Posts by Alex Moore62

Rachel Jones8 said:@Alex Moore62/">@@Alex Moore62
You were posting at the exact same time I was. Did you catch my reply to Pelle? Can you explain to me why velvetmoose9 decided to just delete their post only to come back with these wild accusations?

I didn't see your post, so I can't really weigh in on that.

Joseph Allen71 said:...and while we're at it, @Alex Moore62/">@@Alex Moore62, since you were clearly typing simultaneously with @Rachel Jones8—which obviously proves you possess some sort of supernatural aura 😳—take a look and let me know if I managed to hit the winning Powerball numbers this time.

Feel free to slide that into my DMs, thanks.

I have no idea when I was supposedly posting at the same time as Rachel Jones8 🤔. Unfortunately, I lack both a crystal ball and the psychic abilities required to predict the lottery, so all I can do is wish you luck with your ticket and hope the wheel lands on your numbers.👍

velvetmoose9 said:There is a significant number of people on this forum who find your stance offensive, which they have made quite clear.

That is precisely why the discussion was halted and redirected toward more productive avenues within the Food Network PDF before things devolved into outright insults and necessitated much stricter disciplinary action.

On the main forum, nobody is disputing anyone's right to hold an opinion or exchange views, but as has been explicitly stated, this particular type of debate has no place in the Food Network PDF.
There are other sub-forums where topics regarding assimilation or social integration can be dissected in detail.
The occasional brief comment on those subjects might provide some "flavor" to the Food Network PDF, but they shouldn't serve as the entire meal.

I will reiterate—the Food Network PDF is simply NOT the venue for the kind of discourse we have witnessed over the last few days.

Generally speaking, your contributions to the Food Network PDF have been exceptionally polite and constructive, and I ask that you maintain that spirit moving forward.

Thanks, 👍

Thank you for the response.👍

Unfortunately, this conversation spiraled in the wrong direction primarily because my words were being persistently twisted.
It seems some individuals took offense at insults they essentially manufactured themselves, using them as a pretext to continue misinterpreting my position. A "debate" built on such shaky ground is ultimately meaningless, and I hope we won't see this tone resurface 🙂.

Hey there.

Since we’re talking about the same subforum that Rachel Jones8 mentioned, I figured I’d follow up with my own question for velvetmoose9.

Taking your warning about the Food Network into account, I’ve decided to steer clear of their boards entirely; instead, I’m reaching out here to ask for a bit more clarification.

In this debate regarding how people act in restaurants, I made the point that the cultural standard of any community shifts the moment its newest members stop trying to adopt local etiquette and instead start breaking it—whether we’re talking about kids screaming through a dining room or people spitting on the sidewalk.

I know I’m probably just inviting more backlash by saying this, but there was a time, a long time ago, when people actually gave a damn about upbringing, etiquette, and the basic rules of social decorum. The newcomers have truly gone out of their way to integrate, making a genuine effort to adopt the social norms and behavioral standards of the community they’ve joined.Then came those times when the newcomers arrived, possessed by a complete and utter lack of common sense. It would be a wise move if they started acting in a way that actually respects the norms of the community they’ve chosen to join.."

Because I dared to state one simple, undeniable fact, I’ve found myself facing a coordinated mob, subjected to a relentless barrage of insinuations, blatant manipulation, and the kind of selective quoting that strips my words of any actual meaning. They are trying to paint me as someone who holds views I neither possess nor practice, weaponizing half-truths to manufacture a false persona. It’s a classic trolling tactic—the desperate idea that if you repeat a lie often enough, eventually, it might just pass for the truth.

I don't particularly care to dissect the underlying motivations behind why people act out on this forum, nor do I feel it's my job to play amateur psychologist, but I simply don't believe a platform like this should serve as a playground for that kind of behavior.

So, look, even though I laid out exactly what I believe constitutes their assimilation into a new community in my very first comment—which, by the way, was clearly highlighted in bold—I’m still being dragged through the mud here. People are twisting my words and painting me as some kind of bitter, prejudice-driven cynic just because I voiced an opinion, but if you look at the post immediately preceding your warning, you'll see yet another direct jab aimed right at me:

I’m genuinely curious here—could you please walk me through exactly what you mean by this? What are these "other values" you claim they’re practicing? And when you talk about the assimilation of newcomers, what does that actually look like to you? Are we still debating etiquette at a restaurant, or has your focus shifted to something else entirely? I need you to be specific. Because as long as you keep looping back to these talking points about assimilation, outsiders, and nebulous "values," all you're really doing is providing a roadmap of your own prejudices.

