On the 1st August 2014, I took the plunge and finally decided to go under the knife to have my Rhinoplasty surgery.
Here is a picture of my nose before the big day!
As you can see, it is not completely straight and it has a bump on the top, unfortunately inherited from my father. Years of feeling insecure, being taunted through school and refusing point blank at having a photograph taken of my profile, not choosing particular hair styles or colours because you felt it would only make your nose stand out even more, over the years it took its toll on my self esteem - it had to go.
Here is a picture of my nose before the big day!
As you can see, it is not completely straight and it has a bump on the top, unfortunately inherited from my father. Years of feeling insecure, being taunted through school and refusing point blank at having a photograph taken of my profile, not choosing particular hair styles or colours because you felt it would only make your nose stand out even more, over the years it took its toll on my self esteem - it had to go.
HOW I DID IT
When I decided I wanted to take the steps towards my goal, I started googling plastic surgeons in my area, a long list came up, so I'd spent hours going through each company trying to find the most reputable one to perform the job. I sent a few enquiries out to Belvedere Clinic, Transform UK and The Harley Medical Group.
I heard from The Harley Medical group at Maidstone first, which I was happy about because I read they have been going for over 25 years. I arranged a consultation with the practise manager Nicky a week later. At the consultation, she asked me what procedure I wanted to have done and why, after having explained my reasons, she then went on to tell me what she thought the surgeon would do with my nose, how long the operation will be and where, and how long the recovery would be. Then we talked about the costs involved..
She believed the surgeon would perform a 'Closed Rhinoplasty' on me, for which the total cost for this would be £4300! Not exactly cheap, but this includes your consultation with your surgeon, your overnight stay at the private Highgate Hospital in London, your MRSA screenings and unlimited after care.
Nicky made me feel at ease and excited so I decided to book my consultation with a surgeon that she fully recommended, Mr Allwin Gnanajebamani. When I got home, I tried searching for him online but couldn't seem to find much about him which made me anxious, I called Nicky and she explained that not many people post reviews and not to feel put off by that. Instead, she gave me his C.V and his GMC number. I got to say, I still wasn't 100% convinced but I decided to stop fretting and waited for my consultation to make a final decision.
The day of my consultation with Mr G finally came around. My first impression of him was a good one, he seemed kind, intelligent, and he seemed to really know his stuff and in no way did he try to force me into anything. He explained to me what would be feasible result, and that he would have to break either sides of my nose and make two incisions and there will be a lot of cutting and filing involved (cringe). He would sign me off work for 2 weeks and the splint will come off in one week. I brought my boyfriend and his mother along with me, because I wanted another opinion and I certainly didn't want to be 'fobbed off' in any way. We were all happy with how the consultation went and so I decided to set the date. A surreal feeling that in just over a months time, I will be going under... *butterflies*
I heard from The Harley Medical group at Maidstone first, which I was happy about because I read they have been going for over 25 years. I arranged a consultation with the practise manager Nicky a week later. At the consultation, she asked me what procedure I wanted to have done and why, after having explained my reasons, she then went on to tell me what she thought the surgeon would do with my nose, how long the operation will be and where, and how long the recovery would be. Then we talked about the costs involved..
She believed the surgeon would perform a 'Closed Rhinoplasty' on me, for which the total cost for this would be £4300! Not exactly cheap, but this includes your consultation with your surgeon, your overnight stay at the private Highgate Hospital in London, your MRSA screenings and unlimited after care.
Nicky made me feel at ease and excited so I decided to book my consultation with a surgeon that she fully recommended, Mr Allwin Gnanajebamani. When I got home, I tried searching for him online but couldn't seem to find much about him which made me anxious, I called Nicky and she explained that not many people post reviews and not to feel put off by that. Instead, she gave me his C.V and his GMC number. I got to say, I still wasn't 100% convinced but I decided to stop fretting and waited for my consultation to make a final decision.
The day of my consultation with Mr G finally came around. My first impression of him was a good one, he seemed kind, intelligent, and he seemed to really know his stuff and in no way did he try to force me into anything. He explained to me what would be feasible result, and that he would have to break either sides of my nose and make two incisions and there will be a lot of cutting and filing involved (cringe). He would sign me off work for 2 weeks and the splint will come off in one week. I brought my boyfriend and his mother along with me, because I wanted another opinion and I certainly didn't want to be 'fobbed off' in any way. We were all happy with how the consultation went and so I decided to set the date. A surreal feeling that in just over a months time, I will be going under... *butterflies*
DAY 1
My big day finally arrived! I arrived at Highgate Hospital for my admission time of 9:30am. You have to fast before your surgery, so no food or drink from 12 midnight the night before. It is important that you stick to this, because they won't operate otherwise.
My actual surgery wasn't until around 2pm, so there was a lot of waiting around. They have people come in and out every so often, somebody to check your blood pressure and to give you your wristbands and the anaesthetist will come in to check what meds you are on etc. Then last but not least, Mr G came in to find out how I was and to go over some last details. They give you a gown to pop on, see-through pants, along with some, er, sexy stockings, then it's a waiting game again.
