I'm getting a nose job. And it's going to save me money.
(I'm sorry. I know that was a very click-baity title, but how often can one use the phrase "nose job" truthfully? Make hay while the sun shines, I say.)
Full disclosure: my nose job is actually a medically advisable procedure, designed to get air flow happening in my nose.
And though my nose will look slightly different in the end, the point is totally not to change the look of my nose. This is all about function.
(And I really do mean that. I know celebrities are always all, "Oh, I just had my deviated septum fixed!" and then they come out with a brand new nose. I like my nose just fine, except for the small fact that it doesn't do very well on the air-intake front.)
So, I don't know if this is actually considered to be a nose job, although all the same things that happen during a nose job are going to happen to me.
(Including breaking my nasal bones. Sob.)
I think my nose actually got messed up back in 1998, when I got rear-ended and my airbag didn't deploy. My face hit the steering wheel, and I do remember my nose feeling bruised, but I never did get it looked at.
And then I had four kids and I guess I just haven't paid much attention to things like, you know, breathing through my nose.
I've noticed for a while that I have a lot of trouble breathing through my nose, especially at night. Like, if I lay there and purposely breathe through my nose, I get out of breath because I can't get enough air.
Some months ago I tried a pack of Breathe Right strips (except the Target brand because, frugal) and I was all, WHOAAAA. SO MUCH AIR FLOW.
!!!!!
Once I tried that, there was no going back. I'd wear those strips all day if it was socially acceptable because air through the nose is quite a marvelous thing.
The breathing strip experience gave me a taste of normal breathing and that was just the kick in the pants I needed to go see an ENT (I went to the one who took Lisey's tonsils out, actually.)
The ENT checked out my nose, said yes, indeed, there are multiple problems up in there, and sent me off to his fellow ENT who is also a plastic surgeon.
Apparently my nose needs somewhat serious remodeling in order to work properly again, and the original ENT felt like an ENT/plastics guy would do a better job.
So, I went to a plastic surgeon's office for the first time in my life and it was super weird. Swanky, but weird. Like, the doctor wore a suit, not a white coat.
(Also, writing "4:30, plastic surgery appointment" on my calendar felt a little strange.)
I thought perhaps I would get away with merely getting soft tissue revamped, but alas, the breathing problems start up in the bone area of my nose.
Oof.
So, in the middle of November, I'm getting my nose fixed. Like, the whole thing.
(This 2009 photo gives a pretty good look at the wonkiness of my nose.)
Right now, my nose is bent in a slight C shape, which means my left nostril has little space for air. This means the right nostril works twice as hard, and since it's trying to work so hard, it actually gets sucked in when I breathe, and that further impedes air flow.
No wonder I can't breathe right!
So, my nose will be straightened up, inside and out, and will be very slightly wider in one spot.
I will have to have a cast on my nose for a week, and also tubes up my nose for a week.
I am super not looking forward to this, but I hear I will get decent pain meds, and since I don't do much breathing through my nose anyway, I figure a cast and tubes won't be a huge downgrade. 😉
Also, I hear that this is very truly not worse than a tonsillectomy, which is heartening.
And hey, at the end of it all, I should be able to breathe through my nose properly for the first time in 18 years.
About that money-saving part of things....Breathe Right strips, even the off brand, cost about $10 a month. So, I figure that I'd spend $120 a year on the strips, which is $1200 every ten years.
I don't know how much my surgery is going to cost out of pocket, but since we already met our deductible, I think it's going to be less than $500.
So you see, eventually I will be money ahead because of my nose job. 😉
Although I am totally not having it to save money. I just want to breathe right.
Lol @ “4:30, plastic surgery appointment”, it would feel strange to me as well. Having said that, breathing is rather useful, breathing through your nose is even better as you don't get a dry throat and wake up coughing in the middle of the night. I don't have the same nose problem you have but I expect the feeling must be very similar to having a blocked nose when you have a cold and I am very prone to that. It's not pleasant and doesn't make for a good night sleep.
