She's a Handsome Woman

[While this song was playing, Toddler Child stood in front of the computer smiling and said, "Wok and woll. I like wok and woll."  I chose the Muppet version for him.]

I saw my nasal surgeon today.  It's been six months since my "nasal surgery NOT a nose job".  As a result of the surgery I can breathe great, and I'm generally happy with the aesthetic improvement, although I wish it wasn't quite so subtle.  I've heard when girls buy new boobs they often wish they'd gone bigger.  I'm having that feeling about my nose.  I was so afraid of not looking like me that I cautioned the surgeon multiple times to be conservative during the aesthetic part of the surgery.  Now I wish my nose was a little more refined.  I should have gone *BIGGER*.

Because my surgery was complicated, I'm still swollen.  I know I need to wait a full year post-op, which will be May 2009, for all swelling and tenderness to subside.  Today the doctor injected steroids into the sides of my nose directly above the nostrils to help resolve the swelling.  YES, it hurt, but it was quick.

I had Toddler Child with me.  I wasn't expecting to get shots in my nose.  I was concerned I might make disturbing noises and scare him.  I DID make noises and tears shot out of my eyes, reflexively, not boo-hooey.

Toddler Child asked, "The doctor make you feel better?"  I told him yes and that I was fine.

The nurse came in and cleaned the pen marks off my nose.  I expected the steroids to resolve the swelling immediately - like right then - but it takes about six weeks.  When I looked in the mirror, I was disappointed to see I had even more swelling where I'd been injected.  The nurse assured me it didn't look that bad and would be gone by the end of the day.

Toddler Child studied my face as I carried him out of the office.

He said, "You looooook handsome."

NOTE:  We have pictures of my nose immediately after the surgery and after each follow-up appointment.  Chris usually takes the photos, but he's in Denver today.  I don't know how people take all those artsy self-portraits.  You should see the 75 other shots I took to get these two lame ones so you could see my nose.  I took some close-ups, but I'm too vain to post those.

Comments

[Sherri]

You are so pretty. And your nose is perfect! And Toddler Child is just trying to show-off because "handsome" is a bigger word than "pretty" - smart AND loves wok and woll? Brilliant!

[vodkamom]

Yikes, you are a brave, brave woman. and the nose looks great, too!!

[csquaredplus3]

Sherri - Thank you. I'm going to have to bury this post soon because I don't want it to appear I'm fishing for compliments. I appreciate yours though.

Did you notice I followed YOUR lead and titled the post the name of a song? I did that to honor "Sophisticated Side Ponytail" just for you! (I don't know how to link in comments or I'd link to that post - help!?)

Vodka Mom - Thanks - you're nice. I'm REALLY gonna have to bury this post quickly...

[Dr Zibbs]

It looks good.

[Madge]

You look great!

[Tristan]

You know how I feel about nose tampons, but your nose is tempting me to ask for your surgeon's number.

[Kate Coveny Hood]

I SO want to have my deviated septum fixed. It makes my nose slightly crooked. But I've always been afraid that the doctor will get overly enthusiastic and start hacking off chunks of my not tiny nose. I'm used to my face at this point and don't particularly want major changes...but I would like some symmetry. I'm also afraid of surgery - but after the c-section I think I can handle it.

I think you look gorgeous - and not at all swollen.

[Mrs.D]

It looks nice!!! Subtle, but that's good. You want it subtle so people notice but can't put their finger on what it is that's different. And I just hold the camera in one hand, arm extended to do a classic self portrait (to avoid the mirror flash), but yours turned out fine.

[Joe Girl]

I think you look fabulous! The first picture is so radiant! A great smile. Love how the flash illuminates you from the neck up. Very beautiful—nose and all!

I too suffer from a very narrow nose, and as a result, am a mouth-breather at night. My dental hygienist often asks me if I smoke, am a heavy coffee/tea drinker (no to both). I say “No. Mouth-breather”. And she says “Ah, yes.” ;)

[csquaredplus3]

Dr. Zibbs - I don't think you really read this...

Madge - Thanks. (feeling stupid now)

Tristan - Crap! I keep forgetting to steal your "nose tampons" description - which is SO accurate! My nose TRULY is very swollen today - Chris just got home and said, "I can't believe you let them give you shots in the nose. You look more swollen than you did this morning."

Kate Coveny Hood - You're wise to be concerned about changing your appearance after a certain age. Studies show people get depressed when they don't look like "themselves" after a procedure.

Mrs. D. - A little too subtle, but like Kate pointed out, maybe that's okay for me. Thanks for the picture taking tips.

Joe Girl - Is your hygienist asking you those questions because of your breath? If so, try "Smart Mouth" - it's the best. Spendy for a mouthwash, but it works. If your breath is nice, please disregard my rude suggestion.

[Neil]

Sorry there is still some pain, but breathing well is certainly worth it. I have a deviated septum and I've always thought about doing something about that myself, but I've always wimped out.

[corbie]

Well, I am the one female on the planet who got the boobs, chose the small ones, and never wished she'd gone bigger. You won't regret staying more 'you' - the nose looks fabulous.

[Sam]

Your nose looks really good and natural right now,even while it is swollen....you have a lot to look forward to when the swelling completly goes down. It's only going to get better. I think it's kind of exciting.

[The Floydster]

That is a no-fun surgery but well worth it. I had lost my sense of taste for TEN YEARS and finally cared enough about myself to get the polyps(ms?)removed. It hurt almost as much as my hysterectomy I had years later. But I can taste again and it proved to be a good choice. You look really nice with it all swollen; I looked like someone had mashed a potato on my face! :)

[Lady Fi]

Thanks for visiting me over in Sweden today.

I loved the Wok and Woll clip as did my kids.

Hope your nose settles down soon...

[anna]

You do look fantastic! I had lipo and it took a year for the swelling to go away--kind of amazing, really. Worth it in the end, though.

[csquaredplus3]

Neil - If I ever can't breathe well again, it's terminal. I can't imagine repeating that surgery. I don't think mine was typical though.

Corbie - Your boobs are GREAT. (I'm NOT hitting on you though.)

Samantha - Thank you. Those were kind words.

The Floydster - You're nice Anne. I have photos where my face looked like you described yours. My hair stuck out all over for days. I call them my "Nick Nolte mug shots".

Lady Fi - It was a pleasure visiting you in Sweden - would love to travel there someday. Thank you for returning the visit!

Anna - It REALLY is amazing that it takes that long for swelling to resolve. Makes me wonder how badly we're hurting ourselves. Must be pretty bad.

[Joe Girl]

My breath is as sweet as strawberries dipped in the finest milk chocolate ;) She asks because I have mild staining on the inside of my front lower teeth. Apparently teeth are more susceptible to stains when they are dry (ie: not protected by saliva). No offense taken ;)

Of course, as we are merely bloggy friends, I could have the most foul breath imaginable and you would never know! ;)

[Jennifer]

You look great!

[kate]

you really do looook handsome. where handsome equals hawt.

[csquaredplus3]

Joe Girl - Whoops. That's pretty sweet breath though. I have "mild staining" but I drink red wine and coffee.

Jennifer - Thank you. Still waiting for that peanut butter soup recipe...

Kate - You're handsomer/hawter. It's that curly, red hair of yours.