By the way, my room was lovely I have to add - I couldn't fault it. It was more like a hotel room than a hospital room! Lovely bathroom and satelitte TV. A catering assistant brings you the menu for later that evening which you have to tick off, which was torture because you're so hungry at this point.
Then finally, a Nursing Assistant walks in and tells me they are ready for me now.. wow... ok... here I go....
I walk into theatres and they lay me down on a bed and the anaesthetist puts a cannula into my hand a gives me fluid to keep me hydrated throughout my procedure, then he explains he is going to inject something into me that will make me feel a bit 'drunk'.. at first, I felt sick then I started to feel a bit tipsy... and then... GONE! I was out like a light and the next thing I knew I was awake with a splint on my nose and feeling very tired. It was a 2 hour operation, then they wheeled me back to my room on my bed where my boyfriend was waiting for me.
My actual surgery wasn't until around 2pm, so there was a lot of waiting around. They have people come in and out every so often, somebody to check your blood pressure and to give you your wristbands and the anaesthetist will come in to check what meds you are on etc. Then last but not least, Mr G came in to find out how I was and to go over some last details. They give you a gown to pop on, see-through pants, along with some, er, sexy stockings, then it's a waiting game again.
By the way, my room was lovely I have to add - I couldn't fault it. It was more like a hotel room than a hospital room! Lovely bathroom and satelitte TV. A catering assistant brings you the menu for later that evening which you have to tick off, which was torture because you're so hungry at this point.
Then finally, a Nursing Assistant walks in and tells me they are ready for me now.. wow... ok... here I go....
I walk into theatres and they lay me down on a bed and the anaesthetist puts a cannula into my hand a gives me fluid to keep me hydrated throughout my procedure, then he explains he is going to inject something into me that will make me feel a bit 'drunk'.. at first, I felt sick then I started to feel a bit tipsy... and then... GONE! I was out like a light and the next thing I knew I was awake with a splint on my nose and feeling very tired. It was a 2 hour operation, then they wheeled me back to my room on my bed where my boyfriend was waiting for me.
About 3 hours after my op, I finally got my food! All I wanted was cake and icecream! I buzzed the nurse about 4 times for something to eat, but nobody seemed to know whether I could have food or not because of my sickness. This would be the only negative I could say about this hospital.. A 3 hour wait is not really acceptable! - I wish I could say it was worth it, but because your nose is so packed up, you cannot actually taste a thing! Big disappointment! At around 7pm, my surgeon popped in to say the surgery went as planned and to rest and take it easy.
My first night was hell.. I couldn't sleep because you have to sleep in an almost upright position, and you have to lay on your back at all times to protect you from laying on your side and potentially disfiguring your nose. I felt terribly anxious worrying about what my nose will look like, so my heart rate was a bit high and so they gave me some sleeping tablets for this, but they had no effect. My nose kept bleeding during the night so they had to change my dressing 4 times. As you can see in the photos below, I'm looking very exhausted from the whole ordeal and you can also see bruising starting to form on my right eye. Joy!
DAY 2
After that horrible night, I did manage to get about an hour's sleep in the end at about 5-ish. At around 6:30am though, I was woken up by 2 Nurses telling me they were going to take the packing out of my nose. - Oh.. my... God... I've never experienced pain like it in my life! As they tugged at those things.. which can only be described as two extra large tampons, that extended beyond my nasal structure, it felt as though my brain was being dragged out with them too.. It was an unbearable pain that I'll never forget! I had to cry out, I couldn't help myself. They gave me pain relief afterwards - thank God.
I had my breakfast shortly afterwards, and I can now taste again! Woo! As for bruising that morning, not nowhere near as much as I thought it would be.. Just a bit of puffiness here and there. Taking my pain relief every 4 hours so there wasn't much pain either, but a lot of bloody phlegm! and the nausea has came back, oh and my throat is still sore.
At around 11am I was booted out of my room by a Nurse and given some gauze and tape for my nose and told to stop by at the Pharmacy to collect my meds. I was given Co-amoxiclav - an anti-biotic to be take 3 times a day for 1 week and Co-dydramol - a pain killer to be taken every 4-6 hours or when necessary.
I had my breakfast shortly afterwards, and I can now taste again! Woo! As for bruising that morning, not nowhere near as much as I thought it would be.. Just a bit of puffiness here and there. Taking my pain relief every 4 hours so there wasn't much pain either, but a lot of bloody phlegm! and the nausea has came back, oh and my throat is still sore.
At around 11am I was booted out of my room by a Nurse and given some gauze and tape for my nose and told to stop by at the Pharmacy to collect my meds. I was given Co-amoxiclav - an anti-biotic to be take 3 times a day for 1 week and Co-dydramol - a pain killer to be taken every 4-6 hours or when necessary.
