Surgery

Day Before Surgery

I was able to see Dr. Seo once more to make sure that we “saw eye to eye on my eyes”. He discussed epi extension length and explained that too much will not only expose too much redness but will make my eyes look too close. So he showed me what he thought was good and I said “just a little more” which he nodded and said “okay I know what you want”. We discussed other things however did not have much time since he had to go into surgery. Nonetheless, Dr. Seo was still extremely patient with me and did not rush me.

Before I finalized my payment, I was sent to change my clothes and then sent to have EKG and blood tests.

[Above: Me in MVP surgery clothes on day before surgery].

On Surgery Day

MVP told me that my heart rate tests were not clear enough and it was not good enough for them so they sent me to a different building to have the same test done with a different machine. It didn't take long and I appreciate that they were thorough! MVP has lockers where you can put your things when you change your clothes. They give you comfortable disposable undies, pants and robe. After dressing, I had my photos taken from every angle and then sent to see the doctor. When I saw Dr. Seo, I told him that I had complete trust in him him and for him to err on the big side with my eyes and to err on the small side with my nose. He drew on my face and was extremely meticulous because he would check his work after not once but at least twice!

Once I had moved my items up to my personal recovery room, all my belongings were placed in my locker along with my shoes and socks. They provided me with some cat slippers which I wore to the operating table. I got to see Dr. Seo one last time on the way to the operating room just to hand him his chocolates and wished him good luck. I then went to the operating table where they lay me down, strapped me in, and inserted an IV drip into my right arm. They also hooked a heart rate monitor not only on my finger but also on my toe. The operating room is relatively small but very presentable and nice and relaxing. I was told that the anesthesiologist was coming in. I said Anyanghaiseyo but was told he didn't come in yet. Up to this point, Ellen had been there rubbing my hands and my arm and telling me to relax. Next thing I know I was opening and closing my eyes for Dr.Seo because he was drawing on my face again with an ink and metal tool. I felt some sharpness from the tool he was using but once the operating lights came on I can’t recall much pain if any at all. At one point of time, I grunted from a pinch of pain and Dr. Seo immediately said “mm.. more LA”. This experience greatly contrasts my first experience having done double eyelid surgery in Thailand where LA injections were made straight to the eye and were was extremely painful. Throughout my ordeal I would rate the pain as 2/10. However my friends who have just done their surgery at this point say they remember having injections to their eyes or that their pain was extremely notable up to an 8.99/10.  Whomever administered the sedation must have been a ninja i swear!

I was told to open and close my eyes quite a few times. At least 8 times I would say though under sedation I really cannot confirm. When the operating lights turn off that is when you are asked to open your eyes. Then you get told to close your eyes and the operating lights come on again. Music plays in the background while the surgeon works and it is all very relaxing. I remember moving my fingers like I was a maestro just to expand some energy somewhere.

After my eye surgery, I was told it was time to use the bathroom before my nose surgery. Ellen warned me about this much earlier so I was prepared. I was extremely groggy but the nurses were helpful. After using the toilet and washing my hands, I was back on the operating table and this time even more groggy. I remember having an extra warm cozy blanket over me and I drifted off to sleep. Again, I do not recall meeting the anesthesiologist nor did I hear them so I don’t know when or how I was drugged!! Ninja!!

I finally woke up in a recovery room extremely parched. I remember thinking “should I sleep or should I get up and have some water?” There was a button on the wall so I pressed it, the nurse came in and then brought me some water. After my cup of water, the nurse was back in soon after and ushered me to my personal recovery room. I went straight to lay down so I could sleep but they told me not to sleep and to sit up. (Apparently sleeping some more would have aggravated bruising and caused me to continue to feel sleepy since the drugs were still in me. This was confirmed a few times among some other friends). I got my phone out from my locker in my personal recovery room and started to kakao everyone and took photos of myself. The nurse came in and gave me another cup of water, offered to turn on the telly to which I declined, and then asked me if I felt like throwing up; which I didn't. She also kept telling me to rest m right arm so the IV drip could keep flowing. I remember thinking “how can I not sleep? I am soooooooooooooo groggy” but then forced myself to stay up as the nurses had asked me to do so. The longer I sat up the more awake I started to become. The time when I entered the room was approx. 4:15pm and when I left the room it was approx. 5:15pm. Ellen came to visit and explained the medication and gave me some extra gauze and what nots to help with my recovery. She was detailed and patient. I was able to ask her some questions like why my toe hurt. It was the only thing that hurt from the whole operation and must have been from the clip to monitor my heart rate!! I also asked if I had any complications which there was none. I also asked how long the whole operation took and was told about 3 hours. The entire operation was scheduled from 11am till 4:30pm. I was probably in the operating room at 11:30, plus strapping in time and drawing time, we probably started operating at 12pm. By the time I left MVP it was 6pm and I was walking back to my Airbnb. I remember being happy and felt like skipping home but obviously restrained myself.

