One-month review of a natural straight-line nose (primary rhinoplasty, donated rib cartilage)

I can’t believe I’m finally writing a rhinoplasty review! haha Since this was my very first cosmetic surgery, I received so much help from this community, so thank you so much, everyone T_T It has been a little over a month since my rhinoplasty (I also had double-eyelid surgery at the same time), and since it was successful, I’m leaving a review >.< Usually, because the nose is the center of the face, people tend to focus on it. My nasal bones were wide, making my nose itself look flat, and my nasal tip was low, which had always bothered me. I felt my nose gave a vague impression and made my face look wider, so I decided on surgery because I wanted a more refined look! [Criteria for choosing a clinic] 1. A clinic with one surgeon, or at most two surgeons (I decided I absolutely did not want a factory-style clinic). 2. It had to be easily accessible because I cannot drive and it was a hot summer (no more than a five-minute walk from the station). 3. No pressured surgeries or procedures during consultations. 4. Not a clinic that promotes only one specialty, such as eyes or noses (I was also having double-eyelid surgery). 5. Good reviews and ratings in this community (I have worked in marketing for 12 years, so I considered advertisements as advertisements too, haha). [Clinic facilities] First, it was only a one- to two-minute walk from Gangnam Station, which was so convenient. This summer was really hot, but I barely had to walk, so it was not difficult. Accessibility is especially important because you need to visit several times after surgery for follow-up checks and care! The building was newly built, very clean, and pleasant. There was a private recovery room as well as a shared recovery room where people could sit after simple procedures or surgery. There was also a hyperbaric oxygen therapy room inside; I tried it, and it was so, so nice.... The building has mechanical parking, but large cars are difficult to park there (the parking around here is all mechanical...). My family has a seven-seat vehicle, which could not use the mechanical parking, so on the day of surgery they covered one hour at a nearby parking lot! Still, use public transportation in Gangnam if possible... Traffic is terrible, so public transportation is best! [Staff/surgeon] To begin with, even the front-desk staff were incredibly kind. I had visited two other clinics before, but this place was the gentlest? Kindest? Anyway, it was like that, haha. I arrived much earlier than my appointment, but since they had time, they processed everything quickly. Rather than being exceptionally warm, the consultant felt more professional than I expected. I think excessive praise and sweetness can make it difficult to view my face objectively! She clearly told me what was not suitable and what was fine, while telling me to recheck the details with the surgeon, so I organized my questions well. The surgeon definitely made decisions clearly, perhaps because he viewed things with a doctor’s eye. I thought my bridge and tip were low and blunt, but he said that my bridge was actually on the higher side for my face (I was a little skeptical then, lol). So he suggested not placing an implant all the way along the bridge, and instead creating a natural straight line only at the tip. Because I kept doubting my bridge, he explained that it was not low; rather, my wide middle nasal bones made it look blunt. He clearly told me that adding more to the bridge would look too pronounced, and now I am so grateful.... So, only a tiny amount was added to the lower part of the bridge (0.1–2 mm?), the tip was raised slightly, and the nasal line was designed naturally! [Surgical result] Before this, I had never undergone even one cosmetic surgery or procedure, including rhinoplasty. I was such a scaredy-cat; I was so afraid of doing anything to my face that I lived with my completely natural face.... When I woke up from anesthesia after surgery, it did not hurt at all—just a slightly numb sensation? So I assumed the anesthetic or painkiller had not fully worn off. I had heard that osteotomy during rhinoplasty can be rather painful, and I had an osteotomy too. Other than the inconvenience of having cotton packing in my nose on the first day, I was completely fine. I heard some people cry from pain, but why did mine not hurt even though bone was shaved.... At first, my tip seemed upturned, my nostrils looked uneven, and everything felt unnatural... You know? The end-stage anxiety about surgical failure and side effects that comes with a first surgery, hahaha. Even if the clinic tells you it will be fine once the swelling goes down, you cannot believe them. But it really was all because of swelling. You need to be patient at first..... Around one month, mine became noticeably more natural. This may just be my imagination, but after rhinoplasty, my face looks narrower! I do not know whether it is because they planned the nasal proportions well for my face, but personally I was also self-conscious about my face looking wide. I am too afraid to have contouring surgery, so I feel like I got an extra benefit because my nose makes my face look narrower.... [Other thoughts] I looked for a one-surgeon clinic to avoid a factory-style practice, and my biggest concern was scheduling. Even though there were quite a few patients, scheduling was always smooth, and I liked that the surgeon examined me very carefully. It was also nice that consultations by messaging were available during recovery, so I could comfortably ask questions. They say you need to wait six months for a nose, but the swelling has gone down better over time than I expected and the scar is almost invisible. It has only been a little over one month, but I already love it, haha. I still need consistent care, but my features look clearer and people around me often tell me I did well >.< Other people may look at it and wonder what exactly became prettier... but I love it so much! Cosmetic surgery is all about personal satisfaction, right..? lol. There are people whose surgery turns out amazingly, like celebrities, but I think ordinary people like me are needed too..... Anyway, I am not encouraging surgery, but since this was a long-standing insecurity for me, if you are going to have surgery anyway, I recommend doing it while you are as young as possible—for faster recovery and to live even one more day beautifully while young! I regret every day that I did not do it in my twenties, lol. And prices seem to rise every day... It is not real estate, but today is the cheapest time...... If you have questions about the clinic, primary rhinoplasty, or rhinoplasty using donated rib cartilage, leave a reply and I will respond!! Since I am only a little over one month out, I may not be able to answer about the process after that T_T