POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty Reviews
Rhinoplasty - poor choice! Excessively shortened nose & turned it up
UPDATED FROM penelopenose
5 years 5 mo. post revision LAST update
$5,999
Because I receive the same questions again and again I'm going to briefly chronicle this experience and hopefully it will cover everything again.
In late 2008 I had a botched surgery by Michelle Copeland in NYC. She removed 1 cm of my septum, literally sliced and diced my tip, and without my consent performed an alar reduction unnecessarily bringing my nostrils inward. She also, without my consent shaved the small bump on my bridge that I specifically expressed I did NOT want shaved down. The surgery lasted about 1.5 hr if not less. I initiated a lawsuit against her and her lawyer called me to settle which I did. A lawsuit against someone who is licensed to cut people up goes on public record so they'll avoid it if they can. A refund was all I got and I was lucky to get even that. Lawsuits for elective surgery are not easy to win.
One year later in late 2009 I had a revision surgery with Dr. Thomas Le in Baltimore MD. After I consulted with him (he spend about 1.5 hours with me) I knew he was the one. He specializes in trauma patients and reconstructed noses worse than mine. He added back 1 cm to my length using septum that I still had plenty of thankfully. He also fully reconstructed my tip using rib cartilage harvested from myself. I suppose that's called a graft. It was not and is not painful and I have a very small 3/4 inch scar that is barely visible. That surgery took 9 hours. In Jan 2012 I went back for a minor tweak to slightly shave down the size of my tip I felt was a bit larger to my liking. I don't know how long that took. 4 hours maybe. That's all folks. My tip is harder to the touch than a natural nose but it's fine. No problems breathing or anything else. Yes, it takes awhile to get imaging from Dr. Le but I kept emailing. He's likely much busier now than when I consulted with him so it probably takes longer. If I don't mention any issues I had going in (valve collapse or whatever else) it means I had none. I just had a really horrifying primary surgery and grateful to have found Dr. Le to restore my nose to appear natural and function well and with longevity. Anything else I haven't shared here means it's private, like costs, how much I got refunded, and whatever else. Additionally, if I haven't posted any info about any other grafting it means there wasn't any. I believe this is a fully comprehensive report of my entire experience minus the emotional trauma. All the best to you who have suffered a similar fate. I hope you're as blessed as I was to find a surgeon to get you back to living your life without injury and depression.
In late 2008 I had a botched surgery by Michelle Copeland in NYC. She removed 1 cm of my septum, literally sliced and diced my tip, and without my consent performed an alar reduction unnecessarily bringing my nostrils inward. She also, without my consent shaved the small bump on my bridge that I specifically expressed I did NOT want shaved down. The surgery lasted about 1.5 hr if not less. I initiated a lawsuit against her and her lawyer called me to settle which I did. A lawsuit against someone who is licensed to cut people up goes on public record so they'll avoid it if they can. A refund was all I got and I was lucky to get even that. Lawsuits for elective surgery are not easy to win.
One year later in late 2009 I had a revision surgery with Dr. Thomas Le in Baltimore MD. After I consulted with him (he spend about 1.5 hours with me) I knew he was the one. He specializes in trauma patients and reconstructed noses worse than mine. He added back 1 cm to my length using septum that I still had plenty of thankfully. He also fully reconstructed my tip using rib cartilage harvested from myself. I suppose that's called a graft. It was not and is not painful and I have a very small 3/4 inch scar that is barely visible. That surgery took 9 hours. In Jan 2012 I went back for a minor tweak to slightly shave down the size of my tip I felt was a bit larger to my liking. I don't know how long that took. 4 hours maybe. That's all folks. My tip is harder to the touch than a natural nose but it's fine. No problems breathing or anything else. Yes, it takes awhile to get imaging from Dr. Le but I kept emailing. He's likely much busier now than when I consulted with him so it probably takes longer. If I don't mention any issues I had going in (valve collapse or whatever else) it means I had none. I just had a really horrifying primary surgery and grateful to have found Dr. Le to restore my nose to appear natural and function well and with longevity. Anything else I haven't shared here means it's private, like costs, how much I got refunded, and whatever else. Additionally, if I haven't posted any info about any other grafting it means there wasn't any. I believe this is a fully comprehensive report of my entire experience minus the emotional trauma. All the best to you who have suffered a similar fate. I hope you're as blessed as I was to find a surgeon to get you back to living your life without injury and depression.
UPDATED FROM penelopenose
5 years post revision
By popular demand, I give you photos 5 YEARS after my revision with the wonderful, skilled surgeon and artist Dr Le.
