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4Kix
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post surgery

Post by 4Kix » Fri, 02 May 2008 7:34 pm

I'm now writing from SongSan Hotel after having stayed at Golf on 29APR and at the hospital for two nights. I used my rib and that is REALLY painful... excruciating pain when I first came out of surgery. Then they pumped me with pethedine (spelling?) a wonderful analgesic and things calmed down. Was ini and out throughout the night THe nose didn't hurt at all - just stuffed up and you had to breathe through your.
The locals are really nice when they realise you do not speak the language. But hopitals are different from Singapore. They expect you to take care of yourself or at least have someone stay with you. Everyone in the room with me, young and old had someone else stay with them doing little things like getting water, urinal, clearing rubbish. In Singapore, the nurses do all this for you and do not encourage nor expected to have other people stay over. Dr Hsu seems kinda rushed most of the time - a man on the move. His clinic is in another city some 50Kms away so he only comes in for the operations. The result, I cannot see it now cos it's still under a plastic splint and gauzed. I don't think it's as high as I had hoped, we'll see next week when I see him to take the stitches out. Song San is really neat, they came to pick me up from the hospital.

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Post by feline.eyes » Fri, 02 May 2008 7:51 pm

:-|
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darn!

Post by 4Kix » Sat, 03 May 2008 11:39 pm

You know what? I had actually planned to keep this on the same thread on Taiwan - then got smart and somehow started a new one instead.
This is my third post surgery and I'm finding my way around. They have a great map; got an extra for you to orientate yourself. Best thing, it's got English... can't get lost.
Kaohsiung people are really nice; they go out of their way to help you and 'protect' you. SongSan is good for me but I'm used to backpack conditions - are you? The mattress is very VERY firm. There is an aunty on the floor and she looks after you - but the occasional chatter might be too loud. They have all channels - mostly the chinese games, japanese, dubbed japanese and korean, discovery, HBO NGeog, and even a couple of porn channels! Same as Golf hotel. Getting around in cabs is way easy too.
My ribs are not hurting as much as the last couple of days. You just have to find that ONE special position and you're totally out of pain! It's a miracle discovery. The nose itself doesn't hurt at all, it's just all stuffed up. I cheated with nasal spray tonight and it's all clear now. Dr Hsu will kill me if he knew. But I need to have complete sleep to recover well - been breathing through my mouth all this time. There is a hard plastic splint (moulding of sorts) and you won't notice it but it's comforting to know it's there. They ply you with 5 types of pills (antibiotics and pain killers) and cleansing lotions to apply with cotton tips.
If you're doing it by ear cartilage, I reckon it's simpler. THere was this lady who came in to the hospital after my surgery, had hers done and was out of there before me! I couldn't ask her nothing as I was linguistically incapacitated.

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SongSan

Post by 4Kix » Sat, 03 May 2008 11:41 pm


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Post by feline.eyes » Sun, 04 May 2008 3:59 am

:-|
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Post by 4Kix » Mon, 05 May 2008 6:55 pm

I meant smart tongue in cheek - sarcastically lah... I don't usually go to forum but thought someone might benefit from this so .. hee.

You are arriving on 5th? That's today!! Oh! If you are staying at SongSan - I'm in Room 506. Do ask for one with internet access - not all the rooms have it - it's a life saver!!

Last night I had the sweetest slumber - finally got to sleep on my side (gently) and the ribs hardly hurt anymore. Are you doing rib? Dr Hsu said that my cartilage in the nose was so soft that it was practically useless so it was good that he got to use the rib. That provided a lot more room for play. Autologous cartilage is a whole lot more safe than silicon, I'm told and yes, there will be some 15% or reabsorbtion so there will be allowances made for that.

You would be probably operated on on 7th - I'll have my stitches out that night - at about 9 pm. Make sure you have a detailed discussion with Dr Hsu. If you have photos of what you want, you have a place to start from.

Dr Hsu can pass you the map - he has a stack of these I'm sure. All the very best in your adventure and take care.

