Splint off tomorrow morning... I'm so excited!
Wish me luck, xx
Wish me luck, xx
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Rhinoplasty Recovery: A Nose Bleed
It's now only two days until the splint is removed and I'm very excited! I hope it's OK - not too different, but not too similar either.
I had a small nose bleed yesterday; nothing major, but it was unexpected. You should try to keep your head elevated for the first few days after surgery, but I've gone back to sleeping normally. Maybe that has put too much pressure on my nose.
You may also like:
Rhinoplasty Recovery: How to Minimise Bruising
Medication, Stiches and Splint
I had a small nose bleed yesterday; nothing major, but it was unexpected. You should try to keep your head elevated for the first few days after surgery, but I've gone back to sleeping normally. Maybe that has put too much pressure on my nose.
You may also like:
Rhinoplasty Recovery: How to Minimise Bruising
Medication, Stiches and Splint
Monday, 29 March 2010
Rhinoplasty Recovery: Day Seven
Today I'm almost completely back to normal. I can eat, sleep and chat like before.
My friends came round to the house on day 5 and I was out of steam by midnight. My friend, who didn't know about the surgery, looked so shocked to see me with plasters all over my face. She didn't believe me when I told her I'd had a nose job. All three friends were great about it and couldn't believe how well I looked. They were expecting black eyes and swelling, but nope.
The stitches seem to be made of a cotton-like material and they aren't as scary as I first thought. The tip of my nose isn't as sensitive, although either side of the bridge is still tender and I'm worried that the swelling won't go down. At this point I could leave the house, but I don't want people asking too many questions. I answered the door to the postman and he was shocked and worried about the splint, thinking that I'd been in an accident!
I stopped taking Cocodamol on Day 3 as I suspected that they were making me feel quite ill. Other than one dose of paracetemol for a headache, which may or may not have been related to the surgery, I haven't taken any pain relief and have felt fine.
Three more days until I have the splint removed. I'm planning on meeting some friends from work for lunch afterwards, so that it's not so daunting going back to the office next week.
xx
My friends came round to the house on day 5 and I was out of steam by midnight. My friend, who didn't know about the surgery, looked so shocked to see me with plasters all over my face. She didn't believe me when I told her I'd had a nose job. All three friends were great about it and couldn't believe how well I looked. They were expecting black eyes and swelling, but nope.
The stitches seem to be made of a cotton-like material and they aren't as scary as I first thought. The tip of my nose isn't as sensitive, although either side of the bridge is still tender and I'm worried that the swelling won't go down. At this point I could leave the house, but I don't want people asking too many questions. I answered the door to the postman and he was shocked and worried about the splint, thinking that I'd been in an accident!
I stopped taking Cocodamol on Day 3 as I suspected that they were making me feel quite ill. Other than one dose of paracetemol for a headache, which may or may not have been related to the surgery, I haven't taken any pain relief and have felt fine.
Three more days until I have the splint removed. I'm planning on meeting some friends from work for lunch afterwards, so that it's not so daunting going back to the office next week.
xx
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Telling People You're Getting a Nose Job
Three friends are coming round for dinner this evening. I've trimmed the plasters back, washed my hair for the first time since surgery and put on some make-up. Apart from the plasters, I haven't scrubbed up too badly. Well, we'll see what the girls say. Two of the girls know about the surgery, but one doesn't. Surprise!
I made the decision to have surgery entirely by myself. I never talked about how I felt about my nose before; it seemed like a really big deal. I told one friend a month before surgery and she was surprised, then listed a few surgeries she would like to have herself. Another friend was the same. She told me that I didn't need it and then said "take me with you!".
That has been a common reaction. I think most people have body hang ups and it's such a pity. I like the little features that make people different. To be honest, my nose was quite strong and 'Roman' looking before hand. I didn't mind that. The problem was that it was just too big for my face. I don't have a big family either, where we all have the same shape of nose and can wear it as a badge of honour. It was just me dealing with that monster on my own.
