I'd thought about getting my nose done since I was twelve, I'm now twenty nine. Being teased by ones peers because of the way I looked wasn't a particularly nice experience, what with all the other changes teenage girls have to go through but it did make me a stronger person. Despite developing into a happy, confident, outgoing person, I still knew one day I'd have a rhinoplasty operation.
Two important things
to mentions at this stage. Firstly, any kind of cosmetic surgery has to
be 100% for you. Sure it may have been others that made you
self-conscious
about your nose in the first place but at the end of the day if you
don't
like what you see staring back at you in the mirror every morning then
you have the right to do something about it. That's essentially how I
felt
about my nose. A relative asked me if I was so bothered about my nose
why
didn't I just get it done on the NHS. True I could have taken that
route
but I strongly feel that NHS cosmetic surgery should be reserved for
those
who have facial disfigurements or damage their face in an accident.
Secondly,
make sure you do your research. From choosing a surgeon, to knowing
about
the surgical procedures involved and post-op care its important that
you
know all the facts before you get into that hospital gown. It's scary
watching
those cosmetic surgery documentaries that show people totally under
estimating
what they are letting themselves in for. I surfed the web for months
and
found loads of information, looked at endless before and after photos
including
still photos of a rhinoplasty operation. I didn't find this site
until day four post-op.
Consultation
From the day my GP
recommended a local private Bupa hospital for my operation it took two
weeks for me to get a consultation, which I thought was pretty good.
Questions
in hand I told the surgeon what procedure I wanted done. I was then
asked
what I didn't like about my nose, at this point we went over to a
mirror
and I pointed out the areas I considered were my goals to improve,
profile
and the tip of my nose (lacks definition). The surgeon proceeded to
have
a good feel of my nose, stuck some instrument up my nose to have a look
and checked that I could breathe okay out of each nostril. He then
proceeded
to sketch a frontal and profile view of what my nose structure looked
like
and what surgically could be done in my case. All the risks were
outlined
before he asked if I wanted time to think about the operation. I said
sixteen
years was long enough to think, lets book a date for the operation. I
don't
know if this is general advice for all cosmetic surgery but I was told
I had to be off the pill one month prior to surgery.
Operation
Day
The month between
my consultation and operation I had some serious looks in the mirror.
Although
I was 100% sure I wanted to go through with the operation I was
slightly
apprehensive about the general anaesthetic, I'd never had one before,
plus
all those potential risks were buzzing around in my head. My
fiancé
who didn't think I needed the operation was concerned I would go
through
all this and not be happy with the results. Even with the potential
risks
involved I felt that so long as both my surgeon and I understood my
goals
I would be happy.
I was told to check into the hospital at 8:30am for my operation at 10am. I thought I would have a lot of twiddling my thumbs and pacing about. Quite the opposite it was like Piccadilly Circus in my hospital room. First the nurse gave me a form that asked for my details, next of kin etc. Then the resident doctor came and asked me various medical questions to determine my state of health, checked my blood pressure, heart rate and did that tapping of the back thing that doctors do. Then the anaesthetist came in and went over what was going to happen prior to going into theatre. Asked if I wanted a pre-med to make me sleepy and relaxed. As my heart was pounding inside my chest I thought this option would be a good idea. I was then visited by my surgeon who took some before pictures and made sure I was okay to go ahead with the operation.
After I signed the consent form I changed into one of those "attractive" hospital gowns and surgical stockings (helps prevent blood clotting). I was then given the pre-med injection just above the bum and told to relax while it took effect, approximately 20 minutes. Although the pre-med didn't make me feel particularly sleepy my limbs felt heavy as I was helped onto the operating trolley and wheeled down into the preparation room where I got a general anaesthetic. I was officially chilled out!
The next thing I remember is coming round from the general anaesthetic with the nurse changing the dressing under my nose and putting the oxygen mask back on my face. The gauze dressing was changed on a regular basis within the first 24hrs after surgery. On my left arm I was hooked up to a machine that monitored my blood pressure every hour and on my right hand I still had tubes where the general anaesthetic was injected just in case they needed to give me anything for nausea. I felt really tired, groggy and very very thirsty. I managed to take a sip of water at this stage but was promptly sick, the effects of the general anaesthetic and getting blood in my stomach. I was okay after that and drifted back to sleep. The surgeon came to visit me after I was a bit more awake to say the operation went well and that he would see me in the morning to take out the packing.
Later on in between some visitors I was given some food which made me sick again. Despite not having eaten for sixteen hours I wasn't particularly hungry just very very thirsty. So until the next morning I sipped water through my drinking straw and ate a few grapes. Just before my fiancé came to visit I had my first look in the mirror. Wasn't shocked by what I saw, I just thought okay this is what I'm going to look like for a week. I had small purple bruises under my eyes and the inside corner of the eyelids. I hadn't taken Arnica at this stage. My fiancé on the other hand looked a little shocked to see his nearest and dearest all plastered up. I told him it looked a lot worse than it actually was and that I wasn't in any pain.
