Welcome!
I hope this journal is helpful for others who are considering rhinoplasty, or who are currently recovering.
I relied a lot on Cathy’s journal to help me prepare and to get me through my recovery. Hopefully, my journal can help others out there like Cathy’s journal helped me.
Some of these pictures in my journal are not great representatives; we only had a disposable camera, and we messed up on the lighting in the beginning... I think the flash made all the flaws stand out more than they did in natural lighting. I always felt better, and felt I looked better, than the pictures show.
Quick bio in one crazy paragraph:
"My name is Julie, I’ll be 31 in July, I’m married (8 years in Sept), no kids, two awesome cats, I teach high school upper division science and adjunct college courses, I live in TX (which is my 9th state!!), I have the best parents in the world, and fantastic, beautiful sister who’s three years younger than me who’s working on completing her thesis for her M.A. in Journalism."
The nose:
I have never really liked my nose from the side, but, as an adult and even as a high schooler, it never really bothered me a lot either. But, I began to think that my face could handle my nose as a young woman, but as I got older, it would begin to look too harsh. I didn’t want to change a lot about my nose because I enjoyed having a strong nose, but I wanted to take some of the harshness away. I hoped that my profile could be straightened by removing the bump, without changing the front view too much. I have my father’s nose, and it looks great on him; anyone would tell you he is a handsome man. But, his nose on me... hey, it’s not too bad, but I more feminine version would be nice.
I’ve had so many conflicting feelings about my surgery, that I didn’t have the courage to start a journal or take pics until I felt more confident about how it would all turn out. I started “recollection” for a journal on day 5 post surgery, and so I have no pics of myself with the splint. Sorry, you’ll just have to imagine it. It really wasn’t too bad, it just looked like a had a tight bandage on my nose. The front of my nose was all you could see, and it was swollen and unsettlingly pig-like. Yikes!
Pre surgery:
I “interviewed” two plastic surgeons, one in Houston's who had earned a “doctor of the year” award, and Dr. Pisano, a surgeon in my town of San Antonio. Although the plastic surgeon in Houston had great before and after pics, I just didn’t feel comfortable with him. He didn’t explain much, and it felt like he didn’t listen much. I’m sure he would have been great, but I really needed to feel more at ease with my surgeon, and we just had no connection. Dr. Pisano is board certified, an adjunct professor at the med school, etc., and he made me feel great. He explained everything, took his time, and gave his answers a lot of thought. He has been acclaimed for his work on breast reconstruction for women with breast cancer, but he only did about six rhinoplasties a year. However, I felt good about him, he was well-trained, and he was my choice.
The weeks leading up to my surgery were full of panic, guilt, and excitement. It was tough. Luckily, my family was supportive and funny about it with me. And, I had this site to help me! Cathy’s journal was especially helpful. Also, I eventually found the discussion forum on the htttp://cosmeticsupport.com site, and that was a real source of support.
Pre-surgery advice:
Get your hair cut, shave, cut
nails, etc., so you won’t have to worry about any of that for a while
as
you recover.
Move the couch close to the
TV, even if it makes your place look stupid. I didn’t want to
mess
with my contacts the first few days, so the closer the couch was to the
TV, the better.
Stock up on easy-to-eat foods.
You won’t be able to open your mouth very wide, and your teeth might
feel
a bit sore. I ate cottage cheese, oatmeal, ravioli and rigatoni,
diced sausage in mashed potatoes with corn -- anything that can be
bite-sized.
Also grab some juices to keep you hydrated.
Make sure you have enough
pillows to keep your head propped up in bed and on the couch.
Clean the tub well, you won’t
be showering for a while.
Get a lot of various entertainment
lined up. I got a few books from the library, rented a lot of
videos,
and ordered full cable.
Day 1-2:
The day of my surgery, 6/6/01,
I had to be at hospital at 5:00am!! It actually was probably a
good
idea; I was too tired to worry. In the prep room, there were
other
patients waiting for surgery, too. My husband, Michael, was, and
always is, wonderful. We talked, laughed and relaxed
together.
