1 Month Post Rhinoplasty

It's been one month as of today since I had the surgery and exactly four weeks post-surgery.  I haven't updated lately because I haven't really had anything new to say and finally the black mark has moved off from under my eyes. I think I look much different from the front. My nose button is still sensitive to touch and numb in places. My nose overall is feeling a lot more "normal", but yet not feels like it's my nose again. The tip is still numb and feels a little strange, but the rest feels really good! Swelling isn’t changing much but I expected it to be a slow process. Congestion is still heavy sometimes and drainage is often soo much heavy. Nose is still numb so I’m not conscious of drainage reaching my lips but the plus side I able to breathe through nose. I've been so lucky in avoiding pain and discomfort. I can't believe I had surgery only 4 weeks ago!

The craziest thing is, my nose job isn't very noticeable to people.  I know that's hard to believe, because the people reading this blog are looking at the before and after pictures side-by-side, but not one person has asked me anything about it.  No one at work has said anything to me, the work girls, who I met straight after having the splint removed, didn't notice. They couldn't believe it when I told them and I had to show them before and after pictures before they actually noticed :) and I was around my whole extended family and I had to tell the ones who didn't already know.  They were all supportive of my decision said it looked great, but the general consensus was they could see the difference now that I mentioned it, but wouldn't have noticed on their own.  Even my mom says she doesn't notice it when she looks at me.  This is not exactly what I was going for, but I am very pleased with this new nose! Well, I still absolutely love the nose and I'm so excited when I catch a glimpse of it! 

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 17

The nose is feeling not so good but yesterday it was little bit more pleasant. The bridge where they removed the bump is the tenderest part, still tender to the touch. When I smile nose is hurting and feels kind of tight. I can smile fine though, just not my normal smile. I'm thinking that will be back to normal after 2 months. Still taking steam and nasal spray but nose is little bit congested though I can breathe through nose, but through one nostril at a time. A new problem, I doubt, the mucous oozing out of my nose has some odor in it. I asked my mom to stand near me and feel any odor coming or what but she denied, No odor. but I feel myself smelling. I ring my orthognathic surgeon Dr. Jeomy to know about this more but he didn’t answer to my call. He might be busy.

The swelling on my face is pretty much gone and nose swelling, which takes 1 year to go down all the way. Bruising is there as a small patch under both eyes. Eye sore seems to be back today so I took a nap after lunch putting eye drops on both eyes but that didn’t help much. So I think it would be better if consult a specialist.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none
• Congestion = little bit worse than day 14, but can breath through nose!
• Swelling = improved.
• Bruising = still there as small patches under both eye!

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 14

It's been exactly 2 weeks since surgery, I’m amazed how much the swelling has improved in the past week .My nose is starting to feel a lot more normal but the numb feeling is still there. Congestion is sooo much improved and I able to stop mouth breathing. Swelling also improved but brusing still there as tiny patches under each eye.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none
• Congestion = improved, stopped mouth breathing!
• Swelling = improved a tiny bit.
• Bruising = still there as small patches under both eye!

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 12

Slept ok, woke up a few times, congestion improved, still airways in both nostrils so that's good. My nose feels a lot more normal today, like it's slowly becoming part of my face. The numbness is there on the nose and that's supposed to stick around for a year or so.  My left lower lip and chin are still completely numb so I don’t mind this too. Let that take that's own time to come back. Smiling is much easier like normal now! Been doing the nasal spray & steam combo a lot, it loosens things up and if i can gently blow it out i can breathe so well for a bit. Looking forward to no more mouth breathing, but i feel like i'm still a week or so away from that, it's ok though, the congestion is slowly getting a lot better....  Eyesore seems to be ok now. Headache seems to have gone completely.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none
• Congestion = improved a tiny bit.
• Swelling = seems about the same as yesterday.
• Bruising = improved, almost gone now, just a couple very light red spots on cheeks

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 11

Today feeling like things has improved pretty noticeably. If I remember correctly, when I woke up, my mouth was closed! This is amazing. It means in my sleep i was able to breathe through the nose like normal, and not sleep with my mouth open for the first time since surgery. We'll see how things go tonight, but overall the congestion is better. Both nostrils have air coming through, feels like 50% congested compared to normal.

I still feel kind of strange touching my nose. I doesn't hurt, a little tender but no pain. Mainly it just feels like it's not my nose, like someone glued it onto my face. This is probably due to the numbness. I probably look at my nose as often as I used to, the only difference is now I am thrilled with how it's shaping up, whereas before i would always imagine how it could look without the bump.

