Considering Rhinoplasty

[sah168]

So I had a consultation yesterday for Rhinoplasty - I've wanted a nose job since I was 15 and at the age of 31 I am now in a position where I am able to afford one. I previously had filler in my nose which fixed my side profile, but it obviously did not really do much to narrow my wide nose which is my main area of concern.

I keep going back and forth with my decision on whether to go ahead - the surgeon I saw was great, very realistic in terms of a results and he also uses the Ultrasonic technique as opposed to the 'hammer and chisel' technique, which apparently means less bruising and a quicker recovery.

I've watched so many nose job vlogs so I feel like I sort of know what to expect in the recovery process, but a few have mentioned other side effects that worry me such as hair loss after the surgery (although temporary), spider veins becoming visible on the nose & trouble breathing.

I am also very aware that there is a 10% chance with this surgery that a revision might be needed, regardless of how skilled the surgeon is.

I would love to hear from anyone that's had it done - both good and bad experiences - particularly if you've had the Ultrasonic rhinoplasty! Aware everyone's experience is different, but I find comfort in speaking to other people who have gone through with it!

@Pipsydodo @BasinHaircut
Thanks for the replies. When I googled rhinoplasty surgeons, obviously, loads come up and I don't know where to start.
Ideally, before booking any consultations, I'd like to have an idea of their prices, as I don't want to pay the consultation fee then realise that they're one of the more expensive ones, i.e. £14k. Do you have idea of their prices before consultation?

I can't believe I'm even considering this. I've watched loads of rhinoplasty vlogs recently and they all seem to be younger. I'm 39, so it's good to hear of others having it done at a similar age. Initially, I was put off having it done as I have two teenage daughters (19 and 17) and I don't want to influence them into having surgery. Also, I don't like the thought of them having plastic surgery (they say they have no intention, but obviously it's their choice and I'd support them). I guess there's going to be lots of different emotions.

@BasinHaircut hope you're feeling well today.

@bimbimbap ooh your surgery is 3 days after mine, we’ll be going through it together

@ABitOfAShitShow Lydia Badia, of (Charles) East & Badia was going to be my second option actually - their work looks amazing!

@HappyEm81 I looked on reviews on RealSelf, Tatler also often have features where they review/recommend the best surgeons in London.

@HappyEm81 just ask about price before you book in I guess? They should be able to give you a price range at the very least? Mine was £6k and I’m in Essex.

As much as I’d loved to have done this 20 years ago, I think back then it just wasn’t as accessible to have cosmetic procedure, not least because of cost. Before now I would never have been able to justify or prioritise this over other things but this is the right time in life for me I suppose. Plus I know I’m doing it for the ‘right’ reasons now.

I get not wanting to influence your daughters but if I’m honest I think a subtle rhinoplasty, or a breast augmentation to give a natural result is different to endless Botox and fillers, or having double G implants etc. Sends a very different message.

@HappyEm81 when I have contacted surgeons, their secretaries have told me what price the Rhinoplasty starts from, or the range of prices. Thet can't give you an exact quote until after the consultation as it depends on how complex the surgery is but at least you have some idea before the consultation.

I also have concerns about passing the wrong message onto my children.
Mine are teenagers and my concern is that they have very similar nose shape to me (lucky them getting my nose genes 😕). I have disliked my nose since I was a child and had nasty comments aimed at me whilst at school and more subtle unintentionally unkind remarks as an adult. I'm now in my 40s and know this is the right time for me to have surgery but don't want my kids to think that if my nose is bad enough for surgery, theirs must be awful too!
They seem to be much stronger, confident teenagers than I ever was and they joke about their large noses, and have never been victims of bullying. I just hope they don't start thinking that they should be changing their looks based upon their Mum doing it.

@Basinhaircut your surgeon sounds amazing. Hope your swelling starts improving soon..I bet you can't wait to get that cast off!

Oh my other tip is that if you wear glasses, you can get something called a ‘nose comfort’ to wear your glasses after surgery. I got one and it’s proved invaluable so far. I’m sure I’ll wear contacts next week but wouldn’t have been putting them in this week due to bruising and swelling.

www.nosecomfort.com/

@BasinHaircut how're you feeling today? Yes, I'm the same - now is the right time for me, too.

