Just want to update at 3 months post-op:
The endotines are still palpable and causing some pain, in addition to the expected shooting pains along my scalp. It's still overall numb but should get better. The bothersome part is having an itch and not being able to scratch it out because it's numb.
My jaw and chin are settled much better, but the chin feels very tight and I hope that loosens up.
The tracheal shave scar is still very visible but less raised.
I have applied rose musk oil and dermatix silicone gel religiously to all scars (neck and lip lift).
My nose bothers me a lot. There is a piece of cartilage protruding from right to left inside the nose which constantly irritates me. When I shift my face the nose clicks back and forth as though it is not aligned internally. My nostrils are not symmetrical, and there is a bump on the left side of my nose. Again, the tip is taller than I had wanted. I have sent pictures to FT already about this and it's unnecessary for me to post them again here.
The lip lift scar, despite religious care, is still highly visible and not hidden at all. A proper lip lift has the scar hidden inside the nostrils. This was not done, and in fact is not even symmetrical. There is an adhesion on the left side of the scar, which is difficult to cover properly with make up as it is raised.
I have seen multiple consultations with surgeons here in Los Angeles / Beverly Hills and they all agree a lot has to be done to fix the nose and excise the lip lift scar. But I'm afraid that will dramatically shorten my philtrum. I am also not able to revise the nose until next year obviously. And there is no procedure I can do to fix the internal protrusion of cartilage that is driving me crazy.
Hair is starting to grow at the transplant sites but not evenly and not so well at the corners (yet).
I was promised a Skype consultation at 3 months but so far have not been contacted to schedule one. They are very aware how unhappy I am, and this should have been a priority for them knowing a patient is unhappy.
I honestly don't know if I would have been treated better if I had disclosed that I am a physician and work with many plastic surgeons here in Los Angeles. Honestly I don't care that much that Drs. Simon and Capitan never saw or spoke to me again after surgery (which is unusual in any case), but Dr. Bellinga needed to address my concerns which he has not. At this point I am going to be out another $20k USD to fix his incompetence. I don't care how much he sweet talks he is NOT a competent surgeon at all and don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise. If he had the courtesy to at least address my issues I probably would give him a chance but at this point there is nothing he can do short of refunding my money.
If I could do it all over again I would either have gone to Dr. Harrison Lee or just had the procedures done without rhinoplasty and lip lift.