Congestion still being my main issue, I put isotonic nasal spray in the nose like the doctor said. It does help keep the nose open, and as I read on a few other helpful blogs, it can make any mucous stuck up there soft enough to gently blow out, thus clearing your nose more.  I’ve also started taking steam once again which I ever hate.  Headache is now gone completely but eyesore is there still strong.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none, eyesore
• Congestion = much better than a few days ago.
• Swelling = still a tiny bit on the cheeks, swelling on the nose seems noticeably better than yesterday which is cool
• Bruising = some faint red on my cheeks.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 10

Woke up as usually late and took a nice shower. Today I felt fine to start reading but when I  wore specs it started hurting again. Same kind of which I experienced yesterday. But today its seems to be more demanding.  Then I remember I need to call Dr. Oommen today so I ringed him, he picked up my call and said he don’t know about that, so it would be better if I ask the same with Dr. Jayakumar, for that I need to call his PRO first, she will enquire about this with my surgeon and then she will get back to me. I did the same and I got reply, I could wear specs no problem.

Congestion is getting bit better each day. Took a nap today for 2 hours which was fantastic, and woke up with just a sort of dry mouth, not desert dry like usual, so that's great! Still have to mouth breath but sometimes can breathe through the nose only! but just for a few seconds, it feels good. i have forgotten by now what it feels like to breathe normally through your nose with your mouth closed, i'm so used to walking around with my mouth open. I hope that doesn't become a habit, hehe. I had one Imol plus tablet (which dr. Jeomy advised for tooth ache) after dinner just for the headache which was haunting me now and then since surgery.  Eyesore is still going steady and strong; I think I need to consult my eye specialist. I think eye drops stopped working, it won’t help anymore

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none, slight headache and eyesore
• Congestion = plenty, but getting some air through both nostrils finally.
• Swelling = tiny bit left on the cheeks and face, obviously heavy left on the nose 100%
• Bruising = some red patches still on my cheeks.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 9

I woke up so late this morning, now i'm at home and got really tired of travelling all yesterday.  When I wake up although my nose felt heavy, wish to remain at bed for some time more, may be because I was missing my bed’s comfort, my 6 sweet pillows and its security. Had a nice shower, now cast off so I could take bath lavishly. Brushed my teeth carefully and put on face and body lotion. Things have definitely starting to get back to normal now. Had a day up and about the house sorting out a load of clothes into wardrobe, arranging my Cupboard and my legs wax down. Not much to report apart from my eyes and nose are ridiculously itchy morning and night and  nose hurts when i wear specs, searched internet and found dont wear specs till 4 weeks from a plastic surgeon's site, OMG!!!! hmmm i should discuss with Dr. Oommen. The bruises are nearly gone.

I really want the swelling to go down now so I can see what the end result is going to look like as it feels properly huge! Looking forward to putting make up on and doing my hair and seeing if it looks any different. I slept in the afternoon after lunch putting eyedrops on both eyes got up after 3 hours, clicked these snaps. At night talked a lot on phone with sister. Tried to contact Dr. Oommen and Dr. Jeomy but both didn't answer to my call.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none, once in a while very slight headache that's it
• Congestion = Heavy, driving me insane
• Bruising = almost gone, all light brown now
• Swelling = only on the nose now.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 8

Last night had a rough night of sleep. Woke up about every hour with a massive dry mouth and stuffed nose. Honestly the only thing  is challenging in any way is the congestion. Pain, bruising, etc, all that is really minor and super easy to deal with. But the congestion is my worst enemy! I just pulled out the biggest mucous block out of my nose, and I can breathe better, amazing! i wonder how many more of those are stuck in there? I washed my face, and the same nostril started bleeding again, pinched to stop it, and then another big block started coming out, i'm kind of psyched because the congestion is a little better, Hope that means a better night sleep tonight.

One week ago I was getting the surgery done! Dr. Senthil Kumar from the plastic sugery dept came for the routine checkup and went.

Finally the cast off!!