Rhinoplasty isn't going to make me a perfect by any means - far from it - and there are a few features which I'm not overly keen on, but the nose is the only thing that I'm going to change.
My friend was very supportive. Telling the first person was the hardest. I felt so silly saying it, but when I did, it cemented it. I was going to get Rhinoplasty. Telling my mum was hard - I thought she'd be angry, but she was completely fine about it.
xx
I made the decision to have surgery entirely by myself. I never talked about how I felt about my nose before; it seemed like a really big deal. I told one friend a month before surgery and she was surprised, then listed a few surgeries she would like to have herself. Another friend was the same. She told me that I didn't need it and then said "take me with you!".
That has been a common reaction. I think most people have body hang ups and it's such a pity. I like the little features that make people different. To be honest, my nose was quite strong and 'Roman' looking before hand. I didn't mind that. The problem was that it was just too big for my face. I don't have a big family either, where we all have the same shape of nose and can wear it as a badge of honour. It was just me dealing with that monster on my own.
Rhinoplasty isn't going to make me a perfect by any means - far from it - and there are a few features which I'm not overly keen on, but the nose is the only thing that I'm going to change.
My friend was very supportive. Telling the first person was the hardest. I felt so silly saying it, but when I did, it cemented it. I was going to get Rhinoplasty. Telling my mum was hard - I thought she'd be angry, but she was completely fine about it.
xx
Friday, 26 March 2010
Rhinoplasty - Medication, Stitches and Splint
Day four is much better than day three. I think it was more to do with the medication than the surgery. Voltarol is used to relieve pain and inflammation and my nurse advised me to discontinue use if I experienced any stomach upset or heartburn. I noticed both on the evening of day two and it continued into day three, so I stopped taking them. Yesterday, thirst, drowsiness and headache were added to the mix. My nose also felt very swollen and straining against the splint. From my reading prior to the operation, a few people said that they experienced the most pain on days two and three, so if this is all I get I'm grateful.
Today I've experienced no pain and no bruising. I can flare my nostrils a little, although it does feel a bit tight. Some people have reported numbness in the nose following the operation. It does feel a little different, like it's coming round from pins and needles. Have a look at my blog post on how to minimise bruising after Rhinoplasty.
Stitches
My stitches are dissolvable, which means they're made from natural or synthetic material that the body can break down over time. The stitch will either fall out or will be removed by the doctor once the wound is closed.
I have a little portable torch and had a look at the inside of the nostril. You can see where quite a large incision was made on the septum in both nostrils. The stitches look pretty sturdy, which made me think that there is no way they will dissolve by themselves. I'll let you know. It also made me think what an amazing feat Closed Rhinoplasty is. How does the surgeon do so much work from inside your nose, leaving such small scars behind?
Splint
This is made of Plaster of Paris material, moulded round the nose. It runs from between my eyes to just above the tip of my nose and it is attached with plasters. The plasters will be sore to remove - as plasters usually are - but the splint should just lift off.
Today I've experienced no pain and no bruising. I can flare my nostrils a little, although it does feel a bit tight. Some people have reported numbness in the nose following the operation. It does feel a little different, like it's coming round from pins and needles. Have a look at my blog post on how to minimise bruising after Rhinoplasty.
Stitches
My stitches are dissolvable, which means they're made from natural or synthetic material that the body can break down over time. The stitch will either fall out or will be removed by the doctor once the wound is closed.
I have a little portable torch and had a look at the inside of the nostril. You can see where quite a large incision was made on the septum in both nostrils. The stitches look pretty sturdy, which made me think that there is no way they will dissolve by themselves. I'll let you know. It also made me think what an amazing feat Closed Rhinoplasty is. How does the surgeon do so much work from inside your nose, leaving such small scars behind?
Splint
This is made of Plaster of Paris material, moulded round the nose. It runs from between my eyes to just above the tip of my nose and it is attached with plasters. The plasters will be sore to remove - as plasters usually are - but the splint should just lift off.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Rhinoplasty Recovery: Day Three. Urgh!
