while the bruising went down).
The surgery would be a rhinoplasty, to fix the bump on my nose and a bit of a droopy nose when I smiled, a septoplasty Bc I had a deviated septum, and a nostril tuck.
The days building up to the rhinoplasty I was very very nervous. Not so much about the surgery or the healing the process but the end result. I had not spent a lot of time looking at what I wanted so I was a little nervous that maybe I didn't get my point across, plus I can be somewhat indecisive.
The day of the surgery I was very nervous, but the staff made me feel extremely comfortable. I don't remember much, except when I was in the little waiting room getting my IV in, and then I remember after the surgery waking up in the same room. My face was somewhat swollen and just numb.
The next few days were pretty brutal. I bruise extremely easy so I was very very bruised (which from what I have read, and what Dr. C told me is not what usually happens). Sleeping was horrible, I obviously could not breathe out of my nose Bc of the nasal packing. I think that was probably the most uncomfortable part plus the dryness in my mouth when I slept. I used a few products that helped me (I will add them in a comment later). I ate a ton of pineapple, drank a lot of water and took some arnica. I slept sitting up, and woke up every few hours. Sleeping was not something that I did alot of during this time. The first couple of weeks were probably the most difficult part, seeing your face change and not knowing if you made the right decision (specially Bc initially I felt very indecisive about it), is very emotionally difficult. But at that point there is not much you can do honestly lol.
My biggest recommendation is stay hydrated and STAY POSITIVE!! It will get better once the swelling and bruising goes down!
Getting the packing removed was just downright uncomfortable, but very quick. I don’t know how to explain it, just something getting putting out of your nose.
When the day to get the stitches and cast Taken off Dr. C couldn’t be there but one of the other doctors took it off, which was not a problem at all. Seeing my face right after surgery was also emotionally and mentally difficult. My nose looked great looking back at it now, but that day I just didn’t feel that way at the moment. Since my face was so swollen my nose looked so small and idk I just looked so different! For the days following I was obsessed with my nose trying to track the changes, seeing if it was what I wanted. It was a few months of not being sure, but again, don’t forget your nose is still settling in the first year!!! So DO NOT STRESS OUT. that was literally what got me through it. Dr. C was available at any time of any day. I contacted him a few times Bc I started to develop a weird smell from my nose but it was just the healing process.
I felt like every other day my nose looked different and at this point it has definitely settled more into what it will look like and I am very happy with the results. I think one thing that I would notice the most is that my right nostril is slightly higher than my left one. But my nose was like that from before and there’s nothing they can do about that so that’s just my anatomy lol.
I would 10000000% recommend Dr.C, he is hands down an amazing surgeon and very realistic with you. If you are looking into rhinoplasty, do your research, be certain in what you want and mentally prepare yourself for the change that this will be. No matter what you feel and what you think just know it will be worth it!!