I had a rhinoplasty many years ago [in New York] that left me disfigured. It was horrifying to look in the mirror after an elective operation, hating what I saw, realizing I made a terrible, irreversible decision for vanity. My original nose may have been a bit too large, but the surgeon made my nose too small and with an odd angle that sapped the character from my face. Structurally, the first surgeon also damaged my nasal valves and tip, and failed to correct my deviated septum. More recently I found myself having trouble supporting glasses.
I had seen several surgeons who had either said my problems were unfixable or who otherwise advised against operating. I despaired for a long time but fortunately I saw Dr. Schoenfeld’s name listed in the Washingtonian magazine as one of Washington, DC’s top surgeons and made an appointment. From the first visit onward, Dr. Schoenfeld was compassionate and respectful. It was such a relief to find at last a surgeon who not only saw the problems I saw in the mirror — and those not visible — but also who said he could fix them.
Given the trauma of my first surgical experience, I was terrified before my revision rhinoplasty and septoplasty but Dr. Schoenfeld made himself available by both email and phone, and was very accepting of my questions and concerns. At no point did he pressure me to have surgery. His staff was also very supportive and attentive. Still I was, frankly, doubtful whether Dr. Schoenfeld, or any surgeon, for that matter could make the incredible revisions he proposed, and that I would be satisfied.
Fortunately the operation was a complete success. I was able to breathe better within five minutes of waking up from the operation and my nose has been miraculously reshaped so that it better suits the contours of my face. And fortunately my insurance covered the functional portions of the operation.
It is four weeks post-surgery and recovery, although slow, continues apace. The character has been restored to my face and I no longer look in the mirror forlorn. Sometimes I even giggle. I am amazed that anyone could possibly do what Dr. Schoenfeld had done merely by manipulating and rearranging septal tissue. I am so grateful to Dr. Schoenfeld for having healed me both physically and aesthetically.
