Open rhino 26th April…my story so far :-)

I had open rhino with Dr G last Thursday 26th April. Got the 5:15am train to London from Manchester on my own and got to the BMI Fitzroy London hospital about 8am. Got taken straight to my room as I was staying overnight and filled in all the usual forms for what meals I wanted, personal info etc. Found out at that point that the tv’s weren’t working in the hospital and there was no WIFI!!!! Thank god I brought books with me!! I was then left to get changed into my gown, stockings and sexy paper knickers! My PC had text me earlier that week to say my op time was 11am so I should eat at 6am and then nothing from there. With that in mind I had a coffee and a croissant on the train. The nurse then advised me that I shouldn’t have eaten/drank from midnight due to the anaesthetic!! Luckily for me the anaesthetist was running late so my op was put back to 12pm and everything was fine.

The nurse took my obs and both Mr G and the lovely anaesthetist (sorry can’t remember his name) came to see me prior to the op. At 12pm the nurse came and took me upstairs. Could feel myself getting a bit tearful at this point but pulled myself together and tried to not think too much about things! I was laid down on the bed and the canular put in my hand…didn’t really hurt just stung a bit. Then I was told the anaesthetic would feel a bit funny and I’d get a strange taste in my mouth. About 2 seconds after this I was gone!!

Woke up about 2 hours later (seemed like seconds) but did come round as they were just putting the packing up my nose. It was fine though so please don’t worry about this. I was still really sleepy so completely relaxed. The anaethetist said ‘open your mouth for me’ and they removed the tube (which I didn’t feel at all). Think I nodded off again then and woke up in the recovery room. The nurses were lovely and monitored me for about 15 minutes. Everything was fine and then I was wheeled back downstairs to my room. The nurse made me comfortable and told me to rest for half hour. She then kept coming back every half hour to check my obs.

I was told to buzz if I needed the loo which I did once but to be honest, within a couple of hours I was fine to move about myself. Had some biscuits so I could take the painkiller and then just snoozed and read my book until 6:30pm when my tea came. Randomly they brought me what I had ordered for lunch and tea so ended up with a table full of food!! ha. Managed to eat a bit of chicken salad and drank loads of apple juice..but that was as much as I could stomach.

Both Dr G and the anaesthetist came to see me that night before they left to check I was ok. Dr G came twice..he was really lovely. He told me that everything had gone really well and that the final result was really good. He said it would be a while before I would see the end result but he knew I would be extremely happy. He said the most important thing was to leave it alone…not to touch it and try not to blow my nose as this could affect the final shape. Really put my mind at rest!

At no point did I experience any pain. Just a bit uncomfortable as I had a lot of snot/blood at the back of my throat that I kept swallowing! Not very nice. I had a bit of a teary half hour as well where I just couldn’t stop crying. The nurse was really lovely and just kept giving me cuddles. Think I was just so relieved it was all over and prob also tiredness from the anaesthetic!! Nurses came every hour up until 10pm to check my obs and then the last visit they took the canular thing out of my hand and changed the dressing under my nose. Went to sleep about 11pm but didn’t sleep that well. Kept waking up throughout the night but just read for a bit and I was soon tired again. Think the anaesthetic affects everyone differently!

Nurse came in at6:45am and took my obs again. Said everything was fine and gave me my medication. Changed my dressing again and then breakfast came at 7:30am. My boyfriend was coming to get me and arrived about 9:30am. Was so looking forward to getting home. Had a 4 hour journey back to Manchester which wasn’t the best but was soon back in my pjs The swelling wasn’t too bad when I first woke up but came out a lot more later that night. Bruising started to come out too around my eyes but was prepared for this.

Next day (Day 2 PO) has def been the worst so far. Woke up and my face was really tight as was very swollen up. The worst part was the inside of my nose had completely swollen closed so I couldn’t breathe at all through it! Was so uncomfortable and had a bit of a panicky moment! Rang the on call nurse that MYA had given me and she reassured me that this was completely normal and that rhino was unfortunately one of the worst recovery processes of all the cosmetic procedures. My boyfriend was really good aswell and just let me have a bit of a cry. That night felt tons better …my nose had started opening up again inside and the swelling to my face had also gone down a bit. I did put an ice pack on my cheeks which really helped…know Dr G doesn’t agree with ice packs but it made me feel much more comfortable. Take a drink every night with me to bed as I wake up a couple a times with such a dry mouth from not being able to breathe out of my nose.