[Left: Photos taken right after surgery]

[Above: Photos of recovery room from where I sat]

When I got home, my nose leaked and it leaked like an open faucet. I put some tissues in-between the gauze and my lip to soak up the extra fluids. I couldn't sleep and in fact had a very difficult time sleeping all night. I woke up every 2 hours or so the first night - I believe this was not only because of the packing in my nose but more so because I thought I was being a clever kitty and chose to sleep as high upright as possible aeroplane style in a chair and leaning against a pillow on the wall. I think that this also led to my lack of swelling when compared to many others who had surgery at the same time. 

Here is a day to day description update for your references:

Day 0 -
Surgery Day – felt good. Didn't throw up. However sleep was almost impossible and difficult sleeping aeroplane mode and waking up because I was either uncomfortable sleeping up right or I couldn't breathe through my nose.

Day 1 –

Nose packing came out in the morning. Nose was dripping all day but MVP provided me with gauze and tape which allowed me to change my "mustache" bandages at home. I stayed at home most of the day and went out for dessert with the girls late evening. It’s hard to talk with a lot of snot up your nose! Haha.. Sleep was difficult but not as bad as the first night.

Day 2 –

I decided to move from the chair to the bed and made it so I could sleep at a 45 degree angle. I had extremely pleasant sleep and only woke up only once in the middle of the night. The leak has been heavy the last 2 days but has started to subside. The girls and I visited Namdaenum market, Seoul Station, and Myendong Market. I was on my feet all day and come late evening my nose was throbbing. At night I rolled up small sticks of toiletpaper to put up my nose. I found this was extremely effective way of stopping the nose leaking compared to gauze. Come morning the fluids had crusted and the dripping is now a lot less.

[LEFT: Photo of my nose sticks which were very helpful in stopping leaks! I think this photo is HILARIOUS but also very helpful and thus why I am sharing it with you lol]

Day 3 –

I woke up being able to breathe through my nose. How wonderful of a sleep I had last night!

Went to MVP for a VIT C drip with my friend K. She had 2x Restalyn chin fillers applied. After that we went to Hongdae market which was extremely fun. We left for home at 11pm and my nose was throbbing by the end of the long day. Nose was still leaky and snot filled say 60%.

Day 4 –

We went to MVP for K’s second shot of fillers (second one mentioned from above). Went to her place at Banobagi and saw her off. After this I bought a pair of shoes at Apujeong station, went to Seoul Station to convert some moneys (the queue took ages!) and then went shopping at Ehwa University for 4 hours! Bought lots of things! lol

Day 5 –

Woke up breathing through my nose. We to MVP to have my eye stitches taken out. Turns out the nose cast and the nose stitches came off as well. The nurse said I have been healing well. Nose was still leaky but I could start breathing through my nose. People say getting stitches out hurts alot; I found my experience painful however I could tell that the nurse was careful and not rushing the process (THANK YOU NURSE!). Pain was bearable say 6/10 at the very most. Snot filled 30%. After my stitches came out, Dr. Seo visited and tried to push my face around while he checked his work. He seemed very happy and even got below the microscope to have a good look. I stopped him to ask quite a few questions which he patiently answered before he was out the door. He said my eyes would further deswell by 10-20% and my nose would further deswell by 30-40%. I had another VIT C dose given to me this day. I also had my eyebrows embroidered on by a specialist that MVP trusts. It hurt a little more than stitches coming out and it was constant pain for a good 30 minutes. Unfortunately, due to the language barrier there was very little communication; and now I have eyebrows that I am not sure if I could learn to like. I am waiting the days out to see if the appearance, shape, color all chosen without my consent turns out all right!

