Tomas Dolezal, M.D. 

Sunday 10th May - Day Before I Leave

It's the day before I leave and I am feeling okay, not too nervous. I don't think the reality has hit me yet. I have finished packing and now I'm going to spend the rest of the day with my family. I can't believe this is happening!

before surgery

Monday 11th May - Arrival

I left home about 11am, my husband and son dropped me off at the train station which was really sad. I got the train to Luton airport and flew with SkyEurope to Prague. The flight was very quick! Julie (a key account manager for Cosmetic-plastic-surgery.info) met me at the airport as we had arranged. She was very friendly and spoke excellent English. I was feeling very nervous as I have never really travelled alone before. On our drive from the airport I got to see my first glimpse of Prague. It is beautiful! The architecture is amazing and it is a lot cleaner and quiter than London. I can't wait to have a look around tomorrow.

The Karolina apartment I stayed at wasn't very far from the airport and was right in the city centre. When we got to the apartment Julie waited while I settled in and gave me my room key. She also gave me some advice on where to eat etc. We exchanged phone numbers and she told me to contact her at any time, which put me at ease.

The apartment is absolutely amazing! It's really modern, clean and spacious - plenty of room for me! I wish I had bought some DVDs and some food from the UK though. I have ordered a pizza  through the Reception at about 10pm tonight to be delivered here. The Wifi connection is very useful and has been brilliant to talk to my husband tonight without worrying about the cost of a huge phone bill.

Tuesday 12th May - Day before the surgery

I was picked up at 8am by Dr Dolezal's assistant and driven to his Clinic. I then had to fill out some medical history forms and proceeded to have the pre-op tests. This clinic is very nice and clean and was quite busy. The nurse took some blood from me and hooked me up to a heart monitor. Then I was checked over physically by another doctor and my blood pressure taken. They said it was a bit too low which worried me but hopefully I will be okay by tomorrow. I was asked some questions about my health and that was it! The clinic was not very far from the apartment, about a 15 minute drive.

After the tests Dr Dolezal's assistant drove me back to my apartment where I met Julie and Nad'a (key account managers). We then did the interview, took pictures and filmed what the apartment looked like. We then all went out for lunch in a lovely restaurant in the middle of the city, a few minutes walk from the apartment. The weather was lovely and hot! We were joined by Dr Dolezal and then went to his office which was a few minutes away. Dr Dolezal and I had the pre-op consultation. I described what I wanted to change about my nose as I looked into a mirror. He then went on to explain what he plans to do and how. He explained everything very clearly and in very good English. He put me at ease and assured me the result would be natural. He also gave me some post-op advice but said he would explain it all after surgery.

After the consultation, Nad'a took me on a tour of Prague. I really enjoyed myself and hope to come back here soon. We walked back to the apartment and I picked up some food from the mini-market next to the apartment. I spent the rest of the day relaxing and reading my book in preparation for the big day! I am starting to get nervous now and the fact that a few people today told me my nose isn't bad doesn't help! I just hope I will still look like me and that it looks natural.

Wednesday 13th May - Surgery

I barely slept last night as I couldn't stop thinking about the op. I got up at 7am and had my last meal - a bowl of cereal and drank lots of water. Then I packed my things, took off my makeup, jewellery and nail varnish. I was picked up at 12am by Julie and driven to Dr Dolezal's clinic. I was told to get changed into a sexy(!) paper nighty and flight socks and my slippers. I was then taken to my room, which was shared with an Irish girl who had had a gastric band fitted. I had to wait for a while as Dr Dolezal was very busy that day with other surgeries. I was really starting to feel sick with nerves at this point. At about 5pm Dr Dolezal came to get me and I was so nervous I had butterflies in my stomach and felt nauseus. We walked over to the operating theatre and he took the before pictures. I lay on the table and they inserted the line for the anaesthesia and Dr Dolezal asked if I was ok. Then they put an oxygen mask over my face and that's the last I remember.

Next thing I knew, I was waking up back in my bed as the nurse came to check on me. The nurses are lovely and speak english. I was in and out of sleep that night and had packing up my nose, bandages on my face, an IV fitted, an electronic face cooling mask, heart monitor and blood pressure monitor.

After surgery

Everytime I needed the toilet I had to ask the nurse to unhook me from everything. I had swollen eyes, my left eye was completey shut, a heavy congested feeling in my nose and a lot of mucus and blood in my throat which I kept having to spit out until it stopped.

