Review of primary rhinoplasty + autologous costal cartilage + bulbous nose + long nose + filler removal (day 55) (spread nasal alae / low nasal tip / removal of filler granules) A very personal review I got a lot of information from this community too, so I’m writing this in case it helps. Not a broker. Not an ad. The judgment is up to everyone!
Concerns before surgery + extra notes * The biggest stress was my nasal alae spreading when I smiled, so I would cover my mouth when laughing or avoid taking photos * I sometimes heard that I was pretty, and when I went to rhinoplasty consultations, I also heard “you don’t really need to…” (this place was one of them) * Friends who had had some plastic surgery told me I’d be amazing if I just did my nose. * I thought about it for 10 years. Total scaredy-cat ㅠ.ㅠ (columellar scar concerns + slightly keloid-prone constitution + issue of going to work) * I only wanted to reduce my nostril wings, but because my nostrils are small, most hospitals didn’t recommend it * I tried filler, but only the nasal bridge got higher and it gave an Avatar-like look… it actually looked more unnatural * It was hyaluronic acid filler, but even after years it didn’t dissolve and remained as granules (about 4 → I paid extra for granule removal, but only 2 were removed during surgery; some still remain) * I also paid extra for long-nose correction, but I’m not sure about this part * I was so nervous during surgery, but everyone reassured me, and even the doctor held my hand (it gave me a lot of trust, like he really understood the patient’s feelings and wouldn’t make it look strange) * The hospital’s attitude after payment… actually even kinder! Even kinder after surgery too! ※ I have no complaints about the hospital at all. Even if I chose again, I think I’d go to the same director.
Splint period (days 1-8) — the mental spiral begins I thought about these things all day * Did it turn out well? * What if it’s too high? * If it doesn’t show, do I have to do it again? * The splint looks crooked; does that mean my nose is crooked? * Why is it swelling this much? * The glabella feels gathered… I said I didn’t want an Avatar look… → mental spiral stage 3
For reference, I didn’t bleed much, so the nasal cotton was removed right away the next day. (They said otherwise I would have had to endure it for 4 days, and if I had done that, it would have been really hard. I think it was thanks to the director’s good technique hehe)
And… Even with the splint on, I looked really ugly. It was just a swelling party.
After splint removal (days 8-15) — mental spiral MAX The day the columellar stitches + splint were removed → They did it gently and it didn’t hurt at all → Huh? There isn’t much swelling and it looks okay?
From the next day → I gradually got uglier… * Glabella looked gathered * Nose looked huge * Seemed crooked * Brutally honest T-type friend: “You did it to get prettier, so what now?” * Parents: “It’ll be okay once the swelling goes down…” → mental spiral stage 5
Intranasal stitch removal (2-3 weeks) * I told them my nose looked crooked → they said it was swelling, so we had to watch it for 1 month * I was worried about something like acne on the nasal tip too, but they kindly explained everything * Intranasal stitch removal: it hurts, but it’s bearable (they did it super gently)
I went to work for the first time, and coworkers’ reactions: * Almost no swelling * No bruising * The columellar scar barely shows * “If I didn’t know you had your nose done, I probably wouldn’t know” * They said it was well done and asked which hospital it was → Since the reactions were good, I wondered if it was okay, → but when I looked in the mirror alone again, I looked ugly
Mental spiral stage 7
Weeks 3-6 (days 21-45) Interesting changes * The thing that looked crooked disappeared * I think only the left side had a hump shaved, so it had been swollen * The brutally honest T-type friend who said I got uglier said “you got prettier” * I heard a lot that it turned out naturally well * People started asking which hospital it was → mental spiral stage 2 (almost recovered)
Now (days 45-55) * When I meet new people, they ask which hospital it was * I’ve heard a lot that it turned out naturally well * There is still a little swelling left, → so I’m looking forward to after 3 months
About hospitals (honestly) Community reviews + online research + consultation visits, etc. * Some hospitals asked me to post more than 10 reviews on multiple sites. They even said if I just gave them my ID, they’d post them themselves (absolutely not! hmph) * I personally passed on places with lots of copy-paste reviews (I judged that it probably wasn’t the writer’s intention) * Passed on places with identical reviews and identical comments that clearly looked like brokers * Even if it looked like a real review, if there were no replies to comments and it was standardized, I considered it something posted only because of a contract despite dissatisfaction. * Even if the consultation was good, I passed on places that forced review management. I couldn’t trust them
The place I chose didn’t pressure me for reviews at all. So there was less information than other hospitals, which made me worry more, but now I’m satisfied.
Ah.. among the 6-7 consultations, it was the most expensive, so I was conflicted.. But it met my standards the most for natural nose shape + kindness + aftercare, etc., so I chose it, and it was such a good decision. I really praise my own decision.
Conclusion During the mental spiral period, I really thought it was ruined, but as time passed, everything resolved. So I’m only posting the review now. (If it had been in that state back then, I probably wouldn’t have written it…)
Ah, because it was a bulbous nose it looked broad, but people keep asking if I lost weight (I’m usually around 42 kg, but now I’m around 47 kg, my highest ever)
The side profile.. it wasn’t my complex, but after surgery, looking at it, it’s much better than before. I think the comparison is clear, so I’m posting it. (For reference, the photo is from week 3, but the line already came out that well)
The director is the best-!
If the response is good later, I might organize front-view photos, autologous costal cartilage, aftercare methods, etc. (I’m too busy with work right now ㅠㅠ life of a slave..)
If you ask anything you’re curious about, I’ll answer honestly as if I were having surgery again.