The reality is that in decades past, back when newcomers were actually making an effort to respect the established social norms they encountered in Washington, D.C., you didn't see this constant, chaotic carnage. You certainly wouldn't have run into children screaming their heads off in local restaurants, nor would you find many of the other disruptive trends that seem to define our modern era.

To my fellow forum members who are attacking me while refusing to face the facts: you are simply contradicting yourselves. If someone claims they were raised with strict table manners and decorum, how can they simultaneously argue that fundamental values have shifted? The principles instilled in us by our parents are exactly what we pass down to our own children; it’s highly unlikely anyone would intentionally raise their offspring to reject the very core of their own upbringing. However, when newcomers arrive and refuse to adopt the established norms of the community they’ve joined, they don't teach their children the local standards—they simply transplant the conflicting values from their previous environment. This is precisely what I pointed out earlier:

Fundamental values don't actually shift; they simply drift through time as we pass them down from one generation to the next. It really just comes down to which specific principles are being nurtured and ultimately handed off within the walls of a given American home.
If anyone has actually spent decades navigating the shifting landscape of Washington, D.C., you’ve undoubtedly witnessed the transformation firsthand. A community inevitably morphs as new people move in, and that constant influx of fresh faces has fundamentally reshaped the very soul of the city.
Andrej pointed out how these excessive situations have become the new normal lately, whereas they used to be nothing more than rare outliers.

The forum is currently a battlefield of ideas. You’ve got all sorts of users weighing in with wildly different perspectives on the same topic, and more often than not, those viewpoints are in direct opposition to one another. To me, that kind of friction is actually an asset—a real added value—provided the conversation stays civil and doesn't devolve into mindless bickering. When people can disagree without losing their cool, it forces everyone involved to actually sit back, process the counterarguments, and think a little harder about where they stand. It’s easy to get caught up in the conventional way of looking at things, but sometimes you have to step outside the box if you want to see the actual shape of the problem. Most people prefer the comfort of the familiar, sticking to the paved paths because it feels safe, much like how most commuters just follow the bumper in front of them on the I-95 without ever questioning where the road actually leads. But true insight usually requires a bit of a departure from the script—a willingness to look at the machinery behind the curtain rather than just accepting the show for what it is. In light of my previous reasoning, I suppose there is a possibility they might choose to view the matter through a different lens, provided that encountering such diversity actually manages to teach them something new.

It’s a bit rich when someone accuses another person of being biased or narrow-minded just because they hold a different view, while simultaneously trying to aggressively bulldoze any perspective that doesn't align with their own. It’s a blatant contradiction—it’s like they’re tripping over their own feet. Ultimately, as seen in that final comment before your warning, all they’ve managed to do is leave behind a trail of manipulative smear tactics.

The way I'm being treated here is frankly insulting and is starting to take a real toll on me. Does the administration actually consider this kind of behavior acceptable within the rules of this forum?

Thanks, best regards

(image)[/IMG]

p[/IMG]

Betty Edwards22 said:An endoscopic exam at the ENT clinic.

Alright, thanks, but what could actually be going on here? Specifically, why would someone experience an unpleasant odor whenever they sneeze? Is there anything proactive that can be done while waiting for their appointment with the ENT specialist?
The individual isn't dealing with any sinus issues and hasn't had any prior medical treatment for this.

Does anyone happen to know why someone might experience a sudden, unpleasant odor specifically when they sneeze?

It doesn't strike me as anything standard; there aren't any complaints about breathing issues or anything of that nature, but rather just this distinct, unpleasant smell that hits right at the moment of the sneeze.😕

restlessdrifter41 said:Personally, looking at Blanka Vlasic's profile view, I think she handled the change from her old look fine, though when you see her from the front, I can't quite put my finger on it—it’s as if nothing really changed, except maybe there's this tiny little notch on the bridge, almost like he took out way too much cartilage.

From my perspective, her nose looks far too short in profile, just unnaturally small, and in some frontal shots, it has this piggish quality with those upturned nostrils. In other photos, it actually looks better, but I don't know; I haven't sat down to really study her face closely in a while.

