One-month review after autologous costal cartilage revision rhinoplasty in my 40s

It has been one month since my revision rhinoplasty. I walked for 2-3 hours every day, so the major swelling went down early, and from day 9 after surgery, I could visibly see the swelling between my eyebrows go down when I woke up. I want time to pass quickly so all the residual swelling can go away too haha Unlike my first rhinoplasty, when I had no information at all, because this was a revision surgery, I was very clear about what I disliked and liked. Noses I disliked: a large masculine-looking nose that extends downward for a long look, a ski-slope nose, a Pinocchio nose with a sharply upturned tip, a chalk-like nose, and an Avatar-like nose I had no lingering desire for height, and I wanted a naturally straight-to-slightly-curved profile, with a round, feminine-looking nasal tip. While consulting at 4 places, I had initially ruled this place out because it was the most expensive, but no matter how much I searched, I felt like it had to be here. Since I was trying to match the visible cost, my mind leaned toward a hospital that was cheaper than this place even with revision rhinoplasty plus eye surgery, but then it felt strange that it was too cheap, so my mind leaned back toward a mid-range hospital. But now I think, what would I have done if I had actually gone that way? It gives me chills! Rather than choosing a hospital based on cost, the key is how safely and how well they can maximize what you want to improve within your own conditions. What was more important than the high cost was how I would look after surgery. There were many similar hospitals that matched the look I was pursuing, but when I looked into the details, there were things that felt lacking, like the starting point of the nasal bridge being a bit disappointing... the columella area being a bit disappointing... The more I researched over several months, the more I really liked Director Kim Hyun-joo. Even when things looked similar, I could feel a subtle difference, there was no lip service, and she told me what was possible and impossible, so I did not end up having useless expectations. [One-month overall review] I cannot feel any difference from before surgery in the autologous costal cartilage area. At first, I was even careful when putting a spoon in my mouth, but now I am much freer, enough to put a Chik Choc cookie right into my mouth in one bite. When I purse my lips, there is pulling in the columella. If you have a short philtrum, your upper teeth are close to the columella, so I think brushing your teeth would be uncomfortable. After the splint was removed, the area between my eyebrows hurt even if it was just brushed while washing my face, but now it is okay even if I touch it. (I think people who put on makeup right after removing the splint are truly amazing.) When I touch the nasal tip and columella, there is still a tingling, pins-and-needles feeling, so it does not feel 100% like my own flesh. I do touch it more bravely than in the early postoperative period, but I still need more time to get used to it! [Items that are nice to have] These are not essential items, so ask the hospital and prepare them if needed Tylenol: in case you still have pain even after taking the hospital-prescribed medication Sterile gauze pads: the hospital gives extras, but if you bleed a lot, you have to change them often (I used size 3 sterile gauze pads) Thin cotton swabs: less ointment gets wasted, and they are easier to put inside the nose Sauce bottle: until the nasal cotton is removed, it is super convenient to put water in a sauce bottle instead of a cup and squeeze it out to drink Triangular cushion: for the first week after surgery, you have to sleep sitting up to reduce swelling. If you do not have one, you can use all the pillows and cushions you have. Outfit for surgery day: after surgery, I recommend clothes that button up and are easy to put on and take off, and an inner top with built-in cups instead of a bra (because of the autologous rib area...)