I am nearly 23, and I have absolutely hated my nose since I was 13. It is something that I think about daily so I am excited to finally start feeling better about myself.
Bad primary by Dr Portuese - Seattle, WA
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Surrey7110
- Not Worth It
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Cost:
$7,000 - Dr Portuese, Seattle, WA
I am nearly 23, and I have absolutely hated my...
So I am less than 3 weeks away from my surgery. I...
So I am less than 3 weeks away from my surgery. I am getting so anxious - now that I know it's finally happening, I just want to get it done now. I think about it every single day!!!!!
My surgery is only 2 days away. I just started...
My surgery is only 2 days away. I just started reading other peoples reviews and didn't even think to stock up on anything to help the swelling and bruising or what I was going to eat. I am so nervous I actually feel sick to my stomach. I feel like once I get my nose done, I'm either not going to like it, or I am going to find something else wrong with me and start obsessing over that. I am praying everything goes well with my surgery and I don't hate my new nose.
I only booked a week off of work, but judging from everyone elses posts, I will need more than that! I guess it's a wait and see game.
I only booked a week off of work, but judging from everyone elses posts, I will need more than that! I guess it's a wait and see game.
DAY ONE: Wow, that went alot smoother than I...
DAY ONE:
Wow, that went alot smoother than I thought. Woke up at 4am to make the long drive out to Seattle. Everyone there was so nice and made the process so much easier. I did some paper work, talked to the doctor, then went and had a nice nap. Woke up with a lot of pain, but it quickly went away after the pain medication.
The drive back to Vancouver area went pretty fast. I have been bleeding quite a bit, I hope it's normal to bleed this much...... hoping it subsides by tonight. I have only taken a few pain pills and they seem to be working well. I have VERY black eyes but it is all worth it.
So far, I'm in a really good mood and so happy I went through with this surgery. Even with the splint on and gauze under my nose, I can see a difference. My doctor said it will take a month to see the results and 3 months to see the final results. I am so excited. It looks awesome already!!!!!!!!
I will post pics as time goes on.
Wow, that went alot smoother than I thought. Woke up at 4am to make the long drive out to Seattle. Everyone there was so nice and made the process so much easier. I did some paper work, talked to the doctor, then went and had a nice nap. Woke up with a lot of pain, but it quickly went away after the pain medication.
The drive back to Vancouver area went pretty fast. I have been bleeding quite a bit, I hope it's normal to bleed this much...... hoping it subsides by tonight. I have only taken a few pain pills and they seem to be working well. I have VERY black eyes but it is all worth it.
So far, I'm in a really good mood and so happy I went through with this surgery. Even with the splint on and gauze under my nose, I can see a difference. My doctor said it will take a month to see the results and 3 months to see the final results. I am so excited. It looks awesome already!!!!!!!!
I will post pics as time goes on.
Day two/three: Wow, I feel like I got run over...
Day two/three:
Wow, I feel like I got run over by a semi truck! Day two was a pretty uncomfortable day - I spent a lot of it sleeping and reading but day three is much worse. Thankfully these pain meds make me sleepy so I have been able to sleep okay in the recliner chair at night and I have been having naps here and there throughout the day.
Usually I am the one doing the cooking and cleaning and taking care of the house so it has been SOOO nice to have my boyfriend take care of me. He made homemade chicken noodle soup last night and ran out and got me magazines, ice cream sandwiches and a smoothie. It's such a weight off my shoulders knowing I can spend the next week focusing on recovering instead of stressing about cooking and cleaning.
My eyes are so swollen right now I can't open them all the way and my nose is so stuffed up, it's driving me nuts! I want to blow it sooo bad. I tried having a shower and cleaning the bit of dried blood on my nostrils with a q tip and warm water but it's not helping. It's a very uncomfortable feeling.
Hoping today was my peak and the swelling starts to subside soon.
Wow, I feel like I got run over by a semi truck! Day two was a pretty uncomfortable day - I spent a lot of it sleeping and reading but day three is much worse. Thankfully these pain meds make me sleepy so I have been able to sleep okay in the recliner chair at night and I have been having naps here and there throughout the day.
