The Nose Surgery Changed My Life
Fatima Sehovic: The Nose Surgery Changed My Life
Two years ago, I seriously considered nose surgery due to the problems I had, such as deviation and breathing difficulties. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t started causing health problems as the years went by. Two years ago, I had to take antibiotics every 20 days due to severe throat infections, and I also experienced increased heart arrhythmia. That’s when it all began. I went for detailed analyses and examinations, and it was determined that all the throat and tonsil problems were actually due to the nose deviation I had. Additionally, the increased heart arrhythmia was due to a lack of oxygen. Not to mention the psychological burden of lying down at night and not being able to breathe normally. Due to financial constraints, I couldn’t undergo the surgery immediately, and I didn’t want to go through health insurance because no one advised me to have the surgery at KCUS. My great desire and urgent need to solve this problem remained just a wish. Until this year, at the end of May, through my friend Samra, I found out about Phoenix Aesthetics – a team from Turkey with whom I immediately got in touch. Within just two days, we arranged for my trip to Istanbul and the surgery to take place in just one month.
Preparation for Surgery
In a month, I had to organize and pre-record shows and other work that I had started to ensure I could go to the surgery peacefully and have a smooth recovery. I had never undergone surgery or any medical procedure in my life, so the fear was there from the beginning. The team from Phoenix explained everything I needed to know over the phone. I didn’t have to worry about anything anymore.
They scheduled the surgery date for me, arranged the transfer from the airport to the hotel, provided hotel accommodation right next to the hospital where the surgery would take place, provided all necessary medications after the surgery, stayed in contact with me every day, came to pick me up on the day of the surgery, took me to the hospital for tests, saw me off to the surgery, welcomed me in the hospital room after the surgery, came to pick me up the next day, helped me get dressed, took me to the hotel, provided the necessary medications, explained everything, and stayed in constant contact with me. I literally didn’t have to think about anything.
The first thing they tell you is to stop smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, using birth control pills, and drinking herbal teas ten days before the surgery, as all of this is recommended to make recovery easier. The day before the surgery, you can take a shower, and that’s it for the next few days after the surgery. You are not allowed to consume any food or water 12 hours before the surgery, absolutely nothing in the body.
Fear of Anesthesia
My biggest fear was the anesthesia; it was my greatest concern. I always asked myself, “What if I don’t wake up?” to which others would laugh. My friend Selma accompanied me on the trip, making my stay in Turkey much easier.
That day of the surgery… I woke up at 4:30 AM. I pulled back the curtains to see the most beautiful sunrise. It was a strange, emotional feeling—fear and happiness at the same time. Finally, the moment I had longed for was happening: to breathe normally. Someone who doesn’t have this problem can’t understand the burden it is. I put on a simple dress, as they advised me to wear something easy to take off, not going over my head. The team from Phoenix was already waiting for me in the hotel lobby at 5:30 AM with an interpreter to ease communication.
We went to the hospital where they performed all the necessary tests: chest and heart X-rays, blood tests, blood pressure measurements, oxygen levels… After that, they took me to the room where I would be staying and gave me the surgery consent forms to sign. The anesthesiologist came to determine if I had any chronic illnesses, if I was on any medication, how tall I was, and how much I weighed.
Arrival at the Hospital
I arrived at the hospital with only a small bag containing essentials: money, phones, and documents. I didn’t need anything else because the hospital provided everything. They gave me pajamas, anti-thrombosis socks, and a cap. The team was with me the whole time, helping me prepare for the surgery. The doctor came to my room before the surgery for a consultation and examination. Then came the moment of my departure to the operating room. They wheeled me in the bed towards the operating theater. The Phoenix team and my friend saw me off at the elevator. Tears, fear, happiness, the reality of being alone in another country and heading into surgery—it was overwhelming. But I also felt a great relief knowing I was in the hands of top specialists in a state-of-the-art hospital.
Everything was new to me. I observed everything curiously, with a journalist’s eye. They took me to a room first, then into the operating room. They transferred me from the bed to the operating table and connected me to the necessary machines. The moment I feared the most—anesthesia—came without me realizing it. They didn’t place the mask completely over my mouth, just close enough, so as I watched the preparations, I didn’t even notice it was the anesthesia. Within maybe 10 seconds, I felt my jaw numb. I mentioned it to the anesthesiologist, and that was it. In a split second, I was out.
