PATIENT STORY

Colleen’s Revision Nose Surgery

It’s quite a dramatic story. In January 2023, I was walking towards the tube exit, and somebody came racing around the corner to get on the train and smashed into me face to face. It was a hit-and-run as he just got onto the next train, but I was left with a broken nose. I immediately went to the emergency room and had my nose manually reset.

A bit of background: I was born with a cleft lip, and I’d had deviated septum surgery 15 years previously when I was 21. The operation was supposed to improve my breathing, but it had never been great.

After they fixed my broken nose, I had a couple of follow-up appointments, and they found it had moved, leaving me with a very misaligned septum. As I was experiencing significant breathing issues, they recommended I have surgery, but I would have to wait for a year to ensure the scar tissue had matured.

A year later, I had my first appointment with Mr Annakan Navaratnam. This was through the NHS, and I just really lucked out getting him. Unfortunately, the waitlist for surgery on the NHS was lengthy, so I checked my health insurance and was able to see Annakan privately.

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First impressions

From my first meeting, he was so helpful. Often, when you see a doctor, you don’t get the explanations that you want or need, but Annakan talked through everything in layman’s terms and gave me complete confidence that he would address my breathing issues and improve the appearance of my nose.

I cannot recommend Annakan strongly enough. At every appointment, I’ve had the opportunity to ask him any questions I had. You never feel there’s a stupid question.

He explained I had a deviated septum but also a lot of scar tissue from my previous operations, and I would need an extensive nasal reconstruction.

He also explained that the surgery I’d had 15 years previously had been performed to the best of their ability, but our knowledge has evolved dramatically since then. They had removed cartilage in the middle to create more room, leaving the nose less structurally sound.

A surgery date was organised very quickly, and my operation was scheduled for November 2024.

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Deviated septum surgery

It was performed as an open septoplasty so Annakan could fully access the nasal structure. He had warned that he may need to take cartilage from elsewhere on my body, but that wasn’t required. He strengthened the bridge of my nose, and I can feel the difference.

Annakan came to see me soon after the operation, but I don’t remember much of that visit. He then came to see me again before I was discharged.

Recovery from septal surgery

I had to have a splint and packing in my nose for three weeks to keep my new nose in place. In terms of recovery, the first few weeks were tough. It was painful for the first couple of days, and I have a reasonably high pain threshold.

After that, it was more uncomfortable than painful; I couldn’t breathe very well and had to prop myself up all the time. I couldn’t sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time. However, Annakan fully prepared me for the recovery process, so I knew what to expect and that it would be worth it.

I was very excited about the splint removal. Annakan warned me that sometimes it can be painful, but it didn’t hurt at all.

Over the last six months, it has reshaped slightly, which Annakan said was normal. I haven’t experienced too much swelling, and the recovery has been really straightforward.

Enjoying the results of my nose surgery

It looks brilliant. I keep telling everyone I had a nose job because I technically did. It now looks better than it did after my nose surgery at 21 and before the break.

They had removed cartilage in the initial nose surgery, and my nose’s tip was drooping. That would have just worsened over time.

However, it’s been a life-changer from a breathing perspective.

After the first operation, my breathing never really improved the way that it should have been. This operation was bespoke to my specific issues, and it made such a difference.

You don’t realise the impact breathing issues have on your general health. I’d been suffering from other problems, such as chest pains, and had been seeing a respiratory consultant. Since the operation, though, my sleeping, the chest pains and my breathing in general have all improved.

So, really the nose fracture was a blessing in disguise.

My advice to others considering deviated septum surgery is to prepare for a bit of pain and discomfort, but in the long run, it’s worth it.

SEPTORHINOPLASTY SPECIALIST

The surgeon’s perspective

Revision septorhinoplasty surgery is always more complex than primary surgery due to scar tissue formation after previous surgery and often the cartilage in the nose is weakened or missing. Additionally, surgery for patients with a previous cleft lip or palate requires specific reconstructive techniques due to variations in facial anatomy.

In Colleen’s case I had to take both these factors into account during surgery, in order to create a strong structure to her nose and improve her breathing. She has been a fantastic patient, and I enjoy catching up with her in clinic. I am thrilled she had a great outcome.

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Colleen’s Revision Nose Surgery

First impressions

Deviated septum surgery

Recovery from septal surgery

Enjoying the results of my nose surgery

The surgeon’s perspective

Kind words from our patients

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