Usually I am the one doing the cooking and cleaning and taking care of the house so it has been SOOO nice to have my boyfriend take care of me. He made homemade chicken noodle soup last night and ran out and got me magazines, ice cream sandwiches and a smoothie. It's such a weight off my shoulders knowing I can spend the next week focusing on recovering instead of stressing about cooking and cleaning.
My eyes are so swollen right now I can't open them all the way and my nose is so stuffed up, it's driving me nuts! I want to blow it sooo bad. I tried having a shower and cleaning the bit of dried blood on my nostrils with a q tip and warm water but it's not helping. It's a very uncomfortable feeling.
Hoping today was my peak and the swelling starts to subside soon.
Day three/four Oh man, I spent all of last...
Day three/four
Oh man, I spent all of last night throwing up everything that was in my stomach. Must have been the pain medication that made me so sick. I was also in and out of conciousness a lot yesterday. I took my dog outside to go pee and ended up laying down on the grass and falling asleep.
All I know is my body does not agree with those valium or vicodin or whatever I was prescribed. I went to the doctor and got tylenol 3's instead which aren't as strong. I haven;t started taking them yet..I'm a bit scared I'll have the same reaction, so as of right now I'm not taking any pain killers. It's a really uncomfortable feeling but it's not too painful.
Woke up on day four super tired, probably because I don't have any food in me.
I have to go to the bank for my brother which I am not looking forward to doing. I look like I got hit with a semi-truck. Hopefully no one says anything.
Oh man, I spent all of last night throwing up everything that was in my stomach. Must have been the pain medication that made me so sick. I was also in and out of conciousness a lot yesterday. I took my dog outside to go pee and ended up laying down on the grass and falling asleep.
All I know is my body does not agree with those valium or vicodin or whatever I was prescribed. I went to the doctor and got tylenol 3's instead which aren't as strong. I haven;t started taking them yet..I'm a bit scared I'll have the same reaction, so as of right now I'm not taking any pain killers. It's a really uncomfortable feeling but it's not too painful.
Woke up on day four super tired, probably because I don't have any food in me.
I have to go to the bank for my brother which I am not looking forward to doing. I look like I got hit with a semi-truck. Hopefully no one says anything.
Day five: Possibly the worst day so far. Not much...
day five: Possibly the worst day so far. Not much pain but I feel A LOT of pressure under the splint. I don't think I am healing as fast as the average person does. My cheeks are beyond swollen, I look like a chipmunk and I still have really black eyes - the bruising is fading into a yellowish color but still very ugly!
I can't breath through my nose at all and have lots and lots of snot dripping out. I constantly have a tissue up to my nose. Not sure if this is normal?
My body still feels exhausted. It had a hard time just putting laundry in. I broke down and started crying today - I just want to feel normal again. I hate this feeling!!! I can't wait for all this to be over and to see my new nose.
I get my split off in 2 days which is exciting. (But I do have to make a 7 hour round trip alone...boooo for having a surgeon out of my country)
I can't breath through my nose at all and have lots and lots of snot dripping out. I constantly have a tissue up to my nose. Not sure if this is normal?
My body still feels exhausted. It had a hard time just putting laundry in. I broke down and started crying today - I just want to feel normal again. I hate this feeling!!! I can't wait for all this to be over and to see my new nose.
I get my split off in 2 days which is exciting. (But I do have to make a 7 hour round trip alone...boooo for having a surgeon out of my country)
WOW! It was totally worth it. I had to hold myself...
WOW! It was totally worth it. I had to hold myself back from crying when I got the splint off. It's still SOOO swollen and tender, and the tip is probabaly bigger than it was to start with, but he said it should be almost half the size it is now. It's still soo hard to smile.
I still look like myself.. but now I don't see a huge nose when I look in the mirror. It's the weirdest feeling - and it's only going to get better. I can't even describe how excited I am right now.
I still look like myself.. but now I don't see a huge nose when I look in the mirror. It's the weirdest feeling - and it's only going to get better. I can't even describe how excited I am right now.