@Pipsydodo thanks, I'll ask the secretaries for a rough idea on prices before booking consultations. With the cost of them, I need to pick who I'm going to request a consultation with carefully.

@sah168 thanks for the recommendations - I've had a look on realself and it's a good start.

I'm not too far from Peterborough (under an hour) and they have Fitzwilliam Hospital which is a private hospital offering rhinoplasty, so I'm going to contact them and ask about the surgeons there, then do some research on them.

So much improvement today! Bruising is mostly just a pale yellow colour now and the facial swelling has reduced quite a bit overnight. Yesterday it was all round the bottom half of my face and was really bad, and is only just noticeable today. My actual nose still looks quite swollen though.

Can’t believe it’s Thursday already, splint off and stitches out in 2 days!

@BasinHaircut you must be so excited to get the splint off! Are you able to breathe at all through your nose yet?

Yes very excited, but also nervous to see it. And also scared of it being less protected once the splint is off. I’ve got a bouncy 7 year old with a head like a bowling ball so I’m going to have be permanently on guard!

I’d say I can breathe at least 50-60% through my nose now. There is still some swelling up there, plus I’m a bit stuffy, plus dried blood that I daren’t try and clean out as it might interfere with the stitches.

Another thing I’m really glad I bought now, Kleenex ‘allergy comfort’ tissues. They are so soft.

How's things going, @BasinHaircut? Have you had the cast off?

I've made some progress; I've done a lot of research and found a surgeon I'm interested in. I spoke to the clinic yesterday and he has availability for a consultation in May. I'm thinking about it over the weekend and they're calling me back on Monday to see if I want to book a consultation.

I feel I've watched nearly every rhinoplasty vlog on YouTube. A lot of them have a hump which I haven't really got, so I then start wondering if it's worth it and if I'd be a good candidate. Maybe the consultation would help me decide.

Splint off and stitches out this morning! Well the stitches I can see, apparently there are dissolvable ones up higher that remain in place.

It’s now all taped up for another week or so, and I’ve got to go back in 2 weeks.

It looks so weird! Still really swollen (although barely bruised now) and the tip is very ‘up’ but I can already see how straight it is and I think it’s going to look amazing. No regrets so far.

I have to massage it a bit every day now to de-sensitise it but continue to not get it wet or anything before I go back.

How exciting @HappyEm81 ! I don’t think you should discount it if you don’t have a hump. I watched a vlog the other day where the ‘before’ nose was lovely and I couldn’t work out what she was going to get done but the ‘after’ was still so different. Subtle, but transformative if that makes sense.

@BasinHaircut, sounds really exciting. From all the vlogs I've watched, I've learnt that the nose will still be swollen when the cast is removed, so it won't be the finished product. It's really good to hear that you're happy with it so far!

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't pick my nose - it's on the larger side and I'd like it reducing. I've found the surgeon's Instagram page and found him on realself, which is really useful.

Just wondering if anyone is from Scotland and has had rhinoplasty. As looking into getting it but have had previous sinus surgery and currently waiting on another sinus surgery so was wondering if anyone has had a rhinoplasty when having breathing problems already.
Also if they used a plastic surgeon or a surgeon who was actually a ENT surgeon.
As really want a rhinoplasty but am terrified at the same time.

Was the pain bad when the splint was removed @BasinHaircut ? You've definitely reassured me the recovery might not be as horrific as I'm imagining.

I had confirmation of my appointment dates this morning which has made it seem more real.

Basin that's a great update - there will still be a lot of swelling & trauma, sounds like you're on the road for a really good result. Give it months, not weeks - to settle.

@namechange202086 removing the split was not pleasant but I wouldn’t say it ‘hurt’ if that makes sense? But certainly nothing you can’t cope with and is literally the only thing resembling pain throughout the whole process so far.

Glad the updates have helped. Good luck with your appointments!

