original_made

Johanna I also grew up with a speech impairment because I couldn't hear properly. My doctors just said it was because of my horrible allergies and asthma but now that I think about it I bet my nose (before it was fixed) had a lot to do with it because i literally could not breathe out of my nose. I remember I would have difficulty eating and keeping my mouth closed the whole time because when it was closed I couldn't get in any air through my nose!

I'm glad to hear you were able to get this fixed too. It should continue getting better and better as the swelling goes down. Just so you know the swelling with rhino lasts FOREVER like up to a year or more so don't be surprised if it looks and feels that way because it will be.

p.s. I'm going to watch your youtube videos while i'm working in my cubicle tomorrow lol

original_made

oh yeah and I've been using that neilmed nasal wash for years now too!! It works good but I think I become a little addicted to it when I travel to areas during allergy season. I notice I'll use it 3 to 5 times a day. It's kind of like a nasal spray: the more you use it and it works the more you have to use it. So I would just advise using it no more than the recommend dosage (which I think is a max of twice daily) because when I started doing more than that I would become dependent and actually need to use it to keep my nose clear. I usually do mine in the morning when I wake up to rinse all that junk out of there. But yes you are totally right that thing is perfect for post-op! works way better than everything else and it's so simple!

Johanna

Well, I am still swollen and numb, and sometimes get extremely depressed because my left nostril is so much more swollen than my right and looks lopsided. The weather here in NY has been snowy and gross, and I think that may be adding to some extra pain I have been feeling in the bridge of my nose. However, here are some pics - you can clearly see the left nostril still much larger than the right. That is because most of the surgery took place on the left side, where my nasal cavity was pushed all the way over.







Chin looks great tho!

versace

Johanna you are a beautiful young lady so have no desire for depression, as your nose will only continue to improve. You appear normal for 4 to 5 weeks post-op. Something extremely important which I cannot stress enough and doctors don't like to advertise is that your nose will continue improving over a period of 12 to 24 months after surgery. Residual swelling is present even in simple rhinoplasties for a minimum of 9 months and with a complex case such as yours I would anticipate 18 to 24 months. Rest assured it will begin looking normal on both sides where the swelling is at around 3 months. The last 10 to 15% of swelling left will be negligible yet you will be the one who notices a positive difference as it dissipates away. After that it will continue to improve aesthetically as what I describe as the "putty effect" which basically means your nose may look or feel like "putty" or "blobby" in the first few months after surgery. This is the case for all nasal surgery because the swelling collects at the bottom of the nose at the tip and nostrils, giving an artificial enlarged feeling. As you mentioned, I'm sure the brutal New York winter is not helping.

Do you know what technique your surgeon used on your septum? The pain should be minimal in that area and mostly gone within 2 to 3 months. Your symptoms you are describing are perfectly normal. Please keep in mind you're only 5 weeks post-op. I promise you it's all uphill from here the hardest battle was the first 2 weeks after surgery.

__________________
“One popular new plastic surgery technique is called lip grafting, or "fat recycling" wherein fat cells are removed from one part of your body that is too large, such as your buttocks, and injected into your lips; people will then be literally kissing ass.”

bbb

SO FAR SO GOOD! Do you fee like your collapsed side is opened all the way or just half way or something? I'm concerned about what method to use because my plastic surgeon said I probably wouldn't get it 100% opened on that side more like an improvement but he doesn't know how much. I want to make sure I choose the method that has the best improvement from what I have now ya know.

Oh yeah and the chin thing was a great idea! I would never know you had anything even done it looks so natural!

Johanna

Thanks so much for the information. I agree wholeheartedly, no plastic surgeon that I saw told me the extent of the healing process. Being on this message board has helped so much. Knowing that this is not abnormal - as you called it the "putty effect". The left side of my nose is actually hard as a rock. I had 3 post op examinations already, and my surgeon said this is completely normal. I'm still waiting on the operation report. Next week I'm going to start calling them every day until I get the report faxed to me as promised. It will also include the chin implant report. I can't believe how long the swelling takes, but I can deal with it because I know it's normal. I wish they would just tell you this from the beginning. It would save so much anxiety! Thanks again for your response, it really made me feel so much more relaxed. I cannot wait to post this operation report, because I honestly have no idea the techniques that were used and am so curious to hear what some other surgeons and those with experience have to say. Today is beautiful here in NY, and I feel, and am breathing beautifully. I guess it will be a day to day thing for awhile.

Blessings,

Johanna

Johanna

Doesn't the chin look great?? Everyone is shocked when I tell them that human tissue was used. My surgeon had told me that he is one of the only ones that use this technique because it doesn't wear away the bone like a regular implant does, and you cannot see any ridges. It was put in through the inside of my lower lip with a vertical incision which was completely healed within 2 weeks.

A for my nose, my collapsed side is not yet open all the way because of the swelling. I just had the surgery on Jan. 8th, and my breathing is coming along pretty great. I notice in the mornings my throat no longer hurts, because I must be breathing through my nose all night unlike before! As soon as I receive this operation report, THIS COMING WEEK - if I have to go there and demand it - I will be able to provide so much more info. However, I must say, so far so good. I notice many things, like not becoming so out of breath climbing the 4 flights of stairs to my classes at school. I really am learning how to breath like my doctor said I would have to. Keeping my mouth closed and breathing through my nose is something that I haven't been able to do in probably about 15 years. It's exciting.

scissorsister

ur nose looks great! u should be happy i really want a nose job for a long time but don't have the green

Johanna

Put a nose job jar on the counter!

chattycathy

yeah your nose is cute. but hope your surgery helps your breathing!! that can also make allergies really bad too and create sinus infections.