I'm not feeling so good today. I feel like ass.
No pain, just a bit of nausea, drowsiness and a headache. Urgh!
I've heard before that Day 3's supposed to be the worst so I'll update you properly tomorrow.
No pain, just a bit of nausea, drowsiness and a headache. Urgh!
I've heard before that Day 3's supposed to be the worst so I'll update you properly tomorrow.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Rhinoplasty Recovery - day two
By 10.30 am on day two, I had already eaten two breakfasts and four glasses of water. I was famished and so thirsty!
I slept the whole night, from about 11.30pm to 7am. The nurse recommended sleeping almost upright, propped up on pillows, which I thought would be uncomfortable, but it wasn't so bad. Although to be fair, I rarely wake up at 7am and if I do, it's very reluctantly. Maybe this is an unexpected side effect of my new nose? Oh dear.
Last night, I noticed that my nose and surrounding area had started to swell. My splint and plasters were very tight. It was painless - just uncomfortable. I had also avoided bruises, although the inner corners of my eye sockets felt a little tender if I put pressure on them. The plasters were uncomfortable too: I was very aware of them on my face and hated to think what my skin looked like underneath. However this was all entirely superficial. I experienced minimal pain and I'm so surprised and grateful for this. Check out my blog post on how to minimise bruising after a nose job.
The light bleeding from my nose stopped so I removed the gauze covering my nostrils. You can get quite a good idea of the shape and I like what I see so far, but I'm still nervous about seeing the results. My biggest concern is that the doctor removed 4mm of cartilage on either side of the tip of my nose. I hope it doesn't look too pinched or piggy.
I slept the whole night, from about 11.30pm to 7am. The nurse recommended sleeping almost upright, propped up on pillows, which I thought would be uncomfortable, but it wasn't so bad. Although to be fair, I rarely wake up at 7am and if I do, it's very reluctantly. Maybe this is an unexpected side effect of my new nose? Oh dear.
Last night, I noticed that my nose and surrounding area had started to swell. My splint and plasters were very tight. It was painless - just uncomfortable. I had also avoided bruises, although the inner corners of my eye sockets felt a little tender if I put pressure on them. The plasters were uncomfortable too: I was very aware of them on my face and hated to think what my skin looked like underneath. However this was all entirely superficial. I experienced minimal pain and I'm so surprised and grateful for this. Check out my blog post on how to minimise bruising after a nose job.
The light bleeding from my nose stopped so I removed the gauze covering my nostrils. You can get quite a good idea of the shape and I like what I see so far, but I'm still nervous about seeing the results. My biggest concern is that the doctor removed 4mm of cartilage on either side of the tip of my nose. I hope it doesn't look too pinched or piggy.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
What does Rhinoplasty involve?
After many years of wanting to change my nose, I booked in for surgery a little over two months after my initial consultation. This gave me extra time to research the procedure and make sure I was making the right decision. By the time the surgery came round I had no doubt that I was doing the right thing for me. The only worries I had were about the shape of my 'new' nose, bruising and - most of all - the general anaesthetic.
The night before surgery, I started to worry. I read a few articles on a discussion board and there were mixed reports on Rhinoplasty. Some people loved the work while others had some difficulties afterwards. A common theme was that some people noticed the appearance of a bump some time after surgery. I expect that this is to do with scar tissue, or perhaps the bone trying to replace itself, so I am preparing for it.
You are advised not to eat or drink six hours before the surgery. I had a final meal at 7pm the night before and a glass of water at 10pm.
I arrived at the clinic at 7.30am and had a consultation with the nurse, who has been at the surgery for five years. She gave me a general health check, asked about previous operations and health problems, checked my blood pressure and weighed me. My blood pressure was higher than usual, with a diastolic reading (the lower number) in the 90s. I was feeling quite stressed that morning, so that was to be expected.
I then met with the anaesthetist, who talked me through his role. He gave me dissolvable pain killers - paracetamol, Co-codomal and something else - then the nurse took me into the changing room to put on my gown. Not too flattering, those things, are they?