Good luck for your op. I'm sure that after the first few days you will feel like a new woman.
Hello Kristen,
Just out of curiosity and not trying to be disrespectful but why did you get nosepierced?
Well, I'd had the stud piercing for several years and I realized the only reason I hadn't given a hoop a try is that I was afraid of what other people would think.
And when I realized that that's not really a fabulous reason for making decisions, I decided to give it a try! It's not as though it's a permanent decision or anything.
I am positive you want to improve your breathing. I wish you well.
My 20-something son has had the same problems; but he was just born this way. He too discovered just how off his breathing was by using the Breath-Right strips! Has had major allergy problems his entire life also, so that sort of muddied his thinking as to why he could not breath. Anyway, he wound up having a septoplasty. There were enlarged turbinates, a bone spur, and one more "defect" I can't remember now. However, no bones were broken. He has the same nose. His nose was packed for about 8-10 days, and then all was good. He is soooo happy he had the surgery done. Loves being able to breath! Good luck !
I do wonder if some of this is something I've had my whole life. I don't have any really good pictures of my nose from before my accident, though, so there's no good way to know.
I know this won't be fun, but will be so worth it in the end. Good luck. Is it day surgery?
Do you mean is today surgery day? My surgery day isn't until mid-November, so I have some weeks before it happens!
By "day surgery", I think she meant will you be out of the hospital on the same day of the surgery or will you have to stay a while. Here, they call that "day surgery".
Ohhhh, that makes sense! Yes, it is a day surgery then...just a couple of hours for the surgery and I'll go home after that.
I need to do the same thing one of these days--although my breathing problems are congenital. I too can't breathe through my nose.
Good for you! The recovery is tough, but so, so worth it. If you have frequent sinus infections this will also help alleviate that problem – and save you the antibiotic expense and the misery of the sinus infections.
If you haven't done so already make sure that everyone in the household has gotten a flu shot. The very last thing you need during surgery recovery is a preventable illness. Best of luck to you!
The interesting thing is, my sinuses never give me any issues! I had lots of tonsil problems, but those went away once I had them taken out(ha).
It'll be interesting to see what a cold is like once my nose is more open.
My doctor once told me, "breathing is important." (I had a nasty sinus infection at the time and was not doing very well at this common activity.) Have to say I agree with him!
I had a badly deviated septum repaired, which was not as complicated as your problem. It's one of those things that after it's taken care of, you're glad it was done. When I have a cold now, it is not the miserable experience it used to be, and I can breathe better on a daily and nightly basis. I also had my eyelids lifted because they were drooping too much to see properly. A nice side effect was-- it made me look better, too. Those 2 surgeries were done at different times.
My dad had that done to his eyelids too! His were getting in the way of his sight like yours.
Hahaha, you nearly tricked me with that headline. 🙂 I hope the surgery goes swimmingly! Recovery is never very fun, but think of all the great breathing you'll get to do!
Mr. Picky Pincher has issues with his nose, as well. I think his issue is that his adenoids are basically constantly inflamed, which means, like you, he can't get a full breath of air through his nose. We probably should take him to a doctor about it sometime!
Good luck! Had mine done years ago (yikes like 30 yrs ago)! Its not that bad from what I can remember.
I think the interior parts of the nose are not too huge of a deal, so that's why I was hoping to skip the bone part. I hear that that's a little slower to heal.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and lots of deep breaths in the future! Two of my cousins have had "nose jobs" for medical reasons and they are both happy they did.
That is encouraging to hear!
I hope it all goes well!
You almost got me with the title too! I though, "Huh. This doesn't sound like her at all. Weird."
Good luck with the surgery and the recovery!
I had my deviated septum fixed several years ago. WORST decision EVER. As soon as they took the stuffing out of my nose I knew something was wrong. I've had two follow up surgeries since and I still can't breathe out of my right nostril. I sure hope yours goes smoothly and fixes any problems you have!