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Post by 4Kix » Mon, 05 May 2008 7:17 pm

Can you tell I'm not very smart? I just re-read your original thread - you ARE doing an autologous rib cartilage! Good for you! If you want something substantial, it's the only way to go. He will need something strong for the main lift at the bridge and can use the rest for tip. I asked him to do a really nice tip cos mine is really not there at all - this was why he said that my nose cartilage were very soft and holds nothing up - even the main septum piece!
Just remember that if you find that special position and not move from there, you're totally out of pain. I would keep my chest up and have that imaginery string at the top of my head to stand/sit erect to get there. Then you can even take deep breaths and it doesn't hurt. But after two days, it becomes a duller pain and not so bad.
They will give you pain killer on the drip to help with this - LURVE IT!!! Gets you high and you start to drift. Can get addictive. I asked for Pethedyne. Lovely drug!! Hahahaha...

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Post by kittygirl8 » Tue, 06 May 2008 8:09 pm

Hi 4kis,

Thanks for posting this up. You wouldn't know how helpful this is, especially when I've been pondering for the longest time if I should take the plunge and go for rib harvesting. I am very worried especially regarding the safety of this.....you must have done much research before going for this huh? Is rib harvesting really safe?

I am still in a dilemma at the moment between having a silicon implant or rib cartilage......as I'm really worried about the pain, you know having double pain with the rib thingy etc.....

Did the hospital actually provide meals too? How did you make your way from Taiwan to Kaoshiung? Do you need to take a flight?

How many days will you be staying in Taiwan...?

I wish you a speedy recovery and please do share more with us if you could, you wouldn't know how important and helpful it is to people like me who will be taking the plunge soon....

Feline, wish you all the best and success for your surgery tomorrow. Do share with us your experience after the surgery, am very excited for you.

Take care now, 'pretty' ladies :)

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Post by mintgirl » Tue, 06 May 2008 10:07 pm

Oh I'm thinking of using rib cartilage too, but for some strange reason I did not think of the pain T_T. I know it's painful, but it's the safest way to go right? That or using goretex.

I hope you rest well, and recover QUICKLY. Remember to eat Vit C and zinc tablets, drink lots of water and have fun...somehow. Bet you'll look absolutely stunning when all the swelling goes down.

Then all the guys will be like 'DAMN, who's that? Sexy lady xD'

haha

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Post by 4Kix » Wed, 07 May 2008 12:42 am

Sorry to burst your bubble, ladies, I'm a guy - dang! my writing skills are so perversely lacking! :-)
I looked at silicon - it's not a part of my body and couple of surgeons told me that if I had a pimple on my nose (ya, it happens lah), they would have to treat with antibiotics and if that fails, removal may be a necessity. Goretex is more insiiduous given it's permeable nature as flesh grows into it - removal would be complicated and with less desirable outcome since flesh is excised in the process. Further, I have (had?) a nasal blockage in my left nostril and wanted this looked into. Plastic surgeons have always referred me back to an ENT for this.
My prayers were answered when I learned of Dr Hsu - he is an ENT who is into aesthetics. This is grateful thanks to Hello84 and his earlier sharing. Wish I has been able to get more out of him but he pretty much became incommunicado when approached directly.
I have been partial to autologous cartilage all along as I didn't wish to have a foreign body in me, least of all, in my face. That made my decision.
The pain is manageable by analgesics lah - but was excruciating when I woke from the anaesthesia - aiyo! Then you find that position where it doesn't hurt at all; it's there, just have to adjust yourself around!
I stayed two days at the hospital and was given antibiotics and painkiller three times a day through a very well placed drip - in the lower arm itself(unlike at the wrist as they do in Singapore - damn eeky when you move around, that). As I wrote previously, the hospitals here expect you to have someone stay with you - they have an extra sleeper at each bed. This person does all the little things for you - NOBODY (especially not the nurses) will do things for you - they SHOW you where the ice is and you go get it yourself - pain or not! That's why Dr Hsu wanted to get me a 'helper' - I resisted cos I couldn't possibly communicate in Chinese and this person would simply irk me. Food is given three times a day - I don't remember seeing the person deliver the food - it's just placed there in a box. Dry and tasteless, it's a marvellous if you're dieting. You are also given regular pills (dunno for what! No one explained to me and I didn't bother mah since I was provided with antibiotics and painkiller intravenously already, what!) Sekali, I find it's for something important!! I'll ask Dr Hsu tomorrow.
Oh, BTW you cannot pay hospitals here with credit card - you need to bring cash or find some other way. I had to get a friend transfer funds over.
I got a Cathay/DragonAir flight to Kaohsiung (KHH) via HongKong (HKG). Flies on Tues: Cathay - SINHKG at 1100 and DragonAir - HKG KHH at 1730 and gets you in at 1920. There's a 3 hour + layover at HKIA but if you have a notebook, there's free wifi if not into shopping - time passes quickly. Hotel picks you up at the airport. I didn't see mine so took a cab - with surcharges, pd $165. Got to Golf (about 5 mins away from airport) and rested before going to the Hospital at 2045 (it's actually walkable from Golf Hotel!!) but I took a taxi (2 mins). Taxis (hotel will call for you) start at TWD85 when you get in ... so, ya, it cost $85 to get to hospital.
Haven't taken any supplements in all this time leh - just go out to eat when need to take my drugs! I can't speak or read and not really a foodie. Taiwanese food is pretty healthy and lots of little shops around this hotel to feed from.
Uh... this is getting a tad long, methinks - I'm writing this and watching TV at the same time so if incoherent, forgiveness is sought!
Hope things go very well for you Feline.eyes. I'll leave on Thur a.m.