Then, it turns out that a woman who was with her boyfriend who was
waiting
on his surgery across from my bed turns out to be one of my husband’s
students!
Give me a break... Here I am, in a hospital gown, looking
not-so-together,
waiting on my rhinoplasty. I was a tad embarrassed. She was
very nice, and she left us alone pretty quickly, thank goodness.
My anesthesiologist, Susan Hertell, came out to talk with us. She
was great. I was worried about getting nauseous after surgery, so
she said she’d pump my stomach before I woke up to remove a lot of the
blood, because that’s what makes most people feel sick. Although
it didn’t sound pleasant, I knew she’d do an awesome job. She was
so sweet. Then Dr. Pisano came out like a cheerleader, all pumped
up. He is so cool. He was excited about the surgery and
made
me feel great.
When I woke up in the recovery room, I was hot and very awake. Apparently, they put a heater on me during surgery to keep me warm. I was also surprised at how awake I was, until I heard the nurses telling me my heart rate was really elevated , like 140-160!!! So they gave me some meds to calm it down, then wheeled me to my room. I was dizzy as heck and my eyes felt like they kept rolling, but other than that, I felt fine. No pain. I didn’t even have a sore throat from the intubation. Quality anesthesia!
I don’t have a very coherent story to tell after that, so I’ll summarize. I stayed overnight as planned, which I think was the best decision ever. Although is added to the overall cost, it was comforting to have nurses around. Plus the IV kept me hydrated and had antibiotics in it, etc. I ate mostly ice and jello, and fell into and out of sleep. I vomited twice, but we think that was due to the pain meds in my IV. I thought the vomiting would have been traumatic, but it wasn’t a big deal, because I had only liquids. I slept a lot and kept talking about how good I felt. I really was feeling pretty well, just a little dizzy. Michael spent the night in my room on a cot, he got up with me each time I had to go the bathroom and helped me, encouraged me, talked about the news with me... he was awesome.
Dr. Pisano was supposed to show up the next morning to remove my packing. Every time I woke up, which was often throughout the night, I kept thinking time was moving so slow. I couldn’t wait to get the packing out. Well, it turns out that during the night, he had been called in for an emergency surgery, which ran into his scheduled morning surgery, so he couldn’t make it to remove my packing. I really, really wanted the packing out, so we arranged to have one of his nurses to do it for me. It wasn’t fun having the packing removed, but it feel great to have it out!!! The nurse cleaned up my nose and we went home.
Days 2-5:
I really didn’t have any bruising,
I was just swollen under my eyes and cheeks, and of course, my
nose.
I had a tight splint on my nose, but that’s it. It really was
surprising
how good I looked. I was a bit worried that my nose was looking
big
and pig-like, but I felt pretty sure it was due to the swelling that
would
obviously accompany surgery. So, I wasn’t about to leave my
apartment,
but I wasn’t too disturbed by my appearance either. I was worried
about how my nose was going to look, but that’s it. I
occasionally
felt a twinge of pain, so I kept on the pain killers for the first two
days, although I probably didn’t need it. A few days later,
I had yellow streaks beneath my eyes, but my swelling had reduced.
I listened to everyone’s advice and took it really easy. I stayed on the couch with my head elevated and tilted back, worked on the computer sometimes, surfed the net, watched crappy day-time tv... Luckily, Michael suggested we get full cable this month for my recovery, and I had more options on tv. Then in the evenings, Michael and I would chose from the numerous videos we rented.
I thought I’d have time and energy to cook, but that didn’t happen. Frozen lunches, oatmeal, and Michael’s dinners were perfect. I couldn’t open my mouth very far to eat, so all the food had to be in small pieces. No bagels or anything challenging to chew.
Talking and smiling were a bit difficult, as was yawning (I worked to stifle every single one!), because my nose and upper lip was so stiff and numb.
I slept with four pillows every night. By day 4 or 5 I could breathe through my nose (mostly) at night, which made life so much easier.
