Post-op - Day 4

I feel about the same today. The swelling has decreased and my bruises are more of a yellowish color. I went to the Titanic Exhibit today and that wore me out. I was out about 6 hours walking the museum and also the exhibit. A little too much for one day but it was nice to get out of the house. My nose is very itchy under the cast; 3 more days until it comes off. I like the protection of the case but the itchiness is driving me nuts. My skin is still extremely dry. I'm hoping after I'm done with my antibiotics tomorrow then my skin will go back to normal. 

Post-op - Day 3

I woke up today looking and feeling so much better! The swelling is still there but it has came down so much compared to yesterday morning. Jason had to go back to work today so I have been home with the girls. They have been acting pretty good. We have been laying in bed watching movies. I may go see my mom this afternoon with the girls if I am up for it. It would be nice to get out of the house.

I have been told that day 3 is the worst day after having this surgery. So far day 2 has been my worst. I'm hoping the swelling starts to go down from here on out.

My major complaint has the be my skin. It is very dry. I can't get the cast wet so I have been washing around the area but lotion and exfoliating has not helped the dryness. This is probably due to all the swelling but I hate the feeling.

My cheeks are very swollen also. I look like I
did after having my wisdom teeth taken out.

I am starting to see a difference - the tip is a bit
smaller and elevated.

Post-op - Day 2

I am actually writing this on day 3 because day 2 was such a rough day. I woke up yesterday with major swelling to my right eye. I could barely open it to get my contacts in. My left eye was also swollen but no where near as much as my right eye. I have a feeling I didn't ice it enough on the first night and day 1 and now the swelling was catching up to me. I have yet to take any pain meds. I do not feel any pain at all which is a relief, but the swelling is uncomfortable and a bit annoying to be unable to see. Since I did so much running around on day 1 I think I over did it. I decided to rest in bed all day. Jason took care of the girls downstairs while I stayed in bed to rest and nap. I got up around 6pm and my swelling did go down a tiny bit. We got out some of the Halloween decorations and started decorating a little bit around the house.

I have bruises on both eyes; more so on my right then my left. However, I feel that my cream is really helping. I usually bruise very easily and have very dark bruises. My eyes do not look as bad as others I have seen after surgery. They are reddish with a little bit of yellow. It could have been a lot worse.

Post-op Day 2 -- woke up to very swollen eyes.
I do not look happy.

Add the end of day 2 - my swelling has decreased
a significant amount

Post-op - Day 1

Today is post-op day 1. I slept surprisingly well last night even though I did wake up numerous times. I have a feeling I feel as good as I do because my nose was not packed with gauge after surgery. Other people whom I've talked to said the packing was the worst part because of the inability to breathe through your nose.

When I woke up this morning I just had minimal bruising in the inner corner of my right eye. I was a tiny bit swollen above my nose but nothing too alarming. I felt no pain at all. I did not take my pain meds because I was feeling so good.

I drove myself to the doctor's office so he could look inside my nose for any hematomas. He said I looked great and my bruising and swelling was very small. It was a quick visit and I made my next appoint for next Wednesday to have my cast taken off.

As the day progressed I noticed that I started to swell more and bruising was starting to appear. Yet, I still had no pain throughout the day. I did some light shopping and laying around. Liz, my good friend, came to visit me and tease me. She has been my biggest supporter, mainly because she has gone through this twice before. It was nice having someone close to ask questions and share stories with regarding our experiences.

I have to admit that the recovery is a lot better than I was expecting it to be. I feel no pain, nausea, or any discomfort.

Here are a few pictures from today:

Photo taken after waking up - only a small amount
of swelling and a tiny bruise on right eye

Photo taken at the end of the day - noticeably
more swelling above my nose and around my eye

<3 her

I did it! I had my rhinoplasty performed at 2pm this afternoon. Everything went better than I could have hoped! We got to the office at 1:45 where I made my appointment for tomorrow for a routine post-op visit then I was taken back to the Pre-op room. Jason was able to come back with me which helped calm my nerves. My vitals were taken and then I was given socks and a gown to change into.

I was getting very nervous at this point. I took an Ativan that was prescribed to me the night before and also this morning before the surgery. That did calm my nerves but I still felt anxiety as the time was getting closer. Another nurse came in by the name of Greg; he started my IV. Both nurses were very friendly, talkative, and comforting which helped bring my nerves down. Dr. Kotlus came in to see how I was doing and also answer a few questions before we got started. He also reviewed what he was going to do to my nose -- bring down my dorsal hump, list the tip of my nose, and also make the ball of the tip a tiny bit smaller.

I gave Jason a hug and kiss goodbye and they wheeled me to OR. I moved over to the OR bed where I was covered with blankets because I did feel chilly. I was given Propofol for sedation. Once that was given I felt at ease and ready for anything about to begin. Dr. Kotlus numbed the my nose and the area around it. I was awake the whole time but in and out of remembering. It didn't hurt at all. I felt a little pressure here and there but it was not painful or uncomfortable at all. I though I would be completely sedated and intubated for the procedure so this was a pleasant surprise. I liked being awake and able to converse with the doctor and nurses. I don't remember everything but I remember talking ALOT. We talked about paintball, my job at the hospital, and my girls.

The surgery was supposed to last 3-4 hours but I was done by 4:40. Before he put my splint on I asked if I could touch my nose and the bump was GONE! I never got to see it but I could feel a huge difference. I was almost in tears and so happy it was over and what I wanted changed was gone.

The took me to the post-op area where my vitals were taken again and my IV was removed. Jason was able to come back and see me. He didn't look scared of me see that was a relief. I didn't realize what I looked like just yet. I then went to the restroom with my nurse and was able to take a look in the mirror; no bruising YET. My face was only a tiny bit swollen but I looked like myself! I returned to my bed and changed into my clothes that I came in with. I brought a zip-up sweater so I didn't bang my nose.

When I got home I kissed my girls and went up to my bedroom to rest. I took my pills for pain and also vitamins I bought to help recovery. I also applied my Topricin cream which contains Anice to help reduce any bruising around my eyes.

Luckily my nose was not packed; it only had a splint with gauge folded underneath the nose to help with any dripping. I am able to breathe through my nose which make it a little more tolerable.

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Kotlus and staff and Allure Medical Spa. I will write more after my post-op appointment in the morning.

On my way home from surgery

The Night Before my Surgery

My name is Nikki and I am 30 years old and will be undergoing my first plastic surgery tomorrow. Dr. Kotlus from Allure Medical Spa will be performing my rhinoplasty. I have wanted this surgery since I was 15 years old. I have a large dorsal hump with very sharp sides. During my consultation we decided that the dorsal hump will be removed and the tip of my nose will be elevated. I am quite nervous but extremely excited for this. I have always been self conscious without my glasses and of my side profile. I am doing this surgery for me and no one else. Everyone has a feature on themselves that they would like to change. This is my one feature I want to change. I'm going to try and sleep tonight but I may be too excited to rest much. I will post pictures tomorrow!

I should have put on a little bit of make-up