Day 6 –

Went to MVP for my deswelling treatment which looked a lot like the VIT C bag that I had the past 2 times. MVP organised a driver for me to take me to the airport on day of departure. In terms of post op care, I really have to recommend MVP for looking after me. Initially after the stitches came out I felt like I was alone and now that surgery was done I would see them only once more before I left the country. WRONG! After today, I feel welcomed any time by the staff and I don’t feel scared about walking in when I feel the need to. Nose snot filled 10%, occasionally leaky.

Day 7 –

Will give going into MVP a break today. Went to N Seoul Tower with a friend Unji! It was a big day with a lot of walking; this probably helped with my deswelling!

Day 8+-

The days after this have been more or less the same. Breathing easily through my nose like I never had surgery. I have an occasional leak one to 5 times a day. Swelling seems to have dissapated immensely. Generally very happy with everything!! :D...oh except my eyebrow color which MVP has asked me to come back for a touch up on day 11.

Day 11 - 

Went into MVP to get a touch up for my eyebrows. I have learnt to appreciate my shape however the color did not sit well with  me. Ellen arranged to for the eyebrow artist to choose a darker pigment color on me. The eyebrow artist explained that initially she chose light brown for me but this time she was going to touch me up with dark brown. YAY! I LOVE THE COLOR NOW!! WIN!

Day 21 - 

Feeling good about both my nose and my eyes! My eyebrow color has been great since having it touched up with a darker brown. I have started doing "forehead exercises" that Dr. Seo has taught me to do after having ptosis correction done. 

REVIEW OF MVP

I have to say I am pleasantly satisfied from the first minute I entered into the clinic till the last time I said goodbye. My overall experience makes me feel extremely blessed or lucky since MVP was not on my short-list to begin with. I only went into MVP since the taxi driver had driven past it on the way to my AirBnb on my first day. Who knew I would end up having surgery here and also have good results! If I were back in square one, I would not do anything to change how everything played out - I would go with MVP again and I definitely do recommend others to at the very least visit MVP for a consultation. In total, I have visited 7 different clinics prior to making my decision and I am glad I did because that allowed me to feel that I made the best choice possible.

I feel that MVP charges reasonable prices unlike other places that cater only to foreigners and charge an inflated foreigner's price. To add to this, they are friendly, accommodating, always ready to help even if you do not have an appointment, and seem legit in making sure you are happy with your results. I have been to MVP with two other friends for consults and in both situations, Ellen said suggested against procedures they did not need rather than just saying yes and taking their money. I agree wholeheartedly with Ellen in regards to my friends not needing the certain surgery they requested and was glad to see that MVP is not money hungry. 

Surgery itself was relaxing and I did not go in worried. The cleanliness of the whole clinic and tidiness of the surgery room was reassuring. I knew they were thorough since they did an EKG and blood test the day before and then another EKG test on the day of surgery because the first first results were not clear. My friend who did her DES before me at Banobagi said that prior to surgery she was not given a blood test or EKG test. HM! 0.o

Their post op care has been very good and you are not out the door and alone after surgery. This is extremely important to me!! After surgery there is a tendency to worry not only about the outcome but about the recovery process. It is a lot less stressed when you know you are welcomed back to the clinic any time. Dr. Seo also saw me several times after surgery and not just for a few seconds like other doctors with my friends at other clinics. 

Medication was included into my price which was great and I did not need to worry about getting to a pharmacy post op. I also thought it was great that my clinic was so close to where I stayed - at one point of time I went into MVP 3 times because I kept forgetting a question that needed asking, or something done! I don't believe they were tired of seeing my face and even if they were, they didn't show it lol.

As for my results, I am happy with the outcome. I think I look very different and in a good way! My mum says I look like a Korean movie star (lol she's just being nice and a good mum) and my friends say MVP has improved my face in every way possible!! HAHAHA... GEE thanks guys!! But seriously, I have a lot to thank Ellen and Dr. Seo at MVP for; they have given me symmetry back in my eyes, an awesome side profile with my new nose, reduced nostril size that does not allow any fingers to go mining for emeralds, and also hooking me up with an eyebrow artist who pulled through at the end - I am happy with the shape and the color and she has also asked me to return for a touch up in 4 months. (See my review for lee-en who told me my eyebrows were a lost cause and that I should fix my hair line instead!! WHAT?! LOL!). So all in all, I owe my sincere thanks to MVP ^_^v