1 month Post Surgery

I'm now 1 month post-op and healing nicely. My nose is looking great and I'm looking forward to seeing my doc for a post-op appt this week. The swelling has gone away for the most part except in the morning and when I exercise. I'm a little concerned about the tip being crooked, though it isn't noticable unless you look at it from underneath (like pic 2). I have a new haircut to go with my new nose and I'm feeling good about the change.

Pics taken after work today

I took this pic after work today so you could see that the nose is a little less swollen later in the day.

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - 2 weeks

It's been 2 weeks since my surgery and recovery is going well! I spend a lot of time looking in the mirror thinking "who is that person?". The change is very obvious to me, though most people can't tell a difference unless I point it out. I wake up each morning with a swollen nose, but the swelling decreases throughout the day. The general swelling overall improves every day. The end of my nose is the most swollen and is still really numb. It could take up to a year to regain total feeling and for the swelling to go down. I took these pics right before leaving for work, so my nose is pretty swollen. I'll throw in a "before" shot so you can see the difference.

My new nose!!

This morning I went in for my post-op to get the cast off my nose and the splints out of my nose. The doc pulled two massive (2 inch long) plastic splints out of my nose to my great relief; I could finally breathe through my nose for the first time in 8 days!! My nose is still really swollen and will settle over the next few months. The doc told me to keep an eye on my nose to make sure it stays straight. If I see that it's off line, I'm supposed to push hard on the cartilage to line it back up. Yeah, ouch. I love the look of the new nose! I had two people tell me at different times today that my new nose makes me look younger. I took these photos right after my appointment this morning.

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 8

Back to the grind this morning after a late night at the theatre. I made it to 2pm before I had to leave from exhaustion. Most of my co-workers were surprised to see me without a pair of shiners. The big reveal of my new nose happens tomorrow morning. I am so excited!

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 7

Today I'm feeling mostly human except for my nose. Mom and I went shopping for a couple hours yesterday so I feel a little more prepared to head back to the working world tomorrow. I'm SO excited to get my cast off on Thursday and see what's underneath. My only fear is damaging my nose once it's off. I accidentally bumped my nose last night with my hand and it was really painful. I'm still having a hard time tasting food and the congestion continues. I really hope once the doc removes my splints and cleans out my nose the congestion will go away. Tonight we're headed to see In the Heights, I'm so excited to see it!

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 6

Today I'm feeling fine. I took a nice shower this morning and did my hair for the first time. The swelling in my face is minimal except for the nose itself. I'm not in any pain, just really tired all the time. Sleep at night is interrupted by dry mouth caused from sleeping with my mouth open and breathing through my mouth all day. I still can't taste food very well, although I can sense sweet, salty and sour.

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 5

Yesterday I ventured out to a hazelnut farm and out to the salon. Moving around made me SO tired. I'm feeling even more human today, starting out the day with a good breakfast. There isn't a lot of pain, just pressure around my nose and never-ending congestion. It's frustrating to not be able to taste food. I made world peace cookies last night and couldn't even smell them baking.

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 4

I slept most of the night and feel better this morning. I ate breakfast and felt OK afterwards, so I'm switching back to real food. Feeling better after a bath this morning and planning to get my hair washed at a salon. It will be the first time leaving my house since surgery.

Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 3

Last night was the WORST! I woke up at 4:30 in the morning feeling really nauseous and threw up. My stomach didn't feel better and I was awake until the morning when I threw up again. Every time I threw up it caused a lot of pressure on my nose. I stopped taking pain killers because of the nausea so I'm pretty miserable. I finally got ahold of the ENT nurse in the morning to get a prescription for anti-nausea meds. Thankfully they work, but she puts me on a clear liquid diet for the day to make sure I don't throw up and damage my nose. Most of the day was pretty awful. I didn't take my pain meds and was hungry from lack of real food. The swelling has moved down from my eyes and into my cheeks.

Septorhinoplasty Journey - Day 2

Today I am definitely more swollen. I was up many times during the night to ice my face. I'm eating regularly and feel OK. The congestion is really annoying and my teeth are a little sore. I spend most of the day resting and icing.

My Septorhinoplasty Journey - Surgery Day

I had a lot of anxiety going into this procedure. We arrived at the surgery center at 6am and by 7:30 I was being wheeled back to the OR. I had a good experience with the nursing staff and the MDs. Day 1 of recovery I wore a nose sling to catch the dripping blood and took my my meds. I spent a large part of the day icing my eyes. Before pictures and surgery pics below.

Viva Mexico!