rhinoplasty

[dahliabloo]

I have booked a consultation for rhinoplasty...my nose has always bothered me a lot (it's really quite wonky and big). I have a list of questions for the surgeon and I'll take it from there. But I'm just wondering if anyone on here is in the same position or has had a nose job and regretted it/ been pleased with the results. I have the money; my bigger problem (if I decide to proceed) will be to convince my partner and/or family to support my decision. I can hardly keep it a secret from them. I know there have been threads on this before, I've read everything I can find but would like to find out more.

I had rhinoplasty as part of a bigger operation to sort out other nasal/ breathing issues (deviated septum, internal scarring blocking one nasal passage). It was NHS (couldn't breath through my nose) and i had a lump on the bridge of my nose removed "while they were in there" is how the surgeon worded it!

The difference was subtle, I still look like "me" but it's just a better version of that makes sense. My surgeon went into great detail prior to the operation about what he wanted to do in terms of shape and look. I felt fully informed and very comfortable.

I was a day patient, checked in 9am, into theatre at 11 for an hour. Came round at 1:39 and discharged at 7. They wanted to keep me in because I was bleeding a bit but that was from the non - rhino part of my op so irrelevant. I had a plastic guard on for a week. Bruising came out undee my eyes and down my cheeks on day 3 and lasted 5 days. A little uncomfortable with the guard on but not too bad. I had an infection but again that was not related to the rhinoplasty. Off work for 2 weeks. No where near as painful as I was expecting it to be and they gave me plenty of codine. Bit nervous taking the guard off after a week, and my nose and cheeks were still slightly swollen but I was delighted with the results. Nose felt a bit sensitive for about 4 months afterwards
No regrets here and glad I took up the offer when the surgeon suggested it.

I had it done in my twenties - my nose was wide with a big bump - looked like a lump of putty really.

I was in for about 24 hours, but I had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic so was glad not to be kicked straight out. When I came around from the op I had a lot of packing in my nose which was removed before I went home (if you've seen that magic trick when the magician removes a massive string of scarves from a top hat that will give you some idea of how much was stuffed up there!), and I was left with a "beak" which stayed on for a week.

Did it hurt? No, not really, not as much as you'd expect. Yes, it ached, and there was some discomfort (and it was quite sensitive once the beak was off) but really it was fine. There was some impressive bruising (two black eyes which went progressively purple and green) and swelling, which took a few weeks to thoroughly clear, but after a week I was able to go out and about, just using a bit of concealer for the bruises.

I didn't tell anyone beforehand, apart from my parents and a couple of close friends. It was amazing how few people actually noticed. Coincidentally I had just had a drastic haircut, and most people thought that was why I looked "different".

I had no regrets whatsoever. My new nose was/is perfect and it gave my confidence a massive boost. I understand that rhinoplasty has a high degree of success, ie not as likely to fail as many of the soft-tissue plastic surgeries (facelifts etc). I would recommend it to anyone.

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I feel like this surgery would give me a confidence boost and I could handle the pain/discomfort with the right pain relief. I've read before that a lot of people don't even notice (too busy worrying about their own imperfections I suppose! ). I could hide away from general public for a week or two. But not my husband. I really don't think he'll understand/support this decision but then if he told me he was going to have unnecessary surgery in the centre of his face I'd be a bit apprehensive too!

My DH is a plastic surgeon and I've had work myself, it's a great thing to be able to do as long as you're doing it for the right reasons (ie not just because you're being pressured or any dysmorphic issues)

Have your family and partner expressed negative views on it so far? If not, they might not have a problem at all. If you sit down and gently but firmly explain what your reasons are and why you want to do this, I'm sure they'll understand. People can be more understanding than you think!

One thing I must say is make sure you ask your doctor who their anesthesiologist is and what their credentials etc are, this is really important and so few people ask, they are as important as the PS in terms of your safety.

Good luck with it all, I hope your consult goes well!

Thank you so much RachelZoe. Definitely not doing it because of pressure but the dysmorphia part is food for thought. I am a bit obsessed. I wish I had had the nerve to book a consultation earlier/when I was younger. Although I probably didn't have the funds then. I have a list of about 15 questions so far for the consultant. Feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement already for the consultation. I'll be in a better position after that. Thanks again.

Ask as many questions as you need to, they won't mind, they like an informed patient, make their job much easier .

