Rhinoplasty
with Dr T
There
is limited information when it comes to surgery abroad, this is why I have
decided to write this in the hope that it will help others.
As
a British expat living in Switzerland, the only affordable option was finding a
surgeon abroad. I did have a few consultations with surgeons in Switzerland but
with costs around £9000 for a rhinoplasty it was just out of
question.
I
initially considered having surgery in Belgium and called Linda Briggs to have
her opinion on the surgeon. During our conversation she gave me the name of Dr
T in Croatia. Both Linda and her husband have used him in the
past.
Dr
T has done over 3000 noses and 70% of the operations he carries out are
rhinoplasties. I spoke to former patients and the pictures that were sent to me
indicated that it could be a wise choice. Rhinoplasty is the operation with one
of the highest revision rates, therefore finding an “expert” was key.
Whilst Dr T has been
practicing for many years, the clinic is quite new. According to the staff the
patients coming from abroad mainly originate from UK, Germany, Austria and
Italy.
Dr
T recommends patients stay in Croatia for 8 days to ensure a proper
post-operative follow-up. The earliest you could leave is once nasal packing has
been removed 3 days after the surgery. Confident
with my choice I booked surgery for December 2011.
14.12.2011
After
a short flight I arrived in Zagreb where I am met by Boris the driver. He took
me to stay with nurse Zlata. I was welcomed by Zlata and her husband
Miro. The
accommodation is a one-bedroom flat with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, TV,
stereo, wireless Internet access and a terrace. The flat is in an annex of the
nurse’s house.
As I have worked all day prior to travelling to Croatia I go
to bed around 11pm and settle quickly.
15.12.2011:
Day of Surgery
Miro
took me to a lab for blood tests prior to driving me to the clinic. The blood
test was over in less than 5 minutes and by the time I got to the clinic the
results had already been faxed over. At the clinic everyone was very friendly
and welcoming. An Austrian lady that had a facelift was leaving the clinic as I
arrived. I met with Dr T Senior and
Junior and explained once again what I wanted doing. From the front my nose is
OK, from the side however it is the same length as height and I wanted the
bridge taking down to give me a softer profile. They reassured me and told me
that it was a very simple operation and that the outcome would be good.
They
went over my medical history, answered all my questions before getting me to
sign the consent form.
The Nurse
helped me into a surgical gown (I could keep my underwear and socks on)
and walked me to the operating room. I was given a tranquilizer and vaguely
remember another nurse installing an IV needle. I have a slight recollection of
tongues being put in my nose and the feeling of the chisel breaking a piece of
bone. The operation was done with enhanced local anaesthesia.
Before I knew it,
the nurses asked me to open my eyes and walked me over to the recovery area,
where I spent about 2 hours in a bed with ice packs around my neck and nose.
The nurse kept checking on me.
Early
afternoon, the nurses helped back into my clothes and I could leave the clinic
after Dr T checked that I was OK. Back at the flat the nurse checked on me on
an hourly basis and kept bringing me ice packs.
I felt surprisingly well and
had no pain at all.
Sleeping
was a challenge because of the nose packing. I could only breathe through my
mouth, which I found tough.
16.12.11:
Day 1 Post-Surgery
First
signs of swelling and bruising but not as bad as I expected. Feeling OK, no pain
at all. I keep applying the ice packs which are brought to me on a regular
basis.
In the afternoon I go for a short walk as I needed to get some fresh
air. The flat is in a residential district so I could walk without having too
many people stare at me.
The nurse
and her husband keep checking on me on an hourly basis.
I go to bed early as I am
tired but do not sleep well. The nose packing is the most challenging part of
the rhinoplasty. It is like having a really bad cold and being really
stuffy.
17.12.11:
Day 2 Post-Surgery
Oh
my god! I can hardly open my right eye. My face is really swollen and I have bad
bruising. I continue to ice the area on a regular basis and go for another
walk.
As
the day goes on the swelling in my right eye goes down, but my face is not a
pretty site. I am pleased that I have gone abroad so no one can see what a mess
I am.
I
look worse than I feel.
18.12.11:
Day 3 Post-Surgery
After
another night of poor sleep, my face is still as swollen as the previous day.