Afternoon Dr. Jayakumar came to get my cast removed!!!  He asked me to close my eyes as he is going to kick out this mask, my sweet dragonfly mask and he wants to see my face first. He removed the cast and showed me on a mirror. A small difference is there, bulged bulb now straightened but rest remains the same!!! It's even still swollen! It feels funny without the cast on it and it swelled up a little bit more in the evening. I'm really happy with the results. Dr. Jayakumar told me to expect more swelling and bruising now that the cast is removed. I was too busy staring in the mirror to listen to him Dr. Jayakumar also told me that the residual swelling can take up to a year to go away completely and to see the final results, which I had told already and I read online, but it seems so hard to believe considering what little swelling I have now.  We made a follow-up appointment in four weeks for him to take another look at me.  I got discharged from hospital and I’m leaving to home today. 

One nice thing, I can actually see and feel improvement day to day. The facial swelling seems to be almost gone, so just swelling on the nose now which will take 1 full year to go away and see the final results. Bruising is 90% gone, a few yellowish patches on my cheeks but i don't look beat up anymore! 

Today’s symptoms:- 

• Pain = none, eye sore, slight headache.
• Congestion = still heavy but lille better. 
• Bruising = as yellow under both eyes and under nose but getting lighter.
• Swelling = eyes and nose but almost gone.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 7

Feeling great now with the splint off, and stitches between the nostrils gone. Still congested but I can at least breathe and it's slowly improving. But since I can't smell anything, that means I also can't really taste anything. So it's kinda weird, but i'm still eating, just can't really enjoy food like usual. Sleeping way better now, only woke up twice last night from dry mouth. Still very happy with the results, swelling on cheeks are nearly gone, and bruising is all still there. I think it'll be completely gone in a few days.

An unknown doctor came from plastic surgery department for the routine checkup. I told her about the pain I’m suffering but she didn’t even notice that. I was about to tell her that incident she moved away without listening me. I felt bad. If she doesn’t want to listen me, why did she come? Its ok I thought. Pain is almost zero now that’s why. Tomorrow is 8^th day post-surgery and I’ll get this cast off. I could see my nose. I’m getting bit nervous. Will I have any change? Or all my efforts will go waste???hmmmmm let’s wait and see.

 Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = only that hit pain but very small, eye sore, slight headache.
• Congestion = Heavy but comparatively less than yesterday.
• Bruising =  under both eyes and under nose but getting lighter.
• Swelling = eyes and nose but almost gone.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 6

Last night was the worst imaginable, firstly my nose under the cast started itching unbearably; it felt like a torture treatment. it is just so itchy, its complete torture! I am in so much distress and have been surfing the internet to find relief about what to do. I sat with my laptop all day! I am distressed!! as another 3 days feeling in this much discomfort is just agonizing! It’s not pain which is weird to describe as its as bad as being in pain. But its just soooo itchy! My nurse said she can’t do anything; she won’t remove the cast and give me a new cast.

Dr. Guild came for a usual checkup and again I misinterpret him as Dr. Oommen. He just enquired my well beings and went. Just After that Dr. George came. I complained him about my tooth ache and my fears about the braces applied inside. He found some ulcers there inside mouth. He consoled me that the pain is nothing related with braces its just because of the ulcers turned up. Suggested one gel to apply which helped I think. Pain is reducing gradually. My breathing seems to get just a little bit better every day. Red, black and yellow eyes seem to be the same and the swelling is still in my upper cheeks.

I was talking and playing with mom, and her hand butted my nose (by accident of course). She was sitting near me and pulled her hand really fast to resist my attack, and her hand directly hit the tip of my nose, not exactly nose but the tip of cast in a downward direction. Ouch! It hurt really bad for about 5 minutes, but didn't bleed. I freaked out but the pain gradually decreased. I’ll tell this to my surgeon tomorrow I thought.

Today’s symptoms:-  

• Pain = only that hit pain, eye sore, slight headache.
• Congestion = Heavy.
• Bruising = under both eyes and under nose but getting lighter.
• Swelling = eyes and nose but better than yesterday.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 5

I woke up this morning stuffed up as ever and throat is dry and had a little more pain than yesterday.  I'm pretty sure it's a combination of sleeping in bed and not the recliner for the first time.  I've been running around all day, and haven't taken any pain killers.  Not to mention I can't keep my hands away from my nose, and I might as well give up on the "no sniffing" thing, because as much as I try not to, it happens completely involuntarily.