DAY 3
Sore! My throat is so very sore.. and my eyes look puffy and my bruises are darker today too. I have terrible stomach pains and nausea. I think this is probably a side effect from either the anti-biotics or the pain killers, my nose is fine though. I do feel weak today but I didn't sleep at all last night because, again, I had to sleep upright and on my back. I've had to change my dressings a couple of times because it bleeds a little every now again, but not massive amounts, I just like to change it so I can have a good nose at my new nose! Ha! All joking aside, I am starting to worry about the outcome.. It looks as though my splint has been put on crooked, and one of my nostrils looks a bit bigger than the other so I'm now panicking! I'm hoping it's just the swelling and it will all be fine and dandy eventually - trying to stay positive!
DAY 4
Throat still sore, another virtually sleepless night, nausea and stomach pains keep coming and going, paranoia about new nose increasing.. (haha) Bruising looking a lot worse today, very yellow! but on the upside, no bleeding as of yet! not much new to report really, I did however speak to my Nurse Nicky because I am unable to sleep properly, she advised me that I can now sleep with just two pillows so that my head is elevated a bit (keeping your head elevated reduces swelling I've read) and I can lay on my side as long as my nose is not being pressed on, so this is a relief! Hopefully I'll be able to sleep better tonight.
DAY 5
Stomach pains again. feeling a bit sorry for myself today, probably due to being stuck indoors! resting is a very very boring thing, I thought it would be fun having 2 whole weeks off of work! Throat is hurting a lot still, nose is hurting a bit too today and it's starting to feel itchy now too! I think this probably means it's on the mend! less swelling today which is good. My boyfriend is helping wash my hair today because I don't want my dressing getting wet!
DAY 6
Had a better sleep last night. I do wake up every so often though, because I'm paranoid that I'm laying on my new nose! I did some reading last night on my 'crooked splint' and I found out that this can be completely normal, and more often than not, does not effect the final result. phew! this put my mind at ease a bit. My bruising has gone down a little bit. I still get the stomach pains, but I'm still putting this down to the meds I'm taking. Throat is still as sore as ever, so trying to drink more water. My nose is itchy again today and I feel a pressure on the top of my nose, it's a weird sensation that I can't quite explain. It doesn't bleed at all now, so I don't think I even need any gauze on my nose but I like to keep it there just in case there's something up there that wants to say hello unexpectedly! but I've taken it off now for the photos.
Day 7
Here comes the day I've been waiting for all week.. the day my splint is removed! It was nerve-racking as hell and I barely slept a wink last night with the anticipation of it all. The nurse sat me down and began moistening the tape round the outside of my nose (which may I add was like glue!) she then proceeded my peeling the left side of the splint upwards.. which hurt... and then the other side... then there was the last bit - the bridge of my new and still very tender nose! She slowly pulled it upwards and then off. This was the worst pain that I've had throughout this entire ordeal, it was so painful I cried. Then there was the last part; the unveiling - "what if I don't like it? what then? would I say? was I clear enough about what I wanted? should I have said more? what if it looks worse?..." It took me a good few minutes to pluck up the courage to look in the mirror, but I loved it straight away.
I could see straight away the it was straighter. It was very tender still, and obviously still very swollen. I was told by my Nurse that the swelling can take up to a year to go down, but a lot will subside after 3 months.
The two red dots you see either side of my nose are from where the surgeon had to break either side of my nose and reset it, so I had stitches there which were taken out along with the dressings and splint. I was told I would have a follow up appointment with my Surgeon 3 months later, in which he will explain what he did on the day. Overall - one very happy Em!
The two red dots you see either side of my nose are from where the surgeon had to break either side of my nose and reset it, so I had stitches there which were taken out along with the dressings and splint. I was told I would have a follow up appointment with my Surgeon 3 months later, in which he will explain what he did on the day. Overall - one very happy Em!
DAY 14
Awful rotting smell in my nose! Which obviously would worry anyone! It smells like old socks! I was worried it might be an infection so I called HMG and I was told that this is completely normal, it is just the stitched dissolving in my nose. Phew!
3 MONTHS LATER..
As you can see, a lot of the swelling has gone down now and I'm very pleased with the result! It still hurts a tiny bit around the bridge of my nose, but only if its accidentally knocked or something with my hands. The tip remains quite stiff and firm still, I'm told this is completely normal and is scar tissue. You can massage the tip of your nose with cream and two fingers, this can help reduce the swelling quicker. My inner nostrils itch like crazy from time to time, but apart from that, all is good!
REGRETS
My only regret is not having this procedure done sooner! I now love my new nose and I no longer feel embarrassed about my profile or when having a photo taken! My advice to anyone who is thinking about having this done is to weigh up the pro's and con's. There are of course many risks involved with having this done as with any procedure. If you dislike your nose that much and it is effecting your life, I'd say firstly start saving, and do you research into what company in your area is best to go with and always check the reviews! Book a few consultations and only choose the one you feel comfortable with, use your gut instinct on this one, do not choose a company purely because its the cheaper option.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for taking the time to read through my Rhinoplasty story and my experience with Mr Allwin Gnanajebamani at The Harley Medical Group, Maidstone. I'd be grateful if you could post a little something on my Contact page to let me know what you think, or if you have any questions, just send me a little message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! :)
Emmalee xx
Emmalee xx