Rhinoplasty + Septoplasty Didn’t Get What I Asked For

My main goal getting this surgery was to lift my droopy columella. I also had trouble breathing for one side of my nose. I made the 3 hour trip to Dr Kolstads office many times just to make sure that my goals were realistic, prior to the surgery. I showed him photos from his website for what I was looking for.. he assured me this was no problem and I didn’t need much else don’t to my nose. I was very optimistic, but he did not do it. He did not use the technique he used on the other patients to lift their columella, in fact, my post op nose look like their pre op nose. The digitalization he made looks nothing like what I was given.
In addition to the droopier and uneven nostrils (mainly right side), I have a huge wart-looking bump on my left nostril. One month post op, dr kolstad had to perform a scarplasty because the suture line looked crooked. I thought that the scar plasty would remove the huge bump, but it did not. The scarplasty was traumatizing and painful. Unfortunately, one thing after another was going wrong.
I paid $14,000, didn’t get what I asked for, and have a less appealing nose than my before. He took my insecurity and magnified it. Even worse is now the fear of how many surgery’s, how much money am I going to need to spend to fix it and if this is ever going to look normal again. This is devastating. How did this happen? After at least 4 visits before my surgery, and even right before surgery the only thing I repeatedly said was “lift the droopy nostril” HOW did he not fix it during surgery? Nothing about my nose mattered more than lifting the columella, I would not have gotten this procedure done for any other reason. I could have gotten a septoplasty for free through my insurance! I am pretty discouraged at this point because at 3 months out, I am sure the shape of my nostrils are not changing.
When i expressed my concerns to Dr Kolstad he told me I shouldn’t be picky and no ones nose will ever look perfect. It’s not fair for him to say that when he agreed to fix something but did not. He said my nose would look natural and the scar would be hardly visible. But the reality is… people have asked me what I had done to my nose. It is quite obvious with the bump and scars showing. Unbelievable. I am 3 months out and so far nothing he has said has been accurate. I did not need this surgery and wish I could take it back.

Biggest regret of my life.
Please think twice about getting surgery. I thought I was going to an experienced surgeon and that I had nothing to worry about. But remember that they only post the before and after photos of the surgeries that turned out well. I wish I could take back this surgery now have to deal with a lot more problems.