A new nose: Week 1.5

Here it is! At last we can see the new straight nose underneath the bandages.

More pictures later this week comparing old and new but here's the very latest after the visit to the hospital today.

A new nose: Week 1

It's unbelievable to think that only this time last week B was in the hospital and recovering only a few hours after the operation.

As you can tell from the photos on the left, compared to those below, the bruising and swelling has now almost completely gone and it's just a matter of what's underneath the cast now.

This is due to be removed on Monday afternoon so we'll update some photos on here next Thursday.

A new nose: Day 5

The stitches are out but the protective cast has to stay on for at least another week.

After a visit to the consultant today, Mr Mark Simmons decided that although the healing process is coming along nicely it would be safest to keep the cover on for a bit longer.

Which means that we're all going to have to wait at least another seven days before we see the nose underneath!

Still, as you can see, the bruising and swelling are quickly subsiding now and the painkillers are getting used less so things are definitely on the right track.

A new nose: Day 4

Alex the goat (or sheep, we can't quite decide) makes his internet debut on day 4 sporting his very own sympathetic nose bandage - although this is technically a standard issue anti-embolism stocking rather than a specialised goat/sheep nose bandage.

These stockings were supposed to be worn by the actual patient for two weeks after the operation but as you can see here, they were discarded after day 1 and are now being used for far less practical purposes.

Animals aside, recovery is going well and swelling and bruising has started to subside today - although still not enough for Bethanie to be able to smile properly.

The attempted grin in the photo on the left is about the biggest smile possible at the moment!

A new nose: Day 3

The bruising that appeared yesterday has already started to go down, to the point where it now just looks like B's been in a late night drunken brawl on the town.

However, I am reliably informed that it's starting to hurt a bit more which, I guess, means that the nerve endings around the nose are starting to come back online again.

If anyone's vaguely interested in more detail on what's been happening underneath that white cover then take a look at this information on Complex Septorhinoplasty.

A new nose: Day 2

It's day 2 and we're back home enjoying the sun in the garden.

The tissues and bandages are slowly being replaced by repeated looks in the nearest mirror but overall progress is fantastic.

We're all just trying to work out exactly what the nose looks like underneath the white plastic splint now - unfortunately we have to wait until Monday for that to happen.

Thanks to everyone who sent in good luck messages. I've passed them all on to the patient who is feeling just perfect thanks, and hasn't stopped talking all day in a very nasal voice.

A new nose: Day 1

Up at 6am, entered the hospital at 7.30am and whisked away to the operating table by 9am.

Luckily I was left on my own in the room to get on with some work and avoid the presumably fairly messy procedure that was taking place somewhere along the corridor.

Thankfully, as you can see from the photos, after about 2hrs 45mins under the knife Bethanie emerged surprisingly cheerful and un-bruised.

It's still going to be at least 4 days until we get a glimpse of the new nose under those bandages but initial signs are looking good.

A new nose: Day 0

The day before the big day.

At 7.30am tomorrow morning we'll be going to hospital for B's nose to be changed forever - a slightly scary thought but something she's been thinking about for years so certainly not a sudden, impulsive decision.

At least it gives me a reason to post something on here over the next few days and the photos should get more interesting from this point on!

If the waiting is too much for you then take a look at these before and after photos. Keira Knightley looks like she should ask for her money back and what a great set of photos of Kenny Rogers, although surely that's Noel Edmonds in the first photo.

The surgeon who gets the honour, and the money, is Mr Mark Simmons MA FRCS (ORL-HNS). Let's hope he remembers to bring a sharp knife.

More soon...

Where is this blog going?

OK - so you've probably worked out that I still haven't quite figured out where this blog is actually going yet. It feels like it needs some kind of theme or direction - I guess i'm just waiting for inspiration to strike.

In the meantime I'll post the occassional random comment about the goings on around me as life ticks on, like why is the water in hotels always so damn warm? I had to resort to filling up every available glass in the room last night and putting them in the fridge to cool them down to a temperature that was enjoyable to drink.

The actual end of the World Cup

It's all over and Italy are taking home the trophy thanks entirely to the fact that they conceded one penalty and one own goal in the entire tournament.

Yes, Zidane was sooo stupid to get sent off (what did Materazzi say to him?) but that didn't cost France the game - they should have had it won in the previous 110 minutes if they deserved the trophy.

Well done Italy... maybe England will learn how to win tournament matches by the European Championships.

Hollywood Haikus

Try this for a bit of afternoon fun. A Random Haiku Game which reduces popular movies down to 17 syllables - strangely addictive!

Seagal in action for Orange

"Steven Seagal is to star in the next instalment of mobile firm Orange's tongue-in-cheek cinema ads." - MediaGuardian. Not so sure about this one, but some of the previous Orange cinema ads i've actually found funnier and more entertaining than the movie I had paid to watch! Watch the new ad.

Find Your Wave

Now this just makes me very jealous. It's another hot, sticky day stuck here in Birmingham, a long, long way from the beach and surf! Someone pointed this site out to me the other day by cornish photographer Greg Martin and it's got lots more great photos like this. If you're like me and longing for the beach then take a look.

The end of the world cup

Still not sure what the red card was awarded for! After stumbling through through previous games this was either going to be a chance for England to show what they were made of, or a poor end to a fairly disastrous campaign.
Sadly it was the latter and now we've got to put up with a final four that consists of France, Italy, Germany and Portugal - tell me which one of those teams is a better collection of 11 players than the ones Sven had to pick from?

Oh, and David Beckham is now not the captain!! Wow - who cares.