I experienced a very dark time after the first surgeon did what she did. I know many of you relate. I acted with vigilant determination and did the diligent research and footwork to rehabilitate and make myself whole once again. My work paid off and I found Dr Le.
After meeting him for the first time my gut said this is the dr who can fix this mess.
Always trust your gut.
Countless numbers of folks have asked me to post pics and I've declined the demands. I don't respond to people who don't trust my word, claim I have an obligation to post pics, accuse me of irresponsibility for not updating pics, or give me the impression they need to judge based on their expectation.
I posted my review against the surgeon and gave my advice to do your research. I voluntarily posted photos.
I'm compelled to express again that I'm not obligated to keep this post or photos visible or to update it. Snarky messages are ignored.
One person inspired me to post pics and this person didn't even ask me to. I felt strong empathy for this person and sad that this person has missed out on a lot of joy and possibilities due to his own horrifying experience.
"F'ed up face", it takes a lot of strength and courage to share your vulnerability without expecting or demanding someone provide you with the capability in dealing with the situation and to move forward. I'm afraid you may feel you have nothing more to lose in life but the fact that you get out of bed every day means you have the strength to get through another day. There is hope.
I experienced a very dark time after the first surgeon did what she did. I know many of you relate. I acted with vigilant determination and did the diligent research and footwork to rehabilitate and make myself whole once again. My work paid off and I found Dr Le.
After meeting him for the first time my gut said this is the dr who can fix this mess.
Always trust your gut.
Countless numbers of folks have asked me to post pics and I've declined the demands. I don't respond to people who don't trust my word, claim I have an obligation to post pics, accuse me of irresponsibility for not updating pics, or give me the impression they need to judge based on their expectation.
I posted my review against the surgeon and gave my advice to do your research. I voluntarily posted photos.
I'm compelled to express again that I'm not obligated to keep this post or photos visible or to update it. Snarky messages are ignored.
One person inspired me to post pics and this person didn't even ask me to. I felt strong empathy for this person and sad that this person has missed out on a lot of joy and possibilities due to his own horrifying experience.
"F'ed up face", it takes a lot of strength and courage to share your vulnerability without expecting or demanding someone provide you with the capability in dealing with the situation and to move forward. I'm afraid you may feel you have nothing more to lose in life but the fact that you get out of bed every day means you have the strength to get through another day. There is hope.
Replies (4)
wow! your new nose looks fantastic!!!
You look beautiful.
I hate what you had to go thru.
I don't get why a surgeon would not just do what you asked for. It's crazy. But You're very brave. & Thanks for the pics. You look so great v
WOW! thank you so much for sharing your pics! You look fantastic! Its hard to imagine that your nose was botched as it looks so nice now :) There arent many people posting photos or updates more than a year or 2 so its so great to see your nose is doing well and that you are happy :) this gives me hope. Thank you again
did you go to Thomas Le in Baltimore? Could you tell me how much you paid for a revision?
Read my post to find out who did my revision. His rates now aren't what I paid 5 years ago. Do your research and pick up the phone to call dr's to find out what they charge.
Your nose looks absolutely beautiful and natural and I would have never guessed you had such a poor result prior to your revision. Thank you for coming back and updating your review!
UPDATED FROM penelopenose
4 years post revision
As anyone who has followed the posts and comments below know, I've had a revision by Dr. Le in Nov 2009 and a minor tweak in Jan 2012. While my vision of perfection can never be achieved especially after such mutilation by named surgeon (ha!) Michelle Copeland, I'm pleased with Dr. Le's diligent efforts in constructing a new nose, replacing the mincemeat Copeland made out of my entire lower cartilage with rib cartilage.
Nothing at this point can be done with the nostril/alar reduction she took the liberty of giving me without my consent but, this wasn't a revision to "make me look pretty again". More like "make me not look deformed". I certainly appear to have a normal looking nose and I can live with it without wincing every time I look in the mirror.
I'm updating for all the people who are still commenting on this as if it happened last month and I'm seeking a revision. It was 4 years ago and my life has moved on from this. I hope you who have suffered under someone who you should trust, someone who took the Hippocratic (more like hypocrisy) oath to "first do no harm, also find the strength and determination to move on.
Nothing at this point can be done with the nostril/alar reduction she took the liberty of giving me without my consent but, this wasn't a revision to "make me look pretty again". More like "make me not look deformed". I certainly appear to have a normal looking nose and I can live with it without wincing every time I look in the mirror.
