Rhinoplasty-Three Months Post-Op-Very Happy!

I did my consult during the NYC Covid shutdown over FaceTime. I requested a consult on his website and his admin called me to ask what I was interested in the same day. I explained, and they gave my cell # to Dr Reish, then he texted me to work out a time. He called me right on time and we chatted about what I was looking for. He actually did most of the talking, but that's more my personality. He told me what he thought and it matched what I thought. After we hung up the admin called me back with the details of the quote.

After I got the quote I took a couple days to consider. I texted Dr Reish a couple more questions and he actually ended up calling me back to give me thorough answers. That made my last doubts vanish, so I decided to book.

At my pre-op appointment Dr Reish and I went over again what he would do. He let me show him some photos of what I wanted and we agreed on everything. I was given a lot of paperwork to complete and instructions to take home and review.

Nurse Liana and the Dr Z (anesthesiologist) called me the day before surgery to remind me of all the rules-no food, make sure you have someone to take you home, etc. I asked about being intubated and where the IV would be place. Dr Z was nice and gave me reassuring answers.

I was the first surgery appointment of the day, so it was pretty quiet when I got there. I arrived a little early and could hear Dr Reish and his surgical team bantering in the back while they got ready. It seemed like a friendly workplace, and I again felt confirmation that I'd chosen the right doctor!

Nurse Debbie, Dr Reish, and Dr Z all spoke with me that morning to go over paperwork and to confirm the surgical plan. I was glad to speak with Dr Reish just one more time about what I was hoping to achieve. I think it was about 20 minutes of waiting/prep.

Then, I walked into the operating room and lay on a warm bed. I think Debbie knew I was getting nervous, because she held my hand while the IV was inserted. They said they would give me something (versed) to relax, and that was the last thing I remember.

The next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. Nurse Margot was there to help me. She told me not to touch my face, but I was loopy so I did it anyways-sorry! Dr Reish came in to say hi and tell me it went well, but that I was pretty swollen. Margot helped me get dressed and took me to the bathroom. She talked me through the post-op instructions.

I had to change the gauze drip pad every 30 mins or so when I first got home, but after 2 hours of that, I was able to just change it before bed. Mentally I felt pretty with it, just tired. Dr Reish texted me that evening to check on me and for the next three days in the morning. Liana also called me the next day to check on me.

The pain isn't bad AT ALL. The only time i felt pain was I smiled at a TV show without thinking and it felt a little sore. My throat was sore from the breathing tube for about 2-3 days. I never took the pain killers or valium I was prescribed. I just took 2 tylenol 3 times a day for the first two days. At night I took tylenol pm to help with sleep.

The first two days I took multiple naps. By about day 5 I was back to full energy and didn't need naps anymore. Being tired made it easy for to sleep propped up on pillows, which I had been nervous about.

On day 8 I went in for cast removal, which was virtually painless. His PA Rachel actually did it, and she's extremely nice. First, she cleaned out my nose and then removed the stitches. I was nervous about that part, but only one stitch hurt and it was over super quick. Then she peeled off the cast and left.

Dr Reish came to check things out then. He told me that my radix was swollen and would go down, same with the bridge and tip especially. Then he let me look in the mirror. I asked about the tip seeming too high, and he assured me it would drop and that it was in the perfect place for the dropping the right amount. Right away, I was really pleased with it! It was definitely swollen, but honestly not far off from what I imagined the final look to be.

After that, I made a followup appointment and picked up some of the scar cream they recommended (I want to say it was $50).

Sleeping was a little more difficult without the cast that first week after removal. It felt like there's more pressure with the cast off for some reason, but being able to breathe better through my nose was amazing! I was also a little congested feeling, I think from the swelling. Gradually those sensations have gotten better, but still doesn't feel normal. I never had any numbness, but my nose is still a little tender.

Along the way, I had some worries, but everything Dr Reish told me at the cast removal was true. The tip dropped and I love the placement. The uneven swelling that made it look crooked has gone away. I'm about three months out and really love it so far. They tell me it will just keep getting better!

I had bruises under my eyes that didn't go away for about 4 weeks. I think this might be particular to me though, because my skin is quite pale.

I wanted a subtle, natural-looking result that would improve my self-esteem and that's exactly what I got. He and his office have been incredibly responsive and positive at every turn.

I would recommend following him on instagram and looking at all the Q&As on his story highlights. All during shutdown he allowed people to ask him questions on Instagram and he gave really good answers. I asked a couple questions there myself. I found this a lot more helpful than the printed out pre and post-op instructions his office gave me. I read those, too, of course, but he does a great job on Instagram with questions.

I know this is super long, but I hope it's helpful to someone! I really think you'll be in good hands if you choose him.

Even when I've been nervous about things (raised tip or uneven swelling), i would just look at his before and afters and tell myself-"These all look perfect. I'm not going to be the one person he didn't do a perfect job on," and I really believe that's true:)