Oh man, that's really awful. I am so sorry that you had such a dreadful experience.
My friend had this surgery last year, though doesn't QUITE as involved as yours. It went so shockingly well! She didn't even use her pain meds. And she texted a pic of herself the next day and there was no bruising. She was pleasantly surprised. So it might not be as bad as you are anticipating! No matter, will be worth it, be well.
I had this done in 1998 right out of college. My nose was straightened in the process and has greatly improved my breathing and I like the look better too! I never had to take the pain meds but I did have to have a fair bit of internal bone removed and my nose broken and reset. There was A LOT of bruising and swelling but it was worth it in the end! I hope all goes well for you! I had it as an outpatient in a surgical center and had "twilight sedation" and novocaine. I would have rather been put under I think but then there are concerns about nausea and dislodging the packing.
I love this because I'm learning that, in the long run, taking care of myself is actually an act of frugality. We, especially us ladies, tend to put our physical health to the side because we think it's right or it makes life easier. But, based on my experience, we eventually reap very negative results.
On an "oh, so important" note, how will all this "work" effect your nose piercing? I'm guessing the stud will have to come out during the procedure and recovery. As you can see, my priorities are completely in order... 😉
Haha, that was one of my big questions too. Sadly, I have to take it out and can't put it back in again for 2-3 months. I'm guessing the hole will have filled in by then, which means I'd have to have it repierced.
We'll see. I've had it pierced for 4+ years, so I suppose it's vaguely possible that the hole will still be there in a few months. But I know nose piercings tend to grow back faster than ear piercings when left empty.
I had my deviated septum fixed years ago, along with polyps removed from my nose. It did help foe me for "awhile", but the polyps have grown back and in my last appt for a sinus infection, I was told I have very narrow nasal passages : ( Hmm...
Sounds like your nose will be fixed much better though, as Im pretty sure they did not break any bones on mine.
My nose has somewhat narrow passages as well, which is why my surgeon is going to make my nose slightly wider. I'm a little nervous about the visual change that'll bring to my nose, but he IS a plastic surgeon and so he regularly works on noses to make them look good. So, that makes me feel pretty confident that whatever he does will look decent.
"Also, I hear that this is very truly not worse than a tonsillectomy, which is heartening."
You and Lisey can compare notes.
Good luck and I hope it works out well and quickly. Will you be healed up by Thanksgiving?
And I had my tonsils out as a 24-year-old, which is even worse than having them out as a 15 year old. So I figured if I made it through that, I can definitely handle this.
They said it's mostly just bad for a week or so, and I'll be a little over a week and a half past surgery by Thanksgiving. So, we'll see...I'm sure I'll be well enough to make rolls at least!
Wow, I can't believe you've been living like this! I can't imagine my breathing being constantly compromised like that. I bet this will be a tremendous improvement for you. (My 4 year old daughter is getting her tonsils out next week, and I'm scared to death! I know how hard it was for Lisey. Sigh...)
I bet she will do great! Little kids recover SO much better than teenagers or adults when it comes to tonsillectomies. If you have to have 'em out, age 4 is a perfect time to do it.
I promise you are doing your 4 year old a huge favor. When I was a kid (late 80s), tonsillectomies were not preferred and my nurse mom had many apprehensions. I had swollen tonsils my whole life and eventually at 31, I had them removed in June because I was so impacted by the swelling. It was horrific and I was very upset that I didn't have them taken out as a kid. As an adult, you are far more aware of every pain that happens (yawning, talking, burping, sneezing, coughing) Some of my friends were all "oh I don't remember, I was a kid."
You're doing the right thing! She will be fine!
Yep, I wished I'd had mine out as a child. My parents even wanted mine out, but the military doctors didn't want to do it. So alas, I had to wait until I was an adult on private insurance.
So much more painful as an adult!
