Scheduling my surgery date was tricky. I wanted it done as soon as possible but I was in school and working part time. I decided to do it a week before spring break. I missed an entire week of school and work. Then had the whole week of spring break to continue to heal. People told me a lot of horror stories about plastic surgery...why do they even call it that? One of my teachers told me not to do it. She said her sister had done it and it was complete hell. I nodded along with her stories and told her I'd think about backing out. But I lied. There was nothing to think about. I had done my research and watched many YouTube videos from other people who had had Rhinoplasty (correct medical term). I was doing it.
March 4th was the big day. I was so excited. I had to be to the surgeon's office at 9:00am and I didn't go into surgery until after 11:00am. After filling out paper work, meeting with the surgeon, getting all my IV's, and telling the anesthesiologist some great stories about my life, I was out. The surgery took roughly 2 hours. I woke up and felt fine; a bit on the drowsy side. I could feel some pressure on my nose but that was all. When I woke up the surgeon was standing above me. Before I'd gone into surgery I had asked them to keep my phone somewhere close so I could use it when I got out. The nurses told me I wouldn't want it. When I woke up I remember saying, "I told you I'd want my phone." Good thing I had it or we wouldn't have these gems.
I feel like holding my iPhone over my face was not the best idea for my newly reconstructed nose.
Everyone was so worried about the healing process. I looked like I was in so much pain but I honestly can say I wasn't. I had pain killers and I think I slept for a week straight. Sleeping was a bit difficult at first. I had to sleep with my mouth open and with my head propped up. I had a splint on the top of my nose and 8 inches of gauze shoved up into my nose. My mom slept with me every night because she was worried I was going to stop breathing. Bless her. Anytime I felt any pain I would take something and away it went. This is why people gasped when they saw me.
I don't blame them. I look extremely rough. I was SO swollen. My nose was swollen, my eyes were swollen into my head, my face was turning yellow from the light bruises I was getting, and my face was shiny and oily. But really, I felt fine. It was like a vacation because I got to relax for 2 weeks. And do what I love most, sleep.
I had my surgery on a Monday, got my gauze pulled out of my nose on Wednesday, and got my splint off Friday. It was all very fast and the surgeon was surprised at how quickly I was healing. Every week my swelling would go down. I knew it could take up to a year to heal and now I'm 3 months short of a year! It's crazy. I'm so glad I did it. It keeps looking better and better everyday. I'm not embarrassed about my surgery. If anything, I want people to know that I had it done. I think if you aren't happy with something you should fix it. As long as it's for you and you only. Whatever will make you a happier, more confident person is worth doing.
If you have any questions at all don't hesitate to ask.
xo
This is backwards. Before is on the right, after is on the left.
I was not planning on sharing these videos, they are crap, and I'm basically talking to myself in them. But, I wanted to share my experience with anyone reading this. Again, I apologize for the bad video quality and the sound being a bit off. Anyway, here they are.
Don't mind my wet hair. Or the fact that I'm out of it. Daphne (my sister) finds this video hilarious.
Sorry about the sound quality.
Noob status.
Thanks for reading and watching!