Ever since I was little I always heard that my nose was too big. Sometimes my sister and people from school would tease me. “The girl with the weird nose” is one way a friend’s sibling described me. That was my distinctive quality. Even at home I would hear my family tell me when you get older you can get a nose job.
So naturally I grew up hating my nose and feeling insecure because of it. I avoided pictures taken from the side like it was a plague, because then my nose was more prominent in the picture. I couldn’t wait to get old enough to get my nose job.
On the summer of my junior year in high school I went to Chihuahua, Mexico with my aunt. I finally was going to ditch my “big weird” nose and hopefully the insecurity that went along with it. We arrived at the plastic surgeon’s office and we had a consultation. Dr. Chaves basically told me about how the procedure was supposed to go and how my nose would look small and perfect afterwards.
Throughout the whole process I wasn’t nervous or scared. I was just ready to get it over with. When the day finally came I still wasn’t scared. I got dressed in a hospital gown and sat down in the cold metal table the anesthesiologist injected me with the anesthetic and that’s when I started to freak out. I then started crying, then busted out laughing because I was crying and just knocked out. I don’t remember anything after that, I just woke up very thirsty.
I’ve never had any surgeries before this but apparently i’m allergic to anesthesia. So while I was recovering, I was also throwing up. I couldn’t feel my nose for the first week because of the cast they put on me. The area around my eyes was bruised from where they broke my nose, but I wasn’t in much pain. The only pain I felt was just some pressure on my nose.
The worst part about having the cast was that I couldn’t get it wet, and being in the house we were staying was starting to get boring and I wanted to go out and explore but it was raining the whole week. I finally convinced them to let them out and I explored the chapel and downtown area.
After a week I had to go to my check up to get my cast removed. I finally got to see my new nose. When Dr. Chavez took off my cast it hurt like hell. It was like taking off a bandaid but more intense. My nose was so pretty, and I was ecstatic with the results: it was a bit pointed up and very slim. It was still very tender and slightly bruised but I was happy. I love my new nose.
Coming back home I felt as if everyone was going to know that I had a nose job. In reality though only the people that knew about my surgery are the only ones that noticed.
In the end I still love my nose and sometimes forget that I underwent such surgery. I do feel more confident and am no longer scared to take side pics. I’m really grateful of the support from my friends and family.