My rhinoplasty
From Antonijo’s patient diary
Diary of my rhinoplasty in March 2022
Antonijo had a rhinoplasty performed by Dr. Jörg Knabl in Vienna in March 2022.
“After years of consideration, I decided to have my nose corrected. Since my youth, I’ve had the feeling that my nose didn’t fit the proportions of my face. Time and again, when I looked in the mirror, I saw a nose that was too wide, perhaps too large,” Antonjio speaks openly about his motivations.
Starting on the day of the treatment, he kept a diary to document the entire process for himself and for prospective patients who are still considering the procedure. This way, women and men who are also dissatisfied with their noses can authentically experience what the treatment felt like and how the healing process unfolded.
February 7, 2022 | Consultation with Dr. Knabl
What do I expect from this consultation? Am I ready for it? The answer is: YES! I want a narrower, more delicate nose that fits my face. He looked at my face and, based on my description, immediately understood what was bothering me. Dr. Knabl took me to the photo wall, took photos of my nose from various perspectives, and then created a 3D simulation on the computer. With just a few mouse clicks, he showed me what the rhinoplasty – specifically in my case – might look like. The visual opportunity to examine the “new” nose triggered feelings of happiness in me. The 3D simulated nose fit my facial proportions perfectly. I was more than thrilled!
March 1, 2022 | The day of the nose surgery
I couldn’t sleep well the night before the surgery—not because I was scared of the operation, but because I was so excited about my “new” nose. So, full of end-of-life hormones, I went to the clinic. What to expect? To be honest, I didn’t think much about it, because I’d finally taken the plunge and wanted to see the results. I received a warm welcome at the clinic, was taken to my room, had a few minutes to myself, and then, hey presto, I was off to the surgery.
March 2, 2022 | The day after surgery
The first night went well. I didn’t feel any pain at all. The only discomfort was the packing in my nose, as I’m not used to constantly breathing through my mouth. Speaking is more difficult because it sounds very nasal, but I quickly got used to it. A little tip from me: Place a cool pack on the forehead in the evening before going to bed to reduce swelling. When I looked in the mirror in the morning, I just thought to myself: “Toni, you made the right decision!”
March 3, 2022 | On the 2nd day after surgery
I went to Dr. Knabl’s office for follow-up treatment. The packings were removed there. It didn’t hurt, but there was a slight pressure from the clotted blood in my nose. The doctor proceeded with exceptional calm and care. You wouldn’t believe how liberating it was to be able to breathe through my nose again afterwards. The feeling was indescribable!
Since I’m not in any pain, I’ll be going about my daily life as usual over the next few days: going for walks, shopping, reading, etc. Whether or not you want to be seen in public after such an operation is up to you. It was okay for me.
Da keine Schmerzen vorhanden sind, erledige ich in den kommenden Tagen meinen Alltag wie gewohnt: spazieren gehen, einkaufen, lesen etc. Ob man sich in der Öffentlichkeit nach solch eine Operation zeigen möchte oder nicht, ist jedem selbst überlassen. Für mich war es okay.
March 10, 2022 | Cast removal on the 9th day after surgery
I can’t wait to see my nose without that “white patch.” Today, the cast is finally coming off! The doctor briefly explained the steps and then got straight to work: cast off, nose cleaned, and voilà: I looked in the mirror. There it was at last, my new nose! Finally seeing it was overwhelming. I couldn’t hide my emotions. Tears even welled up in my eyes. The result is better than I had imagined.
March 15, 2022 | The first time with the new nose
Light exercise is possible again, but not sports that could place high levels of strain and pressure on the nose (e.g., ball sports). Sun exposure should be limited, as excessive sun exposure, combined with persistent swelling, can cause irreparable pigmentation changes. I also need to tape my nose for another four weeks to maintain stability, as it’s still soft and malleable. To see if I’m tapping my nose correctly at home, I’ll have to send Dr. Knabl a photo.
March 21, 2022 | 10 days after the cast was removed
The swelling in my face is slowly going down. Taping my nose has become routine for me and is no longer difficult at all. My family and closest friends reacted very differently to the treatment: My mother, for example, didn’t notice at all, even though she sees every gram I gain. So I didn’t really mention it. My friends, on the other hand, know me very well and notice every kind of change, including in my nose. I didn’t tell everyone beforehand, just a select few. Those who did know reacted very relaxed and full of admiration.
April 11, 2022 | One month after the cast was removed
I’m doing very well! My nose is healing, and the swelling is gradually going down. Fortunately, I’m not in any pain. “Unfortunately,” the taping of my nose is still scheduled for a few more days, as Dr. Knabl said at the follow-up appointment a week ago, but that doesn’t bother me. Breathing through my nose is now much easier, and I get more oxygen through it when exercising, which improves my performance.
The finished result of the rhinoplasty after 2 months
Time to sum up. I’m overjoyed. The change is very small, as I requested, but exactly what I wanted. She looks “masculine,” but isn’t as wide as before. When I take pictures of myself or have them taken, I find myself more attractive than ever. Thank you so much, Dr. Knabl!
Your enthusiastic Antonijo
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Dr. Knabl has 30 years of experience in the field of plastic surgery.
He always performs each operation himself and is personally available to answer your questions.
