Day 5: Post-Op

I haven't written in a while-- just haven't really been in the mood. However, I thought I should continue because I don't want to leave anyone hanging--should anyone decided the read this. 

ICE has been so helpful in every since of the way. It's the fifth day and I already have little to none bruising (just a little yellow and blue under the eyes), swelling remains only in the cheeks and nose, and the dripping has entirely stopped. 

I believe it was on the third day that my eyes were severely swollen. They were really watery and puffy. I could hardly see from them. I'm not sure if it was just the ice or the ice/arnica/Bromelain mix that did the job, but swelling and bruising really went down by the next morning. 

I've been able to take a shower everyday! Thank the LORD!  My face and hair was pretty oily and I couldn't take it anymore. Luckily my shower head has water pressure options, so I set it on lowest pressure setting. This also allowed me to tilt my head back and gently wash my hair. 

Starting yesterday (Day 4:Post Op) I started using Ocean Saline Nasal Spray. I would just pump twice within each nostril. (NOTE: This is something I asked my doctor about and was within my post-op instructions. You'll defintly want to ask your doctor if this is something you should or should not be doing.) The first attempt was awesome. I could breathe and it felt pretty moist within both my nasal passages. 2-3 hours later and I sprayed the saline solution again... Ohhh man... It burned! And after awhile my nasal passages started feeling pretty dry. But if you think about it... It's really a whole open wound in the ocean scenario... Yes, it hurt, but I'm glad I sprayed the solution because it really cleaned things up in there. 

Day 5: Post Op 

I feel so good today. No more drip pads. No more headaches. Stopped painkillers on the third day (forgot to mention that). (NOTE: Switched to Tylenonl Extra Stength for minor pains) 

I sprayed the Saline Solution again and used a Q-tip to clean things up. Took another shower. Almost back to myself (minus the old nose). Only complaint I have are these really annoying splints. They are digging into my nose. Can't wait until Tuesday (two more day) for the some much needed relief. 

I'll try and write again tomorrow. :-)

Update: My nose is really really realy itchy! I've tried Tylenonl and blowing cool air from a hairdryer, but no luck. I've been looking up blogs and forums to see if anyone has had luck with finding a solution to the itch. Nothing yet. 

Day 2: Post-Op

Today was so much better. According to many blogs and speaking with others that have experienced rhinoplasties or septoplasties, this should be the last truly horrible day. 

I think the most discomfort felt was pressure between the bridge of my nose and the splints digging into my nose. Now... the reason why I felt a bit more discomfort is because I tried going without the painkillers today. After a few hours, I caved in and took the required dosage and fell asleep. 

My swelling and bruising has significantly decreased. This was all thanks to the bags of ice or peas I kept over my eyes and gently above the bridge of my nose. I've continuously been taking Arnica and Bromelain, so I think that helped as well. 

I think the greatest part of today was my shower. It's amazing what a short, warm shower can do. As for my hair; I wet my hair by cupping some water from the sink, poured some soap into a small hand towel, and began to rub it in. Then I rinsed out the soap by cupping water again and using a damp towel. Wasn't too concerned about drying my hair, as the the icebag would make it damp again anyway. I then used baby wiped to clean my face and some Q-tips soaked in saline solution to clean around my nostrils and mustache.  

All in all, not a bad day. 

NOTE:  Ice cream and Gatorade (consumed separately, because that would be gross to have them together) are a great way to keep hydrated, while keeping your throat, mouth, and lips moist. 

Day 1: Post Op

As expected, today was worse. It's that I was in any unbareable pain, but the true symptoms of the surgery began to show-- excessive bruising and swelling, watery eyes, itchy nose, very dry lips and throat. I've been taking Arnica and Bromelain along with my perscribed medication Hydrocodone (pain) and Cephalexin (antibiotic). I've been taking them as instructed, so I haven't been feeling any pain, aside from a headache. 

I was visited by a couple friends which really helped me pass the time. Got some pretty cool snacks and goodies that I can have once I start to feel a little better. I would say that I don't have much of an appatite now. I'm able to have some Jello, pudding, eggs, and ramen. It's not that I'm nauseous-- I guess I just don't feel like eating. 

