Should Have Done It Years Ago....

I have always been self-conscious about my nose. So self-conscious, in fact, that I never talked about it. My nose wasn't like a couple extra pounds that my best girlfriend could help me disguise in a new pair of jeans. I didn't consider rhinoplasty in my teens, twenties, or thirties because my insecurities ran far more profound than the tip of my nose. I was petrified that I wasn't pretty or glamorous enough to walk into a fancy plastic surgeon's office and ask him to perfect my facial features. I pictured an opulent office, a doctor in a silk suit and shiny shoes, and 2-dimensional women from the pages of magazines filling a waiting room. It wasn't until my 40s when my allergies flared, and an ENT encouraged me to explore nasal surgery to relieve some of the symptoms that I considered rhinoplasty.
Enter, Dr. Jacono and his office of New York Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jacono and his office are not pretentious or fake. The women at the front desk are genuinely engaging and welcome you like a guest into their living room. The entire staff is tremendously warm and caring. Jamie, the patient care coordinator, answered my every financial, scheduling, or medical question with extreme patience. I'm sure I asked her a million questions and then asked them all again. During my time with Dr. Alemi, he humored my insecurities and laughed (only the perfect amount) when I asked him if I was too old for rhinoplasty. The grand finale of the office experience is Dr. Jacono. He listens and thoughtfully shares his experienced opinion, and empathizes with the enormity of a patient entrusting him with their face. I do not seek out medical procedures. I don't like hospitals, needles, or pain. Even today, I still feel worthy of praise for voluntarily getting pregnant and subjecting myself to childbirth. After meeting Dr. Jacono and his staff, I can't imagine trusting anyone as confidently. On the day of my surgery, I awkwardly waited with purple lines all over my nose in my gown and booties for my doctors (too attractive to make anyone comfortable in such a situation). They appeared, and although I knew they were busy and ready to get on with another surgery, they were funny and patient. Dr. Jacono walked me through the entire procedure, and then before he left, he said, "now, what do you need to tell me?" He and I both knew there was nothing I could tell him that he wasn't already on top of, but he had time to listen to whatever rational or irrational concern I needed to share. After that, I went into surgery without a moment of hesitancy.
Three weeks since surgery and my nose looks more natural than I could have imagined. Now, when I look in the mirror, I see ME first—my eyes, my smile, my happiness—and then all the little things I want to critique. I can't recommend an office, staff, or a doctor more emphatically (and if you go, take me with you so I can say, "hello" again).