Didn't Glumicic perform surgery on Blanka Vlasic too? And honestly, looking at her, that new nose didn't exactly turn out to be a stroke of luck 🙄

Melissa Evans88 said:I was over at Dr. Jurlina’s today for my dressing change. Honestly, the guy is a legend; he deserves a statue in the middle of the city. I survived the whole ordeal of having the gauze and tampons removed. It isn't exactly painful, but the sensation is bizarre—it feels like someone is trying to pull your brain out through your nostrils. He taped me back up with all sorts of bandages, almost like he was constructing some kind of structural mold because apparently, things need to heal just right internally, or whatever. Anyway, I’ve got another dressing change this Friday, and next week we’ll talk about those spreader grafts he implanted, though I didn't quite grasp the technicalities... The office is absolutely slammed. Today, he actually asked the nurses to stop scheduling patients because his roster is overflowing. So, if anyone is looking for him, good luck; you’ll have to be persistent because you won't get an appointment easily. But you will end up with the coolest doctor who genuinely knows his stuff. Best!

So, he managed to handle everything in a single procedure 👍 and it sounds like your recovery is moving along beautifully 🙂

Daniel Sullivan36 said:Hey there,
I’ve run into a bit of a situation. For the last few years, I feel like I can only breathe through one nostril—the left one. Specifically, when you put your hand under your nose, you can physically feel the air coming out of the left side, while absolutely nothing comes out of the right. It’s the same deal if I block the left; the right side barely lets anything through either. Also, if I look inside the right nostril, it feels like there's this constant presence of something slimy, almost like a physical obstruction is sitting right there preventing the airflow. It doesn't disrupt my life too much, and I can manage, but I'm curious if anyone knows what might be causing this. I've been thinking lately about heading to my primary doctor to see if there's a fix. I do have Medicare coverage, so that part is sorted.

Get a referral for an ENT and go in for an exam. It sounds like you have a physical blockage preventing clear breathing, so a specialist needs to take a look and likely perform a procedure to clear it up.

Melissa Evans88 said:@stormylynx21/">@@stormylynx21
I can't speak for what happens at the Holy Spirit hospital, but I can tell you how they handled things at the rebro facility, which might give you a better idea. :-)
Before my surgery, they gave me half of a small blue pill and then wheeled me off in a chair to what they call the "recovery room." Once you get there, they settle you into a bed, and you just wait for the procedure to start. The nurse told me to lie down and said the medication would kick in soon and I’d be drifting off, but honestly, I didn't sleep a wink. Then the anesthesiologist showed up and inserted a cannula—or a Braun needle, whatever the technical term is—into my IV, and through that, they gave me something else, probably just more sedatives to calm me down. After that, they moved me into the OR. The staff there was actually quite a lively bunch; we were all joking around because they had misspelled my last name on my paperwork. I kept begging them to fix it because I didn't want them accidentally amputating the wrong leg, so they joked back about how they wouldn't dream of cutting anything off. Haha. When I finally came to, I was back in that recovery room before they wheeled me to my actual patient room. Mind you, when I had my tonsils out four years ago at Holy Spirit, they took me straight from my room to the operating theater, but who knows if their protocols have shifted since then. Anyway, good luck!!!

Both times I went through the rebro facility, they moved me directly from my room to the OR. It seems like it isn't the same experience for everyone. 🙂

Melissa Evans88 said:Yeah, they told me I wouldn't actually know when it's my turn until the moment arrives.
By the way, Dr. Jurlina mentioned that it looks like they won't be covering aesthetic procedures through Medicare anymore in the future (meaning if you have a functional medical issue but want an aesthetic correction at the same time). Apparently, they feel like they're wasting resources and time on trivial things when there are so many patients dealing with much more serious issues like tumors and such...So, everyone, grab this opportunity while you still can...
Thanks, Alex Moore62... :-)

That makes sense to me, though it’s still unclear what the actual fallout will be—whether they'll still allow the cosmetic component alongside the functional part if the patient pays out of pocket instead of relying on Medicare, or if they'll just scrap the aesthetics entirely...
Personally, I’ve always felt it’s much safer to have any kind of surgery performed in a hospital setting rather than elsewhere. Since you end up paying private rates anyway, I'd honestly prefer to pay the hospital to get it done there if I ever needed it.

neonhawk78 said:I've scheduled surgery in Washington, D.C. to fix a deviated septum, but I’m stuck on how to deal with this thickened mucosa. Is it even possible to fix, considering I’ve been using sprays by the liter with absolutely zero effect? 😠

Well, the surgery should address that excess, atrophied mucosa too—didn't you clear that with your surgeon?

analogbison15 said:Is there any way I can get this done for free since I have Medicare? I'm mostly interested in the cosmetic side; is it possible to just tell the doctor I struggle to breathe sometimes so they'll cover it under insurance?