My eyes have become pretty swollen throughout the day, so at certain times it's hard to see. I forgot to ice my face a couple times, which may have extended the swollen-ness. NOTE: I HIGHLY RECOMEND USING FROZEN PEAS AS UPPOSED TO ICE. ITS GENERALLY LIGHTER, FORMS TO THE FACE, AND IS JUST AS COLD. The hospital gave me a strange plastic knitted beenie like thing to wear on my head and it holds the ice bag in place. So that's also helpful. 

Since my eyes are swollen its pretty difficult to keep on typing, so I'm going to have to stop for now. See you all tomorrow. 

Surgery Day

I don't know if it was anxiety or a form of distraction because I hadn't eaten or drank anything since 12AM, but I spent much of the morning cleaning. See a new nose is not the only thing I'll be getting this summer, my family and I are renovating the first floor of our house. So there is dust and debris everywhere. Great time to get a septorhinoplasty done, right? Truthfully, the whole not being able to eat or drink thing, wasn't that bad. I'm a filmmaker and we work 12-14 hour days, so sometime I forget to eat. Not having water on the other hand on a rather hot day was a bit more challenging; but believe it or not, just brushing my teeth and swishig around some water in my mouth really helped. 

I took a shower, put on a button-down shirt, sweatpants, and a comfortable pair of sneakers. Note: Although it looked odd, I'm so glad I wore what I wore. The button down was great because I couldn't lift anything over my head, and the sweatpants were easy to get on and off. Finally made it to the hospital in time to check-in at 12:30. I had my parents and best friend there as my support team. 

It wasn't long before I was called into the pre-op room. After answering a few questions, I put on my gown and hopped into bed. (NOTE: The nurses at Kaiser Woodland Hills are awesome. They are kind, assertive, and not afraid to crack jokes.) Two nurses came in, one to get me started on the IV and another to distract me, so that I wouldn't feel the pain (which there was none of). NOTE: THE NURSE NUMBED MY HAND BEFORE PLACING THE IV NEEDLE IN. APPARENTLY NOT MANY HOSPITALS DO THAT. 

Soon after my support team came in and started to take photos of me and began crack jokes at my expense. Not fun when your sitting helplessly in a small bed (I'm 6'1") wearing a ridiculous hat. But I love them. 

Dr. Nettar came in to check-in on me, which was kind seeing that he had been operating all day and was probably really exhausted. 

Going off tangent here... I learned something very interesting today... Apparently right after surgery that wake you up for a quick second to pullout the Tracheal Tube (the one that helps you breathe). I don't even remeber having to go throught that. Here is the interesting thing though... I was told that younger male patients that have a lot of the adrenaline and are excited, tend to through punches and get really physical. My nurse told me with one patient she had to literally jump ontop of the bed to hold him down. She said the team is great at ducking, but she said, "if I punch her, she'll punch back!" Hahaha I apologized in advance if anything were to happen and we all had a great laugh. They said there are many other forms of payback as well, one nurse said, "I'll shave your legs!" (Seriously Kaiser Nurses... They are the best!)

One of the final things I remeber was a nurse putting on (I forgot what they were called) on my legs to keep the blood in my legs circulated, since I'll be in bed for 3 1/2 hours. Following that, I didn't have to wait long before that same nurse and the anesthesiologist wheeled me into surgery. As I was being wheeled in, I was asked what kind of music I liked and if I would like to listen to any. "YES PLEASE! COLDPLAY." I remeber hearing "A Sky Full of Stars" as my eyes began to close. 

I woke up in the recovery room, which happened to also be the pre-op room. I was NOT nauseated or in any pay. I remeber being a little annoyed because I was constantly asked to cough to check and see if my lungs were working... I guess. Another set of nurses (so kind and patient) fed me a delicious first meal of ice chips and apple juice. The worst part of this whole experience was having to wake up. I just wanted to sleep... and sleep... and sleep. But after realizing I was the last patient in the room and that these poor nurses had to return to a family of their own, I finally snapped out of it and with their assurance, but on my clothes and took a seat in the wheelchair. Btw, if your are not nauseated from the  anesthesia, this portion is kind of cool-- it was like a mini ride. Pretty cinematic actually, a nice POV (point of view) through the hospital corridors. 