Day 9: My nose is stillll realllly swollen - I...
Day 9:
My nose is stillll realllly swollen - I do realize it will take a long time for it to de-swell which stinks. Also, my skin is super dry. I have been trying to put foundation on my lingering bruises but it just turns into a dry crusty mess, almost worse than not wearing makeup.
Overall, I am sooo happy with my nose. It's like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Finally, that voice inside my head has STOPPED. Wow, what an unreal feeling. I'm so happy I went through with this at my age also, instead of having insecurities about my nose throughout my life.
The only part I am trying not the think of is how much this has cost me. Not only the 7,000$ for the surgery, but taking 1.5 weeks off work, plus the extra costs on top of that..gas/meds, etc.. yikes. It is all paid off, but sometimes I think I should have paid off my student loan with this money....
I try not to think of the negatives much as this is a dream come true for me! So looking forward to seeing my nose more refined and less swollen!!!!!
My nose is stillll realllly swollen - I do realize it will take a long time for it to de-swell which stinks. Also, my skin is super dry. I have been trying to put foundation on my lingering bruises but it just turns into a dry crusty mess, almost worse than not wearing makeup.
Overall, I am sooo happy with my nose. It's like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Finally, that voice inside my head has STOPPED. Wow, what an unreal feeling. I'm so happy I went through with this at my age also, instead of having insecurities about my nose throughout my life.
The only part I am trying not the think of is how much this has cost me. Not only the 7,000$ for the surgery, but taking 1.5 weeks off work, plus the extra costs on top of that..gas/meds, etc.. yikes. It is all paid off, but sometimes I think I should have paid off my student loan with this money....
I try not to think of the negatives much as this is a dream come true for me! So looking forward to seeing my nose more refined and less swollen!!!!!
Day 11: I am back to work tomorrow. I am actually...
Day 11:
I am back to work tomorrow. I am actually pretty nervous about it - I work with behaviourally challenged children and special needs children in schools and it ends up being a pretty physical job. I regularly have to pick up younger kids freaking out, I've gotten scissors to the face, I get stuff thrown at me all the time. I guess I will have to be extra careful this week not to bump my nose.
My nose is still as swollen as it was when the splint got taken off. It's so numb and the tip is rock hard. It's hard to wash my nose area so I end up mostly just splashing water on it which is making my skin pretty bad.
I can't believe how much weight I have lost too! Oh my goodness. I have been eating like a pregnant woman yet lost 7 pounds (on my less than 100 pound frame). I can't wait to finally take my dog for a run, poor girl. My PS surgeon suggested I wait another week to raise my heart rate since I am so far away from him and he doesn't want me to get a nose bleed.
So far I am still happy with my nose. Especially when I look at old pictures. I met with a friend for the first time today and she couldn't even tell I had my nose done - until I showed her the before pictures.
I am back to work tomorrow. I am actually pretty nervous about it - I work with behaviourally challenged children and special needs children in schools and it ends up being a pretty physical job. I regularly have to pick up younger kids freaking out, I've gotten scissors to the face, I get stuff thrown at me all the time. I guess I will have to be extra careful this week not to bump my nose.
My nose is still as swollen as it was when the splint got taken off. It's so numb and the tip is rock hard. It's hard to wash my nose area so I end up mostly just splashing water on it which is making my skin pretty bad.
I can't believe how much weight I have lost too! Oh my goodness. I have been eating like a pregnant woman yet lost 7 pounds (on my less than 100 pound frame). I can't wait to finally take my dog for a run, poor girl. My PS surgeon suggested I wait another week to raise my heart rate since I am so far away from him and he doesn't want me to get a nose bleed.
So far I am still happy with my nose. Especially when I look at old pictures. I met with a friend for the first time today and she couldn't even tell I had my nose done - until I showed her the before pictures.
3 weeks: my nose is still sooo swollen, it feels...