Today I’ll get this get the splint off (yippeee) and stitches under my nose removed. I'm going to ask Dr. Jayakumar if I really have to wait another 3 days to get the moustache dressing taken off.  I feel like I'd be just fine to return to home as soon as this splint is off, tomorrow afternoon even, but then again, coming back requires me physically lifting and rolling patients, so I don't want to cause any setbacks to my healing.  I'm just so BORED.  I feel like I'm serving a room custody.  I haven't been since last Tuesday, and I'm usually such an impatient person. Last night I made an unsuccessful try to go upstairs which this nurdes saw and strictly warned. I’m NOT allowed to leave this corridor without their permission. And getting their permission is out of question I know.  I'm accustomed to move here and there, travelling etc, and now I'm watching movies, reading, and sleeping full time.

The splint is gone!!!

About 12.30pm, Dr. Jewel came with her assistant to take this splint off.  i laid back down again and she cut them first then pulled them out the worst bit is the cutting as she pinched my skin overtime, not deliberately but accidentally her scissors hit on my skin. Then she removed that splint with a forceps. This doesn’t hurt me much just a feeling of rubbing a sharp ended thing slightly. When she took it off, I really didn't expect the dramatic difference and I was kind of stunned for a minute.  With the splint on, I can't keep my hands away from my nose, the hanging part of threads was hitting inside and always a heavy feeling like something pushed inside my nose.  I was dying with tooth ache so asked Dr. Jewel for help, she said she’ll send dentist Dr. George to have a look. I asked about the cast removal but she said she don’t know anything about that better I ask with my surgeon.

Dr. Jayakumar appeared almost 2 hours after Dr. Jewel gone. He said everything looking great and if I wish I could go home and return after 3 days to get this cast off. But I think I should prefer to stay since my home is sooo far away from this hospital. Evening I ringed Dr. Jeomy and complained him about the toothache. He suggested gurgle saline water, no need of taking antibiotics as already I have one twice a day.

Bruising is turning yellow, some red around my eyes but looking much better. The best news of all is that since this splint off I finally can breathe out of my nose!!! It's just the tiniest little airway you can imagine, but for me mentally it makes a huge difference. This is the one thing i've been waiting for since surgery day. I've started using isotonic nasal spray and keep taking steam in the nostrils to keep it low. I'm still major congested, but at least i have a tiny airway that i can breathe through, it makes things much better and probably won't need steam except at night now. I had a great bath; i just washed my hair being really careful not to get water on the cast. I then rinsed my body off in the shower. I feel great after showering. I am in a totally different place from yesterday. Im starting to feel like i can start doing some reading now and a bit of light work emails, before all i wanted to do was sleep and watch anything to distract my mind.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none, eye sore, slight headache and tooth ache.
• Congestion = heavy but less than day4.
• Bruising = under both eyes turned yellow.
• Swelling = slightly on upper lip, eyes and nose but better than yesterday

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 4

Slept better although did wake up a few times as lost the straw out my mouth. Although I can breathe out my nose now it’s not enough to be able to sleep with my mouth closed. Once again no real pain this morning just swelling that is uncomfortable and itchy eyes. I had a proper cry and then went to brush. Did some research after breakfast and it’s normal to feel like this. Mmmm bit relieved now. Not much has changed from yesterday,

Afternoon Dr. Guild came for the routine checkup. He confirmed no issue and went. I still can't breathe, can't smell and can't taste. I walk around with this silly padding under my nose thinking it will protect it like a football helmet or dragonfly mask or something. I won't take it off. Eyes still hurts which I desperately want to get off. Then another problem shown up, tooth ache, right lower and upper molar teeth started complaining slowly. It’s bearable now. Only I notice that when I have food so lets see.

Today the swelling between my eyes is much better and bruising is still heavy. I still can't breathe through the nose at all. It's my rival! I guess my body just takes longer for the nose swelling to go down. Today is Sunday, on Monday i get to have the splint and everything removed! I'm so excited for Monday. Just need to make it two more nights, and i pray that my congestion starts to improve. It's my biggest challenge through all of this. Trying to find more movies to watch, but it's getting harder to find good ones. Catching up a lot on my laptop.

