Day 21 – rhinoplasty recovery
It's almost 3 weeks since I had my surgery and things are healing very nicely. The swelling continues to go down and the shape of my nose is improving gradually. The biggest difference I can already see, or rather smell, is a completely new ability to breathe through my nose. I mentioned it before but this has got even better over the last week.
I am unfortunately still having to wear a plaster on the bridge of my nose as the swelling is still significant enough to make wearing my glasses very uncomfortable. Adding insult to injury I am unable to have contact lenses fitted as I now have discovered I have a significant stigmatism in my right eye. If that weren't the case I would be writing this with contacts fitted so I was a little disappointed when I saw the optician last Friday.
The last week has seen me getting back into work and running around with the kids - I say again how amazing I find it that I'm still somewhat sapped of energy. We're back into the run of things now and although I am very wary of anyone getting near my nose I feel pretty much back to normal. Note that as week 3.
I will be back in the gym and my classes this week so that will help me feel like I've got everything back on track.
In regards to what is left to resolve, my nose is still swollen, it is still crooked from the wounds I can see and feel inside my nose and is still very tender. I'll keep posting weekly so you can see the improvement on the swelling. The crookedness will continue to improve but I don't think it will be 100% straight from underneath, even though it will be from front on.
I'm still absolutely delighted and thrilled that I've had the operation and cannot believe what I'm smelling these days!
Day 13 – New nose revealed!
So it's done - my cast has been removed and I can now see my new nose. My goodness what a change! The two biggest changes are that firstly, for the first time in my life, I can breathe through my nose to the extent that I can get enough air into my lungs. I've never been able to do that before. I can also see a massive reduction in the length of my nose.
At the moment it is still very swollen, which makes my nose look misshapen and crooked from the front. That will of course resolve itself as the swelling goes down.
The top of my nose is very tender and I'm struggling to wear my glasses at the moment. I have put a couple of plasters on to ease the discomfort which is working for now, but I'm seeing the optician this afternoon about the possibility of getting contact lenses - something I've never been interested in but I'm now thinking it might finish off the package nicely! 
You will recall I was keen to find out a few things about what I'm able to do - can I go to the gym? What can I do in the gym? What about my glasses; can I wear them? Well I've answered that final question already but I was really pleased to be told that I'm fine doing some excerise - just not the best idea to do much in the way of
weights or anything high impact like running, for about a month, but I'm fine doing the x-trainer and also will be fine doing my classes as well. Delighted!
I'm so pleased I've had the operation. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to breathe through my nose - it's a strange sensation believe me! I was feeling a little low yesterday as I was very excited about getting my cast off and for some stupid reason thought that my nose would be perfect immediately. Of course that is nonsense as there is still a lot of swelling and tightness within my nose whihc also means that my nose is still being pulled in one direction - I can feel some of the wounds inside my nose changing the shape still. Hopefully this will be a lot better in a week or two.
Because of that I did come down quite hard after my appointment yesterday and felt a bit sorry for myself. I was also emotional on Sunday at my parents wedding anniversary party. I think that I was a little overwhelmed by how much I've been through over the last two weeks and it has taken me by surprise. To be completely honest I don't get it. I suppose I've put my body through a lot as I'm told that your body reacts as though you were awake for the surgery so it really does take it all out of you. I've also been on some serious painkillers and of course there was the anesthetic in my body. But that doesn't explain why I've felt very emotional about the whole thing.
Maybe it's just the way it is and is worth saying publicly for those who are looking at facial surgery that there are some quite deep emotions associated with changing ones appearance and a long period of lower energy levels following such dramatic surgery.
I did want to say a public thank you to a lot of people who have been thinking about me, praying for me, showing huge amounts of interest and kept up to date with my progress. I'm very grateful to you all.
I am now going to drop to posting once a week, now that my nose has been unveiled but will keep you up to date with any developments.
Day 11 – rhinoplasty recovery – unveiling in 2 days!
The tip of my nose is definitely more swollen than it was, it is also a little red. Problem is that I can't tell how much different it is from before because more of it is showing under my cast because of the reduction in the swelling to the top of my nose.
I've no pain still and it feels more and more normal every day so I'm sure everything is okay.
Monday is the big day. The grand unveiling ceremony. I'm not expecting the Brad Pitt nose just yet as there will be a lot of swelling and of course the scarring. It will be nice to have the beast unleashed at last though!
Things are back to normal at home as well, back into our usual routines. The kids are doing well, although it is obvious that they've been away from home for a while as it's taken them a few days to get back into 'our' way of doing things.
Yesterday we all went for a walk, which wasn't the best idea I've ever had - I was absolutely exhausted afterwards and we had to go out for tea - which of course is a real shame.
Not a great deal more to share today to be honest. Everything is progressing nicely and I'm really excited about Monday when I get to see the snoz.