3 weeks:
my nose is still sooo swollen, it feels like a big potato on my face. I think at first I loved it because it was such a difference and I was expecting the tip to shrink with time. I know I still have a while until I am fully healed but so far I am like 50/50 with my new nose. It's definitely better than before, and I know a doctor can only do so much but I am not as happy with it as I thought I would be. I guess time will tell..
my nose is still sooo swollen, it feels like a big potato on my face. I think at first I loved it because it was such a difference and I was expecting the tip to shrink with time. I know I still have a while until I am fully healed but so far I am like 50/50 with my new nose. It's definitely better than before, and I know a doctor can only do so much but I am not as happy with it as I thought I would be. I guess time will tell..
I officially hate taking p
I officially hate taking p
2 days away from one month post-op. My nose is...
2 days away from one month post-op. My nose is still super swollen and the times I do bang it or hit it on something, oh my goodness, it hurts like hell! The tip is numb and I hate touching it because it feels so weird.
I am starting to notice a big bump on the bridge of my nose. Just like I had before. It's not squishy, it feels like bone. Something to bring up with my PS.
I thought I would be so confident about the way I looked after this surgery but I am still suffering from self confidence issues. I guess it is something deeper than hating my nose. I definitely do feel better about my nose, but I don't love it like I thought I would.
I am starting to notice a big bump on the bridge of my nose. Just like I had before. It's not squishy, it feels like bone. Something to bring up with my PS.
I thought I would be so confident about the way I looked after this surgery but I am still suffering from self confidence issues. I guess it is something deeper than hating my nose. I definitely do feel better about my nose, but I don't love it like I thought I would.
Just wondering if anyone has had that injection in...
Just wondering if anyone has had that injection in their nose to help the swelling go down? Is it painful?
Today was my one month post op appointment. The...
Today was my one month post op appointment. The nurse who assisted my Dr during the surgery said I was still really swollen which I expected to hear. My dr came in and said I was still swollen 30% in the tip and it will take a while for it to subside. He tried to give me some cortezon shots but I panicked. I had just spent almost 4 hours in the car and hadn't eaten yet (it was 1pm) so I refused the shots but I so wish I had done it! I told him I would call him in a month when I'm ready to do it so I can get someone to drive me there and pop a valium before I head into his office. Maybe that will help. Instead, he gave me some tape to put over my nose at night to hopefully get the swelling to go down. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't think I was super swollen in the tip..... I guess it's a wait and see game. I will try to get some pictures up in the next few days. Although, it doesn't look any different than before!
Added a couple new pictures. Happy with the way it...
Added a couple new pictures. Happy with the way it looks in most pictures that aren't taken with my Iphone. I'm trying not to come on this site much and stay positive about my recovery process.
Oops - I meant pictures that I don't take of my...
Oops - I meant pictures that I don't take of my self. The new pictures are from my phone but just aren't so close up!
Almost 3 months post op. I am starting to get...
Almost 3 months post op. I am starting to get feeling back in the tip, finally. Still not happy with the size of my nose, and I'm guessing it won't get any smaller than it is now. It doesn't feel swollen anymore. I'm actually crossing my fingers my Dr isn't happy with it either and I have to get a revision.
On a positive note, I don't think about my nose like I used to.... So I guess in a way it was worth it.
On a positive note, I don't think about my nose like I used to.... So I guess in a way it was worth it.
So I gave in and got the injections in my nose....
So I gave in and got the injections in my nose. Wow, what an awful experience. I passed out stone cold twice! Woke up to my feet on my doctors shoulders and soaked in water that they put on me. I'm horrible with needles but I've never been that bad. I felt so stupid.. I was in the office for an hour, trying to regain consciousness.
Anyways, that was four days ago. I do notice a little bit of a difference. The tip doesn't have as much of a ball at the end like before. But I'm still not happy with it. I made sure my Doctor knew that... but he just kept saying how good it looks. I have 8 and a half more months. If it still looks the same, I will raise a bit more hell to him.
Other than that, things are the same. Back to life!
I've added an updated picture.
Anyways, that was four days ago. I do notice a little bit of a difference. The tip doesn't have as much of a ball at the end like before. But I'm still not happy with it. I made sure my Doctor knew that... but he just kept saying how good it looks. I have 8 and a half more months. If it still looks the same, I will raise a bit more hell to him.
