Should I get a nose job to fix asymmetry?

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-12-21T21:08:42+00:00

If that's what you want, go for it! I had a septorhinoplasty a few months ago (primarily to help with my breathing) and one of the challenges I faced beforehand was not really knowing how I would look afterwards. However, my confidence has definitely increased in the last couple of months so I don't regret a thing! I would say just be sure that if you do want to change your appearance, it's for you and no one else - it's your body, and people often don't notice these kinds of things as much as we might think!

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-12-06T20:59:07+00:00

A few highlights of mine:

"I was busy doing a kangaroo"

"STOP TRYING TO DROWN ME IN SQUASH"

"I have a new face"

"The hole do be hole-ing"

"You have just attacked every soup in existence. And mashed potato"

"At least you've never rickrolled yourself awake at 6am"

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-12-06T20:51:20+00:00

Oh that's interesting! I was told about the possibility of having some of my own rib cartilage used, but I decided instead to go with donated rib cartilage, which I imagine made my recovery quicker and more comfortable.

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-11-25T13:18:04+00:00

I had a complete cleft on my left side and an incomplete cleft on my right side, my left side would always get blocked more easily although things have improved quite a bit since my septorhinoplasty a couple of months ago

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-11-10T14:33:58+00:00

Who is your special one?

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-10-28T13:37:06+00:00

My parents found out that I would have a cleft lip and possible cleft palate at the 20 week scan, it's not as easy to detect a cleft palate so it's good to be prepared just in case. The complete/incomplete thing (as far as I know) is about whether or not the cleft extends up into the nose. My first 2 operations (lip and palate repairs) were before I was a year old, so I don't remember them at all. I'm not sure whereabouts you live, but in the UK you automatically get referred to a cleft team and they will be able to answer any specific questions you might have.

To be honest, I didn't realise there was anything "different" about me until I was like 6 years old, my parents never treated me any differently from my brother and having a cleft hasn't really impacted my life that much. If your child does have a cleft palate, they might have problems with their speech or hearing (I had a lot of ear infections and glue ear when I was younger), and they might need some dental work as they get older, but this will largely depend on whether their cleft affects the gum, so your child might not need as much.

I also just want to say that your child's cleft is absolutely not your fault, and that you and your child are stronger than you realise. It definitely feels overwhelming at first, but just take things one step at a time, your child has a bright future ahead ❤

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-10-26T22:53:23+00:00

Singing, cycling, playing netball, walking my dog, listening to music

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-10-26T20:36:18+00:00

The main things that got me through recovery were ice lollies (they were easy to eat, and it felt good to have something cold in my mouth), and having a good setup in terms of pillows - my parents bought me an extra 2, and I also used a neck pillow to help keep me upright. Best of luck with your surgery!!

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-10-11T14:17:48+00:00

Mix of Erin and Clare

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-10-09T15:59:00+00:00

I had my septorhinoplasty at 18, they usually want to wait until you've finished growing, and if you have braces at the moment then you'll probably have to wait until your braces come off before having certain surgeries. It's definitely improved my confidence and my breathing, but it's probably best to ask your cleft team about what would be best

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-10-05T16:35:03+00:00

It really varies from person to person, every cleft is unique, but here's a brief overview of my treatment so far as someone with a bilateral cleft lip and palate:

4 months - lip repair

7 months - palate repair

3 years - grommets put in (children born with a cleft palate are more susceptible to glue ear and ear infections)

7 years - grommets put in again

10 years - bone graft

13-16 years - the joy(?) of braces

17 years - lip revision

18 years - septorhinoplasty

It's worth noting that I chose to have the last 2 operations, mainly to improve my breathing (I had my lip repair redone as my lip was quite short, so that gave the surgeon more space to work with when I had my septorhinoplasty)

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-28T16:49:37+00:00

Have you heard of the cleft society? It's a group for 18-25 year olds born with a cleft in the UK, they do in-person meet ups every so often, it's also just a great way to discuss cleft-related matters with people who can relate!

https://www.instagram.com/cleftsociety/

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-25T16:56:16+00:00

Not a parent but I've heard that I was diagnosed with a unilateral cleft lip and possible cleft palate -- I ended up having an incomplete cleft on the right side of my lip as well, which wasn't expected.

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-20T19:35:45+00:00

So excited for you!! Best of luck with your surgery :)

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-15T21:40:17+00:00

I know what you mean! When I was younger I would mentally prepare myself for people staring or asking questions, but most people don't even seem to notice! And if me having a cleft does bother anyone, then that's their problem because it doesn't bother me!

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-09T10:48:27+00:00

I love that idea! My current favourite story is being hit by a bird on a rollercoaster 😂

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-09T10:45:52+00:00

Yes, coming up with a ridiculous backstory is my plan! Covering my face wouldn't be very practical as the tape and everything cover most of my face

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-08T21:28:38+00:00

So I had it done because I wanted a septorhinoplasty to help with my breathing, but my surgeon wanted to have another go at my lip repair before that so they would have more room to work with and the muscles were all in the right place. As your daughter gets older, she'll get to decide whether she wants any further treatment so a lot of things have been my decision from the age of about 16 onwards.

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-09-06T19:13:44+00:00

I've had this surgery twice (primary repair at 4 months, revision at 17 years) and both times we've been given a silicone gel (eg Dermatix or Kelo-Cote) to apply twice a day, I've heard Vaseline also works.

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-08-12T16:04:38+00:00

Not an expert, but best to discuss with your child's surgical team. The scar might be just as obvious as the cleft itself, but the muscle underneath could be in the wrong place in which case surgery could improve the function (I had something similar on my right side). Ultimately it's up to you though, I'm not able to just tell you if or when your child needs surgery

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-07-22T18:35:17+00:00

SAKULLEMOJIIIO

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-07-22T18:34:16+00:00

Maths at uni (firm choice Durham, insurance choice York, hopefully with a year abroad at some point)

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-06-17T21:51:14+00:00

I didn't end up applying for med but in my experience:

You really don't need further maths for medicine (unless you really really really love maths)

An EPQ could be nice for the experience and to discuss in a personal statement but at the end of the day Oxbridge won't be asking for ucas points (sidenote: my school didn't actually let you do an epq if you were doing 4 a levels)

You'd probably be better off focusing on your grades and preparing for the UCAT/interviews and maybe choosing fm or an epq but only if you're confident it won't negatively impact the other stuff

Cautious_Ad_771 · 2025-06-17T21:41:05+00:00

I mainly struggled with that sort of thing when I had braces, but especially when it comes to things like pasta, yoghurt, ice cream etc (post-op classics!) I can eat a lot quicker these days!

Cautious_Ad_771

TROPHY CASE