Septoplasty / Rhinoplasty
Linda's Roman (roamin') nose, fine-tuned
(Michelangelo would be proud!)
Surgery: 19 November 2001
Introduction
Having suffered with sinus infections for many years, and knowing that I had a deviated septum, I thought perhaps now was the time to get a septoplasty. working in the musical theatre, I could not afford any more sinus infections and sinus drainage affecting my singing voice.
Although most people felt my italian nose was fairly attractive, I thought it would look better if the slight hump was removed on the bridge. in addition, in a profile, with my deep-set eyes, I looked like, well, pinocchio! after consulting with my ps about what can be done, he suggested that he can definitely refine my nose and improve it.
Sunday
evening, before bed:
Asked hubby to take
a photo of me, without makeup--front and profile--the 'old me!'
Monday
- Nov. 19th
Actually quite calm
and looking forward to the procedure! My girlfriend picked me up and we
headed out to the clinic, just outside of cleveland. filled out some
forms,
changed clothes and sat in a recliner while waiting. the
anesthesioligist
came; set me up with an iv (ugh!) as well as the doctor's office
assistant
and we chatted awhile. the doctor came and i joked how he will now make
me beautiful! he explained the procedure--septoplasty and rhinoplasty--
should take about four hours. it was all a very relaxed
atmosphere
and everyone in the clinic was very friendly.
Finally the time came and i was taken to the operating room! As I walked in the room, I noticed my doctor had two enlarged photos of me--one front and one profile--elevated in front of him--these were the photos he had taken with his digital camera for his computer when I had my consultation in his office. I thought that was interesting, as he was evidently going to refer to them! As I went to lie down, my doctor for some reason decided to measure my ear. That's all i remember until i woke up five hours later!
AFTER
THE SURGERY--I feel beat up
I remember my doctor
was there and someone handed me a mirror---I looked like godzilla! my
eyes
were black and blue. I cracked a joke about looking beautiful,
and
basically just chatted a few minutes. The surgery took longer than
expected--five
hours--and I lost alot of blood. but i felt fine, no pain, just a
slight, dull headache.
I was given a bucket with ice and gauze for my swelling, as well as gauze for under my nose; a nurse helped me change and wheeled me out to the car. I asked her to take a photo of me, to which she replied "you look terrible!" to which I replied, "I know! It's for the website!" and so she did.
TUESDAY,
The Next Day
I slept very little
that evening; my nose was running and I could not blow it! I had
ice by my bedside and kept putting the cold gauze on my eyes. I
also
sipped on water during the night as I got very dry. other than that, I
did not need any pain medication. So I just took the antibiotic given
me.
I looked like a zombie. My eyes were black and blue and now swollen terribly. One of my eyes was practically swollen shut. I had my husband take a picture of me--I'm a glutton for punishment--and decided to lie down as I felt like I was hit by a truck. i was weak, dizzy, and needed to rest. I also decided to take a pain pill and continued the antibiotic.
WEDNESDAY,
TWO DAYS POST OP--MISERY!!
I remember thinking
what a trauma my body had just gone through. i felt just miserable. i
looked
just as bad, but with some rest, i began to feel a bit better. It was
then
that i felt there was light at the end of the tunnel. i knew i had to
be
patient for my body to heal. took another photo of my lovely self
before
going to bed.
THURSDAY--
THREE DAYS POST OP - A bit better
My black and blue
is going down, and you can actually see my green eyes! The black
and blue is now turning yellow. Still resting alot, still putting
ice
gauze pads on my eyes, still taking the pain med and the antibiotic.
Will
I feel better tomorrow?? It's getting hopeful!
FRIDAY,
-- FOUR DAYS POST OP
Didn't sleep well
last night--nose is still stuffed up and running! watery blood and
goop--yuck!
I woke up feeling like i was hit by a truck. husband said i look
better;
my black and blue is almost all yellow now, so he says that means I am
healing. oh, joy! now if only I can blow my nose!!
SATURDAY--FIVE
DAYS POST-OP
Still having trouble
sleeping at night. this is a very uncomfortable experience and one that
hopefully will be worth it when it's all done! I woke up
feeling
very tired again and am tired all day. Basically I think the
anesthesia
is still in my system. As soon as it is out of my system, I will
probably
have more energy. I am looking forward to going to my doctor's on
tuesday
to get this THING off my nose once and for all! it still hurts to touch
it and my nose is still dripping. Bruising and swelling have gone down
considerably. Counting the days!!