We then went into the operating room, where the anaesthetist took my blood pressure and inserted a cannula into the back of my right hand. He told me that his daughter had a similar procedure with the same doctor and loved the work, which put me at ease. Once everyone was in the operating room, the anaesthetist started putting some liquid into the cannula. He told me that it was just to relax me, but next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room.
I felt very little pain - it feels like I have a cold or rubbed my nose too often with tissues. Bear in mind, though, that the procedure will affect people in different ways.
I felt tired and queasy for the first hour. The nurse brought me tea and toast and called my friend to come and collect me. I walked about for a bit and after an hour and fifteen minutes, I was feeling well enough to go home. The nurse sent me home with co-codamol, to be taken every four to six hours and Voltarol - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory - to be taken three times daily.
My friend arrived to collect me at noon - only four and a half hours after arriving - and after checking that I was well, laughed at me because I looked like Hannibal Lector with my splint. So I got my hat and scarf on, then sneaked out the side door to the car for the journey home.
Back at home, I still feel fine. From what I've read, I expect to have more swelling, bruising and a bit of pain on day two or three. Surprisingly, I can't see any bruising so far, but I took some preventative action: have a look at my blog post on how to minimise bruising after cosmetic surgery.
Shortly after returning home I was well enough to eat and had some tomato soup and two rounds of bread. I have some gauze below my nose, which got covered in tomato soup, which wasn't a good look! So I changed the gauze, which is only there until the light bleeding stops, and had a first look at the tip of my nose. It's a little bloody, and still bleeding lightly (it didn't require any packing), but from what I can see, it looks nice - smaller, neater and not too much nostril, which I was concerned about. I won't see the full result until 1st April when I have my splint removed.
I'm surprised at how easy it's been so far. I can even breathe through my nose. The only problem has been a little queasiness but it's nothing worse than the feeling you would have the morning after a couple of glasses of wine.
You may also be interested in:
The night before surgery, I started to worry. I read a few articles on a discussion board and there were mixed reports on Rhinoplasty. Some people loved the work while others had some difficulties afterwards. A common theme was that some people noticed the appearance of a bump some time after surgery. I expect that this is to do with scar tissue, or perhaps the bone trying to replace itself, so I am preparing for it.
You are advised not to eat or drink six hours before the surgery. I had a final meal at 7pm the night before and a glass of water at 10pm.
I arrived at the clinic at 7.30am and had a consultation with the nurse, who has been at the surgery for five years. She gave me a general health check, asked about previous operations and health problems, checked my blood pressure and weighed me. My blood pressure was higher than usual, with a diastolic reading (the lower number) in the 90s. I was feeling quite stressed that morning, so that was to be expected.
I then met with the anaesthetist, who talked me through his role. He gave me dissolvable pain killers - paracetamol, Co-codomal and something else - then the nurse took me into the changing room to put on my gown. Not too flattering, those things, are they?
We then went into the operating room, where the anaesthetist took my blood pressure and inserted a cannula into the back of my right hand. He told me that his daughter had a similar procedure with the same doctor and loved the work, which put me at ease. Once everyone was in the operating room, the anaesthetist started putting some liquid into the cannula. He told me that it was just to relax me, but next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room.
I felt very little pain - it feels like I have a cold or rubbed my nose too often with tissues. Bear in mind, though, that the procedure will affect people in different ways.
I felt tired and queasy for the first hour. The nurse brought me tea and toast and called my friend to come and collect me. I walked about for a bit and after an hour and fifteen minutes, I was feeling well enough to go home. The nurse sent me home with co-codamol, to be taken every four to six hours and Voltarol - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory - to be taken three times daily.
My friend arrived to collect me at noon - only four and a half hours after arriving - and after checking that I was well, laughed at me because I looked like Hannibal Lector with my splint. So I got my hat and scarf on, then sneaked out the side door to the car for the journey home.