Other than that, things are the same. Back to life!
I've added an updated picture.
Wow, I wish I could erase everything I wrote...
Wow, I wish I could erase everything I wrote previously and wasn't so impatient with my results! About a week after the injections in my nose, the swelling went down drastically! I actually love my new nose. It feels weird to say that.
Finally, four months after my surgery, my nose looks how I wanted it to. I now have a cute, little nose.
Finally, four months after my surgery, my nose looks how I wanted it to. I now have a cute, little nose.
6 months post op. I rarely think about my nose now...
6 months post op. I rarely think about my nose now. Just wanted to update with a couple more pictures. :)
Ugh, so I am 7 months post op and I feel like my...
Ugh, so I am 7 months post op and I feel like my nose is changing drastically.. and not for the good......... the bones in the bridge are protruding, making my bridge look wide. My tip feels like it's turning downward and the tip also seems like it's getting bigger. I went from hating my nose, to not hating it but still being self conscious, to loving it, and now I am going back to not loving it.....
I'm going to make an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. My only issue right now is him being so god damn far away. I guess I'll just have to do my Christmas shopping out in Seattle :)
I'm going to make an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. My only issue right now is him being so god damn far away. I guess I'll just have to do my Christmas shopping out in Seattle :)
So my doctor confirmed with me that I will be a...
So my doctor confirmed with me that I will be a candidate to get a semi-revision. Definitely to remove the bump that is on the bridge. He did mention there was a 10 percent chance of this happening. We are going to wait a full year and see if the swelling in the tip goes down. Hopefully it does, but if not then I think he will work on that as well. I'm over the moon. Plus it is only going to cost me 204$.
Surgery number three.
I am about two months post op, surgery number three. I am less satisfied than I have ever been. I honestly don't believe it is my surgeons fault.. I think for some reason my nose just does not heal normally. This time he narrowed my bridge and reduced my tip. Only two months post op and my bridge is widening again, I have a large bump on the the side of the bridge and my tip is becoming bulbous.
It's been about a year since I've lost about 90% of my smell and I am officially a mouth breather. I can not breath through my nose for longer than a minute without feeling like I can't get enough oxygen.
I'm so confused on what to do. I hate looking in the mirror, I constantly feel like I need to wear makeup and do my hair to hide the fact that my nose is so uneven. I can't really afford to get another surgery and three unsuccessful surgeries is proving that my body just can not heal from rhinoplasty. I don't even have any recent pictures as I absolutely hate taking them. It makes me want to cry being in front of a camera. I will try to post some soon.
It's been about a year since I've lost about 90% of my smell and I am officially a mouth breather. I can not breath through my nose for longer than a minute without feeling like I can't get enough oxygen.
I'm so confused on what to do. I hate looking in the mirror, I constantly feel like I need to wear makeup and do my hair to hide the fact that my nose is so uneven. I can't really afford to get another surgery and three unsuccessful surgeries is proving that my body just can not heal from rhinoplasty. I don't even have any recent pictures as I absolutely hate taking them. It makes me want to cry being in front of a camera. I will try to post some soon.
After my first rhino
It's crazy how much your nose changes your whole face. I keep looking at old photos of when I actually ..for once.. Liked the way I looked. I have no idea why my nose had distorted into what it has. It's so beyond depressing.
November 29
5 months post op on third surgery
I'm so unhappy with my surgery that I had to write a review on my surgeon. It's unfortunate because I like him so much as a person but my results have sent me into a drowning depression. I can't even look in the mirror without wanting to cry.
5 months post op
I'm starting to accept the fact that I will never have a cute little nose. I'm still in this drowning depression. Every time I look in the mirror I hate what I see. But I've realized that's not a good way to live my life. My nose could be so much worse. I need to make a serious effort to change my outlook on things. My livelihood, my relationship and my confidence have all been destroyed all because I feel I should look a certain way. Just because I've had a botched rhinoplasty and can no longer breath through my nose or smell things doesn't mean I have to be depressed 24/7.
Anyone have any make up or hair tips that helped boost their confidence pre rhinoplasty?