Every day since then (4 days PO now) I’ve felt better. Bruising is going yellow and the swelling has gone down quite a bit. Still trying to sleep as upright as I can and making sure I take my medication. Stiches out on Thursday so sure I will feel alot better after that aswell.

Still have no regrets..even if I do resemble a cross between the elephant man and a hamster (as my boyfriend kindly put it!) haha. I was completely prepared for the recovery process and as much as I’m not very good with sitting around watching tv etc..I know it’s the most important thing to aid my recovery.

Hope my story hasn’t worried anyone as it realy wasn’t meant to. I wanted to be as frank and honest with people about my experience although everyone is different and everyone recovers completely differently.

I cannot wait for cast off day (a week on Tuesday) and will def be booking in at the beauty salon as soon as I can for a pampering day to get back to the old me!

Happy recovery to anyone having their op soon and if anyone wants to add me (pics to follow) or ask me any questions please feel free xxxxx

Hey hun,

So good to hear how youre getting on. bet you cant wait untill the cast is off now! Have you been out much?

Today has been the best day of recovery for me so far (day 6) ..so hopefully it all gets better from now onwards lol. Been out with the dogs the suns out I had a good nights sleep and everything seems alot better today in contrast ive had a few down days which suck so was nice to have a good one.

I know its weird how different you look isnt it! Have been with my bf 3 and a half years so were completely comfortable but it still upsetting that he has to see me like this for what feels like ages..But it gets better and not long we will both be putting our new nose photos up! Cant wait!

Ive put ice on my face too, just stopped my antibiotics yesterday so nice not to have to remember eating and taking tablets at a certain time! How are you sleeping? Im finding upright uncomfortable but it gets easier!

Good luck for thurs for your stitches hun!

Take care xxxx

Hey honey, glad you’re feeling a bit better now Are you having your stitches out tomorrow then or did you have closed surgery?

Todays been ok for me, but started with a bloody cold! Just as you think you’re getting somewhere something else happens! ha

Yeh I’m still sleeping upright as best I can. Turned onto my side during the night last night and woke up with one cheek more swollen than the other! Ooops! ha.

Got out with my dog today, didn’t go far but the fresh air did me good. Gonna go out again later when it’s dark.

Just one thing…does your nose look like its shrunk? Mine looks a lot higher up from my top lip than it used to be?? Prob all part of the recovery process but does look a little weird!!

xxxxxxx

Yep stitches out tomorrow

Eugh a cold that sucks its so tempting to blow your nose isnt it ..but i wouldnt dare just hate the constant running. By the way does your face often feel really oily im constantly wiping mine and i thought it was just gros and greasy but ive worked out its coming from the top and bottom of my cast not sure what it is but makesmy skin feel gros! Mum washed my hair yesterday which felt amazing lol but its already oily again today normally leave it a few days so definately something oily here lol.

yeah the fresh air makes you feel ten times better.

And yeah i know what you mean my nose does look like its shrunk and i wondered if thats cos he lifted the tip a bit? My bf keeps laughing at my stiff top lip! xxxxxx

Do u know what…I couldn’t work out what was wrong with my mouth & u just said it! My

upper lip is stiff! No-one mentioned this to me before…did u know it was gonna happen??

I look like one of those creature comfort animals when I smile!! Haha. Hope it returns to

normal soon…back in work in a couple of weeks!!

How u feeling today?? My bruising is loads better today. Mainly just yellow now with a couple

of dark patches Still got hamster cheeks so will have a go on the old ice packs again later.

Big hugs xxx

Haha no I had no idea it was gonna happen lol. But my boyfriend noticed and then i looked in the mirror whilst talking and noticed that only my bottom lip was moving lol.

Yeah I know what you mean I feel like my eyes weirdly look droopy though too don’t know of ive got swelling above them or something so yeah I look a bit of a cartoon!

Had my stitches out today hurt for like two seconds but then its done! And because of the bank holiday my cast isn’t off til next tues would be due on sun ill be 12 days. But the nurse said to me today that sometimes when u go past the 12 day mark thw cast can just ‘fall off’ lol and if this happens to me I just call the emergency nurse and go in for a check up still on tues!

