April 4th, 2014 marked my 3 month follow-up appointment with Dr. Shah. The weather was really mild and pleasant and the first signs of spring were showing. While I normally park at Watertower Place (where Dr. Shah’s office is located), I cringe every time I pay Chicago’s insanely high parking garage rates. Given the weather was nice, and I had a few extra minutes, I decided to try my luck and look for street parking. And, as luck would have it, I actually found street parking, located off the beaten path! Don’t get me wrong–it’s absolutely worth paying Chicago’s high parking garage fees if it means I get to see Dr. Shah. However, if I can see Dr. Shah, and easily find street parking at the same time, I am one very happy camper.:)
Back to the appointment: Dr. Shah said I still had a good deal of swelling. This swelling was not obvious as you may think. It actually wasn’t visible to anyone except Dr. Shah and me (since I know what the final result should look like). He also said that this kind of swelling is quite common in revision rhinoplasties and even primary rhinoplasties where a lot of work was done. As you know, this was my second rhinoplasty and I had a lot of work done to boot, so my swelling was to be expected. According to Dr. Shah, the TRUE final results of the surgery only begin to really show after a year. And even by year 2, there is still much improvement to expect. Needless to say, I am very happy with my new nose right now, and knowing that it will get even better is icing on the cake. Here’s a picture of my front and profile and month 3.
In any case, Dr. Shah recommended a strong dose of steroid injections to reduce the swelling. He also wanted me to return after six weeks for another heavy dose of steroid injections . In addition, he gave me two rolls of surgical tape to tape my nose with. As per Dr. Shah’s instructions, I have been taping my nose every night since the cast came off. Aside from helping to reduce the swelling, the tape also helps to “mold” the nose into its new shape.
This post-surgery care that I’m receiving from Dr. Shah is just fantastic My first surgeon did not even come close to providing this level of post-op care. He removed my cast and stitches a week after surgery, and then saw me only once after, for a 1 month follow-up. I remember that at the time, I was super swollen and worried as I clearly did not look great, but he had the nerve to tell me that I looked good and then sent me on my way. There was no mention of steroid injections, taping or any other post-op care procedures that I can do at home.
Dr. Shah believes, on the other hand, believes that post-surgery care is crucial to getting the best results in any rhinonoplasty procedure. Best of all, he does not charge for these follow-up visits and treatments so it does not cost me a thing (except for the parking fee that is!). In 6 weeks I will be back to see Dr. Shah for another heavy dose of steroid injections, and I will be sure to update you with my progress–and the location of where I found my street parking.:)