Rhinoseptoplasty 100% HAPPY

I have wanted to fix the large bump on my nose since I was 12. I wasn't comfortable sitting at a red light and having people turn their heads in cars next to me to look at me, or walking across the street or going to a social setting...anything! I hated it all. I know I have good qualities about myself but I also know that there is one big thing weighing on my self confidence- and it was in the center of my face!
I met with a surgeon in dallas a year prior to meeting with Dr. Kurkjian, and although I really liked him, I needed to look around more. After seeing some of his before and after pics, I was hooked! Not to mention during our consultation he mentioned he worked on countless girls my age who also had issues with their noses. So knowing he can work well with my population also helped me feel more at ease. Not to mention he is board certified, did his residency at UTSW (graduated top 3% of his class), and attended medical school at my alma mater (Boomer Sooner!)!
Day 1:
The surgery took over 3 hours and I woke up very nauseous, even throwing up a few times. This is because I wasn't used to being under for so long since I am usually fine under anesthesia! Everything went smooth and he explained to my mom that while he was in there (my nose haha), he saw my septum was much more deviated than he thought so I actually ended up with internal splints up my nose. This is a blessing in disguise (even though the splints are NOT fun to have) because my nose was noticeably crooked in the front, which also made me have a hook nose when I smiled.
I was drugged up all day so I don't remember much.
*IMPORTANT* Dr. K actually texted me the night of surgery to see how I was doing. WHAT! How nice! I was blown away by the bedside manner and felt so so appreciated. You have so many questions after a procedure like this so just to know he cared and was at least thinking about how I was doing was very nice. Also, since a breathing tube is inserted into your throat during the surgery, your throat hurts for the first day. I was extremely hoarse so I know this is why he texted and didn't call.
Day 2-3:
Swelling reached it's max on day 2 and on day 3 the bruising started to turn yellow (sign of healing). One thing to do is constantly eat fresh pineapple (helps with bruising) and constantly take or apply topically Arnica. These two things helped me GREATLY in terms of healing. By the end of the week the swelling had gone down to my cheeks (kind of like post-wisdom teeth swelling) but it all was gone come day 7. On day 2 and 3 I realized I was allergic to my pain medication and that pain medication also messed with my stomach. So yeah...worst 2 days by far. Not a walk in the park by any means.
Day 4-8:
I started going out in public which horrified some people I am sure (swollen cheeks, yellow circle under my eyes, dried black blood coming from my nostrils...). The worst part here was that I couldnt breathe at all. Like...at all. This is different than just a rhinoplasty because since I had a lot of work done on my septum and had those splints in, I was 100% blocked in my airway. This caused me to have horrible drainage (blood and mucus) 24/7...sometimes I felt like I was drowning in it (gross I know). It was dreadful and come the end of the 8 days this is the only thing that was bothering me. It took everything in me to not drive to his office and get those dang splints out but I appreciate it in the end because without them, my septum could've shifted which would've been horrible!
Day 8:
Cast and splints come out! It was an easy process...the splint removal was painless but man they are huge. And wow covered in dried blood. The worst part was the stitch removal.
I went out to dinner and to a Dallas Stars game to night of my cast removal- that should go to show how normal I looked! I am 10000000% proud of myself for doing this and going through with it. I am 22 but I still wish I got it done years prior. To anyone contemplating it- DO IT! Find a good, certified, reputable surgeon who works with people like you and has stellar reviews. You won't regret it!

I still haven’t worn my glasses but I’ve gone back to hot yoga and exercise as normal! I’ve also blown my nose like usual. Still waiting on my tip to die down in terms of the complete swelling, but I’m happy with the progress!