Back at home, I still feel fine. From what I've read, I expect to have more swelling, bruising and a bit of pain on day two or three. Surprisingly, I can't see any bruising so far, but I took some preventative action: have a look at my blog post on how to minimise bruising after cosmetic surgery.
Shortly after returning home I was well enough to eat and had some tomato soup and two rounds of bread. I have some gauze below my nose, which got covered in tomato soup, which wasn't a good look! So I changed the gauze, which is only there until the light bleeding stops, and had a first look at the tip of my nose. It's a little bloody, and still bleeding lightly (it didn't require any packing), but from what I can see, it looks nice - smaller, neater and not too much nostril, which I was concerned about. I won't see the full result until 1st April when I have my splint removed.
I'm surprised at how easy it's been so far. I can even breathe through my nose. The only problem has been a little queasiness but it's nothing worse than the feeling you would have the morning after a couple of glasses of wine.
You may also be interested in:
Should I have Rhinoplasty?
Hello Everyone.
After years of deliberating, I had a nose job this morning (23 March 2010). It was a scary decision, so I hope to get some time over the next few weeks and months to give you an insight into my experience of the surgery and recovery.
I've wanted Rhinoplasty since I started secondary school at eleven years old. My nose always seemed a little too big for my face. Sometimes I thought, "what am I thinking? It's fine" and at other times I would spend hours putting pressure on the bump to try to reduce it. The problem was largely my profile: I had a bump on the bridge of my nose and the tip was too large.
After starting my first job and clearing some debt from University, I started saving, although for nothing in particular. When Christmas came round in 2009, I had some savings and decided to book a consultation. The consultation was booked for January and cost £100.
I met with the doctor who would be carrying out the surgery and we discussed the procedure, the risks and my expectations. I explained what I wanted ("my nose, but nicer"), we discussed what I saw as the problem areas and the doctor explained that we could reduce the bump, refine the tip and lift the nose slightly.
In hindsight, I probably should have booked a few more consultations at different clinics, but I guess the fee put me off. However I had a great feeling about the doctor and the clinic. He is registered with the 'British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons' (BAPRAS) - http://www.bapras.org.uk/ - specialises in Rhinoplasty and understood what I wanted. The fee for my procedure - Closed Rhinoplasty - was £3,500.
I took some time to mull over my decision and then about a week later I booked in for surgery on 23rd March, 2010.
And now I'm feeling a bit sleepy after surgery, so I'm off for a quick snooze before updating you on Day one!
xx
After years of deliberating, I had a nose job this morning (23 March 2010). It was a scary decision, so I hope to get some time over the next few weeks and months to give you an insight into my experience of the surgery and recovery.
I've wanted Rhinoplasty since I started secondary school at eleven years old. My nose always seemed a little too big for my face. Sometimes I thought, "what am I thinking? It's fine" and at other times I would spend hours putting pressure on the bump to try to reduce it. The problem was largely my profile: I had a bump on the bridge of my nose and the tip was too large.
After starting my first job and clearing some debt from University, I started saving, although for nothing in particular. When Christmas came round in 2009, I had some savings and decided to book a consultation. The consultation was booked for January and cost £100.
I met with the doctor who would be carrying out the surgery and we discussed the procedure, the risks and my expectations. I explained what I wanted ("my nose, but nicer"), we discussed what I saw as the problem areas and the doctor explained that we could reduce the bump, refine the tip and lift the nose slightly.
In hindsight, I probably should have booked a few more consultations at different clinics, but I guess the fee put me off. However I had a great feeling about the doctor and the clinic. He is registered with the 'British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons' (BAPRAS) - http://www.bapras.org.uk/ - specialises in Rhinoplasty and understood what I wanted. The fee for my procedure - Closed Rhinoplasty - was £3,500.
I took some time to mull over my decision and then about a week later I booked in for surgery on 23rd March, 2010.
And now I'm feeling a bit sleepy after surgery, so I'm off for a quick snooze before updating you on Day one!
xx
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