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Post by kittygirl8 » Wed, 07 May 2008 5:39 am

4Kix wrote:Sorry to burst your bubble, ladies, I'm a guy - dang! my writing skills are so perversely lacking! :-)
I looked at silicon - it's not a part of my body and couple of surgeons told me that if I had a pimple on my nose (ya, it happens lah), they would have to treat with antibiotics and if that fails, removal may be a necessity. Goretex is more insiiduous given it's permeable nature as flesh grows into it - removal would be complicated and with less desirable outcome since flesh is excised in the process. Further, I have (had?) a nasal blockage in my left nostril and wanted this looked into. Plastic surgeons have always referred me back to an ENT for this.
My prayers were answered when I learned of Dr Hsu - he is an ENT who is into aesthetics. This is grateful thanks to Hello84 and his earlier sharing. Wish I has been able to get more out of him but he pretty much became incommunicado when approached directly.
I have been partial to autologous cartilage all along as I didn't wish to have a foreign body in me, least of all, in my face. That made my decision.
The pain is manageable by analgesics lah - but was excruciating when I woke from the anaesthesia - aiyo! Then you find that position where it doesn't hurt at all; it's there, just have to adjust yourself around!
I stayed two days at the hospital and was given antibiotics and painkiller three times a day through a very well placed drip - in the lower arm itself(unlike at the wrist as they do in Singapore - damn eeky when you move around, that). As I wrote previously, the hospitals here expect you to have someone stay with you - they have an extra sleeper at each bed. This person does all the little things for you - NOBODY (especially not the nurses) will do things for you - they SHOW you where the ice is and you go get it yourself - pain or not! That's why Dr Hsu wanted to get me a 'helper' - I resisted cos I couldn't possibly communicate in Chinese and this person would simply irk me. Food is given three times a day - I don't remember seeing the person deliver the food - it's just placed there in a box. Dry and tasteless, it's a marvellous if you're dieting. You are also given regular pills (dunno for what! No one explained to me and I didn't bother mah since I was provided with antibiotics and painkiller intravenously already, what!) Sekali, I find it's for something important!! I'll ask Dr Hsu tomorrow.
Oh, BTW you cannot pay hospitals here with credit card - you need to bring cash or find some other way. I had to get a friend transfer funds over.
I got a Cathay/DragonAir flight to Kaohsiung (KHH) via HongKong (HKG). Flies on Tues: Cathay - SINHKG at 1100 and DragonAir - HKG KHH at 1730 and gets you in at 1920. There's a 3 hour + layover at HKIA but if you have a notebook, there's free wifi if not into shopping - time passes quickly. Hotel picks you up at the airport. I didn't see mine so took a cab - with surcharges, pd $165. Got to Golf (about 5 mins away from airport) and rested before going to the Hospital at 2045 (it's actually walkable from Golf Hotel!!) but I took a taxi (2 mins). Taxis (hotel will call for you) start at TWD85 when you get in ... so, ya, it cost $85 to get to hospital.
Haven't taken any supplements in all this time leh - just go out to eat when need to take my drugs! I can't speak or read and not really a foodie. Taiwanese food is pretty healthy and lots of little shops around this hotel to feed from.
Uh... this is getting a tad long, methinks - I'm writing this and watching TV at the same time so if incoherent, forgiveness is sought!
Hope things go very well for you Feline.eyes. I'll leave on Thur a.m.
You're a guy?! :shock: Hehehe...guess that's the thing with internet, you never know who really is behind the screen....anyhow, thanks for 'bursting our bubbles' lah hehe (kidding kidding) :P

