POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty Reviews
1.5 years revision rhinoplasty - bump on bridge & slight crooked tip remains
ORIGINAL POST
Go Elsewhere Unless You Want Extremely Minor Results.
$10,001
It’s been over a year and a half since I had a revision rhinoplasty with Dr Portuese. What I would describe as an underwhelming experience and very costly ($10,000)
I’ve waited to write this review to give full year for swelling to go down- and for numerous attempts at reaching out to his staff for follow up appointments. As a way to be fair when writing a review.
I’ll start by saying my main reason for going to Dr Portuese was simply location. I wanted to go somewhere close to home so I could revisit the surgeon easily after having a bad experience in California following a sinus/rhinoplasty the year prior.
Revision rhinoplasties are complicated and after seeing dr Portuese he assured me he could straighten my nose and thin it. He also promised to do any adjustments or corrections for free if after surgery it was needed- he was honest and open to the fact that not all rhinoplasties are perfect following surgery but that whatever needed to be fixed, would be. This was a huge relief and sold me on having him as a surgeon. After my previous experience I really liked the fact he was open and said he would make the proper adjustments if needed.
There was not a whole lot of communication before the surgery and I went in a little concerned he wasn’t taking in to account what I wanted VS what he always did (check his Instagram out, 9/10 noses look the same) he specializes in lifting columellas and shaving dorsal humps. He rarely posts photos of noses straight on, and I would imagine it’s because he doesn’t often have success with thinning wide noses or straightening crooked ones.
Either way I woke from surgery in A LOT of pain and the nurse was quick to try to get me dressed and out of there as Dr was already in another surgery and the space I was occupying was to be used for that next patient. No visit from Dr to go over how the procedure went which was disappointing.
In general it felt like they had secured the money and mimicked a conveyor belt of patients in and out as quick as possible.
After a few days at home I had to reach out for aftercare as nothing was printed for me to take home.
At my week follow up I was swollen but my nose did look pretty straight after removing cast - however within a week or so later (as swelling continued to go down) it was clear I had a partial dorsal hump on my right side. This was bothersome but I was assured by Dr Portuese and staff that it was just my skin readjusting to new nose structure so to give it time to go down.
If it didn’t, he would correct it.
Another problem was asymmetrical nostrils /swelling so I had to have three shots of cortisone (all different appointments) over a three month period -I did ask about taping my nose but that was never given nor advised.
Another huge concern was that I could not breathe at all from my right side. I was told this would also improve over time.
Throughout the year the swelling gradually went down and overall my nose had improved but my breathing barely did and the bump/knot on my bridge remained as well as a slight crooked tip. Once the one year mark passed I reached back out and was told Dr Portuese would not agree to an in person follow up but wanted photos sent instead. I did voice my disappointment with that as in person it was much easier to see and even feel but of course I complied and sent the requested pictures.
Following the pictures I sent, I was told it wasn’t “bad enough” to risk trying to correct it - and only offered a phone call with Dr to explain why.
The entire experience has been so disappointing. Had I known this is how I would be treated after trusting this doctor and staff I wouldn’t have chosen him nor paid $10,000 for this surgery.
My true advice to you is not to see this doctor unless money is not an issue AND you have minor adjustments that need to be made.
He is not a good option for anyone who needs a lot of work done - real corrections/ straightening /thinning ect. And you can find other reviews that state the same thing (as well as the fact he DOES NOT correct his work even though he says he will )
The one positive I have is that his front of house staff are pleasant and quick to respond to emails (even if it is only to tell you to wait to full year for any kind of help)
I’ve waited to write this review to give full year for swelling to go down- and for numerous attempts at reaching out to his staff for follow up appointments. As a way to be fair when writing a review.
I’ll start by saying my main reason for going to Dr Portuese was simply location. I wanted to go somewhere close to home so I could revisit the surgeon easily after having a bad experience in California following a sinus/rhinoplasty the year prior.
Revision rhinoplasties are complicated and after seeing dr Portuese he assured me he could straighten my nose and thin it. He also promised to do any adjustments or corrections for free if after surgery it was needed- he was honest and open to the fact that not all rhinoplasties are perfect following surgery but that whatever needed to be fixed, would be. This was a huge relief and sold me on having him as a surgeon. After my previous experience I really liked the fact he was open and said he would make the proper adjustments if needed.
There was not a whole lot of communication before the surgery and I went in a little concerned he wasn’t taking in to account what I wanted VS what he always did (check his Instagram out, 9/10 noses look the same) he specializes in lifting columellas and shaving dorsal humps. He rarely posts photos of noses straight on, and I would imagine it’s because he doesn’t often have success with thinning wide noses or straightening crooked ones.
Either way I woke from surgery in A LOT of pain and the nurse was quick to try to get me dressed and out of there as Dr was already in another surgery and the space I was occupying was to be used for that next patient. No visit from Dr to go over how the procedure went which was disappointing.
In general it felt like they had secured the money and mimicked a conveyor belt of patients in and out as quick as possible.
After a few days at home I had to reach out for aftercare as nothing was printed for me to take home.
At my week follow up I was swollen but my nose did look pretty straight after removing cast - however within a week or so later (as swelling continued to go down) it was clear I had a partial dorsal hump on my right side. This was bothersome but I was assured by Dr Portuese and staff that it was just my skin readjusting to new nose structure so to give it time to go down.
If it didn’t, he would correct it.
Another problem was asymmetrical nostrils /swelling so I had to have three shots of cortisone (all different appointments) over a three month period -I did ask about taping my nose but that was never given nor advised.
Another huge concern was that I could not breathe at all from my right side. I was told this would also improve over time.
Throughout the year the swelling gradually went down and overall my nose had improved but my breathing barely did and the bump/knot on my bridge remained as well as a slight crooked tip. Once the one year mark passed I reached back out and was told Dr Portuese would not agree to an in person follow up but wanted photos sent instead. I did voice my disappointment with that as in person it was much easier to see and even feel but of course I complied and sent the requested pictures.
Following the pictures I sent, I was told it wasn’t “bad enough” to risk trying to correct it - and only offered a phone call with Dr to explain why.
The entire experience has been so disappointing. Had I known this is how I would be treated after trusting this doctor and staff I wouldn’t have chosen him nor paid $10,000 for this surgery.
My true advice to you is not to see this doctor unless money is not an issue AND you have minor adjustments that need to be made.
He is not a good option for anyone who needs a lot of work done - real corrections/ straightening /thinning ect. And you can find other reviews that state the same thing (as well as the fact he DOES NOT correct his work even though he says he will )
The one positive I have is that his front of house staff are pleasant and quick to respond to emails (even if it is only to tell you to wait to full year for any kind of help)
lindseaD's provider
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