I'm updating for all the people who are still commenting on this as if it happened last month and I'm seeking a revision. It was 4 years ago and my life has moved on from this. I hope you who have suffered under someone who you should trust, someone who took the Hippocratic (more like hypocrisy) oath to "first do no harm, also find the strength and determination to move on.
Replies (5)
Wow that really sucks. Well everything happens for a reason- hope the revision goes well.
Read the update above dear. I'm 4 years post op.
4 years.
Also, what a strange thing to say. It happened for a reason? Alrighty then.
Sorry I didn't mean it in a bad way!! You're still very pretty and it's great that you moved on
Obviously Dr. Copeland had no business operating on your nose. I can't imagine the torture you've been going through for the past 4 years. I'm happy to hear you say you've moved on from this and I sincerely hope that your new doc has helped you gain some of your confidence back. Best of luck to you in the future.
Thank you Ali. Agreed, she had no business operating on my nose or even just being a surgeon. Hopefully she'll be retiring soon and relieve those who might consider going under her dull knife. I can't speak highly enough of Dr. Le and his commitment to his patients. I'm certain no other surgeon could have gotten me to this point. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness.
Thanks for your update! Do you have photos of your revision and how you look now that you wouldn't mind posting? It might help add closure to your story.
I have closure, thanks. You have my word. No more photos.
Oops, I meant closure for the folks who have followed you and given support here. I'm glad you feel closure, though! And I'm so glad to hear you've gotten past this.
I'm so happy for you that you've had a successful revision. I've been following your review for about 2 years. I was wondering if you could tell me if afterwards you saw any signs that seemed suspicious such as she didn't show you many pictures, she didn't answer your questions, etc. I haven't had my rhino yet, still doing research.
Do you mean after the surgery did I kick myself for ignoring the red flags? YES!! I ignored my feelings of doubt because I was raised to trust doctors in that they genuinely care for their patient's well being. So naive. Add insult to injury as she tried to convince me that it was a great looking nose though it wasn't remotely anything we ever discussed. My friends gasped in terror when they saw me. It was a very dark time in my life so I'll stop there.
I can't stress this enough....if your gut screams danger, run.
You'll know it. She didn't have many pictures to show me and when I asked for more photos and confirmation that she understood my goals, she got irritated and impatient with me. The ultimate was the morning of surgery when I see her with bloodshot eyes and she asks me "What are we doing today?" I don't know why I didn't get dressed and run for my life. I thought, what a cocky "B" but probably she really knew what she was doing (wrong!!). I was only making excuses for the feelings in my gut. After my first consultation with Dr. Le, I had nothing but the utmost confidence in his ability as a surgeon AND as a decent human being. If you don't feel total confidence in a dr, move on and keep lookng until you do.
I'm so sorry for what happened to you. It reminds of my own story. I had my surgery done with a surgeon whom I "hated" after my initial consultation and only returned to him after another MD's advice and against my gut feelings. The morning of my surgery he was running late and told me, "so, we're going yo do tip plasty", I gasped in disbelief! I had specifically told him I only wanted alarplasty and septo and nothing else!!! Read my review to see what he did to me!
Hi Penelope, could you just answer this one question? Would you go to Dr Le for a primary if you had the opportunity? I'm assuming you probably would've never had surgery if you could go back, but if you HAD to choose would Le be a good choice for a primary--or is he primarily good for revisions? Thanks
Hi prodigious. You've been on these boards for 5-6 years now haven't you? Are you still looking for a primary?
To answer your question, absolutely unequivocally, hands down, YES, I would have used Dr Le if I could go back in time and choose my primary. I don't understand the logic of being a great revisionist and mediocre primary surgeon. It's like saying oh, my construction guy built my house and laid the foundation but he's not very good at hanging shelves. Get what I'm saying? There may be better analogies but something like this cones to mind.
yes it's been quite awhile you are correct. Still trying to find the right guy for this ethnic face of mine. Thank you so much for your prompt reply and sorry for all the suffering you've been through in the past
Please don't do it. And, if you decide to do it one day, do your homework thoroughly and go with your guts. Don't don't let anyone ruin your face and life like what was done to me.
it's stories like this that discourage me from getting a nose job (even though I want one) and just appreciate the nose I was born with.





Replies (4)
I have been under a few times. I usually get sick when I wake up, but the last time the doctor added some anti-nausea medicine when he put me under. You might find this FAQ helpful as well:Â
Is General Anesthesia Safer Than Sedation?