Rhinoplasty by prof.dr.Umit Taskin

Why did I decide to get a rhinoplasty?
I’ve always been insecure about my nose, as it had a very prominent bridge and the tip was kind of dripping. It was destroying was side profile, especially when I was laughing. I was always very stressed about it, my moves became automatic, always turning my head if someone looked from aside. I didn’t have any breathing problems surprisingly, but I still decided to go for a nose job.

I talked to dr. Umit and I was supposed to be at the Memorial Hospital at 7 a.m. It’s better to be there even earlier. I went to the reception and then they sent me to the right where there was a big waiting room. I walked till the end of it and there is an office where you should enter and someone asks for your name, surname, to get you registered and to give your room card. After you give all the information and your passport, you’re given a room. I went there with both my parents so they gave us a double room. It was honestly better than any hotel :)) I can’t even describe how luxurious and comfortable everything is. The whole hospital is like this. I was walked to my room and soon after a nurse came to put in the catheter and to take blood for the needed tests. After that I had to sign a bunch of papers to accept the terms and surgery and all of that. Then the anesthesiologist came and asked me if I have any allergies to medication, what’s my mass, my height and other details. He knew a little bit of English but the rest basically don’t know at all. Luckily we have a family friend that has been living for 10+ years in Istanbul and she came to help us understand. So I suggest you find a really great translating app to understand at least something. After that doctor Umit came before my surgery and asked me what I don’t like about my nose and how I would like it to look. I showed him my wish pics and he told me we would get a nice result. He also asked if I had any breathing problems which I don’t. Then he took some photos from different angles and told me that the surgery will be in 2 hours. By the way, I wasn’t able to connect to the internet in the hospital because I didn’t have roaming, so I could get a confirmation code. Be aware you might not be able to have internet. I personally downloaded some Netflix series which made the waiting more pleasant :)

At 11 a.m some nurses entered my room, I was already dressed in the clothes they gave me and I laid down so I could be brought to the surgery room. They put in my catheter a sort of medication that was supposed to calm me down before surgery. In truth I think they put it way too fast, as it knocked me down and I fell asleep. I can’t say it was comfortable, I immediately felt dizzy and a little nausea too but it passed quickly. I remember like through a dream how they brought me a couple floors down by the surgery room. It was SO COLD. But I wasn’t nervous at all. When I was waiting, I saw doctors and nurses constantly coming out of different rooms and I was just staring at them haha I felt so calm I was embarrassed. While I was waiting, my doctor asked me what city I’m from and talked to me a little to calm me down. Then, they brought me inside and moved me to the operation table. I was starting to feel nervous. There were like 4 people around me. I was asked if I had any metal on my body, then they told me to relax. After 2 minutes or so they put the medication that knocks you out completely and oh my god. It was the most uncomfortable and terrifying feeling ever. You know how you’re supposed to fall asleep slowly and it should all be dreamy and sweet, well no. I instantly felt heat running through my body, my ears were screaming, I was SO dizzy and my brain felt like it was cracking. I thought my head was about to explode. I felt scared for a few seconds but I fell asleep immediately. After that, I only remember how they were trying to wake me up, screaming at me to wake up and the first thing they said was not to touch my face and guess what. That’s exactly what I did because I had some leftovers of a gel they put to protect the eyes. Remember to keep your eyes open and not to touch our face. I was brought back to my room and I did it feel any pain, just a little uncomfortable because you have a lot of pressure on your nose. The only thing that was making me feel bad was the stomach. I felt nauseous and my stomach was hard like a rock. But this happens to very few people and it happened to me because my stomach is very sensible from childhood. If you don’t have any problems then you’re lucky because you won’t feel any pain at all. But I felt like I was about to throw up, and the constant nausea was very uncomfortable. I had to put ice for 45 minutes and then rest for 15 minutes for 6 hours. Then I put ice after longer periods of time. Ice made me feel a LOT better. It calmed my whole body down. I recommend you bring one of those pillows that you usually need on planes because they’re really comfortable and not only keep your head in place, but also it is way more comfortable than a normal pillow. I still sleep with it also something that really helps you get thorough the recovery process faster is water. Have a glass of water and a straw to drink from time to time. At the begging I didn’t drink water but when I started to, I felt a big change for the better. The day after surgery I wasn’t swollen but I couldn’t feel my upper lip and couldn’t breathe of course and also no appetite or taste. It’s hard to talk because you’re very tired afterwards, not sleepy but just tired. I don’t remember much from that day, it’s very easy to forget.