You can't just tell a doctor you're having trouble breathing and expect them to buy it. One look during an exam or a quick scan and they'll see exactly whether there's an actual obstruction or not; you can't really fake biology. Like it was mentioned before, you can go in for a consultation, arrange for imaging, and if there truly is a functional issue that warrants surgery, you can likely negotiate the cosmetic adjustments as part of the same procedure.

Melissa Evans88 said:Hey everyone!
First off, thanks to everyone for the advice. I finally landed a surgery date after waiting ten long months. I'll be seeing Dr. Jurlina. It's going to be a septoplasty, turbinatectomy, spreader grafts, and since they're already in there, I asked them to shorten my nasal tip. Can anyone who has been through Vinogradska Hospital tell me how long I'll need to stay? My admission is January 13th, so is anyone else scheduled around then? Cheers!

The first thing is figuring out how many days you'll actually be waiting for the procedure itself (it depends on whether the doctor is traveling, if his clinic is open—he's in on Mondays—if he's on call, his specific schedule, and how many other patients are ahead of you). Your best bet is to ask on January 13th when you're admitted to the ward; they might give you a better idea of your place in the queue, though usually, they don't know for sure until the day before. Even then, things can slip if previous surgeries run long, and they might push you to the next day. If you aren't up next immediately, they might even send you home to wait.

You'll definitely be staying for a couple of days post-op, depending on how your recovery progresses.

Good luck 🙂

Maria Patel29 said:I realize I’m probably the only one noticing her.😁
It’s all a gamble, really, and she could easily walk away from the whole thing feeling let down. Sometimes it's better to just leave things alone.

As for makeup, I’m always playing around with different looks.😍
When it comes to hair, I’ve always felt most at home with lighter tones. I usually keep it mid-back length and without any bangs. 🙂

There you have it, a total femme fatale. 😉What more could a person possibly ask for? 🙂

Maria Patel29 said:I finally realized on my own that this tiny little imperfection bothering me isn't actually a big deal, and there really isn't any point in going under the knife just because of it.

🙂
Look, we’re all asymmetrical; that tiny little flaw you think you see—most people wouldn't even notice if they tried. 🙂
Going under anesthesia and facing surgery carries significant risks, and honestly, you don't have a compelling enough reason to take that gamble, especially since you can't predict what kind of nose you'd end up with anyway.

If you really want to shift someone's focus away from your nose, try highlighting your eyes or lips, or maybe play around with your hair color or length... or something else entirely. 😉

Betty Edwards22 said:I’m asking for a public response here, since I’ve been hit with private messages that attempt to skirt around the issue of data privacy—messages that clearly, if indirectly, try to imply a sense of allegiance and defense regarding these claims. Furthermore, I want to make it clear that while I could easily write an unofficial, glowing tribute to my colleague mentioned recently, I won't be doing so because it would be unethical. That said, from my own vantage point, I am more than capable of providing a far superior account of his work, having witnessed his operations firsthand.

On another note, there’s something deeply questionable about labeling an entire medical institution without naming the specific physician, while simultaneously glorifying another facility by using their full name and surname. It isn't just about the optics, though; the much more significant issue here is the matter of personal accountability regarding medical decisions—specifically, the treatment itself. To put it bluntly: there is a massive difference between being treated by a resident and being under the care of a seasoned expert with decades of experience. None of the unconscious actors involved in this saga needed this kind of drawn-out debate on a public forum, which is exactly why I felt compelled to weigh in.

I can't tell if this was meant for me, or if I'm just reading too much into things.

If we’re being honest, I have to admit I’m a bit lost here—I can't quite tell if I've actually grasped what was meant. What exactly does "unofficial" signify in this context? Everything on this forum is private and unofficial by its very nature. You aren't suggesting that people are posting here acting as formal spokespeople for their employers, are you? Because if that’s the case, I suspect it would be a direct violation of the forum rules. We all come here as individuals, speaking privately and unofficially.