Hopefully it will get better from today! The nurse removes the nose packing in
the morning. It was over in a few seconds and did not hurt. Just a strange
feeling. Finally I am able to breathe through my nose again, although I continue
to breathe through my mouth.
I clean some of the dry blood under my nose
before going out for yet another walk.
From
time to time some pinkish liquid runs out of the nose, but I am reassured that
this is normal and will get better with time.
19.12.11:
Day 4 Post-Surgery
In
the morning Miro drives me to the clinic to see Dr T for my first follow-up
appointment. Also in the car a lady of Croatian origin living in Austria
attending her first facelift follow-up. Despite the bruising she looked good
already.
At
the clinic everyone is welcoming and friendly despite it being quite busy.
Dr
T checks my nose for internal healing and is happy with the progress. Dr
T explains that he removed a bit more than just the hump as in some cases a
new hump could form as part of the healing process. He reassured me that he did
not create a “ski slope” nose, as this
is something I was keen to avoid. I am
told to come back in 3 days to have the splint removed.
I
am still bruised and swollen but my eyes are getting back to a normal state and
my cheeks are displaying all the shades of a rainbow. Happy that it is going the
right way!
20.12.11:
Day 5 Post-Surgery
Swelling
continues to subside and the bruises are starting to turn yellow. Spend the day sightseeing in
Zagreb.
21.12.11:
Day 6 Post-Surgery
Not
much progress today. Swelling and bruising look the same as yesterday.
22.12.11:
A week since Surgery
Swelling
and bruising are still very much present but getting better. I was driven me to
the clinic to have the cast removed.
The
clinic is busy but everyone takes the time to greet me warmly. The nurse removes
the plasters and the cast. I am then giving some
cotton pads, alcohol, water and cream to remove the remainders from my
face. As
I do so I see myself in the mirror for the first time.....I
do look different! I do not know if I like my nose or not, it is just very
different.
Dr
T checks my nose, takes pictures and tells me that the outcome is great and
once the swelling has gone down it will look good. I am still so surprised, I am
not sure….
Later
in the day I take pictures of my front and profile and must admit that it looks
OK and will most probably look nice in the future.
I apply make-up and
travel back to Switzerland.
25.12.11:
10 days since Surgery
It
has now been 10 days since surgery and
although I am happy with my new nose the swelling around the tip and at the
top of my nose between my eyes is making me look different, especially in the
mornings when it is as its worst. I know that it will gradually get better, it’s
a matter of time. The bruising has now completely gone and I would feel
comfortable going back to work.
29.12.11:
2 weeks since Surgery
Healing
continues to progress well and the swelling is gradually disappearing. My nose
is still very sensitive.
05.01.12:
3 weeks since Surgery
There
is still quite a low of swelling at the tip but my nose is a lot less sensitive
and most importantly of all I really like my nose.
So
far I am pleased with the results. I am still in the early healing phase and
hope the positive trend continues. I would say that the biggest difference is
when I catch my profile in a mirror. I have a much softer appearance and my chin
is now well balanced.
I did not tell anyone about the procedure.
My family
did ask me after about 2 weeks if I had a rhinoplasty…
I
would definitely recommend getting this procedure done to someone who is
considering it. Choose your surgeon wisely
Here
are some tips that might be of use:
- I
can strongly recommend the private accommodation. For €55/day you get a nice
flat, 3 meals a day and a nurse that looks after you very well.
- Wash
your hair prior to surgery. You will most likely have to go for a few days
without washing it.
- You
do not need to take very much with you at all. You will need comfortable clothes
and things to entertain you such as books and a computer.
You do not need to take many cosmetics with
you. You spend a week unable to wash your face or apply any creams.
Take cotton
pads, they will be useful for cleaning your face and removing dried blood.
Mouthwash is another thing to pack. Your upper lip could be swollen and stiff
for a few days. If you struggle to brush your teeth properly, mouthwash comes in
handy. Vaseline or a good lip balm is an essential. Your lips will dry out as
you have to breathe through your mouth.
I
would definitely recommend getting this procedure done to someone who is
considering it.
Good
luck in making your decision!
Thanks
again Linda
Olivia