Day 6 (journal now in “real
time”):
My swelling is way down, but
I’ve still got the light yellow beneath my eyes.
I’m antsy today. There’s only so much you can do with a computer, tv and books. And it looks beautifully sunny outside...
Tomorrow I get my splint off -- that makes me a bit worried. I don’t know if I can stand to see my new nose. What is it looks horrible? Too small? Too bulbed at the tip? Deep breath. It’s going to look bad, but that’s normal... It’s going to swell up and I won’t be able to pass judgment on the final product for at least a few more days... It’ll be ok... I’m also worried that it’s going to hurt when my stitches come out. We’ll just have to be brave and get it over with.
Day 7:
I went out on my fire escape today. It felt great to have the sun on me.
I’m back from the doctors: Splint is off, external stitches removed (no big deal), and, yes, my nose is swollen... as expected. But, I can tell that it’s probably going to all work out. Dr. Pisano was amazed at the lack of bruising. He said he used a smaller chisel that enters through a puncture from the outside of the nose instead of the larger chisel that is used coming in from the inside of the nose, but even with that, he said, he was surprised how little I bruised! :) I felt more self-conscious than ever, though. I was so nervous. I had a huge swollen nose, yet everyone acted like it was a cute little nose. It wasn’t. But, the nurses could tell it was going to be a good one, or so they acted. I hope they are right!! They are so sweet to me.
To keep the area where the stitches were supple, he said I should keep it moisturized with cocoa butter lotion and/or a lotion with Vit E. I have a bit of a bump on the bridge of my nose, so he put some tape to help push the swelling in that area out faster.
Day 8:
Swelling is way down!! Although, of course, there is still swelling. But, I’m looking pretty good!! I’m still going to take it really easy, no need to push it. I’ll get some work done on the computer so I don’t feel so much like a potato! I have a lap top, so I’ll still be chilling on the couch with my head tilted back.
I can’t wait to go biking, hiking, blading.... If I could do anything today it would be to bike to Michael’s work and meet him for lunch... Oh well, maybe at a later date.
OK, two things are freaking me out right now. One, the vein that the IV was in feels hard, not flexible like my other arm. Two, the inside of my nose is lumpy... I’ve been cleaning the inside of my nose, as I have been since day 2, with a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide to keep it clean. It hasn’t changed much, but it’s hard, and I hope it smoothes out and softens up....
Not much swelling went down over the day... I started feeling a bit down, I hoped that the swelling would continue to decrease throughout the day, but it doesn’t look like that’s the case.
Day 9:
OK, woke up and the swelling has decreased again! :) Maybe it only decreases over night?
I actually harvested some herbs and dropped them off at a few neighbors’ doors this morning. Nobody saw me, so no stress. I figured it would be no big deal if they did, because I’m looking pretty OK, just a bandage on my nose and a little swelling. Hopefully just a few more days until I feel like I can go out without any worry. I can’t wait.
To rest up after my morning activities (I really don’t want to overdo it), I reclined on the couch with the cold pack made out of 2 parts water and one part rubbing alcohol in a plastic baggie (thanks for the recipe, FirebabeDD!). I wrapped it in a towel so it wouldn’t be too cold. I then put some witch hazel that I’ve been storing in the fridge on a cotton pad and used that as a cold compress. I can tell my nose is still swollen because the compresses I’m using don’t feel very cold to my nose, but it feels painfully cold to my hands and other parts of my face! So obviously the nose numbness comes from the swelling.
Day 10:
Ran a few errands with Michael, then went to visit Dr. Pisano to get my bandages changed. He was again impressed by my progress!! And when he looked at my before pictures compared to where I am now, he said, “Wow!” Indeed, it’s looking good! Dr. P said I still have some swelling and will for some time, but it’s going well. We’re going to keep the bandages on until next Tues. to help the swelling on the bridge. Dr. Pisano said that the vein in my arm that I was worried about felt that way because of the anesthetic and I should massage it with a warm washcloth and some Vit E to soften it up. He also said the swelling on the inside of my nose was edema (tissue swelling) which was normal and would be there for a while. He said he’d show me some massage techniques for it when I got the tape removed next Tues (Day 14).
