SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

2023 Nose Update

I wanted to update you all on my nose properly. I feel like I have sprinkled in my appointments and what not in a Friday Favorites post (which it isn't a favorite at all), but I wanted to get a full update on record. That way I can look back on my history. And if I can help anyone else out, then this is even better. 

I can't tell you how many emails and comments I get on those old posts. It is usually someone who is going through what I went through and they have questions. And since I did the same thing as they are doing, I am more than happy to help.

So basically, I had a Septorhinoplasty in August 2018. I had a severe deviated septum that needed to be fixed. I chose a plastic surgeon because I wanted someone who would worry about the look of my nose and the inner workings of my nose. It was BRUTAL, but worth it. I was able to breathe again and didn't gasp when I worked out.

This is what he did the first time..."My septum was so crooked in many places and I had a bone spur that was so big. This was the first big fix. It is the reason why I was not getting much oxygen through that side of the nose. He fixed my deviated septum, removed the bone spur, shaved my dorsal hump, broke my nose to straighten it out, put cartilage from the bridge of my nose outwards towards my sinuses, put cartilage in tip of my nose to build it up (I had nothing in my tip at all), put other cartilage around my nostrils to widen them a bit and ground up cartilage to put on the bridge of my nose so it wouldn't slope too much."

Everything was pretty great with my nose EXCEPT my nostrils collapsed in when breathing in. Mostly when I would sleep or work out. So I went back to my doctor and got that fixed in April 2019. This is what they did..."My right nostril is still collapsing in when I breathe in, where the bone spur was is now extra skin, the tip still has some deviation to it and now I have a hole through the septum. So he recommended surgery again. While he is fixing all of those things, he will fix the bridge to smooth it out since the cartilage didn't take very well there. He will have to take cartilage from either my ear or my rib since he used all of the remaining/extra last time." 

I was good to go with the structure of my nose, but not the sinuses. I was still getting sinus infections, so enter in my ENT. He performed a balloon sinuplasty, reduced my turbinates and put a septal button in. This was in September 2019

Everything has been fine since then other than some pretty bad sinus infections (after I had covid). Then in December, my septal button came out and all h*ll broke loose. Just kidding. But it felt like it. My nostrils were collapsing in again, my nose was whistling again, my sinus infection wouldn't go away, the inflammation was pretty bad and I wasn't sleeping well since I couldn't get enough air in. 

I saw two ENTs and my old plastic surgeon. After 2 months of appointments, we booked a surgery. What am I having done? Basically what I did the second surgery. Nasal collapse repair using cartilage from my other ear (my dominant ear), adding in cartilage on the tip of my nose again and shaving down a bump that is blocking my airway. So I get two surgeries in one meaning they have to do surgery on my ear and then my nose. 

I will not be getting the septal button replaced because the hole is closing on its own. I have been using an antibiotic ointment in my nose 2 to 3 times a day and it is healing the hole. I have new cell growth there and it has closed 20% in 2 months. So I have to continue to do it for 4 months and then we will reassess. So hopefully it closes on its own and I won't have to do anything else to my nose. 

When I got the news that my septal perforation was closing on its own in Nevada (it is dry here and isn't conducive to closing on its own), I about jumped out of my seat. Finally something going my way and not another surgery on that part in the future. I call that a big win!

I have surgery on Tuesday, February 14th. So if you could say a little prayer for me, that would be awesome. I hope to have a few posts ready for the two weeks I may not be around much. 

Any questions?

9 comments :

  1. You know I will pray for you girlfriend! All the love and I know it’s going to go just fine!

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    1. I sooo appreciate it. I could definitely use them. I sure hope it goes well and all is fine!

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  2. I'm sorry you have to have another surgery but I'll definitely be thinking of you!

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    1. Thank you so much Dara. I hate that I have to and I am praying this is the last surgery. I am over this.

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  3. I'll definitely be thinking of you! I Hope all goes well and this is the last surgery you need. It sounds like you've been through a lot.

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    1. Amen to that. I have been through a lot and I am so over surgery.

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  4. You are in my prayers, Danielle! I hope everything goes well and that you have a quick and easy recovery!

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  5. WOWWWWW, thanks for laying this all out there, Danielle. I'm sure it will help someone in a similar boat, but it's also helped me just get a grasp of what you're dealing with, since I (thank god) only have "typical" sinus/allergy symptoms. (I had never heard of a septal button before your recent posts!) The situation you're in now sounds truly awful, and I hope you are on the road to recovery soon. I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday! xo

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  6. I am glad to help educate others on this. And I hope this post helps others in the future. Than you so much! I sure do appreciate it!

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