Hmmm, for a guy to feel the pain must be really excruciating huh cos my understanding is that men has more pain tolerance than women, my God, can't imagine how painful it's gonna be now, perhaps 10x more than what I imagine it to be now.....sobb....

Thanks for sharing this with us, really appreciate that. Hey, you mentioned that Dr Hsu wanted to get you a day care person, may I know how much that will cost? I wonder what the nurse is there for then since they expect patients to do everything themselves??

So how are you feeling now? Any more pain from the rib and any difficulty breathing from the nose? Has your swelling gone down and are you satisfied with how your nose looks now?

Hmmm....do you happen to know how to get from KaoShiung from Taipei har?

You mentioned that the hotel picked you up from the airport directly, does that mean that you're paying for the nights at the hotel, even though you did not stay with there for the 2 days while you were staying at the hospital after the surgery?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your opinion about the different implants. I have pretty much heard the same thing from different people in the forums, but the pain with the rib + imagining the doctor 'sawing' through your rib bone makes me feel irky somehow....I wonder how safe that is do you know? Any long term side effect to the body??

Do you know that even with rib implant, there is the chance of warping? Is there a need for another surgery in this case??

Does your family and colleagues know that you're going for plasty? How do you plan to tell them about it? My other concern with plastic surgery is facing them - all sorts of excuses have gone through my mind - from getting into an accident and hurt my nose badly lah, to i woke up one night and suddenly have problem breathing so have to get it fixed 8-) Siao hor? :roll:

Hey, thank you once again for sharing this with us, you're so so kind! :)

I wish you a speedy recovery, take care, reat well and write us again soon ah....


:lol:

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Post by 4Kix » Wed, 07 May 2008 4:34 pm

Haiyah, I'm a NAG lah, so very in touch with my inner man. I sometimes tear at movies and can admit to pain one!
Today is ONE WEEK since the surgery. The rib hardly hurts anymore - just very slight dull tightness. The nose is still stuffing up a lot... esp my left nostril - which is a bummer as it's one of my key drivers for coming here. Maybe it's still too early and the trauma still needs some time.
I didn't tell you guys that I also had my alar done - it looks a whole lot better than before. Much narrower and I'm a happy caper there. There is hardly a scar at all - the stitches will come off tonight. It's healed very well.
I still haven't seen my nose as there is a plastic splint over the nose to keep it in place. I'll lose this tonight too as will I the tapes strapped across.
One thing I will seek to ask Dr Hsu is how exactly he cuts the cartilage out of the rib and by how much. Unfortunately, I just had my full physical recently so will not be taking another X-ray in the very near future. I'll put your other concerns to him and see what he has to say. For sure, I won't be operating again - too much tedium, man! I'll just trust the Lord this will turn out GREAT!
Other people's opinions do not really matter to me; it's my nose, my face, my money, for me. How their opinion of this remotely registers eludes logic leh! This is actually just another milestone in a multi-phased makeover. I already did oral maxillofacial surgery a couple of years ago - THAT was a really major surgery - it really altered the shape of my entire jaw and, you know what, most people don't even see the diff! For this one, I've only told a few people - these are the people who see me all the time. I usually tell them I'm "off for a project". and the rest will either see it or not; no skin off my teeth, quite honestly. My vanity reached legendary proportions with my family a long time ago as I've always made it clear what I needed to do and they don't really blink. It's how you handle yourself not other people where PS is concerned. No need to lie lah - why are you so apologetic for doing something important to you? Don't want to end up looking silly, do you? Bone up! :D
I've taken three weeks off work and made plans for a few other things at the same time. So I've been catching up on all my surfing and organising my things staying at this hotel for the last few days. It's terrific!! Time by yourself. On the way back, I'll break off to go shopping in HKG and then go and visit my Mom and old friends back in KL, catch up on some movies, before heading back to work. Eyes are next!
I'm not sure how to get to TPE from KHH lah - certainly have no intentions, seeing as I cannot speak the language to make the queries.