Today’s symptoms:-

• Pain = none, heavy eye sore, slight headache and tooth ache. 
• Congestion = Heavy, same as day2,3. 
• Bruising = Heavy under both eyes and under nose. 
• Swelling = eyes and nose but better than yesterday.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 3

I woke up after a pretty bad night’s sleep. I woke up at one point as i think I touched my nose. My throat was so dry, dryer than the Sahara, I had figured out that sleeping with a straw in my mouth helped me sleep longer as when I drifted off my mouth automatically closed forcing me to breathe through my nose which at this point was blocked so It woke me up. By having a straw in my mouth it kept my mouth open and the airways clear. Nose is still totally congested 100%. It's got to get better soon, please oh please! I hope today is the worst, and that tomorrow it gets better. Just resting and watching more daytime TV.  Surfing internet and watching movies on laptop. Pain is pretty much non-existent, just a very very minor headache. My eyes are still hurting like I’m on fire, but I’m used to it. I knew only eye drops could help that.  The only thing that is really annoying me as the skin is just so tight around them and itchy. I still didn't really have any pain but took one etrobax6.0 about an hour after waking up.

I took another bath and had my mom wash my hair for me. I put some apricot scrub on a washcloth and carefully washed my face.  I brushed my teeth, put on lotion, and I just feel the best (and cleanest!) I've felt since before Thursday.  I also used some astringent on my face and carefully cleaned the dried blood from around my nostril. Hoping i can sleep well tonight. I did try and take this moustache thing off my nose but I think it's more of a comfort thing, like it's protecting my nose from harm. My nose heavy leaking but I like the moustache. Another nuisance is the accumulation of dried blood inside my nose.  It is almost completely full of rock hard solid blood inside, and while the nurse said I can irrigate with nasal drops, I am afraid to because I don't want to stick anything up there.  I know my incisions are somewhere inside my nose, but I honestly don't know where and I don't want to get anywhere close to them. But when the dried blood particles started tickling me I dig on the right nostrils and blood stained blood clots, blood drops came out then started hurting slightly. I’m afraid and stopped digging and watering. Thank God the pain didn’t last more than one hour or two.

My surgeon and his crew showed up around 2. 30pm. seeing him I just cried loud in pain that my nose is fully congested and that didn’t let me sleep properly. I knew that it is common for rhinoplasty patients but still it driving me soooo crazy that I‘ll do anything for a bit comfort. I thought my surgeon could help me to get rid of this congestion or prescribe some sedatives. He suggested me to take steam and ordered the nurse to make arrangement for that then went away. I was missing something, missing Dr. Oommen, his friendly voice, his generous look, kind words, and calming presence. Wish to see him now, one of the crew doctor of Dr. Jayakumar has the look of Dr. Oommen (later I found his name as Dr. Augustine Guild) whenever they get in to my room I misinterpret him as Dr. Oommen. But when I realize he’s not, put me on a great distress.

Steamer

Steamer

I clicked some snaps today and my mom said the pictures don’t show any difference.  But there's a reason my post-op instructions said to take 2 weeks off of work.  My surgery was only two days ago, so I don't expect to look beautiful just yet.  I'm just happy I feel well and am not in pain.

Today’s symptoms:-

•  Pain = Slightly as I dig inside, headache and heavy eye sore.
•  Congestion = remains heavy as day 2
• .Bruising = under both eyes and under nose.
•  Swelling = eyes and nose.

Post Rhinoplasty - Day 2

I slept badly propped up on a recliner to help the drainage and was constantly worried i was going to roll over the floor. I woke up this morning, well actually just got up as I didn't sleep at all and it's not because of the pain but because I couldn't sleep for more than 15 minutes. As soon as my mouth got dry, I woke. I don't do well with total congestion and loss of control. Finally fall asleep at 5am and wake up at 6:30am. Surprisingly the pain is very minimal. It's like a dull headache in your head, and your nose, but it doesn't hurt one bit. My eyes are totally red and any little wrinkles that used to sit under my eyes are now inside out! My right eye hurting. The 'moustache' dressing is a must but the fibers tickle my nose like nuts.  After I spray up my nose, it trickles down slowly which also drives me insane.

I was reading and watching things on my laptop and watched old tv shows that I watched when I was younger and took a painkiller to keep my mind off things. Then Dr. Girija came from plastic surgery department, I demand her for some sedatives as I’m dying to sleep.  She smiled and denied my request she told me that I so young so I should not start that habit from now. Tried to sleep and it's impossible. Mouth breathing sucks and woke me up every time i was about to fall asleep.

Today’s symptoms:- 

•  Pain = none, slight headache and eye sore that's it. 
• Congestion = Heavy, heavier than day 1. Driving me insane
• Bruising = under both eyes and under nose
• Swelling = on cheeks, eyes and nose.

I am already tired of sleeping upright and it's only Day 2!!!

Recliner( Not Actualy a recliner but the hospital have given me this to prop up bed)