It felt like a second passed before I woke up. Although they said I wouldn’t remember anything, I remember everything. I recall being moved from the operating table to the bed, and people calling my name repeatedly. I was very cold, and they covered me with several warm blankets. When I opened my eyes, my first reaction was panic—where is my friend?! Then I immediately asked for the time. The surgery started at 8 AM and was supposed to last two hours. They showed me the clock, and it was 11:30. I asked why the surgery took so long and if everything was okay. The doctor approached me, and I immediately asked about my nose, to which he replied, “Your nose is perfect.” I insisted on seeing it. He had to fetch his phone to show me a picture.
The next moment I remember was being brought to my room, where the entire Phoenix team and my friend were waiting for me. They connected me to IV fluids, antibiotics, and painkillers. Sixteen minutes later, the hospital staff brought me food. The meal was like something from a restaurant: soup, chicken, rice, potatoes, salad, bread, water. I’ll never forget the first spoonful of soup; it was the best soup I’d ever had. Half an hour later, a nurse came to help me stand up and walk down the hallway, as this was crucial for blood circulation.
Recovery Days
The first walk was accompanied by a lot of dizziness and disorientation. After everyone left, I was alone in the room. The remote to call the nurses was right next to me. I slept almost the entire day, waking up frequently because my body craved water. The nurses came every hour to put ice on my eyes to reduce the swelling. Everyone was pleasantly surprised that I had no nausea or vomiting from the anesthesia. Bruises and swelling are completely normal and natural after nose surgery, but I had no bruises or swelling immediately after the operation. It wasn’t until the evening that I started to swell. The next day, I was discharged from the hospital and spent the next six days in my hotel room. For the first three days, I slept most of the time, waking up for 15 minutes and then falling asleep again.
My friend took care of my medication schedule and when I needed to use the nasal spray, which I couldn’t use by myself for days. Luckily, I had her. She handled all the tasks for my nose because I was afraid to touch it. I had splints in my nose and tapes over it. Thanks to modern methods, there are no more tampons or plaster casts around the whole head. I breathed through my mouth for days, and the second and third days after the surgery were the worst in terms of swelling. Fortunately, I had no bruises or discoloration. Everyone was surprised, considering I had both functional and aesthetic nose surgery, which took longer than expected. When the doctor opened my nose, he saw that the cartilage at the tip had fused with the skin, which complicated the procedure. Despite all this, the postoperative process went exceedingly well.
Preparations for Returning Home
On the first morning after being discharged from the hospital, I had a nervous breakdown when I saw people and then looked at myself in the mirror. I didn’t want to enter the restaurant. However, when I noticed many guests had also undergone surgeries, I felt relieved and realized it was a completely normal process that would pass. Eating was difficult because of the swelling, and meals took longer than usual. On the fourth day after the surgery, I felt well enough to get up, although I experienced dizziness, which is completely normal. That day, I left the hotel for the first time and we went to Taksim, walking around almost all day. I had to protect myself from the sun, so I wore a hat. Avoiding sun exposure is a primary rule; during summer and warmer days, it’s normal for swelling to increase. While walking around Taksim, many passersby wished me a speedy recovery. There were no strange looks like back home in Sarajevo.
The day before having the splints removed from my nose and heading back to Sarajevo, I washed my hair for the first time since the operation. I couldn’t do it myself because I was afraid water would touch my face, especially around the nose area, which must not get wet. My friend helped me, which was such a relief. On the seventh day in Istanbul and the sixth day post-surgery, it was time for the splints to be removed and for a check-up. I was incredibly scared, thinking it would be very painful. I went to the hospital with the Phoenix team, and the moment to see my new nose had arrived. Nervously, I lay on the table, and the doctor began removing the splints. It lasted only a second, and the pain was minimal. I felt more relief than anything. Then the doctor removed all the tapes from my nose. The nose was quite swollen after removing everything, but that’s normal. The most emotional moment in my life was finally feeling the air fully through my nose after 30 years.