Michael and I then grabbed some lunch and wound up canoeing (only for a quick 20 minutes) at Kerrville State Park. No one we meet mentioned my bandages, so I don’t really mind. Plus, I have so much confidence that my nose will look OK.
Day 11:
I’m going out, running errands, and living a pretty normal life with a few exceptions: No real exercise (at least the type I like: blading, biking, hiking), I’m staying out of the sun, and I’m avoiding getting too hot. In Texas in June, that’s a challenge. But, for example, right now I’m typing in a covered area by the pool in the earlier part of the morning. Once it begins to heat up, I’ll head back indoors. I also avoid bending over at the waist so blood doesn’t rush to my head, and I’m not picking up anything even remotely heavy.
My swelling decreases everyday and my nose gains definition. I probably won’t take any more pics until I get the tape off (Day 14), because the changes are now very subtle. It’s funny, I don’t even really feel like I had my nose done, because from the front, I look remarkably the same, which is exactly what I had hoped for. It’s the side view that has really changed, but how often does anyone get to see themselves from the side? I know, though, that I’m going to feel so much more comfortable when people look at me from the side, or take pictures when I’m not looking straight at them. And Michael thinks it great! :) And I feel great. I just can’t wait to up my activities!!
Day 14:
I went to see Dr. Pisano for him to remove my tape -- it’s looking good! I feel great! I love this nose. What a change. It’s exactly what I had hoped for. Not perfect, and yet greatly improved. It’s still swollen on the bridge (quite a bit on the bridge, making it look thick) and a little on the tip, but not very noticeably. The front of my nose is stiff, and the inside of my nose is still a bit bumpy, but hopefully with the massage and Vit E, that will improve.
I leave in a few days for a biotech conference in San Diego, and I had been worried that I wouldn’t have healed by the departure date, but now I’m sure no one will suspect a thing! After that, Michael and I (and the cats!) are heading to see our families (I can’t wait!) then we’ll continue on to spend the month of July in Chicago, our old stomping grounds. All with my new nose. :)!
Day 15:
Well, I think I’ve been on a high for awhile, and I think I had gotten used to healing so well and so quickly, that I feel a little disappointed now that the swelling and redness on the bridge of my nose is taking it’s sweet time. I got spoiled by how little bruising I had to start out with. Still, it’s looking good and getting better every day.
Week 4:
Michael and I drove with the cats to visit our parents on our way to Chicago. Everyone was supportive and seemed to like it, despite the fact that my nose was still swollen a bit on the bridge and a little on the tip. Every day, the swelling reduces, but it is slow going.
Week 5:
The cooler weather in Chicago seems to be helping the swelling. My nose is looking good, and the swelling is barely noticeable to others. I, though, can still tell my nose has some swollen areas. The swelling gets worse with heat and exercise, so I’m trying to limit those things, but I’m still walking a lot everyday and getting some blading in.
Week 6:
There is still swelling at the tip (mostly noticeable because of the stiffness) and a few residual bump on the bridge along with some redness. I’m really pleased with how it’s looking!!! I love the profile...
One last comparison:
I’ll update as time goes by
and the swelling decreases more. Ciao!!
JOURNAL UPDATE 2/02
I had a quick revision surgery done (1/3/02)
to remove a bump on the side of my bridge that was not going away.
Although
it was just a small bump, it really affected the way I felt about the
outcome.
My surgeon, who felt the same way I did, was really great about fixing
it. I went under general again, and recovery wasn’t as bad as the first
time. I had tape on my nose for about one week, slight swelling after
that,
but, now, all swelling is 95% gone, and I’m so happy with the results!
Again, not much change from the front, still a "strongish" nose, but
without
the hump. I’m so pleased with it!
Here are pics one 6 weeks after my revision:
