Guest Post: Reader A’s Experiences with Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Reader A recently pulled through the trigger on a nose job (rhinoplasty) that she'd considered for a long time — and lucky us, she wrote in to share her experiences with us, including how much time to take off work for plastic surgery! Her post is largely about what you should know about rhinoplasty as an adult, but in general I think there's a broader Q that would make for a fascinating discussion with readers: Have YOU had any plastic surgery as an adult? Were you concerned with taking time off work for plastic surgery, discussing plastic surgery changes with your coworkers, or just general expense/recovery/risk issues? In particular, have you ever considered getting a cosmetic rhinoplasty? (Those of you who HAVE had a rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, please weigh in!)
Optional surgery isn't something we've talked about a lot, but in the past we've discussed breast reduction surgery, plastic surgery and corporate women in general, freezing your eggs, and making time for many doctors appointments, as well as non-invasive procedures like Botox, microblading (a guest poster), and laser hair removal experiences. HUGE thanks to Reader A for sharing her experiences with us! – Kat
I used to be very self-conscious about my nose. It was too big for my face, the tip turned down a bit, and there was a significant bump on the bridge. Whenever my picture was taken, I always faced the camera head-on to try to make my nose look slightly better, although it didn't help much. At the end of 2016, I started seriously considering a rhinoplasty (AKA a nose job), and after a lot of online research and an appointment at my chosen plastic surgeon's office, I was really excited to schedule the procedure (so much so that I wasn't even that nervous about having the surgery itself, and the only surgery I'd had before was a C-section).
Now, five months out from surgery, I am thrilled with the results and wish I had done it years ago. My nose isn't the first thing you notice about my face anymore, I'm much more confident about how I look, and I actually like photos of myself. I offered to write a Corporette guest post on my experience, and here's some of my advice:
How do I find a good plastic surgeon for rhinoplasty?
Since people are typically pretty discreet about their plastic surgery procedures, you might find it hard to get a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone you know. Whether or not you do, try to choose a doctor who focuses on facial cosmetic surgery, and of course, pick one who's performed rhinoplasty many times.
During my research, I found these sites helpful in finding potential plastic surgeons:
- Healthgrades: A general doctor review site. (Some doctors may have tons of reviews and others may have none, and the write-ups may skew negative, so YMMV.)
- RealSelf: A very useful plastic surgery resource that includes many thorough doctor/procedure reviews, often with photos (plus other types of info, all helpful).
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons search tool: Finds plastic surgeons in your area who are ASPS members and (in the U.S. and Canada) board certified.
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery search tool: Finds ABCS board certified surgeons in your area.
- American Board of Plastic Surgery search tool: Finds ABPS board certified surgeons in your area.
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery search tool: Gives you names of ABFPRS board certified surgeons in your area. This solidified my decision to go with my chosen surgeon — the requirements made me feel confident about choosing a doctor certified by ABFPRS.
How much does rhinoplasty cost?
If you're getting rhinoplasty purely for cosmetic reasons like I did, i.e., not for breathing problems, don't expect your health insurance to cover a cent. The ASPS says the average patient pays $5,046, but that DOESN'T include the cost of anesthesia, use of the operating room facilities, and so on (see list below). RealSelf puts the U.S. average as $7,450 (for total cost), but note that bigger cities will be more expensive; for example, NYC's average is about $1,000 higher. You'll also need to pay for blood tests (to clear you for surgery) and prescriptions — in my case, Vicodin for pain (which I didn't end up using), Medrol (a steroid), Zofran (an anti-nausea drug for after surgery — also didn't use), and cephalexin (as a prophylactic antibiotic). Like me, you may not need all of the prescriptions, but you should fill them all and have them on hand in case. You'll probably also be charged for a consultation with a prospective doctor, but that amount may be applied to your surgery.
Here are my costs, which included the rhinoplasty itself and all pre-op and post-op appointments, as well as certain services in the affiliated med spa (a free skincare analysis and a lesson on using makeup to disguise post-surgery bruising). Full payment was due a few weeks before my surgery.
- Doctor's fee: $5,400
- Surgery center fee: $2,500
- Anesthesia: $1,000
Total cost of rhinoplasty (including office visits): $8,900
Now, ideally, you'll have been saving up for this for months or even years — but I hadn't, because I ended up choosing to undergo rhinoplasty pretty soon after I made a decision. I don't advise that for others, but I was 100% sure of my decision and am an extremely impatient person!
I paid for the surgery with a combination of a CareCredit card (my doctor allowed 18 months interest-free; other doctors' policies vary), a Chase “Slate” credit card that offered 0% APR on purchases in the first 15 months, some money from my savings, and $1,000 from my husband (thank you, Husband!).
This might not sound like the smartest strategy (two credit cards?!), but just five months later, I owe just $2,000 out of the $8,900 (and I have several interest-free months left), so I'm feeling fine about my decision.
NOTE: My doctor's office only allows patients to use CareCredit for the doctor's fee (#1 above), not the other costs, so be sure to ask about that if you're interested in CareCredit.
What does a rhinoplasty procedure involve?
Rhinoplasty takes two or three hours, and you will likely go home the same day. Before surgery, your doctor will tell you how to prepare; the instructions may say to avoid certain medications before the procedure, for example. (By the way, if you have any mental health condition, minor or not, and/or see a therapist, you may need your provider to give his/her approval for your surgery.)
There are two kinds of rhinoplasty: open and closed. Open includes an external incision (it's at the bottom of your nose — here is a non-gory illustration), while closed only involves internal incisions. Your doctor will explain which is best for you.
I was nervous about the anesthesia, and I did a lot of research on it, including reading doctors' (differing) opinions on RealSelf. Rather than general anesthesia, my doctor used IV sedation plus a local anesthetic, which meant I was completely “asleep” and couldn't move, but could still breathe on my own, i.e., no breathing tube was needed.
Patients come out of IV sedation more quickly than general, and postoperative nausea is less likely, too. (I had none at all, thank goodness — I mean, imagine vomiting after surgery on your nose. *shudder*).
Make sure that an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will take care of the anesthesia side of things so that your surgeon will be able to concentrate on the procedure 100%.
What is rhinoplasty recovery like?
Your doctor will give you a detailed list of dos and don'ts for recovery, so follow those carefully.
My recovery really wasn't bad — basically lots of couch/Netflix time — and I didn't end up needing any prescription painkillers (or anti-nausea medication) because I never had severe pain, and in fact, not even moderate pain. (For other people's experiences, read RealSelf reviews and watch a few rhinoplasty YouTube videos that chronicle people's recoveries.)
Recovery will probably be more uncomfortable than painful; for example, the night after surgery, I could only breathe through my mouth because of the packing material in my nose — it's like being really congested during a cold … but even worse. Some doctors don't use packing at all anymore, while others leave it in for a few days or so; mine removed it the day after surgery, fortunately. It was a big relief, even though my breathing was still pretty blocked (and would be for a while).
Getting your sutures removed and internal splints pulled out in the days following your surgery is definitely unpleasant, and the latter feels very weird — but neither is unbearable.
Inconveniences during recovery included not being allowed to bend down, lift/carry heavy things, exercise, sneeze, blow my nose, sleep without my head elevated, etc., all for various lengths of time. I had a cast/splint that was applied with tape and adhesive, and I couldn't get it wet for the week it was on, but I managed to carefully take two or three showers by securely taping a cut-open clear plastic bag to my face with micropore! (You could also try dry shampoo.) Important note for glasses-wearers: You won't be allowed to wear glasses for three to six weeks because your nose needs to be left alone, so be prepared with contacts or else endure taping your glasses to your forehead (ooh, stylish) so that they don't rest on your nose.
Months later, I'm still giving my nose frequent breaks from glasses because they leave indentations that make me nervous and I don't want to mess up my nose — I guess it's because there's still some swelling and that makes it noticeable. By the way, you will be using saline spray in your nose for quite a while to keep it dry and help your breathing a little bit, so stock up, and bring it to work!
How much time off work for plastic surgery will I have to take?
This will vary according to your bruising, swelling, etc., and also how you're feeling. I didn't have too much bruising, but some people end up with two huge black eyes. Your comfort level will figure into this, too — if you're pretty self-conscious in general (like me), you may need more time at home. Either way, you'll probably want to take off at least a week after surgery. Besides giving yourself time to rest and recover, remember that you'll most likely have a big cast on your nose.
When the doctor removes the cast about seven days after surgery, your nose will definitely be swollen (and very sensitive), and you'll probably still have a bit of undereye bruising. Try not to freak out and think, “Oh no, my nose is big and looks horrible!” because it will look very different as time goes on and the swelling subsides. People at work may not even notice.
(For bruising, ask your doctor how soon you can wear makeup, and then experiment with concealer and color corrector.)
When my cast came off, I also had some remnants of adhesive that I couldn't get off right away, and even some Sharpie marks from where the doctor marked up my nose right before surgery. Also, as you can imagine, my skin wasn't in great shape after a week of being covered up and never washed. (It still isn't 100% back to normal.)
If you're really worried about coworkers finding out about your rhinoplasty, I would take one and a half or two weeks of vacation, not just one. (Hey, staycation!)
Ladies, let's hear from you: Have you had rhinoplasty, or other cosmetic surgery — or are you considering cosmetic surgery? If you've done so, how long did it take you to make the decision? How did you find your doctor? What was your recovery like? Were you hesitant about taking time off work for plastic surgery — and how did you handle coworkers' questions? Are you happy with the results? What advice would you give to other readers?
Pictures via Stencil.
I set some money aside from my first bonus and got my earlobes repaired. It was something I’d longed to do for years but couldn’t justify in the years between college and law school, while in school, or while clerking. I’m so glad I did it. I’m sure no one else noticed my gaping earlobes the way I did (just stretched; no gauging or specific trauma), but it was almost impossible to wear earrings. Anything heavy or dangling made me fear further tearing, and my holes were so large that many studs would pass right through. Mostly, I just wanted to be able to wear earrings again!
While it’s not as invasive a surgery as rhinoplasty, I followed many of the same steps in finding a surgeon (and I used an ABFPRS) because it just didn’t seem like an arena in which I wanted to bargain hunt. And I’d be absolutely open to having other procedures in the future if I had something that made me feel similarly self-conscious or uncomfortable.
Also, it was the first time in my life I’d spent a significant chunk of money on myself, and it felt really, really good to be in a position to do that, not so much because of *how* I spent it but just that I was finally in a place financially where I could do something just for me and still meet lots of other financial goals re: retirement and other savings, charitable giving, helping family, etc. It was my first big treat to myself.
To the guest poster, I’m so glad that you’re happy!
I too had a cosmetic rhinoplasty and it was the best decision I made in my life. It’s no exaggeration to say that it was as important and life changing of a decision for me as getting married or having kids. This sounds melodramatic but my nose consumed my life. I had a really big nose (thanks dad) that took up way too much of my face. It was large, bulbous, and pointed down significantly when I smiled. LOTS of people commented on it – relatives and sometimes perfect strangers. A real low point is when I was volunteering at a school in Chile and one of the kids yelled out “she has a nose like Pinochet” and the entire class started laughing. I thougth about it constantly and I was also tired of thinking about it constantly.
I got mine done at 23, when I was in between jobs. I got this done years ago, but at the time, I paid something like $6000 out of pocket. I can’t remember the name of the forum, but there is a rhinoplasty specific forum where various posters would post suggestions on great surgeons. If you’re from the Bay Area, my doctor was Dr. William Wolfenden and I thought he was excellent (this was back in 2004 though, so I can’t speak to his skills now).
I LOVE my new nose. It’s not a small nose, but it’s significantly smaller and really suits my face. This is pure vanity, but I’m now frequently told how pretty/beautiful I am. Part of this is because of my nose, but a big part of this is because I SMILE so much more and am 1000% more confident.