Have the consultation and see how you feel, there is no rush.

If the dysmorphia thing has rung a bell then do think on that, sometimes we perceive ourselves very differently to how we really are/our self esteem can get in the way.

DH has had people come into consultations wearing their hair right down over their face or similar, all hunched over and then on inspection they have a perfect symmetrical face, or perfect boobs that he couldn't really improve upon etc.

The motivation must be right and also, write down your expectations and show them to the doctor and discuss them with them, realistic exceptions are important for a successful surgery. Ie, how do you think your life will change post surgery, how will you cope if it isn't what you imagined and all of that.

Thank you so much for this great advice. I think my overriding concerns are other people's reactions and obviously nerves about the end result. The dysmorphia question is a tricky one. I think that (I'm as sure as I can be) my nose dominates my face, in a bad way. I can't be 100% sure about how "bad" it is because I don't want to ask people as it draws attention to it and highlights my insecurities. Or they probably wouldn't tell me anyway! Even the surgeon will presumably not want to offend me. If he did tell me my face was crying out for rhinoplasty I wouldn't be impressed either as it would seem like he was trying to push the sale. As you say, expectations and perspective are everything.

I had my consultation today and I'm still making up my mind. I liked the surgeon and if I proceed I will have another consultation ( for free.) He answered all my questions and now I need some time to reflect and make my mind up. I still have the same concerns: recovery, end result, fear of regret, swelling etc.
For anyone who considered a procedure but then decided not to proceed, did you then forget about it or did it continue to remain in your mind?
Anyone who has had a procedure like this, how sure/nervous were you before you went in? I guess nerves are normal but not sure if my nervousness means I'm not a good candidate.
Also calling on anyone who was discouraged by their friends/family. Experiences of that please.

I wasn't nervous, because I only had 24 hour's notice of a slot becoming available, so I didn't have time for any doubts! And I really hated my nose. It wasn't about other people, it was about ME and how I felt about my appearance. Did people run screaming when they saw me? Of course not. But I knew it was an ugly nose, and I wanted to eliminate the problem which sapped my confidence in my appearance. Having said that, I had nothing but the fullest support from parents and friends beforehand.

Good that you are proceeding with caution and thinking things through carefully, though.

I haven't but have been considering it for a long time.

It's quite a big decision isn't it. To change your facial appearance.

You have had some good useful advice.

Goos luck

I would have loved a nose job in my twenties but was broke. Now wouldn't consider it in my thirties mainly cos I'd feel like a hypocrite trying to bring my son up to love himself and telling him that looks don't.matter. Plus if he ends up with my nose I'd hate him to think that "this must be ugly if mum got hers done".

That said if he wanted a nose job when he's an adult I would want him to do whatever would make him happy.

Good points. Thanks for your input. I'm mostly thinking I will proceed. But every now and then I get a flash of what the hell am I doing. I know my nose is bad. I haven't spoken to my husband yet and he doesn't know I've had the consultation. Any time I've mentioned this before he has been 100% against. It would be unethical not to tell him but I know he won't support this. And I'll still hate my nose. I really wish I could share this with someone in real life but the only people I would want to confide in love me the way I am and I know they'll oppose this.
Another question - any time I Google I find that many/most people who have had rhinoplasty and are pleased with it say that other people didn't notice. They think the person looks better but can't put their finger on why. Can this be true or are the friends just being too tactful to comment? Do you know anyone who you think has definitely had a nose job but has not admitted it or mentioned it?
I think my current nose is bad enough for me to benefit from the surgery but hopefully not so shocking that everyone will know I've had a nose job. Am I wanting to have my cake and eat it?
I don't expect my life to be one iota different with a nicer nose. I just think I would look nicer.

It is definitely true that people didn't notice. I had several people say that I looked different, and I could see them looking strangely at me; only one of my friends actually spotted it without being told. But as I said before, I didn't do it for them, it was for me.

It's a shame your DH won't support you when it's clearly something important to you. "Loving you as you are" is a bit of a red herring. Have you got a good friend you can confide in?

How did you decide on a surgeon ?

GP or friend recommendation? Or just going by location ?

Location leaves me with only a couple of options and of those I had my consultation in the private (more expensive) non-chain place. Maybe I'll go to another place just to compare.....

dahliabloo.. I know this is a really really old thread but did you end up having the surgery?