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Post by mintgirl » Wed, 07 May 2008 5:44 pm

Hey 4kix, I also had the corrective jaw surgery to correct my underbite at christmas last year. It was torture. As you are very well aware, you have to eat liquidy food for nearly a month thru a syringe. And bc I had to move two jaws, I felt really uncomfortable afterwards. Would be tired really easily, and the surgeon took abit of my hip bone so my leg sometimes would hurt (the hip area), also I didn't sleep at all before the surgery so had MAJOR headaches and would vomit soo much in hospital.

Would you say the rhino surgery is more painful that the corrective jaw surgery you did? Is it more uncomfortable?

I look better now too. Man if you look different, how are you going to explain yourself through customs? Man to think all those ppl behind you....or doyou get a note from the plastic surgeon.

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Post by 4Kix » Thu, 08 May 2008 12:01 am

The oral maxillo-facial surgery was MAJOR. They moved both the jaws and sewed them together for the next few weeks. The antibiotics so cleared my intestines of the necessary bacteria, I was retching so severely every 20 mins, I thought I was going to die! Eventually, I got some yoghurt and it was fine thereafter. But great weight loss programme!!
This is much MUCH M U C H less uncomfortable - you'll live this one down easily, then. That wasn't painful at the jaw either, what?!

Okay, I'm back from removing the splint. I LURVE MY NEW NOSE! Not too high and not too low. There is hardly any swelling as is supposedly the case with autologous implants. There was little to no discoloration around the face (my eye lids had been purplish on the first three days).
The alar work was great - you would need to be microscopic to detact a scar. Overall, good definition already - the tip still to settle further, but so far, 'tis good.

Okay, got the good Dr to answer a few questions.
1. Where did he get the cartilage from? He took 6 cm from the front of a lower rib. Ribs wrap around the back. The front, where it links to the sternum is cartilage - so now, there's a gap in front, just a couple of inches under my right nipple (away from the heart lah). Might be a problem when CPR is applied leh, come to think of it!! Shit!
2. Does cartilage warp? Yes, it can - esp for younger people as it's malleable. He said mine already had some calcification, so it should not be a problem for me. Yeh!
3. How long does it take to settle? The cartilage will attach itself in about three weeks. So will need to be extra careful till then. The tip will take a little longer and will shrink slightly to be more defined.
4. Does he ever do silicon implant? No, but he has done quite a lot of silicon removal.

I'm out of KHH tomorrow morning - gotta get some Zzzz now. Maybe get me some sunnies at HKG airport to fit the new nose - never could before!! We'll see....

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Post by mintgirl » Thu, 08 May 2008 12:29 am

so you're saying it's not as uncomfortable nor painful as corrective jaw surgery? That's all good then, bc when the surgeon did my two jaws, I had rubber bands in my mouth for over a month (like you I think) and I couldn't even open my mouth even enough to fit a spoon in -_-, that's why I had to use the syringe. And I vomitted alot of blood in hospital, and at home I also lost ALOT of weight and felt tired all the time.

I'm relieved then, if rhino surgery isn't that painful than it's good, I can withstand pain haha.

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