Recovery was a breeze. When I removed the bandages, I couldn’t stop smiling. Even though it was swollen, my new nose was so much better than my old one.
Truly, I thank G*d that I got it done and had the financial resources to get it done.
Many surgeons offer a complimentary consult. If you’re on the fence, please just go and get a consult (and see at least 3 surgeons before making your decision).
Finally, I know some people think that once you have plastic surgery you’re tempted to get more stuff done. That has not been the case with me at all. I have no desire to have any other plastic surgery done ever again.
I have never had any work done, but Rosa had a little work done on her tuchus cheeks. She had implants put in her tuchus so that she would be fuller back there. It is so IRONIC, b/c Dad is always telling me my tuchus is to big, and hers was to small. If ONLEY I could have clicked my heels, and the excess fat from my tuchus could have magically been transferred from my tuchus to hers! But her implants are NOT fat implant’s. Ed loves her tuchus even tho it is NOT real.
I’d like to vote for someone to share if they had a blepharoplasty done. I’d like to read something similar!
You rang? I had my lower lids done a few years ago. Easy peasy, not much pain except it was a little weird when it was healing because my eyelids pulled away from my eyeballs a bit at the corners and it looked… a little weird. I just have tiny scars along my lower lashes that if you didn’t know better you would think are eyeliner. I’d definitely do it again.
My rules for cosmetic surgery are two: (1) whatever time the surgeon tells you will be needed for recovery should be doubled, and (2) if you can go to an aftercare facility for the first night or two after surgery, do it. I went to http://www.beverlyhillssurgicalaftercare.com and loved it.
Yes! This is really my one, true plastic surgery wish. I feel like my under-eye bags are just SO AGING to my appearance. Eye creams only do so much (which is to say, not a lot).
I want to say that I really appreciate you posting this kind of informative, non-judgmental article on plastic surgery. I’ve got friends who’ve had non-elective cosmetic surgery, and other friends who’ve considered elective cosmetic surgery, and otherwise thoughtful people get really weird and judgey about it.
I had breast reduction surgery done almost two years ago now, because my breasts were LONG, and then large when loaded into a bra. By a miracle, insurance covered it and I ended up paying (am paying) about $4000 out of pocket. I had a ton of sick leave at work and when I left that job about 6 months later, I still lost about 100 hours after taking all of that time off. So that was the ideal point in my life for that surgery, for sure. I told my boss I was having “some surgery to fix an issue” and never mentioned what it was to other coworkers. It was none of anyone’s business and I didn’t like any of those jerks anyways.
I was out for two weeks, and the hardest part afterwards was driving. You realize how much you use your torso when you drive? It’s a lot more than you think until yours is immobilized forward. I don’t regret a thing about mine, and honestly the worst parts were the nausea from the anesthesia wearing off (told my husband I couldn’t decide if I needed to throw up or pee first and let’s just say glad I was on the tile floor), and the lightening bolts from the nerves reconnecting for the month after surgery.
Happy to answer any questions.
I had liposuction done on my abdomen and under my chin. I’m in my 40s and while I hadn’t gained weight, and I’m a normal healthy weight, it definitely had shifted around. I went to a clinic recommended by a friend, but I’m not 100% happy with the result. First, I should have gotten a lower chin lift, not just lipo because now I have slightly loose skin under my chin, which the doctor didn’t warn me of or recommend a chin lift. I didn’t think if it because my skin is good, no wrinkles, and it wasn’t a lot of volume I wanted gone, just some sculpting. Also, my waistline is a bit higher on once side than the other, though I doubt anyone else can tell. Overall, I’m glad I did it, but it wasn’t perfect. Also, I should warn people that my abdomen hurt like fire all the time at first, and intermittenly for months. Apparently that’s from nerves regenerating or something, and it did eventually pass. I was worried that I’d have neuralgia forever, b it’s all fine now. A year later, some of the stomach fat has come back. I haven’t been dieting, but again my actually weight is still fine. It’s still an improvement, though. Scarring is there, but not too obtrusive.