I had to breath through my mouth which made my throat and lips very dry but I wasn't in pain. I was also given antibiotics to prevent infection.

I later spoke to my husband who told me they had called him after surgery to let him know I was okay.

Thursday 14th May - The Morning after

I feel a bit better this morning and I have been unhooked from most things. I looked at myself in the mirror and it looks as though I've been in the ring with Mike Tyson! My left eye is swollen shut and there is blood under my nose and my face is so swollen and bruised. I am so glad noone can see me like this! I tried to read magazines but it is hard with swollen eyes. I decided I would just try and sleep as much as possible. I was given yoghurt for breakfast and cups of tea when I wanted. I didn't feel hungry at all and couldn't smell or taste anything. Hopefull I will lose some weight!

The eye mask machine I have been using is brilliant as it is constantly nice and cold and I can tell it is already bringing down some swelling. Dr Dolezal checked on me earlier and said he will change the splint and take out the tampons tomorrow - it will be a relief to breathe out me nose but I hope it doesn't hurt!

One of the nurses saw how bored I was so she brought me over a personal DVD player and some DVDs to choose from which kept me entertained.

Friday 15th May - Recovery

Woke up around 7am, no pain, swelling has gone down a bit. Dr Dolezal came to take out the tampons. However, when he took them out my nose was pouring with blood and wouldn't stop. He had to replace them which was quite painful. He said not to worry and that he would take them out after the weekend. At 11am I got dressed and packed and the nurse gave me some painkillers to take home. Julie picked me up at 1pm and took me to an even nicer apartment than before, on a lower floor and she even got my shopping for me. I kept putting frozen peas on my eyes on and off all day to reduce swelling. I spent the day reading . Still no appetite and I am feeling quite homesick and emotional at the moment. At 7pm Pavel - the founder of cosmetic-pastic-surgery.info came round for a chat about the company and he told me about Dr Dolezal and how he is excellent at art and sculpting - which is why he must be so good at rhinoplasty. He said he decided to run this competition to raise awareness of his company in the UK.

Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th May

Stayed in the apartment and read books, applied frozen peas to my face and got lots of rest. Swelling started to go down a lot

Monday 18th May - Packing removal

Feel a lot better today, 4pm picked up and went to Dr Dolezal's clinic. I met Dr Dolezal and got up on the table. He took out the tampons, cleaned my face and took off the splint, which was a bit uncomfortable but I had taken a painkiller before I went.

I was then able to have a quick look in the mirror at my new nose. To be honest I was shocked at how small it was and was concerned it doesn't suit me. Dr Dolezal said it looks great and to wait for the swelling to settle down. He then put the splint back on and I went back to the apartment. I continued to clean my nose with cotton buds as he had told me but I still could not breathe through my nose due to the mucus.

Tuesday 19th May

Relaxed at the apartment.

Wednesday 20th May - Day before return

Julie picked me up at 9am this morning and took me to Dr Dolezal's clinic. He took the suture out from my nose which was slightly painful but it was only one. The rest are dissolvable. Then he showed me how to massage my nose for post-op recovery. We said our goodbyes and he told me to email him with any problems.

Thursday 21st May - Return Home

Got up at 4am and Julie took me to the airport at 5.30am. It was quite embarrassing having everyone stare at my bandages on my face at the airport and on the flight but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined. My husband picked me up at 8.30am at London Luton and we were so happy to see each other. Most of the swelling has gone down and there is just one bruise under my left eye now.

Friday 22nd May - Tuesday 26th May

I had to keep my splint on to protect my nose - especially from my 2 year old boy! On Tuesday I took of the splint and I can finally see my nose properly. It's perfect! I am so happy with it. It is still swollen and hurts to touch but even my husband says it really suits me. I think I though it looked too small before just because it was so different and such a shock. It has already made such a huge difference to me. I don't care if anyone sees my profile now, in fact I have been wearing my hair up as my profile looks so good! Thank you to every one involved with the competition and for making my dream come true. But most of all thank you to Dr Dolezal for my perfect nose! I can't wait to see what the final result will be after the swelling goes down.

Before and after the surgery the winners of the competition were accomodated in luxorious private PragueCityAppartments providing maximum comfort and absolute tranquility with amazing proximity to the historical centre of Prague.