Anyone have any make up or hair tips that helped boost their confidence pre rhinoplasty?
6 months post op
I've finally made an appointment with an ENT here in Canada. I'm pretty sure I have a nasal valve collapse. My family doctor was shocked at how little air I can breath in. She said my valves are like little pinholes.
Crossing my fingers that surgery will be covered under medical.. I'm not sure if it will be void because I got cosmetic surgery outside of Canada.
Crossing my fingers that surgery will be covered under medical.. I'm not sure if it will be void because I got cosmetic surgery outside of Canada.
Revision consultation
Does anyone have any advice on what questions to ask when seeking a revision? I go in tomorrow to see an ENT/surgeon. I just want to be ready!
So sad
Feeling heartbroken after my consultation with the ENT/plastic surgeon. Zero percent of my breathing issues are covered under medical because I've gotten a previous surgery. My valves are not collapsed, they've just been narrowed by having so many surgeries. My smell is correlated with that.
He said if I got a revision all he would do is rasp the bridge bone and rotate the tip, fix my deviated septum and put a graft in to make sure I can breath. Everything will be about $11,000.
I was so hoping I could at least be able to breath again. He opened my valve with some small tool for a second - holy moly it felt sooooooo good to be able to breath for that second!
I've attached his awful computer imaging - he was explain it as he did it but he said "you get the jist, I won't do imaging on the tip."
He said if I got a revision all he would do is rasp the bridge bone and rotate the tip, fix my deviated septum and put a graft in to make sure I can breath. Everything will be about $11,000.
I was so hoping I could at least be able to breath again. He opened my valve with some small tool for a second - holy moly it felt sooooooo good to be able to breath for that second!
I've attached his awful computer imaging - he was explain it as he did it but he said "you get the jist, I won't do imaging on the tip."
Need advice
So (obviously they will read this but whatever..) I got an email from the patient coodinator at the office where I got my surgery stating that I was very hurtful with the things I said in my review and they asked if I could revise it as they didn't feel that it was an accurate representation of my surgeries with them.
They also really want me to follow up and visit them for a post op appointment.
I'm so lost as to what I should do. I've never slandered the surgeon who did my nose. I think quite highly of him still. I just believe I was the unfortunate one who got a bad few surgeries.
Do I go back and ask him to make things right again? Or do I just cut all contact? I've been to their office twelve times. It's a 7+ hour round trip drive plus I have to take the day off work. I desperately want my nose fixed. I can't go 10 minutes without thinking about it and hating it. Or do I just say screw it and live in misery until I can muster up 10 grand for a revision from someone else? I'm so confused on what to do.
They also really want me to follow up and visit them for a post op appointment.
I'm so lost as to what I should do. I've never slandered the surgeon who did my nose. I think quite highly of him still. I just believe I was the unfortunate one who got a bad few surgeries.
Do I go back and ask him to make things right again? Or do I just cut all contact? I've been to their office twelve times. It's a 7+ hour round trip drive plus I have to take the day off work. I desperately want my nose fixed. I can't go 10 minutes without thinking about it and hating it. Or do I just say screw it and live in misery until I can muster up 10 grand for a revision from someone else? I'm so confused on what to do.
Thank you guys!
Thank you for all the advice on seeing my surgeon. Feeling so grateful to have found this community. No one in my life really understands how I'm feeling so to be able to get positive feedback from complete strangers is overwhelming to me. I've decided not to go back to my surgeon. After three failed attempts, what more could they even do for me? The plan is to finish my schooling in about 2 years then get a revision. That gives me enough time to fully heal after 3 surgeries yet it's close enough that I have hope it'll get fixed.
Anyways, pictures like what I've attached are what make me so depressed. Maybe it's because at one time after my first surgery I really did like my nose. I know what it feels like to not obsess over it and now I'm full blown obsessing. It's the worst feeling.
Anyways, pictures like what I've attached are what make me so depressed. Maybe it's because at one time after my first surgery I really did like my nose. I know what it feels like to not obsess over it and now I'm full blown obsessing. It's the worst feeling.
