Travelled 6000 Miles for Rhinoplasty & Lip Lift - It Was Worth It.

I had a deviated septum my whole life, not due to injury, and prior to surgery could only breathe out of one nostril. I wanted a rhinoplasty that was a more refined version of my nose but also allowed me to breathe through both nostrils for the first time.

I'd researched Dr. Kaminskyi for a year seeing his posts on Instagram. I research relevant hashtags for other surgeons and in my opinion, his rhinoplasties in particular are some of the best I've seen in the world. The most notable thing is there is absolutely zero bruising.

I reached out via WhatsApp in the Fall of 2020 and began the process of communicating about rhinoplasty and possible lip lift (I didn't decide to do the lip lift until I was already in Kiev.)

The language barrier can be a bit difficult at times, but you pay a deposit of around 1000 USD to reserve your appointment time.

The doctor only operates on Mon-Wed-Fri - with consults on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The hospital facility and the clinic where consults take place in two different locations, so they don't really change that schedule, which is important to know when booking your surgery date.

I had to get a covid test at the airport on arrival. If you search "Ukraine covid insurance" you can get the necessary tests for $60.00 and insurance for another 30 or so. The covid test takes place as soon as you arrive at the Kiev airport.

Dr. Kaminskyi had a driver pick me up from the airport and take me to my Airbnb.

Had I known more about how difficult the language barrier can be, I probably would have brought printouts with directions to the hospital and clinic to help uber drivers with the language barrier. Google translate on my phone helped but it was a little rocky sometimes.

When I finally met the Doctor, we spent at least an hour in his office, as he took pictures (he takes the pictures himself) and he does a photoshop edit so the two of you can agree on how your nose should look. Dr. Edgar is VERY detail-oriented, so if you want a dip in your nose, go for it, if you want a certain shape, show him.

Dr. Kaminski requires bloodwork and a CT scan of your nasal bones. I did the CT locally in the states, as well as the bloodwork, but you can do both when you arrive in Kiev.

He uses the CT scan of your nose to create a 3d print out of your nasal bones, and so he can see the interior of your nose bones.

I brought in loads of pictures from a particular celebrity whose nose I thought would fit my face. I didn't want a nose that was "too pointy" but I wanted a more refined tip, a slightly straighter nose, and of course the ability to breathe again.

Dr. Kaminskyi's English is very good.

While in his office, he was able to show me pictures of lip lifts and I liked the work (he does not have many on his Instagram.)

My biggest concern with a lip lift is the noticeable scar underneath the nose, but his suture technique was more hidden in the nostrils so I was pleased.

ABOUT THE SURGERY:

I had some complications during anesthesia immediately upon waking, and for some time after the surgery. Ukraine does not do the same anti-nausea meds that they do here in the states, and I think the doc converted my weight to kilos incorrectly.

Always know your exact weight in kilos before you go!

I stayed overnight in the hospital - they have a nurse administer pain medication, antibiotics intravenously, and medication to help you sleep.

I woke up from surgery being able to breathe PERFECTLY for the first time in my life. There was no packing in the nostrils, just an external cast.

I was pretty sick after surgery from the anesthesia meds, (puking, not able to keep food down) BUT I brought this up with Dr. K and he has since hired a newer, younger anesthesiologist.

Post-surgery was nothing short of incredible: Absolutely NO bruising, no black eyes. (I took arnica and ascorutin prior to surgery as well as avoided any caffeine some days before.)

So super duper amazing, no bruising AT ALL. Had I wanted, I probably could have flown out on the 3rd day.

HOWEVER, I don't recommend that you do that - I'd stay an extra week if you can, so the doctor can take out the sutures for you.

Had I only done the rhinoplasty, sutures would not have been an issue, but the chelioplasty had sutures involved. I flew home before the sutures were out and I wish I'd stayed so he could remove them. His sutures are very tight and very fine.

Because of the pandemic, I didn't want to risk getting covid by seeing a doc without a mask to remove the sutures, so I removed them myself. It wasn't too bad, just....tedious. But I don't recommend you do that.

About one week after the surgery the swelling really kicked in. No pain, but loads of swelling, I looked like an avatar character.

At one month still swollen. Now at 3.5 months after surgery and looking pretty good. My nostril show is a bit high still, but I think that has to do with the scar tissue from the lip lift.

Post lip lift - I was very diligent about silicone application for a couple of weeks as well as using a hydrocolloid bandage the first week or so.

One month post, I got c02 laser on the lip lift scar, which helped the pink tone SO MUCH - it really improved the scar.

I've also injected Kenalog a couple of times into the lip lift scar to help soften the tissue and at 3 months, it doesn't really feel like a scar at all.

I will probably do CO2 and Kenalog injections 2 or 3 more times to improve texture.