Day 10 – rhinoplasty recovery
Since getting the kids back I've been a lot more tired than before - makes sense thought doesn't it? I'm so glad to have them home but I find myself wary of arms that seem to fly everywhere ... all the live long day!
The other concern that has popped up in the last 24 hours is why the tip of my nose has suddenly seemed to grow, more significantly inside my nose than anywhere else but it definitely has. My only theory is that it is the swelling doing what swelling does best and moving around at will. The top of my cast feels looser so it does make sense that it is the swelling moving about. I can also feel it tingling rather; there isn't any pain, just quite a bit of tingling which I'm hoping means that it is healing.
I was due to go to the ward next Monday for my grand unveiling ceremony with (hopefully) the hot nurse, but I received a phone call yesterday from JDC's secretary yesterday saying that he wanted to see me at his clinic on Monday. Given that they said it had all gone very well after the operation, I can only assume he wants to inspect his handywork.
The funny thing is, as you can see from my pic, my mates have drawn on my cast - one has written 'Ian's Nose Job 2010' and the other has drawn a little doodle of the little guy popping over the wall - what was he called? This pic also shows me without a plaster holding the cast on - thought I'd show you it with without the plaster while I changed it.
I'm going to ask JDC if I can keep my cast and create a little display case for it for all to see. I wondered about doing the same with my freshly removed packing but thought that might be a little gross. 
Day 9 – rhinoplasty recovery
I came home yesterday and it's been a little tough getting back into it so far. Without the support of family around it is very easy to slip extremely fast into not looking after yourself and it is taking a lot more effort to keep up with every part of my recovery that I was finding so easy before I came back to my own home.
It is proving strangely hard to remember all the pills, steam inhalations etc. Nonetheless, I resolve to make sure that I keep on top of things and keep my recovery on track.
I had a chat with my friend, who is a doctor about the questions I'd like to ask the surgeon when I see him. An interesting bit of information came out of that conversation - he says that I would actually be better speaking to the nurse or sister who takes my cast etc off next Monday as they are used to dealing with recovery of patients day to day. I wouldn't have thought of that but of course it makes perfect sense.
We agreed that surgeons are a bit like FlashHeart from Blackadder ...
Anyway, I digress! I will let you know as soon as I know the best practice (in my case anyway) regarding going to the gym, wearing my glasses, gym classes etc.
I get the kids back today, which of course I'm really excited about! I'm a little nervous as well because I'm still tired, I just need them around me now. Missed them a lot a lot.
Day 8 – open septorhinoplasty recovery – going home!
Today I'm going home. I couldn't sleep last night for hours, I think because all the jobs I have to take care of again were running through my head. Nevermind, I eventually got to sleep and am looking forward to my next little challenge.
In regards to my nose, the plastercast is a little wobbly because the swelling has almost completely gone from my face which of course has loosened the cast. It makes me a little wary but that's probably a good thing.
I can also now see that the tip of my nose has been chopped up quite nicely by JDC and the Steri-Strips holding it together are the reason my nose is so out of shape at the moment.
There is an ongoing discussion about what I'm supposed to do with my glasses once the cast is removed - will I be ok wearing them, assuming I do what I can to reduce the load? JDC warned me that changes can occur to the shape of the nose for up to a year after surgery so maybe it will be contact lens time. If that's the case I'll be a bit wierded out because I've never wanted contacts and have always sort of hidden behind my glasses.
I'll make sure that goes on my list of questions for next Monday; along with when can I go back to the gym, can I drive and why does Codeine make me suffer so badly from the thing that killed Elvis?
I've tried showering rather than bathing recently and that takes some skill, I can tell you. The plaster on my forehead is slightly damp this morning because I am rather lacking in said skill.
So, today is going home day. I'll let you know how I get on when I'm fending for myself.
Day 7 – packing removal / open septorhinoplasty recovery
Yesterday I had my packing removed. As you know I was a little anxious about it because of the horror stories I'd heard about yards of bandages being dragged from my nose from the other side of the room! Thank goodness for the recent invention of the inflatable nasal packing device!
I wasn't looking forward to it at all and it didn't help that we had to wait for about 3 hours for the removal but it all went swimmingly. The packs are about 2 inches long and 1/2 an inch wide when deflated. As you can see from previous pictures I also had my nose snorkel which was used to add / remove air from the packs as required. I'm really kicking myself for not having the presence of mind to take any pictures, despite promising to.
The sensation of removal is not at all painful, but does feel very, very strange. I let out a loud moan as the nurse pulled them out but it was only because of the sensation, not because of any pain. I was of course very relieved it was so easy.
Immediately following the removal the nurse told me not to try to breathe through my nose, which of course I ignored like the 4 year old I am. Goodness me that was strange! When I tried to inhale even the smallest amount it felt like someone was pulling the back of my head off.