8.5 months
I still feel like I have a big potato on my face. I really thought some of the swelling in the tip may subside by this time but it's actually just getting worse. When I work out, my face goes red but my nose and upper lip are completely white. It's so embarrassing. I just did a 5km charity run with my boyfriend and I couldn't even look him in the face after. I could feel people looking at me, wondering why Half my nose was ten shades lighter than the rest of my face. Along with getting no blood to the tip of my nose, I still can't breath. I sound like I'm plugging my nose when I talk. The bump on my bridge seems to be getting wider and the tip is Iike a huge marble. Even if I try to not care so much about what my nose looks like, it's the breathing that reminds me of how damaged it is. I've done my research and it looks like I will have to make a trip out of town to see a revision specialist. I'm a 2 hour flight from California I may as well see someone who can definitely fix this mess of a nose.
9.5 months after 3rd surgery
I consulted with Dr Grigoryants online. Unfortunately he has turned me down and said he would not do my revision as he feels I've had too many surgeries in such a short amount of time. He highly suggests not touching it for 3 years to allow it to fully heal. I was so bummed to get that message. Regardless, I'm going to continue my search. I have an appointment with another ENT in about a week and I will hopefully get some answers as to how damaged my nose is on the inside and if it's even possible to fix. To be honest, i think I could manage with this awful botched looking nose if I could get my breathing and sense of smell back. It's the little things we take for granted!
I'm not sure I'll make it 3 years..
Originally I was going to wait the 3 years to let my nose heal but I truly don't know if I can do that for my emotional state. I feel like I'm suffocating from not being able to breath or smell. The WORST, absolute worst part about this is the fact that I can't smile properly anymore.
I honestly cry weekly over my nose. I wish I had never touched it after my first surgery. I wish my surgeon gave refunds.
I honestly cry weekly over my nose. I wish I had never touched it after my first surgery. I wish my surgeon gave refunds.
One year
I am just over one year post op from my third surgery. Unfortunately things have not gotten any better. I've started getting used to the fact that I can't smell, and I'm starting to accept my awful looking nose. I need to stop thinking that my nose defines me because it does not. The past year has been hell. My self esteem has dropped to nothing but I've made the conscious decision to change that way of thinking.
I actually just spent some of my revision money I had saved on a plane ticket to go backpacking and am using the rest during that trip.
I wish I had done my research and thought about the repercussions of getting 3 surgeries so close together.
I actually just spent some of my revision money I had saved on a plane ticket to go backpacking and am using the rest during that trip.
I wish I had done my research and thought about the repercussions of getting 3 surgeries so close together.
Update
It's been a year and 4 months since my last surgery and I feel like somehow my breathing is getting even worse. I've finally accepted the fact that I can't smell anything.. It's kind of nice not to stress about it as much anymore. But my breathing is just horrendous. I e-mailed Dr P asking if he would consider refunding a portion of my money as it is going to cost quite a bit to fix this mess of a nose. He kindly said No. Which I expected.. he has to make a living too. It just sucks that I'm in this situation. I've decided to get my breathing ONLY fixed. I can't afford the $10,000+ to get a revision, but I honestly can not live without being able to breath through my nose.
I've found an ENT who has GREAT reviews and is local. I'm so looking forward to at least getting the functionality aspect of my nose fixed. I'm headed to Europe for 6 weeks in May...... I'm so excited but the thought of having this nose in all my pictures makes me so sad. Here's some recent photos from my go pro. You can see how un even my nostrils are and how massive my nose is, overall. I'm still so confused on how this can happen? Any ideas?
I've found an ENT who has GREAT reviews and is local. I'm so looking forward to at least getting the functionality aspect of my nose fixed. I'm headed to Europe for 6 weeks in May...... I'm so excited but the thought of having this nose in all my pictures makes me so sad. Here's some recent photos from my go pro. You can see how un even my nostrils are and how massive my nose is, overall. I'm still so confused on how this can happen? Any ideas?
One year seven months post op
So I saw the ENT again with the hope that my breathing will finally be fixed.