Xxxxxx

Haha no I had no idea it was gonna happen lol. But my boyfriend noticed and then i looked in the mirror whilst talking and noticed that only my bottom lip was moving lol.

Yeah I know what you mean I feel like my eyes weirdly look droopy though too don’t know of ive got swelling above them or something so yeah I look a bit of a cartoon!

Had my stitches out today hurt for like two seconds but then its done! And because of the bank holiday my cast isn’t off til next tues would be due on sun ill be 12 days. But the nurse said to me today that sometimes when u go past the 12 day mark thw cast can just ‘fall off’ lol and if this happens to me I just call the emergency nurse and go in for a check up still on tues!

Xxxxxx

Haha no I had no idea it was gonna happen lol. But my boyfriend noticed and then i looked in the mirror whilst talking and noticed that only my bottom lip was moving lol.

Yeah I know what you mean I feel like my eyes weirdly look droopy though too don’t know of ive got swelling above them or something so yeah I look a bit of a cartoon!

Had my stitches out today hurt for like two seconds but then its done! And because of the bank holiday my cast isn’t off til next tues would be due on sun ill be 12 days. But the nurse said to me today that sometimes when u go past the 12 day mark thw cast can just ‘fall off’ lol and if this happens to me I just call the emergency nurse and go in for a check up still on tues!

Xxxxxx

Haha no I had no idea it was gonna happen lol. But my boyfriend noticed and then i looked in the mirror whilst talking and noticed that only my bottom lip was moving lol.

Yeah I know what you mean I feel like my eyes weirdly look droopy though too don’t know of ive got swelling above them or something so yeah I look a bit of a cartoon!

Had my stitches out today hurt for like two seconds but then its done! And because of the bank holiday my cast isn’t off til next tues would be due on sun ill be 12 days. But the nurse said to me today that sometimes when u go past the 12 day mark thw cast can just ‘fall off’ lol and if this happens to me I just call the emergency nurse and go in for a check up still on tues!

Xxxxxx

Haha no I had no idea it was gonna happen lol. But my boyfriend noticed and then i looked in the mirror whilst talking and noticed that only my bottom lip was moving lol.

Yeah I know what you mean I feel like my eyes weirdly look droopy though too don’t know of ive got swelling above them or something so yeah I look a bit of a cartoon!

Had my stitches out today hurt for like two seconds but then its done! And because of the bank holiday my cast isn’t off til next tues would be due on sun ill be 12 days. But the nurse said to me today that sometimes when u go past the 12 day mark thw cast can just ‘fall off’ lol and if this happens to me I just call the emergency nurse and go in for a check up still on tues!

Xxxxxx

My cast comes off next tuesday aswell so let me know how u get on OMG imagine if your cast does come off before your appointment!!

That would be really weird!

Praying every night my new nose suits my face! Ha

Xxx

Really enjoyed reading this!

You’ve made me feel really comfortable, as I’ve been worrying about the procedure!

V happy for you that it all went well!

xx

I’d completely forgotten about the top lip, it is so weird is’t it! It does take a little while to get the mobility back, and you smile very weirdly (I tried to be enigmatic but it didn’t work!!).

So glad that the op is all over for you, it’s so scary at the time!

I was so fed up with the grotty plaster on my face, have to admit that I trimmed the sides a couple of times as they were black and sticky, LOL

Happy healing – can’t wait to hear how the cast coming off feels for you, when the stitches are out you start feeling more like yourself xxx

Hi abigail…so relieved to here my lip will return to normal! It’s the strangest thing ever! Not the prettiest of recovery processes is it

Xx

Fantastic story so far! That has really helped me visualise the the process and how it must feel. I hope you will put up pics once the cast is off…..thanks again!

Hi daffodil…glad it’s helped you a bit. Yep I’ll definitely be putting pics up from after the op until cast off day. Taken loads as I know it’s reasurring for other people to see. I’m day 7 now, stitches came out this morning and I’ve hardly any swelling or bruising left. Cast is starting to itch like mad but if that’s all that’s bothering me I think I’ve got off lightly :0)

Good luck with your op xx

Awww this is so lovely to read Jills3 thank you so much for posting this, i am having closed rhino with Dr G on Monday and I’ve very excited for my experience to start now, don’t know what I would do without MYA space and you guys here for reassurance!!! Ill be sure to post up my experience on here aswell!!!! Excited for you to see your new nose and hope you love it loads xxxxx

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