Revision Rhinoplasty
5.0
stars
I’m a black, African 29 year old woman from London, United Kingdom who traveled to New York to undergo a revision rhinoplasty with Dr Samieh Rizk on Friday, June 25th, 2010. A mere five weeks later, I can say hand on heart that I’m completely overawed by the phenomenal results! Without sounding conceited, I would describe my new nose as ‘perfect’ in the sense that the enhanced version is natural, in proportion with the rest of my features and injects a much needed symmetry and harmony to my face. My profile view has garnered many compliments from family, friends and strangers alike. The bridge is beautifully straight and bar slight swelling in the tip, my results have absolutely surpassed any expectations I had before hand. This was the best surgical decision I’ve ever made, it has completely changed my life already, boosting my self esteem and confidence no end. In my opinion Dr Rizk’s extraordinary cosmetic genius is incomparable.
Admittedly, my case was difficult, I mean my nose was misshapen and lacked any definition what-so-ever. Apart from having a wide, shapeless bridge, my nose also veered to the left, meanwhile the bulbous tip was a personal bug-bear! Whenever I smiled the thick skin on the tip was extremely prominent overwhelming my face to the extent where I avoided photos like the plague :-). In addition, my nostrils were asymmetrical. Needless to say, Dr Rizk had his work cut out.
In February this year, I forwarded my photos complete with an explanatory email to numerous surgeons around the world. After reading the replies, I set my sights on Dr Richard Davis in Miami, Florida for my revision. Although, I’d gone as far as to book my surgery date, I had the fortune of viewing outstanding B&A rhinoplasty photos from a ‘Makemeheal’ member called ‘Paso’ . I discovered her surgeon was Dr Rizk and my curiosity was piqued. This coupled with my niggling doubts over Dr Davis crystallised my tipping point towards Dr Rizk.
I arranged my thirty minute $250 phone consultation soon after! My first impression of Dr Rizk was how down-to-Earth and no nonsense his approach seemed, plus his state-of-the art knowledge about rhinoplasty impressed me. He wasted no time in recommending medpor – an implant which mimics bone and provides the best cosmetic outcome in terms of definition – this straightforward suggestion had been omitted by every other surgeon. After our discussion, I was left in no doubt that he was the only man who could deliver the results I was seeking. Of course, I was still second guessing myself but perusing his website’s rhinoplasty gallery and blog delivered further proof of his profound talent.
I paid $22,000 for revision rhinoplasty with a medpor implant. Yes, it was expensive and a huge risk but I feel it was a worthy price for the results I’m enjoying today. Often with surgery, the fee doesn’t necessarily reflect the results but I can affirm that Dr Rizk is worth every cent due to his preternatural skills. He is arguably the best facial plastic surgeon in the world at the moment! Besides, the proof is certainly clear in the B&A photos on his website, his renowned reputation amongst his peers and illustrious career hitherto.
I was a nervous wreck when I had my first face to face encounter with Dr Rizk on the day of my arrival, which incidentally was the day before my surgery. Dr Rizk had printed my photos and drew outlines around my nose to detail his intentions during my surgery. He was very amiable, warm, and by the end of our consultation had won me over with his charm. He explained that he planned on using medpor to build up and straighten my bridge, in short creating a new infrastructure. My nose would also be broken in a special way, due to my ethnicity. My own cartilage would be utilised to create definition in my tip and a small strip of medpor would be added to my columella to forcibly keep the base of my nose in place. This inevitably helped project the tip outwards. Lastly the thick skin on my tip would be defatted – meaning the removal of scar tissue from my previous operation and any inherent fat – then he intended to remove deep layers of skin from the tip to further enhance the definition once swelling subsides and the skin shrinks around my new shape. Dr Rizk’s sincerity extended to his employees as well; the entire staff at Dr Rizk’s headquarters were fantastic, incredibly kind, polite and patient from Dila the head secretary, to Heidi her aide – an African/American who was six months post-op from a splendid rhinoplasty herself; what better way to advertise than an in-house patient! The nurses and anesthesiologist were all super nice.
Surgery the following day, lasted three to four hours, the first thing I remember afterwards was Dr Rizk allaying my fears by reassuring me the surgery was successful. After reading other people’s surgical experiences I understand how this small act further underlined Dr Rick’s professionalism. I also recall feeling how tiny my new bridge was whilst Dr Rizk mentioned that he’d decreased it by 50%! And as you can imagine, that was music to my ears :-)! I was in minor discomfort immediately after the operation, although incredibly, I had no use for painkillers at all during my recovery. This was somewhat of a miracle considering all the corrections Dr Rizk had achieved during my procedure.
Dila, rang my cousin’s apartment the day after surgery to check up on me, and to establish I was icing my face as she warned of severe swelling! That was the only serious discomfort I suffered throughout the whole process. Even with my cast on, it was evident from the outset that my bridge was straight and smaller although my tip was huge. In addition my nostrils were symmetrical.
As my case was rather complicated Dr Rizk suggested I stay in town for three further days before I removed my cast. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay. Coincidentally, he was also traveling to London, United Kingdom for a conference. Despite this, his office quickly re-scheduled me to see him before his trip to London – five days after my surgery – just so that he could personally take my cast off and give me a steroid injection to speed up the healing process in my swollen tip. I did however travel back home with my cast firmly replaced.
On seeing Dr Rizk post-op, my first complaint was obviously the enormity of the tip but he assured me that it would be the last area to settle as he had spent the majority of operating time correcting it. And in hindsight, I can now appreciate how accurate he was; my tip has reduced significantly with each passing week. Dr Rizk stipulated three months post-op as the milestone towards real definition in the shape of my tip. But astonishingly here I’am five weeks later, already raving and elated about my unbelievable results! Yes my tip has got some way to go until it settles but the marked improvement is unequivocal.
I promised myself I’d share my experience because of the countless indviduals whose information and advice has been invaluable to my quest during the past six years. Thanks to everyone who posts and is brave enough to show their photos because in your own way, you have hugely contributed to my current happiness and fulfilment. I’m not on this board often but if you send me a PM I will email you my photos next week where I’ll have added new ones to my album revealing my appearance at six weeks post-op.
by Yvonne S.