He said inside my nose looks horrible and very complex. He highly suggests not attempting to fix anything physically but he believes he can open my valves back up and support them with cartilage from my ear. The only thing is, he said my nose would look wider since he would be putting cartilage along the sides. I don't know how I feel about that.... I would loveeeeee my breathing to be fixed though. I know I say this all the time but I feel like I'm suffocating with being a mouth breather.
He said he's willing to put a claim in to see if it would be covered under medical which would be nice. So we'll see..
For those who have had a rhinoplasty and there are small things you don't like.. Read my review top to bottom! I wish I didn't through with the next two rhinoplastys from the same surgeon. I should have just been content with the outcome of my nose instead of being a perfectionist. The more times you go in there and mess with it, the more chance you have of damaging it beyond repair.
He said inside my nose looks horrible and very complex. He highly suggests not attempting to fix anything physically but he believes he can open my valves back up and support them with cartilage from my ear. The only thing is, he said my nose would look wider since he would be putting cartilage along the sides. I don't know how I feel about that.... I would loveeeeee my breathing to be fixed though. I know I say this all the time but I feel like I'm suffocating with being a mouth breather.
He said he's willing to put a claim in to see if it would be covered under medical which would be nice. So we'll see..
For those who have had a rhinoplasty and there are small things you don't like.. Read my review top to bottom! I wish I didn't through with the next two rhinoplastys from the same surgeon. I should have just been content with the outcome of my nose instead of being a perfectionist. The more times you go in there and mess with it, the more chance you have of damaging it beyond repair.
This is going to be expensive.....
I've been traveling solo for the past few weeks in Europe and I've had a lot of time to think.
I've decided (as of right now, things could change) to set up a consultation with Dr Davis in Florida. I have enough points for a free round trip flight from Vancouver to Miami, so I wouldn't have to pay for that. I'm just looking at the revision cost plus conversion to Canadian, and a hotel room. Has anyone done an out of country (or state/province) rhinoplasty? How long did you need to stay there for? What about follow up visits? My last surgeon put the blame on me for my results because I didn't come in for enough follow ups and cortisone shots and that is why my nose ended up the way it did.
How did flying go after?
Any tips would be great!
Don't mind the pictures - some of them I was extremely jet lagged in. It made me so depressed that I couldn't get a good picture while traveling alone.
I've decided (as of right now, things could change) to set up a consultation with Dr Davis in Florida. I have enough points for a free round trip flight from Vancouver to Miami, so I wouldn't have to pay for that. I'm just looking at the revision cost plus conversion to Canadian, and a hotel room. Has anyone done an out of country (or state/province) rhinoplasty? How long did you need to stay there for? What about follow up visits? My last surgeon put the blame on me for my results because I didn't come in for enough follow ups and cortisone shots and that is why my nose ended up the way it did.
How did flying go after?
Any tips would be great!
Don't mind the pictures - some of them I was extremely jet lagged in. It made me so depressed that I couldn't get a good picture while traveling alone.
Still frustrated
Life just isn't fair. I wish I had just kept the bump on my nose after my first surgery. I thought I would be moving past this sadness, but I'm reminded of it every day.. If I could say anything to someone considering rhinoplasty or revision.. It would be Don't be a perfectionist! It could be soooooo much worse than it already is.
I had initially taken my review down as per Dr Ps patient coordinators request but I feel like I need to put it back up. I genuinely like Dr Portuese and do believe he is a good surgeon despite the fact that he butchered my nose and left me unable to breath or smell. I had three surgeries by Dr P with the most recent one sending me into a crippling depression. My nose looks and functions worse than before I spent all that money and time on rhinoplasty. I can not breath, in turn, leaving me with about 10 percent of my sense of smell. I have a massive bump on my nose, uneven nostrils, a massively bulbous tip - it looks like a marble. I have indents on the tip And I can feel bumps allllll over my bridge. I honestly wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Upon sharing my dissatisfaction with the office, I was told that lack of communication was the reason my nose ended up this way. Apparently I did not come in for enough follows up. I guess 3 surgeries and TWELVE visits to the office (7 hour round trip drive for me) is not enough.
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