Not exactly the same, but I got orthodontia as an adult (never had it as a kid, though should have). I was in braces for almost 2 years, but I got lingual braces, so no one at work knew. Only one week of a lisp, and then gone. I am SO happy I got it done, after years of agonizing about it. Lingual is definitely the way to go as an adult – the brackets are custom to your teeth and are a lot smaller. Only a handful of orthodontists will do lingual because it’s a lot more time intensive for them and requires special training, but as a professional person, not looking like a teenager was worth the extra few thousand to have the braces hidden.
Would REALLY like to hear if anyone has had a “natural” boob job (aka: inserting fat to increase volume; no implant). Maybe in combo with a lift? Anyone?
Great, non-judgmental article. Would love to hear about experiences with botox and fillers too.
Ive been doing Botox about four times a year since 2014, started at age 33. I had a few crows feet around my eyes and a little hint of the “11” between my eyebrows, so I did not have any big problems with wrinkles before I just did not want them to get more noticeable or multiply :) I think the result is amazing, I am now 36 and don’t have any noticable wrinkles it really looks like time stops and people often assume I’m ten years younger. Just be sure to talk with your doctor and rather start out with just a little Botox and then top it up if necesaary, to avoid a frozen look.
Also tried lip fillers (w same doctor) but was never happy with the result. My lips looked crooked and uneven. Fam and friends even commented on them saying they did not look right. Now theee years after the treatment I still have small lumps in my upper lip. So will not be trying that again.
Mid 30’s, asian woman in finance with husband and kids here. Most people I know/work with would never know or guess that I’ve had anything done. I’ve had double eyelid surgery and breast implants. Implants were done fairly young at 20 and redone at 29, and eyelids at 27. I took a week off with the eyelid surgery, which turned out to be a good decision. I didn’t have too much bruising, and by the 6th day, I was back to wearing eyeliner and fine leaving the house. Second round of breast implants I timed to coincide with the holidays, so it was easier to take some time off and combine that with everyone else being out for their own events as well. The doctor I went to was also known for quick recovery times. Tip: I was told by several friends and doctors to try and schedule surgery during the winter months. Hot weather does not help with swelling :)
I’ve been considering nostril narrowing for quite some time, but I think it’s too much. Not that I’m great looking or anything, but more of a hey, this is your face, my children have my facial features, and I don’t want to start down this slippery slope. I’m also more into letting my face age well (spf 100, hats, etc) and not trying to Botox my face into looking like I’m 30 when I am 50. Never say never though, and always want it to be subtle and well done.
I had rhinoplasty when I was in my mid-thirties, senior associate or young partner, don’t recall. I don’t regret it for a second. I can’t stand it when people call those who have cosmetic surgery “vain.” I used to think about my nose every single day. Now I never do. I heard that called the “opposite of vanity” once and I agree. Recovery was not easily; not gonna lie. It wasn’t painful, but it was like the worst cold I ever had in my life x 10. I had surgery just before Christmas so was able to stay away from the office for about 10 days. I didn’t try to hide that I had had anything done. Age = DGAF what people think. Well, I say that, but a few days after the surgery I was out with my little kids with my bandages and black eyes and I ran into opposing counsel in a fast food restaurant. THAT I found mortifying. The best thing was a few weeks later when I went to court and a judge (0ff the bench, did not feel inappropriate) said I looked great and asked me if I had changed my hair or something.
This is great. I would like to have a tummy tuck but have not done it for many reasons, not least of which is concern about the recovery process. If anyone can chime in on recovery from an abdominoplasty that would be awesome.
A good friend of mine had a rhinoplasty procedure. Afterwards, she complained that she had to run around getting useful recovery supplies and wasn’t exactly sure what she needed. Long story short, after quite a bit of research and consultation with both rhinoplasty patients and doctors, myself and other health professionals created a ‘rhinoplasty recovery kit’ you can see it here https://nu-bloom.com/products/rhinoplasty-recovery-kit – it may be of interest to you or a friend who is considering having the op.
hi,
thanks for sharing this type of information, it is so useful for me.
This is the perfect post to comment on because its based on exactly the same topic as I want