Yes 100% @DailyCandy there is still a long road ahead recovery-wise. I can see it taking some time for the final result to become clear but the bruising is only just visible now and I’m sure will be gone before the end of the week.

if youve been thinking about it this long, then its hardly a rash decision. Make sure you choose your surgeon really well though and dont go to any of the big companies that use salespeople and keep calling you. Avoid anyone that has free consultations

Morning all.

So a little update from day 11 post-op. I did a bit of re-organising at home and I was pottering around most of the day tidying and by the end of the day my nose was pretty sore, so I’m assuming I over-did it a bit.

It’s easy to think you are absolutely fine as there is no pain in general but I’ve clearly still got a way to go healing-wise. So I’m having a very lazy day today.

I am also now obsessed with my nostrils. They look different sizes (to me, DH can’t see it) and even though I’m sure it’s because my nose isn’t taped 100% evenly across both sides, one side seems less swollen than the other etc and will probably even out over time, I can’t stop thinking about it!

@BasinHaircut thanks for the update. Glad to hear that you're feeling comfortable.
From all the rhinoplasty vlogs I've watched, I'm aware that lots of people have uneven swelling post op, so I'm sure that will be the cause of them looking uneven.

I'm still undecided whether to book a consultation. I keep swaying either way. I'd love a smaller nose. I'm going to think more about it over the weekend.

@Basinhaircut good to hear how well you're getting on. It's amazing how long the body takes to heal from any trauma isn't it?

I think it's natural that after surgery you will analyse and inspect your nose and notice every single tiny irregularity - when in fact it as probably a lot more irregular before 😀. I think this is probably why a lot of people get revisions though - as they keep wanting more done to make it 'perfect'. I had some advise from someone that after the first couple of weeks, don't look in the mirror too much (easier said than done!) as you'll have good and bad days with
swelling etc, and just take a photo once a week to keep track of the changes.

@Branleuse you said about not to go with anyone that offers free consultations?

I'm interested in seeing a surgeon that has excellect reviews and he operates through his own clinic and also with another clinic which is more of a company so there's a few surgeons there.
Consultation at his own clinic costs £150 but at the other clinic it's free (£25 holding fee). I found his own secretary quite pushy and brusque over the phone, which put me off, whereas at the other place thet seem really warm and welcoming, plus I've spoken to 2 girls who had noses done there and couldn't fault the care they received.
I did question the free consultation, as it's so unusual and I was a bit suspicious, but she said they believe that everyone should be entitled to free medical advice and opinion and should only need to pay for their actual surgery.
So I've booked to see the surgeon there - yet to see if they charge a huge amount for the procedure as maybe that's where the company make their money?!

@Pipsydodo I reckon they make their money by being pushy with sales post consultation, but if you feel like you are resilient against that type of thing then it’s not really much of an issue.

However, are they like for like consultations?

I paid £200 for my consultation (direct with the surgeon) but I was in there for an hour and there was no pressure either during the consultation or afterwards from the surgeon. I paid for that hour and that was that. Plus it was with a specific person - do you choose the surgeon with the companies?

I’m guessing with the companies there are also payment plans, whereas direct you would probably have to pay in full?

And oh I’m taking pictures every day! I’ve also picked up on millions of asymmetries in the rest of my face too over the past couple of weeks . My cheekbones are completely different! Who knew?

Don’t get me wrong it’s not a noticeable enough different to get anything done about it. I would imagine that there is more chance of making it worse than better if it was to stay as it is now. So far I’m the only person who can see a difference. Unless there was something going on inside with my septum or something it would not need addressing.

I think the over-analysis is normal and my surgeon did warn me that it might not look great just yet (although overall it does look amazing, even now).

Good surgeons dont give out their time for free. These free consultations wont be with the surgeon, theyll be with a salesperson. Those salespeople work on commission. Good surgeons dont need them.
My advice is to research the surgeons first. Find the one you want, then book consultation with them to talk properly about what he/she can achieve for you. Salesperson will promise you whatever you want to hear so its a waste of time. Surgeon will know what can be done.
Mostly the fee is taken off any surgery you book anyway