Mixed Race Rhinoplasty with Nose Tip Tumor Removal

Stats/Factors: Female, Half-Asian, 20's, thick skin, nasal tip tumor

Backstory: From childbirth I have had a vascular tumor on the end of my nose. Procedure at the time was to allow it to resolve, which left me disfigured and without a nose I ever felt was "mine". Of course life was difficult at best, and traumatic at worst. I tried to wait it out, but as I got older I became more dissatisfied knowing that I just never got to see what I would have looked like had I not been born with this defect. I finally got fed up, and after days of careful review, selected Dr. Ransom due to his experience working with a variety of ethnicities and his ability to still make people seem "themselves". I wasn't looking for anything that wasn't authentic to my ethnicity, bone structure, and face shape.

Consultation: Dr. Ransom was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He was open to any and all questions and answered extremely honesty regarding revisions rates, the unique complexity and challenges of my case, and expectations. I did not for a single second ever doubt his intentions, authenticity, or skill. As an aside, Jillian and Dee are truly wonderful, funny, and enjoyable women to be around. They never make me feel like a bother, and I do truly feel welcomed and cared about as a patient.

Procedure: My case was particularly complex as the mass in my nose was extremely sizeable. An incision on the front of my nose had to be made in order to properly excise everything and proceed with the regular part of the rhinoplasty. Amazingly simple and stress-free. The whole team (and I am sorry but I did lose the paper with their names and will update if possible) was stellar and before I knew it I was awake and done with surgery.

Post-Op: I felt minimal pain, was able to eat and drink after, and was able to breathe via the splints placed in my nose rather than simple packing. I only felt minimal pain during recovery. The worst part was sleeping sitting up as a lifelong no pillow back sleeper. Suture removal was virtually painless, and splint and cast removal was frankly exciting. Due to the particularly complicated nature of my nose and the resulting incisions, I have had to come in regularly for post-op monitoring. I do not mind one bit, although it is quite a commute, because he is so attentive. The fact that he wants to so carefully monitor progress and development is reassuring and dampens down any chance of worry. Even as late as my last appointment with him in November, he was still cheerful, answering questions, and working with me on the appearance of the scar site (which looks very nice).

Results: I do think the photos speak for themselves. If I ever have any other concerns in his area of expertise, I will not hesitate to seek him out. My life has changed. No longer do I have to deal with awkward hedging and questions, cruelty, or even well-intentioned comments like “You'd be a 10 if only...” As far as myself, I finally feel a sense of peace regarding my appearance. I do feel like I look like “me”! He not only managed to make a completely natural and fitting nose in spite of a large vascular tumor, he managed to still retain aspects of my ethnicity. My mind matches with my appearance, and my confidence is no longer a front. This has been the first time in my entire life where I have actually felt happy with my appearance.