Finally got in car and made the 20 minute trip home (parents drove). Was helped up the stairs into my parents room-- they have an awesome tempur-pedic bed with the whole adjustable back and leg support. Kind of like a hospital bed. Still no pain, except for an excruciating headache. 

I had some applesauce, took my medication, and then knocked the F-out. I woke up an hour out two later, since I needed to use the restroom. This was a bit nerve-wrecking, only because it was the first time I'd have seen my face in the mirror. A bit more swollen than I thought I would be, but not as bruised as I thought I would be. Let's see what happenes tomorrow. I'm really hoping the Arnica is going to help. 

Went back into bed, where I had a bowl of noodle soup waiting. I couldn't/didn't want to eat, but I ended up dipping some crackers in the broth in order to gain some form of nuritousment. Went back to sleep and then woke up hungry... Go figure. Had some chocolate pudding which really helped. Aside from my headache, the only other discomfort was my soar throat from the removal of that tube. 

Oh btw, I haven't changed the packing since I got home. Felt some blood dripping, but nothing excessive. I'll have to do that tomorrow. 

Feeling a bit of an itch on my nose, but nothing too annoying. 

Going to try and sleep now. Looking forward to Post-Op Day #1. 

The Night Before

So, this is it... No turning back now. The surgery is booked and I'm sitting here restless and a tad anxious. After reading so many blogs, I thought I might start one of my own. I've also noticed that although rhinoplasties and septoplasties are quite common among men, not many have written about or shared their own experience. I hope this "enlightens" some of you and eases the process. 

And here's the disclaimer... I AM NOT A DOCTOR. ANYTHING I WRITE IS FROM OWN EXPERIENCE. I CAN NOT, WILL NOT, SHOULD NOT, DIAGNOSE YOU OR PROVIDE YOU WITH ANSWERS, SUGGESTIONS, ADVICE REGARDING ANYTHING MEDICAL RELATED. I AM BEYOND THRILLED TO ANSWER ANY BASIC QUESTIONS, BUT FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING ELSE PLEASE CONTACT A/YOUR DOCTOR.

 The reason for the surgery is something that has been putting me in excruciating pain for as long as I can remember-- migraines. After meeting with an ENT specialist (Dr. Jonathan Lipana from Kaiser Woodland Hills, CA), he requested some CT Scans. The scans showed a deviated septum in my right nasal passage. Dr.Lipana believed that the deviated septum is what causes my migraines, or what he later diagnosed as "contact headaches." As the nasal passage enlarged in the left nasal passage, it would contact nerves, which would cause my headaches. (I'm sure it's a bit more complex than this, but that's the gist of it). So, while getting the septoplasty done, I thought-- "Why not get a little rhino as well?" After all, I'm already going to be under anesthesia. Don't want to have to go in again.

When I mentioned this to Dr.Lipana, he referred me to Dr. Kartik Nettar who is supposedly more than capable of performing a septorhinoplasty. I've met with him twice and he is truly knowledgeable, patients (I asked many questions), and highly recommended by much of the staff. The cosmetic aspect of the operation is to mostly shave down the dorsal hump and slightly adjust the tip (so that it does not protrude too far from my face). Looking great is awesome (a boost in self-confidence), but I'm really just hoping to get rid of these migraine headaches. 

Right now it's 12AM and my surgery is at 12:30AM. I'm not supposed to eat and drink anything until then. This is probably going to be the worst part. Everything else seems like it's going to be a breeze. Not having any water kind of really sucks! :-(

Medication wise: I obviously haven't taken any pain medication yet. I'll have my mom pick that and the antibiotics tomorrow. So far, I've been taking Arnica Montana and Bromelain. I started Arnica yesterday (5 tablet balls twice a day). I just took 1 Bromelain today. Hopefully the Arnica and Bromelain will do what they are supposed to-- minimize the swelling and bruising. 

That's all for now. I should get to sleep. A bit excited to see how everything turns out, but also a bit anxious about having to stay in bed for a week.  I'll try to write each day and inform anyone interested as to what the journey of a rhinoseptoplasty is like.