Day
One Post-Op
Slept pretty well
and even managed to keep some breakfast down. Surgeon came to take out
packing, which wasn't sore at all. I was expecting great big reams of
stuff
coming out of my nose. Had to stay in hospital about an hour after
packing
was taken out so they could monitor the bleeding. Another appointment
was
made for me to get the plaster off one week later and then I went home.
The nurse at the hospital gave me some extra dressing for under my
nose,
which I decided to use just at night. I thought it best if I tried to
get
some air circulating inside my nose. Surprisingly my nose didn't bleed
that much just the odd drip or two but I'm most impressed with the lack
of any pain or discomfort.
Decided it would be best if I slept alone at least for the first week to avoid any knocks to the face. Not that my fiancé is in the habit of hitting me while I sleep! Slept for most of the day when I got home from hospital. Although I tried to be as discreet as possible on the journey from hospital to our home in the back of our car with a jacket over my head, it must have looked a bit strange considering it was really sunny outside. Never mind.
Day
Two Post-Op
Bruising is much more
prominent today especially over the eyelids, dark purple - very
attractive!
At least the whites of my eye look really white. Applied crushed ice
wrapped
in a towel over eyes and top of cheeks every hour. I also used chilled
herbal tea, apparently that's good for bruising and swelling.
bruising coming along nicely
Decided not to spray any perfumes or deodorants around the house to avoid sneezing. If you do sneeze, the advice is to sneeze through your mouth, mmm...haven't tried that technique before. Lets hope I don't have to find out. Sneezing through the nose at this stage would build up pressure in the nasal area, probably uncomfortable.
Day
Three Post-Op
Eyes are at their
maximum puffiness and colour, I hope! Gently breathing much better
through
my nose and my sense of smell is as normal.
day 3 post-op
this
is as bad as it gets
Day
Four Post-Op
Thank heavens, I can
see a marked difference in my eyelids today. Puffiness is reducing and
there is much more yellow colouration to the bruising than the purple
of
day two and three.
Managed to get contact lenses in for first time since the operation. Could only wear them for five hours as eyes became quite dry.
Day
Five Post-Op
First night without
dressing under nose, yippee! Had a tiny amount of blood to remove in
the
morning. Although I've been very fortunate not to experience pain, that
is enough pain to merit taking any painkillers, there is still a heavy
sensation around my nose, nothing unpleasant. The best way I can
describe
the sensation is that its like having one of those wrap around leg
weights
on your nose. No, I haven't tried this and I certainly don't recommend
that you try to find out until you are at least six months post-op!
(lol).
I've spoken to a few friends while at home and they say I sound like I've got a bad cold but without the symptoms. Stuffiness can last for several weeks but that depends on the individual.
Day
Six Post-Op
Couldn't settle today,
too excited about tomorrow. Normally I would go to the gym or out for a
cycle when I feel like this but that's a no no for several weeks yet.
So
I wrote a little, sang along with my cd's (as best I could with a cast
across my nose) and prised some of my eyebrows away from the elastopast.
bruising is fading
At last, I got most of the dried blood out of my nostrils, with some warm water, face cloth and a pair of tweezers - lovely. You may be going yuk right now but these are the little things you will have to go through.
Day
Seven Post-Op The Bandages Come Off!!
Got up at 5am and
decided to finish typing journal, I was just too excited. At the
hospital
the surgeon asked how the past week had been and then proceeded to
gently
remove the elastopasts from my cheeks and forehead, that was the only
sore
bit about this procedure. Same sensation as peeling off a face mask
that
has been left on too long. It was a weird sensation when the actual
cast
came off, thankfully my nose stayed put. The surgeon felt around my
nose
before placing several strips of tape across the bridge to help with
the
swelling at the tip and between the eyes.
with tape still on nose
My first impression was oh my god I've got eyes! Then I looked at myI didn't have a particularly crooked nose, more a gradual hump along the dorsum. Even at this early stage you can see that the columella has been raised (underside of the tip) and the hump taken away from the dorsum. The yellow bruising below the eye isn't that yellow in fact, it's just not a very good polaroid. Once I get the tape off I'll post some updated pictures.
nose and thought a little swollen at the tip and between the eyes but
overall I was extremely pleased with the result. I can't help looking in
the mirror just to make sure it's really me. The nose feels slightly numb
at the tip but that'll gradually improve over time. The skin will
obviously be delicate until it shrink-wraps to it's new form so I'll just
have to be gentle when washing my face. Trying to create facial
expressions feels odd just now i.e. smiling really widely (a bit like a
Wallace & Gromit character), frowning (not doing too much of that I
have to say). For now I'll continue taking Arnica till the bruising has
gone completely and apply cold compresses over the swollen areas.
Verdict:Blooming marvelous! This definitely calls for a new hairdo before I return to work.
