Life-changing Rhinoplasty - Sydney, AU

Thank you. That means a lot. I realise I will never go back to what we agreed and I must accept that but I would love some recommendations for revision rhinoplasty specialists to start making plans to fix this. Yes, he does have mostly amazing reviews which is why I went with him. The lesson learned is that things do not always go well, even with supposedly amazing surgeons. I have learned a very harsh lesson and unfortunately for me it has affected me so terribly. My family has suffered mostly as I am not the person I was and am so desperately depressed now. I have gone from a very happy, sociable person to a shell of my former self and at this point can really not see any way forward. Anyone who has had this experience and can tell me if you can get over this would be greatly appreciated as I feel so terribly hopeless, humiliated and guilty for making this decision.

I think everyone that goes through an unsuccessful surgery feels - more or less - hopeless, humiliated and guilty ... at first. You can & will get through it, but you have to be proactive about your mental & emotional healing, and you can't let it consume you. Easier said than done - I know ... but that's where the 'proactive' work comes in. Take baby steps first. It is all to easy to knee-jerk into finding someone that may fix things, but it could also turn out much worse. Take your time finding someone suitable in Oz (or Thailand, or the US!), and meanwhile see about getting temporary fillers to disguise the issues until you're fully healed and ready. Scar revisions can be performed later on too! :) Lotusleaf, try also keeping a gratitude journal, and write down 5 things every day that you are grateful for. It's miraculous for changing one's mindset ... and that can attract even more blessings to you! Be kind to yourself as well ... after what you've been through, you deserve it! You're in my prayers.

Thank you. I'm trying to put your great advice into practice but everyday is still a struggle. Hoping to turn a corner sometime soon. xx

Happy to share. It's important for people making a decision on this to realise the terrible consequences if things to not turn out as expected. It can happen. I never ever expected to be in this situation.....this is not some trivial decision. I was a very happy, sociable person and never expected this to happen to me. It is heart-breaking to go through and my whole family is suffering as I am in a deep depression. My advice - unless you have a real deformity, stop looking at magazines and the unrealistic images they propagate, cancel your appointment, cancel your surgery, and stop worrying about how you look. Enjoy your life and be grateful for what you have. Hug your kids, hug your partner and forget your nose or whatever it is you are obsessing about. We'll all grow old and wrinkly eventually. Be grateful for the nose you've been given. Love who you are. Once something is changed/altered you won't recognise yourself - it's terrifying. I was promised this would not be the case but I look ridiculous. I had such a blessed life but am now so desperately sad and embarrassed - it really is not worth it. I can only hope that my sharing of this experience saves someone, and their family, from the heart-ache that I am going through . I wish every day I had a time machine to take me back and stop myself going through with this.

Thanks for your msg. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you too but glad to hear your revision was quite successful. Yes, my philosophy is now that unless something is really quite deformed, don't try to perfect what is already perfectly fine - bit too late for me now but hopefully others will take note! I think people underestimate the complexity of this operation. Thanks again and I might be in touch by private msg re revision. X

I totally agree that people under estimate the complexity of this operation, and even thought it might look good in the first 12 months, things can still go wrong down the track. I am really happy with my revision. Most importantly i can breathe. My dr said he has seen and fixed some bad rhino jobs. Good luck xxxxx

Thanks for that. I'm sorry to hear you are going through similar. Good advice about not looking but easier said than done but I'll try. Yes, it is indescribably traumatising to look in the mirror (like you say, almost like having had an accident). Also, so hard to go from someone so sociable and happy to reclusive. That is the hardest part for me. So glad to hear you are at least a little better at 7months. My issues worsen the longer recovery goes on - warping and bumps more obvious as swelling goes down - quite the opposite of what surgeons tell you - that over time issues resolve themselves. Can you msg me who you will get your revision with? Thank you for your msg and I'm happy to hear you sound quite positive under the circumstances. Thinking of you knowing what you are going through. [RS bleep]

I want to give you guys a big hug. Xxxx i see my surgeon in nov, he is head of some ENT board, and he told me about a few surgeons in Sydney, i'll ask him who he recommends. [RS bleep]

Hi Robomac, Thank you very much xx I hope your outcome is far more successful than ours! Did your surgeon recommend any Surgeons in Sydney? I have been doing some research to determine who I want to consult with but I try not to dedicate too much time to it because it makes me feel terrible thinking about the whole situation. I have found not looking at old photos helps x

Lotusleaf, I am so so sorry, I didn't message you with who I am planning on getting a revision with. I have a spreadsheet with all the revision surgeons names and have listed the positive, and negative reviews from online research. Currently I have only booked in one consult with Dr Pincock in December (close to my 1 yr mark). Another Realself member who had the same Surgeon as I is seeing Dr Gerachi. If you'd like to private message me, I am more than happy to exchange email addresses and I can email you the spreadsheet I have so far. I understand if you do not want to for privacy reasons. I hope you're doing well and the time is going quickly for you. The sooner this is all behind us, the better xx

Great that you are starting to make plans for a revision. I am still only 5 months post op so too early for me yet. The far-reaching ripple effect from this whole mess of a situation has been so considerable that even if his mistakes are fixed by another surgeon, the emotional scars from this experience cannot just be wiped away with a revision. I am struggling just to get through each day right now. I would be keen to see how you go with Dr Pincock and please do private message me with the names of surgeons from your research, as at some point, I hope to fix this. Thanks and good luck. [RS bleep]

Hi Foxyboxy, I am so sorry but I won't post pictures for privacy reasons but also I don't really want all the comments from people about my before/after pictures. My reason for sharing my story was really just to make people aware of what a big decision this is and that even great surgeons have bad days and things can go wrong. Undoubtedly, any surgery carries risks but a surgeon doing what THEY want, not what YOU want is unforgivable. There is a difference between something going wrong in surgery and a surgeon deciding to create and chisel a nose that THEY like. Sadly, removing cartilage/bone is quite easy...but adding it back means taking cartilage from your ear or rib. Revision surgery is a much more complex undertaking and this upsets me greatly as all I wanted was a subtle change to a nose I quite liked. The emotional impact has been devastating. I would probably find it easier to accept had he given me a nicer nose but I've been left with an unnatural and unfamiliar appearance that is decidedly less attractive than my original nose. My self-esteem and self-confidence has been affected so terribly and I am very embarrassed and depressed - it affects nearly every facet of daily life. In addition to cosmetic issues, there are some functional ones - my breathing, which was perfect before, is worse and I now snore. My sense of smell, which was excellent before, is also diminished. There are all the emotions of anger, disappointment and regret to cope with, all whilst starting to think about looking for a surgeon I trust enough to rebuild my nose back to what we agreed. Ultimately, successful rhinoplasty should mean a happy patient - not a patient shocked with the outcome, looking back at a total surprise nose/face. There is no one set aesthetic standard that can be applied to all patients. There were cultural and familial aspects of my nose that were so very important to me, that have literally been wiped off my face. Even if my request differs from Dr Nettle's views, it is up to him to gage a clear understanding of my specific desires and not over-ride them with his aesthetic goals. Of course computer imaging is not a guarantee, and there will probably always be some degree of variance between the imaging and the actual result, but to get a nose so dramatically different to what was agreed and discussed is inexcusable. My view is that the best nose jobs are ones that make you look better, but that no-one can pinpoint that it's your nose that is the difference. My overaggressive rhinoplasty is very noticeable. Most disappointing to me, is that the person I read about, who seemed so conservative and kind, was so different to the person I dealt with post-surgery. There is always that thought before surgery that if something did go wrong, at least I have an ethical surgeon who would deal with the situation professionally and empathetically but this has not turned out to be the case. A true test of a surgeon's ethics and character is their actions and behaviour when things go wrong. Choose your surgeon wisely, communicate well, go with your gut, and remember that you are interviewing them. Any doubts, don't do it.

Lotusleaf, I feel like I am reading words from my own subconscious! I am thinking of you as you go through this x Have you been researching surgeons for a revision? I am going to see Dr Pincock in December. I am hoping that we can plan a revision that will restore the tip of my nose. I am so nervous I have asked my Dad to come along on the day. My surgeon recommended a dermal filler for my alar rim retraction and all the research online says it is a big no no, and can be detrimental to the skin, and will not fix the problem. It is very disappointing and I was upset for a few days after seeing him but I have resolved to move on. As you said I will only undergo a revision if I truly feel the Surgeon and I are on the same page as to my preferred nose. It doesn't have to be perfect and as you said, I will most certainly be going with my gut! x

I am actually considering seeing him, i was referred to him by another surgeon any chance you can inbox me a picture of just your new nose. I am now scared to see him after reading your review. I hope you heal well and things get better for you!

What is your ethnicity?

From what I have read, Gerarchi and Pinnock are the only ones you should see. Gerarchi is very experienced and good but make it clear what you want to achieve before the op. Otherwise fly to Texas and go to Gunters clinic.

Hi Aliciaisabella
Have you had your revision? I am looking into a revision? who did your first one? do you have pics? thanks

Hi Liamsi87
Who did you end up going with for your surgery? I'm looking at surgery soon.