PART III
Anyway, after the consult with Dr. Kim, i got a price quote and went back to the hotel to think about it.
It did not take me long to think about it because here I was in Korea. I talked to Dr. Kim and he was serious and did not seem like an overpromising fake, he was an expert in contracted noses and I had no options for that particular issue in the U.S. I decided to do it and i texted Brian (he said they could fit me in as they make special accomodations for patients who travel from different countries who have surgery with them. He told me to come in Monday and we would set it up. So Monday, I went in, set up my surgery for the next day (Tuesday), went over again my surgery goals with Brian and Dr. Kim, got my surgical instructions (twilight with sedation only Thank God) and jumped head first in the deep water.
TUESDAY SURGERY DAY;
Surgery was at 1:00 PM, I got there and was lead to the surgery center, got undressed and redressed in surgical garments, washed face and waited to talk to Dr. Kim. He went over the plan again. Then I went to the preop room and laid down and the nurse put my IV. I had the most anxiety over this but this nurse was an expert and I did not even feel the needle go in which was a miracle. Brian and Henry were with me making everything went smoothly. After the IV was i I was lead into the OR. I was shaking like a leaf. Dr. Kim came in and said trust him. I was told to lie on my stomach because they were going to take the dermafat out first. I laid on my stomach and talked to Brian (it was comforting because I was scared to death) and soon enough the next thing i remember was waking up in the preop room. I was thirsty but they did not give me anything to drink because they said i had to wait. I was not in excruciating pain but my nose hurt and I asked for morphine. Well apparently morphine is illegal in Korea so they gave me another pain which was not so bad but it was not Morphine either.
Well I was so happy because I was not dead and I did not have necrosis (a big risk when you have as many surgeries as I have had) . A half an hour later, Dr. Kim came in to see me and said that my surgery went well and he was able to open up my airways and derotate my tip and expand my nose. I was happy to hear it but at that point I just wanted to go back to my hotel room and eat and go to bed. Brian had a driver, driver me back to my hotel, went and got my medication for me and told me to return the next day for my first post op appointment. The next day I had my first post appointment where they changed my bandages and so far I have had three post op appointments in a week. One thing here is they are meticulous about after care which is good because they last thing I need is to get another infection. Tomorrow I go to have the rest of my nose stiches out. I am a little aftaid to look at my nose because I have gone through this so many times before and I am also so afraid it will contract again.I do think I made a good choice though in surgeons and I will continue to hope for the best and keep everyone up to date.
Please, if you have a contracted nose, I would love to talk to you and also anyone with multiples I hope this post helped you a little with information or otherwise. I will post again soon and let you know how things are going!
Best,
Nadine
Anyway, after the consult with Dr. Kim, i got a price quote and went back to the hotel to think about it.
It did not take me long to think about it because here I was in Korea. I talked to Dr. Kim and he was serious and did not seem like an overpromising fake, he was an expert in contracted noses and I had no options for that particular issue in the U.S. I decided to do it and i texted Brian (he said they could fit me in as they make special accomodations for patients who travel from different countries who have surgery with them. He told me to come in Monday and we would set it up. So Monday, I went in, set up my surgery for the next day (Tuesday), went over again my surgery goals with Brian and Dr. Kim, got my surgical instructions (twilight with sedation only Thank God) and jumped head first in the deep water.
TUESDAY SURGERY DAY;
Surgery was at 1:00 PM, I got there and was lead to the surgery center, got undressed and redressed in surgical garments, washed face and waited to talk to Dr. Kim. He went over the plan again. Then I went to the preop room and laid down and the nurse put my IV. I had the most anxiety over this but this nurse was an expert and I did not even feel the needle go in which was a miracle. Brian and Henry were with me making everything went smoothly. After the IV was i I was lead into the OR. I was shaking like a leaf. Dr. Kim came in and said trust him. I was told to lie on my stomach because they were going to take the dermafat out first. I laid on my stomach and talked to Brian (it was comforting because I was scared to death) and soon enough the next thing i remember was waking up in the preop room. I was thirsty but they did not give me anything to drink because they said i had to wait. I was not in excruciating pain but my nose hurt and I asked for morphine. Well apparently morphine is illegal in Korea so they gave me another pain which was not so bad but it was not Morphine either.
Well I was so happy because I was not dead and I did not have necrosis (a big risk when you have as many surgeries as I have had) . A half an hour later, Dr. Kim came in to see me and said that my surgery went well and he was able to open up my airways and derotate my tip and expand my nose. I was happy to hear it but at that point I just wanted to go back to my hotel room and eat and go to bed. Brian had a driver, driver me back to my hotel, went and got my medication for me and told me to return the next day for my first post op appointment. The next day I had my first post appointment where they changed my bandages and so far I have had three post op appointments in a week. One thing here is they are meticulous about after care which is good because they last thing I need is to get another infection. Tomorrow I go to have the rest of my nose stiches out. I am a little aftaid to look at my nose because I have gone through this so many times before and I am also so afraid it will contract again.I do think I made a good choice though in surgeons and I will continue to hope for the best and keep everyone up to date.Please, if you have a contracted nose, I would love to talk to you and also anyone with multiples I hope this post helped you a little with information or otherwise. I will post again soon and let you know how things are going!
Best,
Nadine
) I really hope so too. I got my cast off yesterday. It is SUPER SWOLLEN. For me this is a good thing because my nose was unnaturally tiny. My nose looks derotated now which was so important and most importantly, is the volume which looks more natural. I have to wear nostril retainers for about a month. Even though Dr. Kim said I had to wear them around the house and at night only, I will probably wear them 24/7 because I am paranoid my nose will collapse again.
No rush--just take good care of you! Sooo happy to hear you are healing well, and that your nose is more to your liking already!! Yes, do keep us posted and get lots of rest!!!