Thanks for sharing your news with us, Kristen! Can't wait to hear about your improved breathing and how that impacts your day-to-day life. I'm praying for a smooth surgery and a quick recovery!
I had a very similar surgery in 2008. I'm guessing it wasn't quite as involved because I had very little packing and no drains. I had a septoplasty, some sinus cavities widened, and some cosmetic work (since they were there might as well). I had horrible sinus drainage which lead to infections that never went away. The septum had deviated so bad I could only breath out of one side.
I have two pieces of advice: have Mr. FG ask if they gave you any steroid shots before you leave. They are great for swelling but can cause agitation and keep you from sleeping. Even with the pain meds I was super agitated and couldn't sleep. We didn't know they had given me anything until my mom called because I was apparently quite horrible (no memory). It would have been nice to know that before we left. The other thing is witch hazel for bruising. I got my splint and packing out after a week and could touch my nose and face. My doctor (ENT/plastic surgeon) recommended lightly rubbing a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel over the bruising a couple times a day. Helped a lot with getting the yellow bruises to fade.
Hey there! I was just thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you are!
I'll make sure to ask about the steroids. And I'll pick up some witch hazel too.
I had surgery last year to have my deviated septum corrected. Best decision ever! It went great and the pain was minimal. My procedure was less involved than yours sounds like it will be. I can breathe so much better now. Before the surgery, I was spending tons of cash on those nasal strips too. I had to get the brand name ones because the store brand ones wouldn't stick to my nose properly.
Good luck. Hope it all goes well.
I had this done last year early December and I am SO STINKING GLAD that I went ahead and did it. We are pretty sure that I broke my nose when I was 8, but like you I didn't go to the doctor; so I basically didn't remember what it was like to breathe out of both side of my nose. I started sobbing the first time that I was able to and I really freaked my doctor out! I hope you're as happy with your surgery as I have been with mine!
Also, be SO careful with your nose afterward! We had a situation where my husband accidentally bonked me in the face like 2 weeks after surgery and let me tell you- I have never felt pain like that in my life!!!
I second the notion about being careful about your nose afterward. I had surgery to enlargen my sinus cavities, and about the second or third day after the packing was removed I was driving and drove over a bump in the road. Wasn't even a massive bump on the road, and even with no direct contact to my nose there was just enough of a jarring effect that it started my nose bleeding.
PFFT yeah right, just want to breathe better. Vanity of vanities!
Just kidding! I'm glad to hear that you found out what was causing your breathing issues and you're getting it fixed. In fact, reading your post has got me thinking about my own breathing issues. I've always sounded a bit "nasal", and I can't really remember a time where my nose hasn't felt a little stuffed up, even when I'm not sick. It's not usually so bad that I have to breathe through my mouth but I bet it does have something to do with my snoring at night (apologies to my long-suffering husband). Maybe I should ask my doctor about it. Alas, we're in a small town without specialists so I'd have to travel four hours to go to an appointment if I wanted to pursue it further. That's certainly a barrier to taking action :(.
Yup, I snored on a somewhat regular basis until I tried the Breathe Right strips, but never since I started using them! So I'm quite optimistic that the surgery will take care of that.
That stinks to have to travel so far for a specialist. I am super lucky to live in an area where there are quite a few big hospitals, which means that a specialist is never very far away.
Definitely ask your doctor about it. And you can try the breathe right strips to see if they help at all! That's an easy experiment.
I snored during my last two pregnancies and when I have colds. My husband bought me some nasal strips and it changed my life. Maybe I will get brave enough to go to an ENT after reading your recovery story. 🙂
I laughed out loud about wearing nasal strips during the day if socially acceptable. I started wearing them at night while pregnant with my second child (2 years ago). I totally get the not being able to breathe at night without them.
I look forward to reading about your recovery. Maybe it will make me brave enough to go to the ENT and have my nose checked out.
Those nasal strips are expensive. The name brand works so much better than the Target or Walmart brand.
