The splint is gone!

Ok, I'm redoing this blog entry now that I have time to say more.  I put those fancy collages I worked so hard on in my most recent entry, so I'm replacing the pictures I put here before with pictures of me without makeup after the splint came off today.

As you can see, I still have those darn-resilient yellow bruises under my eyes, but they are a little lighter today.  The purple bruises on my eyelids have gotten slightly lighter as well, but they're still there.  One nostril is bigger than the other at the moment because of how the splint was stuck on there crooked and caused uneven swelling.

But anyway, about my appointment today.  When I got there, I was bouncing off the walls internally, but trying to remain all cool and collected on the outside.  I just couldn't wait to get that splint off and see my nose.  When he took it off, I really didn't expect the dramatic difference and I was kind of stunned for a minute.  With the splint on, I couldn't see the beautiful curvature Dr. Haas created.  I have always loved those little ski slope noses, but I seriously never thought my nose could look like that even with a nose job.  I couldn't be happier with the results and with my entire experience.

That said, I'm not done yet.  Dr. Haas told me to expect more swelling and bruising now that the splint is removed.  Something about compression from the splint and water in my face or something.  I was too busy staring in the mirror to listen to him.  Well, that's already happening.  The swelling at the bridge of my nose especially has increased all day, and I have had more pain tonight than I've had in a couple of days.  The area around my nose feels bruised, and it is tender when I raise my eyebrows or smile.  My nose is also too sensitive to exfoliate away all of the lovely tiny whiteheads that were waiting for me under the splint- I guess from the adhesive.  And I really wish I hadn't gotten all excited and put on makeup this afternoon, because it is not going to be fun to wash it off tonight.  But I felt like the anklet had been removed, and I couldn't wait to just go somewhere.  (My big outing celebrating my release from my 5 day home incarceration consisted going to HoneyBaked Ham, Borders, and the airport to pick up my dad's truck.  Such an exciting life I have!)

Dr. Haas also told me that the residual swelling can take up to a year to go away completely and to see the final results, which I had read online already, but it seems so hard to believe considering what little swelling I have now.  We made a follow-up appointment in six weeks for him to take another look at me.  Before I left today, I asked him when I can go back to work and back to the gym.  I was surprised yet happy when he said it would be hard to injure my nose at this point so I can do both, as long as I don't get hit in the face.  His exact words were, "No kickboxing, no rugby," so I should be safe.  Fitness 19 doesn't have either, and I've gotten good at dodging my dementia patients' swings at work!  (Just kidding, they don't hit me.  They usually stick with hair-pulling.)