POSTED UNDER Rhinoplasty REVIEWS
Have Finally Done It! 44 Yr Old Fixing a Nasal Deformity. The Family Nose :( - Seattle, WA
ORIGINAL POST
I waited until now to post a review or any...
WORTH IT$8,000
I waited until now to post a review or any pictures of my path to a new nose, but I'd like to keep track of my progress. All the reviews and photos, advice and concerns from each of these have been helpful to me. I've read a lot of them! Maybe my review can help someone too. All my adult life my nose has been crooked, but nearly every one said it wasn't, or it's not that bad, or it's just "your" nose. I think most people were scared to tell me or didn't want to hurt my feelings. In these days of digitals and selfies, it is in my face!, so to speak, and cannot be ignored. My boyfriend and love supported my choice and was one to say, "Yeah, it's crooked, but you're gorgeous and I love you anyway". This would have been very difficult to do without him.
I have posted a side before pic, and 1 day side post op pic.(they look upside down, not sure why..) I'll post more later and maybe post the awful clinical shots. Haha. It will inspire, I hope, someone who felt like I did, i.e. Afraid of the camera, anxious, but getting on with life anyway.
I chose Dr. Portuese and highly recommend his office and surgical center in Seattle. After corresponding with his staff via email and phone, we flew down for my scheduled consultation and following days surgery.
I could write pages of how helpful his entire staff is, how friendly, personable, and well-informed, talented, and professional. You can not go wrong with this office. They even have so many fun recommendations for our stay in Seattle!
My surgery went great. Nothing out of the ordinary and like many others have already described. I did have blood/drainage and changed the bandage under my nose every 1/2 hr or so for 6-8 hrs afterward. Pain is not bad, with rx, and using a cold compress to minimize bruising. Low Salt diet for a few weeks, maybe months! That's good for me anyway.
I'll follow up with more pre and post-op photos. I never wanted a cute, pert nose. Just a straight one. I think Dr Portuese has delivered.
I have posted a side before pic, and 1 day side post op pic.(they look upside down, not sure why..) I'll post more later and maybe post the awful clinical shots. Haha. It will inspire, I hope, someone who felt like I did, i.e. Afraid of the camera, anxious, but getting on with life anyway.
I chose Dr. Portuese and highly recommend his office and surgical center in Seattle. After corresponding with his staff via email and phone, we flew down for my scheduled consultation and following days surgery.
I could write pages of how helpful his entire staff is, how friendly, personable, and well-informed, talented, and professional. You can not go wrong with this office. They even have so many fun recommendations for our stay in Seattle!
My surgery went great. Nothing out of the ordinary and like many others have already described. I did have blood/drainage and changed the bandage under my nose every 1/2 hr or so for 6-8 hrs afterward. Pain is not bad, with rx, and using a cold compress to minimize bruising. Low Salt diet for a few weeks, maybe months! That's good for me anyway.
I'll follow up with more pre and post-op photos. I never wanted a cute, pert nose. Just a straight one. I think Dr Portuese has delivered.
mollynose's provider
Replies (4)
March 20, 2016
I'm so glad you shared! I'm going in for mine in a few weeks and also hope for a straight, (not pert) nose. Please keep us updated! Heal well! We're about the same age, too. What over the counter products have been helpful in your first post-op days? How have you been sleeping? What has your boyfriend done that was helpful? my husband wants to know how much one-on-one oversight I'll need the first few days - whether flying in a friend with me or just putting me up in a hotel would be enough. Are you able to see/eat/go to the bathroom alone? Have you been ok just hanging out alone for a few hours a day, or do you need someone to help 24/7? I'm flying from out of town so my options are fewer than if I were doing it local. Take it easy and share anything you feel you want to share!
March 21, 2016
Thanks for commenting and for the questions! We arrived one day early, from out of town, to settle in the hotel (2 blocks from dr office). We had enough time to stock the fridge with juice, water, some yogurt, stuff for after surgery. Also, a cold pack from the first aide isle. Not frozen, but refrigerated. It has helped with swelling. I bought arnica oil while I was here, (also helps with swelling an bruising) and lots of qtips and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning nose.
You must have someone with you the first 24 hrs. I could see, move around, and all that, but it's important to have someone there in case you can't or have difficulty after surgery. After that, the company is nice, but you can get by. I haven't been shy about going out into public, and it helps to get out. My boyfriend decided to stay the whole 10 days, and we've made quite a trip out of it.
You must have someone with you the first 24 hrs. I could see, move around, and all that, but it's important to have someone there in case you can't or have difficulty after surgery. After that, the company is nice, but you can get by. I haven't been shy about going out into public, and it helps to get out. My boyfriend decided to stay the whole 10 days, and we've made quite a trip out of it.
UPDATED FROM mollynose
4 days post
4 Days Post Op!
Today it feels like I have severe allergies and my nose will never become unstuffy. It is hard to the touch, and hurts when I do. I continue to clean with just the tip of a qtip and have used Oceana saline spray just twice. I also recommend soothing eye drops. Lots of purple around eyes but most of the puffiness has gone done (no more New York style pizza, ahem...) . The splint is bothersome, but holds my glasses well. Two more days and the splint is removed. Can barely stand it. So, to keep busy, we've been all over town doing tourist things. I get some weird stares, but I don't mind. Only two people have asked (while at a store and once on a tour) what happened. They both had a "nose" story to share and were very nice. On a sailboat tour, a reporter from the Seattle Times was along, doing a write up on sailing, etc. He was taking tons of photos, then mentioned that if we didn't want our photo taken for any reason, just say so. Hello! "No Photos, Please!" The boat had a good laugh, and eased any tension anyone may have had due to my bandage and bruises. I recommend anyone who is healing from this surgery to go out anyway, if you're feeling good. The time will pass quicker, you'll have fun, and who cares what people think? Of course, I'm not in my hometown, either.
These photos are of a before (showing crookedness) and 4 day post op (less crook!) It is very strange to smile. Upper lip is stiff. Same with brows.
These photos are of a before (showing crookedness) and 4 day post op (less crook!) It is very strange to smile. Upper lip is stiff. Same with brows.
UPDATED FROM mollynose
6 days post
Splint comes off today!
I didn't consider how much spring allergies would affect me here, although I don't know if this pressure is normal, or enhanced by seasonal stuff. This splint feels like a brick on my face and I can't wait to get it off today!
Bruising is still dark, but fading, and puffiness has gone down. My face is peeling where it was the most swollen, and I have two tiny pimples on my nose, I also am looking forward to a proper face wash! Be sure to have lots of cotton balls and stringent face cleaner on hand, Soothing lotions and oils, too. The bridge area, between my eyes, seems raised and swollen. I'm sure that will go down after more time.
I hope to report back with a happy splint-free face! And a photo or two.
Bruising is still dark, but fading, and puffiness has gone down. My face is peeling where it was the most swollen, and I have two tiny pimples on my nose, I also am looking forward to a proper face wash! Be sure to have lots of cotton balls and stringent face cleaner on hand, Soothing lotions and oils, too. The bridge area, between my eyes, seems raised and swollen. I'm sure that will go down after more time.
I hope to report back with a happy splint-free face! And a photo or two.
Thank you for taking the time to pay it forward and share your story, so happy for you — I can't wait for the big reveal! How lovely that your boyfriend was so honest and supportive, I know what it's like to hear people say your nose looks fine but you only think they are being kind, it's nice to have an honest opinion — my husband did the same, everyone always told me my nose wasn't big but I knew that it was, and he said that he understood why I wanted to have the surgery and supported me all the way. Looking forward to your updates, good luck!