Surgery date: August 2018
Surgery performed: Rhinoplasty / Nose Job
Surgeon: Dr Juan Bernardo Baltazar Rendon
Procedure Price: US$2,700
Sharing my Nose Job Journey in Mexico: One Year Later! Was It Worth All the Hype?
Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my nose job experience in Mexico, which I underwent back in August 2018 when I was 22 years old. Now that it's been a full year since the surgery, I thought it would be helpful to share my overall experience and insights.
Leading up to my decision, I spent several months researching surgeons in Mexico City and Tijuana. I relied heavily on RealSelf as a valuable resource, but let me tell you, finding the perfect surgeon was no walk in the park. It took me a considerable amount of time to make a decision because I was really invested in reading patient reviews (although I know they don't always provide the full picture) and meticulously examining hundreds, if not thousands, of before and after pictures. I'll admit, it became somewhat of an obsession, but I wanted to be absolutely certain about my choice.
"I was alarmed that a surgeon who I’d never even met was going to change my face forever."
I found myself incredibly drawn to Dr. Bernardo Rendon at Top Plastic Surgeons Mexico. His expertise and exceptional results in nose job procedures were truly captivating. Moreover, a close friend of mine had previously worked with this center, which further solidified my confidence in their capabilities.
Making the Decision and Informing my Family!
Let's talk about the initial contact I had with TopPlasticSurgeonsMexico. It all started with a phone call, where I had the pleasure of speaking with Sandra and later David. I have to admit, at first, the idea of a surgeon I had never met before changing my face forever was a bit daunting. But deep down, I knew that my surgeon's years of experience and expertise were what truly mattered. One face-to-face meeting before the surgery wouldn't change that.
"Nose jobs are pricey in Los Angeles, with the average cost coming in at around $10,000 to $15,000 ... in Mexico City I paid $2,700"
Once I made the firm decision to go ahead with my rhinoplasty in Mexico City, I knew it was time to share the news with my family. I come from a big family with five siblings, so there's never a shortage of opinions. However, I was pleasantly surprised by their overwhelming support for my decision to have the procedure done in Mexico. Nose jobs can be quite expensive in Los Angeles, with average costs ranging from $10,000 to $15,000. In Mexico City, I paid a fraction of that—just $2,700. It was clear that if I wanted to go through with the procedure, this was the perfect opportunity!
Pictures before my nose job
Let me take you back to July 2018 when I first reached out to TopPlasticSurgeonsMexico. From that point on, everything happened quite swiftly. Sandra informed me about an available slot in just three weeks, and without hesitation, I booked it. The first week of August, I found myself in Mexico City, ready for my transformative journey.
Meeting Dr. Bernardo for the first time was a pivotal moment. His professional yet approachable demeanor instantly put me at ease. We had a casual conversation about what I liked and disliked about my nose. He carefully examined the inside of my nose, assessed the thickness of my skin, and measured the width. Then, he took several pictures from various angles to provide me with a simulated image of what my nose could look like after surgery. I was thrilled because it aligned with my expectations, but I also had a slight concern about a bump on my nose that I wanted to address for my dream nose.
Dr. Bernardo fully understood my concerns and explained his plan to shave down the bump and make some small adjustments to achieve a more feminine look. Due to the complexity of my case, he determined that an open rhinoplasty was the best approach. This involved refining not only the bridge but also the tip of my nose. I knew it would require some hard work, including breaking my nose and reducing cartilage, but I trusted Dr. Bernardo completely. I was confident that my results would be subtle and not overly "done."
We set the surgery date for the following day, and I have to admit, I felt nervous on the morning of the procedure. Being alone in a foreign country for such a significant step was undeniably the most anxiety-inducing part of the entire experience.
"The morning of my surgery I was definitely feeling nervous. I was there alone!"
SURGERY DAY
The medical staff made me feel comfortable as they led me into the operating room. Before succumbing to anesthesia, I remember feeling a deep sense of gratitude and thanking them for being a part of my journey towards self-improvement.
The surgery lasted about one hour. The recovery process had its challenges, and the worst part for me was the anesthesia. When I woke up, I had a splint on my nose and gauze under it to catch any blood. Overwhelmed with emotions, I couldn't help but shed tears of happiness. However, the anesthesia left me feeling quite ill, and it took almost a day to regain my normal functioning. I partly blame it on the drugs!
RECOVERY PROCESS
The day after my surgery, I returned to my hotel. I didn't experience much pain, but I felt dizzy and nauseated for a couple of days. Sleep became my refuge as I couldn't stay awake for more than a few hours at a time, and headaches persisted for a few days. Despite these discomforts, I found them manageable with the help of Tylenol. The swelling around my eyes and the inability to breathe through my nose posed the biggest challenges. In the early stages of recovery, it was difficult to envision the changes beneath the splint and bandages, but I knew patience was key. My surgeon had explained that it could take one to ten days for everything to settle.
"I remember I was so disfigured in early recovery that it was difficult for me to process that I had a new nose underneath the splint and bandages"
As each day passed, I gradually felt better. By Thursday, just two days after the surgery, I was able to answer emails. The swelling had shifted to my jaw, bruises had faded, and I started to resemble my normal self again.
Pictures after my Nose job
At my first post-op appointment, seven days after surgery, my bruising and bleeding were minimal, although there was still some swelling. Dr. Bernardo removed the tape on my nose and the stitches around my nostrils. When he handed me a mirror for the big reveal, I hesitated for a moment. But when I finally took a look, I couldn't hold back tears of joy. Despite the remaining swelling and sensitivity, I could already see how cute my new nose was. It was an unbelievable moment!
The RESULTS
Nine days after the surgery, I was back home, and now that a year has passed, I can truly appreciate the refined tip of my nose and the complete absence of sensitivity. I absolutely adore my results, and I have no regrets about my decision.
This entire experience has been life-changing. It takes courage to make a permanent change to one's body, and going overseas for the procedure requires an extra dose of bravery. However, I can confidently say that my time in Mexico has been incredible. I felt incredibly well taken care of by my surgeon and received immense support from TopPlasticSurgeonsMexico team. Wow! My nose surgery has empowered me to take control of my body image and enhance the features I already loved. A heartfelt thank you for giving me a newfound confidence!
Nose job - Rhinoplasty Results
SOPHIE'S RATING Patient from Los Angeles, USA
5/5 Overall rating / Outcomes 5/5 Doctor's bedside manner
5/5 Answered my questions
5/5 Time spent with me
5/5 Phone / email responsiveness
5/5 Staff professionalism 5/5 Payment process 3/5 Wait times 5/5 After care follow-up (in Mexico) 5/5 After care follow-up (once in my country) 4.8 / 5 TOTAL RATING