My First Breath Through Both Nostrils
For the first time, I breathed normally through both nostrils. I cannot describe what a feeling that was. I cried so much from happiness and gratitude to God and the people who made this possible for me. I truly needed this surgery. Overwhelmed with emotions, I didn’t know what to do next. My only task was to recover and to boost my immune system, which had been weakened due to numerous responsibilities before the surgery and the strong antibiotics.
The doctor put the tapes back on my nose, which I need to wear for the next ten days, and explained everything I should and shouldn’t do. I must not wear glasses for the next six months, avoid swimming pools for two months, and stay out of the sun for two months. For three weeks, I have to massage my nose in the direction he explained, use the nasal spray they gave me for five days, rinse my nose with a regular nasal spray containing seawater for three weeks, and sleep on my back in a sitting position without turning to the side. Hydration is crucial. And that’s it. You go home.
I remain in contact with the Phoenix team as they will monitor the entire recovery process. Around noon, we headed to the airport, and I had another nervous breakdown, but this time after checking in and dropping off the luggage.
My First Breath Through Both Nostrils
For the first time, I breathed normally through both nostrils. I cannot describe what a feeling that was. I cried so much from happiness and gratitude to God and the people who made this possible for me. I truly needed this surgery. Overwhelmed with emotions, I didn’t know what to do next. My only task was to recover and to boost my immune system, which had been weakened due to numerous responsibilities before the surgery and the strong antibiotics.
The doctor put the tapes back on my nose, which I need to wear for the next ten days, and explained everything I should and shouldn’t do. I must not wear glasses for the next six months, avoid swimming pools for two months, and stay out of the sun for two months. For three weeks, I have to massage my nose in the direction he explained, use the nasal spray they gave me for five days, rinse my nose with a regular nasal spray containing seawater for three weeks, and sleep on my back in a sitting position without turning to the side. Hydration is crucial. And that’s it. You go home.
I remain in contact with the Phoenix team as they will monitor the entire recovery process. Around noon, we headed to the airport, and I had another nervous breakdown, but this time after checking in and dropping off the luggage.
Socks in the Luggage, Panic at the Airport
As we headed towards our gate, I remembered that my compression socks, which I needed to wear on the plane to prevent thrombosis, were still in my checked luggage. Panic set in as we were at Istanbul airport, with the flight departing in two hours and my luggage already checked in. I returned to the counter and explained the situation to the staff. We spent the next half hour navigating half the airport to reach the baggage area, waited for my suitcase to come out on the conveyor belt, retrieved the socks, and returned to the check-in counter.
As the plane took off, I was flooded with strange emotions. I stared into the distance, reflecting on everything: the foreign country, the surgery, the entire process, solving my problem, fulfilling my dream, and returning home. Everything felt so emotional that I shed a tear, but out of sheer gratitude for everything. After this adventure, Istanbul became my second home in my heart. Writing this, I relive every moment, each word a reflection of every second I experienced.
Returning home, my parents’ joy and the immediate visits from friends were overwhelming. The very next day, in the late afternoon when the sun was not too strong, I went to work because I didn’t want to stay idle at home. Walking through the streets of Sarajevo, I returned to the familiar feeling of people staring, commenting, and turning to look at me.
A Taboo Topic
The proof that this is a taboo topic lies in the numerous messages I’ve received on social media. People, for the first time, are gathering the courage to say they have the same problem as mine but have never talked about it or considered solving it until they saw my posts. I’m glad to help others and make their journey easier in any way I can. The most common question I get is: does it hurt? The nose doesn’t hurt at all. The only issue during recovery is the swelling and breathing through your mouth, but that wasn’t a significant problem for me since I was already unable to breathe fully before.
I’m improving my immunity with homemade juices, fruits, vegetables, and a healthy diet. The swelling has completely gone down. I can’t wait to remove the bandages after ten days. The final result isn’t visible yet. While you’re fully functional, your nose takes six months to a year to form its final shape. The worst is over. I’m breathing deeply—breathing through open nostrils. If I had to do it again, I would.
https://muun.ba/2024/07/10/fatima-sehovic-operacija-nosa-promijenila-je-moj-zivot/