I've had success with the Target brand, but the Walgreens ones were horrible. They hurt when I took them off, and the springs weren't strong enough to do a good job either.
Ugh. And just imagine all the sticky stuff you won't have to rub off your nose each morning. 🙂 another bonus.
Yes! Totally not going to miss that part.
Hi Kristen,
I had this exact thing done for the same reason and was so glad I did! I actually had a septoplasty first which didn't help at all and ended up making the rhinoplasty, also covered by insurance, a little more complicated. So I am really glad to hear you saw an ENT/plastic surgeon and not just an ENT. Sometimes the whole nose has to be reworked in order to breathe! The recovery wasn't as bad as I had feared. Hoping yours goes just as well!
All the best,
A longtime reader and first-time commenter 🙂
So glad you de-lurked.
And yes, I felt happy that my initial ENT doctor felt like I'd be in better hands elsewhere. It made me trust him more, and believe that he was trying to get me to the person who could best help me.
Your attitude is such a breath of fresh air!! I feel as though I'm surrounded by people who struggle with having a good attitude. I really appreciate your choice and ability to find the good!! Keep it up. Best of luck in your surgery! â¤ï¸
I did the same thing over ten years ago and have never regretted it. It helped my breathing and I have never had another sinus infection. A few days after surgery I looked normal with the help of a little make up. You will be so happy with your decision! Good luck.
That's encouraging to hear. I was a little nervous about how bad the bruising will be. I figure I will probably just not go anywhere for that first week, since having a cast on my nose will make me look pretty disturbing. I don't want to scare anyone!
Don't let "scaring anyone" be an excuse. OTOH, we all know that you prefer to stay at home, so maybe this is just a cover story for you.
I dunno...I feel like a nose cast, two tubes sticking out of my nose, and facial bruising would indeed be rather scary!
It would be noticeable and unusual, and you'd probably get some double takes, but I still say that if you want to go you, your temporary facial adornment shouldn't prevent you.
I was hit in the nose with a golf club when I was 15 (PE class, many years ago.) The only time I had pain was the night after the surgery. When I went to my post surgery appointment, the surgeon was more interested in my mom's nose. Her nose was broken as a child and the right side was completely blocked. It was wonderful for her when she could finally breathe properly. I wish you well and a speedy recovery.
I had my deviated septum fixed about 10 years ago. I can smell things more, I can actually use a neti pot when I have a cold, and I can breathe!!!! Good luck; it is totally worth the discomfort.
I need to do the same thing, but I've been too chicken to go. My nose curves similar to yours, but to the left. I believe it was from being hit in the nose by a basketball years ago. Thank you for sharing this, perhaps I'll make an appointment too to have my checked.
I had this surgery in 2007, although it did not include plastic surgery, but did include removal of cysts in my sinus cavities. I'm so glad that I had it done. I didn't realize how much I couldn't breathe before. My "allergies" have disappeared, and I can breathe with my mouth closed, and I don't snore anymore. So many good things! Best of luck.
Wishing your surgery and recovery is speedy and a complete success!
Oh Kristen, just think how great it will be to breathe freely through your nose! As a lifelong allergy sufferer, I totally get that this is an important thing!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and easy breathing in the future!
I work a day surgery where we do this procedure. I am consistently amazed at how many people come out from surgery and say that they can breathe better already (even with swelling and packing) and that they wished they had done it sooner. It really has a incredible high success rate. I hope you heal quickly.
Wow. Very interesting. I broke my nose when I was in high school (caught a softball in the face) - it was a somewhat harrowing experience because in order to protect my injured eye, the had to let my nose heal broken and then re-break it a few months later to set it. In theory they got it all set right so it shouldn't be causing problems, but I didn't have surgery - the doctor literally just re-broke it with his hands. Still, I have breathing problems at night, and can't imagine sleeping without a Breathe Right strip. Makes me wonder if I ought to visit an ENT. Hmmm....