SUNDAY
- SIX DAYS POST OP
bruising is minimal;
still uncomfortable to sleep, but will be seeing my doctor on Tuesday
to
hopefully get the cast off! photos will follow!!
Tuesay,
Eight days post op--CAST IS COMING OFF!!
I was so excited to
finally be getting my cast off! It had been an excruciatingly
uncomfortable
experience having the splints in my nose. I would say the splints were
the most uncomfortable part of the entire 'package'. They evidently
were
inserted directly up into the nostrils, who knows how far??? It felt
like
someone had shoved their fist up my nose! When I finally got to my ps,
he seemed eager to see the 'new nose' as well! he removed the splints
(OUCH!!)--and
the gunk inside was GROSS!--as well as the cast (he carefully inserted
something underneath it, gently sliding the instrument so as to loosen
and remove the cast). then he removed some stitches, some of which were
stubborn, and my eyes were tearing from the pain. but a word of
advice--DON'T
MOVE OR IT WILL BE WORSE! just stay still so the doctor can do his job
safely and efficiently. He looked at me, showed me the mirror, !
and---YIPES!
IS THAT ME??? The nose was a bit strange--not sure I liked it--the
profile
was beautiful, but the front was a bit pinched and harsh looking. The
doctor
assured me that it will soften as the swelling goes down. The cast had
been 'squeezed' on the bridge of my nose for a whole week, which is why
it looked pinched and a bit sharp. He was very pleased with 'his
work' and i was happy it was finally done! I am still a bit black and
blue,
and the tip of my nose is tender and numb, but I am hoping when I see
him
in two weeks, it will feel better!
14 days
post op--is this nose really MINE?????
As I continue to heal,
I feel like someone punched me in the nose--it hurts, especially the
tip.
But it is well worth it! I know the discomfort will pass. I love
my new nose!
My eyes are almost all cleared and bruising almost all gone. I just received my Pre-Op photos--to follow--and will continue to post as my other photos come in!As you can see from my Pre-Op photos, I didn't have the worst looking nose in the world. It was straight, and fairly good-looking. But from a profile, you can see where shortening my nose would enhance it's appearance. My plastic surgeon knew he could improve on it, both from the side and from the front, where he felt he could reduce the size of the nostrils and diminish the "roundness" and fullness around the tip of my nose. Of course, the slight bump on the bridge could be reduced as well, creating an illusion of my eyes being larger and wider apart. So, here are my Pre-Op photos! The "old" me!
Post Op Photos
MIRROR MIRROR ON THE
WALL, WHO'S THE UGLIEST POST-OP
PATIENT OF ALL?? ME
ME ME ME
Released From Surgery!
next day--horror!!
Three days post op:
my cheeks dropped! chipmunk face:
Four
weeks post op:
The swelling is almost
all gone, and most of the numbness has subsided. I love my new
nose!
Interestingly, though, many of my friends can't even tell I had
anything
done--and that's a compliment to my plastic surgeon's expertise, as he
created a nose that has a very natural appearance.
I have also noticed that due to the septoplasty, i can breathe much easier and have high hopes that I won't suffer from any more sinus infections!
For all of you who want to know, my plastic surgeon's name is Dr. Rodney Green from Lyndhurst, Ohio (http://www.dr-rodgreen.com). He is one of the top plastic surgeons in cleveland and I can see why! I have already recommended him to a friend who will be having rhinoplasty done at the end of this month.
So that's my journey of a roman nose fine-tuned. thank you, everyone, for your support, knowledge, and friendship!
photos!
In the meantime, I love my profile:
Compare!!
Eight
Weeks Post Op
My nose
has been healing nicely and most of the swelling is down!
Ten Weeks
Post Op!
I am
so pleased with the results; no more visible swelling,
and
I have a very natural-looking nose!
Thank
you all again for your support and encouragement; for
those
of you contemplating a rhinoplasty, I say, "GO FOR IT!"
ONE YEAR POST-OP
It is true what they say: that it takes a full year for all the swelling to go down! My Plastic Surgeon took recent photos of me, and now I have the before and after photos for you to see! For the best views of before and after, maximize your computer screen!
Side
Views
Before
After