I mentioned yesterday that I would now be on a strict regimen of steam inhalations, nose drops, painkillers and my mid-morning Twix. I missed one thing. It is actually a strict regimen of steam inhalations, nose drops, painkillers, mid-morning Twix and a ridiulous amount of pulling huge blood clots from my nose at regular intervals. Which is pleasant.
Onwards and upwards; I feel a lot more human and almost back to normal. Of course there is a long road of recovery left but we're making some serious inroads after yesterdays ceremony. The worst is over.
Day 6 – rhinoplasty recovery
Although yesterday was my best day since surgery in terms of how 'with it' I am, I have found myself growing more anxious about todays impending 'packing removal ceremony'.
Of course I plan to make sure I'm suitably drugged up for the experience but I'm not looking forward to it at all. I'm told a lot to think about the end result which I will do. Here's hoping it isn't too uncomfortable.
My swelling is pretty much all gone, apart from a little bit of chipmonk cheek, and my bruising is getting better and better every day now.
One thing that is clear is that as the feeling starts to come back into my nose the itching does get worse. I can now touch the end of my nose and feel myself touching it which is clearly an improvement.
So, today. Gulp. My nose snorkel will be removed, all the packing will be removed and it is possible that the bolster under my nose will also be removed - however that is unlikely given that my nose still oozes and once the packing is removed there will be nothing to ease the flow of gunk onto my top lip.
From today onwards it will be a strict regimen of steam baths, nose drops, painkillers and what has become a surprising ritual, a mid-morning Twix.
I may well post again later today with the results of the packing removal so watch out.
Day 5 – rhinoplasty recovery
I'm going to call yesterday 'Cabin Fever Day'. Despite being adamant that I am not going anywhere while I look like this, yesterday I started to notice the effect that staying indoors for 4 days can have on you.
I've been having a really nice time with family and friends but things are starting to drag a little. I had a few moments of planning a work schedule and a new gym routine to get back into it blah blah! Probably not the best idea just yet!
The discoloration around my eyes has slowed in it's improvement and I've noticed that I'm starting to get some feeling back in my nose, the proof of which is this infernal itching in an entirely unreachable spot right under my plaster cast.
Hence, the experiment of itching somewhere else to relieve the actual itch has begun thorough testing, and hurrah, it works! I simply find the spot of uncovered flesh closest to the site of the actual itch, have a good scratch and hey presto! No more itch.
The other issue with the reemerging sensation in my nose is that I can actually feel the packing, and if I happen to knock my nose snorkel (the air tube for the packing) it now hurts. This, may I tell you with some authority, is not fun.
I also really need a shave.
Needless to say, tomorrow is a big day for me. I'm visiting Ward 3 at RPH to have the majority of my protection removed. My packing, bandages and nose snorkel will all be gone tomorrow. I will of course post pictures, maybe even of the removal if you're lucky!
It's also a big day because I'm going to get to see the kids for a short while. They're going to continue staying with their mum until the end of the week but I've missed them so much I'm going to give them their first glance at post-surgery daddy. Hopefully they wont a) pass out, b) freak out, or c) run out (of the room).
Day 4 – rhinoplasty recovery
Feeling a little more with it today. Yesterday was the first day following my surgery that I actually was up and about for most of the day. I also tried last night without taking the 30mg codeine before bed to help me sleep. Not the brightest idea in the world to be honest!
At around 1am I changed my mind entirely on that and took the pill. It is therefore true that when recovering from surgery you should just keep up with the pills. I wasn't in any significant amount of pain, I just couldn't settle properly.
My face looks pretty hilarious today. The swelling around my eyes has almost entirely gone, however it has moved down to the bottom of my cheeks and I look like a battered up chipmonk. My bruising is now very yellow which I also take as a good sign that I'm healing nicely.
In two days I go to get my packing removed which I'm really looking forward to - I'm assuming that I'm going to feel a lot more human when I haven't got a snorkel up my nose and huge bandages all over my face. We will see.
I'm slightly concerned that because my nose is still oozing a little they may say I need to leave it in for a bit longer, but hopefully not. I'll be miffed if they do!
On a more personal note, yesterday was really nice because a few people came around to visit; my big brother, my little sister and her husband and their gorgeous daughter. Little things like that just make it a lot easier to deal with. Just goes to show, another thing they tell you about healing is to have plenty of support around and yesterday I stayed up and around til about 10pm, which was a huge improvement.
A little story from the anesthetists room - just before being knocked out the very nice people in the operating theatre were chatting with me a little and one of the ladies said, 'you look a little nervous'. I replied that it was 'my first time with general anesthetic'. Quick as a flash the anesthetist at the other side of the room piped up, 'yeah, mine too!'.
To much hilarity he proceeded to pump me full of anesthetic and said, 'say hello to Mr De Carpentier (the venerable surgeon)' ... and I replied 'hello Mr De Ca.......' and off I went.