Nose job, so funny! I had a small skin cancer removed from the bridge of my nose with a scalpel in what they call a MOHS procedure, and told everyone I had a "nose job." I looked like it, too, at first, but no packing or tubes, of course. The dermatologist removed the cancer then sent me straight to a plastic surgeon, who did a fabulous job of making the area look completely normal again -- well, after a few months at least. A year later, no one can tell I had it done. I'm glad you are going to a plastic surgeon, they can do wonderful things in surgery. You'll love breathing at last. My friend had your surgery done and had to show me how she could finally take deep breaths with her mouth closed -- she was so excited.
I had my "nose job" done 5 years ago and I am so glad I did! I can breathe so much better and no longer get super-congested when I have a cold.
I hope your surgery goes well and you have a speedy recovery!
I can relate on the oddness of going to a plastic surgeon's office. I had a questionable mole on the back of my ear. My doctor referred me to a plastic surgeon for two reasons - one is that it takes three months to get in to a dermatologist here, and second was if they need to take it off the plastic surgeon knows what needs to do it right if they needed to take a LOT off. So I went to the consult appointment and noticed the same as you. No one was wearing normal doctor office attire, everyone was in dresses and makeup, the waiting room was really swanky, there were displays of different breast implants as you walked back to the room, there were pictures of different procedures that could be done, there were monthly "specials", etc. He did the mole removal at the hospital with a skin graft, and the nurses kept going on about what beautiful stitch work he did. I have to say that it looks wonderful, you wouldn't even know that something had been done. And since the skin graft came off of my cheek in front of the ear that is saying something. They did ask if I was interested in getting any other problem areas fixed at my final appointment. 😉 Good luck on your procedure, it will be so much better when it heals up.
You can ask to see before and after pictures of the surgeon's work and maybe specifically ones of the same procedure you will be having.
I broke my nose when I was in high school as well. My experience was fairly similar to everyone's, except Wendy's*. Commenting to add that the experience of having the packing removed is rather...odd. No one warned me, and I still remember the crazy strange tickle more than thirty years later, so I'm suggesting you might ask them to describe what to expect before they remove the packing.
Also, my nose bled mighty easily for at least five years afterward. Sometimes most unexpectedly, so I got in the habit of keeping a handkerchief in my purse/pocket at all times. As for the bruising, mine looked kinda cool. It was only on my upper eyelids and looked like I was wearing purple eyeshadow. At least until it all turned yellow, but that meant it was almost gone. I've never heard the witch hazel tip, but I'm storing it away for future reference.
*Note to Wendy - There could be a myriad of reasons for your bad experience, some, all, or most likely, none of which might be applicable to Kristen. Your strident message was lacking in comfort. and just, well, awful. Kristen is far too polite to say so, but I felt your comment was highly insensitive and did not add anything helpful to the discussion.
Arnica!!! By mouth and cream. Prevents bruising. Easy to google.
You go, girl!! I had 3 (yes, 3) sinus surgeries within a year to take care of polyps, narrow turbinates, and a fungal infection lurking in the furthest sinuses from my nostrils. So many fancy roboticized outpatient procedures! But the bliss of breathing!! Through one's nose?!? Worth it all!
BTW, Yes on all the flu shots, says the girl who caught double pneumonia during the last of my surgeries. Just saying.
I hate surgery for any reason--scares me silly and the feeling of being put under... just ugh!-- So I do wish you well and a quick, easy recovery.
I hate the waking up more than the going under!
Wow Kristen, good for you! Breathing affects so many things and I won't be surprised if you experience all sorts of spillover benefits.
My hubby has a nose like yours - very narrow! He has lots of troubles with breathing. I'm going to look into this for him. Please do post a follow-up!
I definitely will. My surgery isn't until November, and then it'll be a bit after that until I'm back to normal, I assume. But once I get a feel for how things are after the surgery, I'll let you all know!