Three Facial Procedures - Rhinoplasty - Scottsdale, AZ

17.5 weeks Postop!!

I'm so sorry I didn't stay on top of this like I thought I would, but life happens...I have had a couple of postop visits now, most recently four days ago. I still get tip/bridge swelling and my PS said that is totally normal which is why they say wait a YEAR for your final result (it has been around 4 months for me). I love my new nose, I am extremely glad I had this done!

I have had one minor complication, and I saw it coming almost immediately. In the incision line of my left nostril, I developed a bump of scar tissue. It presented as a white knot that grew in size the first couple months. When I had my second follow up (two months after the procedure), the PS gave me a steroid shot in that bump to reduce its size. I had a feeling that wasn't going to help. A couple of days later, I got a real good look at it and saw a couple of holes in my skin around it. I believe, honestly, that my skin didn't completely close where the incision was and was forming scar tissue or new skin WITHIN the incision. Painful as it was (and likely the wrong thing to do myself!), I took a pair of tiny pointed scissors and snipped one of the open edges. Then I put a LOT of pressure on the opposite side...and sure enough, out popped a hard core of tissue! Since then it has not recurred, but there is still a tiny white piece of skin there.

When I met with my PS this past week, we discussed how my nostrils are still slightly flared and he offered to fix them in his office later this year. At that time, I'm sure my one small complication will also be dealt with. Overall, I'm very happy with my rhinoplasty four months post-op!

POST OP DAYS 15-17: The tape came off on Day 15...and...wow! New nose! I was given instruction to "massage" it to help reduce the swelling (pinch bridge and push fingers down towards cheeks, hold; move to another section of the bridge and repeat...). I was bruised on my eyelids and cheeks still, and while my PS couldn't offer a suggestion, I bought two gel eye masks (one for warm and one for cold) and by alternating warm compress with cold I have been able to get rid of almost all the bruising. To warm the mask, put it in a large ziplock bag, microwave an 8 cup measuring cup of water, then submerge the bagged mask in the water. After about 5 minutes the gel has warmed up and you take the mask out of the ziplock bag and put it on your eyes/cheeks. Once it cools off, take the other mask (which has been in the refrigerator) out and put that one on. In 2 days time, a few times a day, I have no more bruises. Still no pain, but I will say it is very tender - bumping my nose and "massaging" it isn't real comfortable. My reading glasses are a challenge, too, now - while it was casted/taped, the glasses didn't bother me but now if they are on for more than ten seconds it gets pretty uncomfortable.

POST OP DAY 12: Ok, I think we can officially say my nose has become an alien production facility. Some pretty bizarre stuff is being sneezed/blown out a few times a week. I also have a recurring dull headache. However, some of that may be brought on by the fact that I'm not getting enough rest (two businesses to babysit) and I am going to stress like never before you REAllY need to take it easy during recovery. Also, the daily fluctuations in my swelling has caused my skin everywhere from my eyes down to my chin (nose included) to peel. Good news: the tape comes off in THREE DAYS!! :) BTW, I still have some stitches inside my nose.