When it comes to labeling an institution, my own experience with the Vineyard hospital was nothing short of disappointing. I’m not sure why people expect us to come here and write glowing testimonials just because they have a fancy name on the building. From a patient's perspective, it honestly doesn't matter whether the person examining me and prescribing basic nasal drops—instead of actually performing a diagnosis and providing a targeted therapy—was a resident or some seasoned specialist. The bottom line is that I didn't receive the level of care or the medical attention I went there to get. Those nasal drops were something I could have easily picked up myself at any local pharmacy.
For an institution like that, this kind of behavior isn't just a mistake; it’s fundamentally unethical and unprofessional. It’s a disgrace to the medical field. In a system like ours, patients don't get to hand-pick their physicians; they are simply assigned to whoever is on duty at the time. If the facility is relying on residents to handle these cases, then where is the oversight? There has to be a senior specialist supervising them. That is the entire point of residency—to learn through guided practice. Without proper mentorship and supervision, these trainees aren't learning medicine; they’re just learning that it’s acceptable to hand out nasal drops instead of actually performing a proper diagnosis and following through with legitimate treatment. I don't claim to be an expert on hospital administration or the nuances of medical residency programs, but from an outsider's perspective, this looks incredibly broken. It’s clear that the patients are the ones being left to fend for themselves, essentially playing a game of medical Russian roulette based entirely on which doctor happens to be assigned to them that day.

Maria Patel29 said:Hey everyone.
So, I’ve been feeling a bit insecure about my nose lately. We all know how it goes—whenever we're having one of those rough days, we tend to fixate entirely on our flaws. For me, when those moods hit, I find myself stuck in this cycle of resentment toward my own profile.😁
Everyone keeps telling me that I really don't need the surgery. My face shape falls somewhere between an oval and a long rectangle, though I have a relatively small head, and they’re all warning me that if I go through with it to make everything smaller, I'll end up looking like a Pekingese.🤣
Back in high school, I dealt with a few comments about my nose, though I can't tell if people were actually picking on it or if they just sensed I was already self-conscious about it... 😢

So, I am reaching out because I could really use some honest input from you all. I’m going to post some photos of my nose, and I’d appreciate it if you could give me your unfiltered thoughts. I feel like this is the one place where I'll get the truth, since we all have those little insecurities that we just can't shake.
Thanks!

From what I can see, your nose looks perfectly fine from every angle—it's symmetrical, natural, and doesn't look crooked, oversized, or unattractive in any way that would warrant a correction.
Since your nose doesn't actually look large—even considering you mentioned having a small face—I don't see much room for reduction; there isn't really any excess tissue to work with, and shrinking it further might just make it disappear entirely. 🙂
In my opinion, the smartest move would be to leave it alone; you might end up regretting a procedure if things don't turn out how you imagined.

If you're still itching to see a change, or if you just want to play around with your look, try using makeup. Through contouring and highlighting—using different shades of powder—you can visually manipulate how your nose appears. You can make it look slimmer by darkening the sides or wider by brightening the center, depending on what you're aiming for. A professional makeup artist could show you some incredible tricks to transform your look without ever touching a scalpel. That said, I truly don't think you need to change a thing.

It also depends heavily on how you wear your hair. Whether you show off your forehead, wear bangs, go short or long, or tuck it behind your ears, all of those factors shift the focus of your facial proportions and how much your nose stands out. Try experimenting with different styles until you find the balance that makes you feel most comfortable. 😉

Betty Edwards22 As if I haven't heard this all before.
What you’ve put out there—those are your own thoughts and conclusions, and frankly, I see no reason to dissect them.

Regarding what Tom Savic is doing—you’re spot on. There is absolutely no need to keep pushing his agenda on this Forum; it feels like almost every other post you make is an attempt to hype him up. Honestly, listening to you is like being cornered by those aggressive promoters at a cell phone kiosk or the people trying to sell you overpriced electricity in a strip mall.

Just like at the third location, both hospitals are absolutely swamped right now, so you'll just have to bear with it.
All these little insinuations you’re making about "this certain type of competition"—it's honestly all just noise that falls completely flat.

You guys actually went out of your way to ask me privately where I work—just so you could drag my personal life into the mud and air all my dirty laundry in public.
Case closed.

I haven't checked in on this thread for quite a while, but I felt compelled to jump back in because it’s clearly not enough to say it just once. I am sharing this solely based on my own personal journey, hoping to provide some clarity for anyone currently stuck in that agonizing limbo—those who are still weighing their options for sinus treatment or are staring down the barrel of an upcoming surgery. I remember vividly how vital it was for me to find information rooted in actual lived experience rather than clinical jargon. When you're standing on the edge of a procedure, unsure of what the recovery actually looks like, the anxiety can be overwhelming; finding someone who has already walked that path provided a sense of calm that nothing else could, especially when the fear of the unknown was starting to take its toll.

It’s pretty obvious that everything I put out there is strictly my own opinion and my own take on things—not someone else's. I mean, whose else would it be?

I honestly don't see why this is being labeled as agitation, especially when everyone else on the board seems perfectly fine discussing other physicians without anyone raising an eyebrow. I'm not in a position to go around recommending other doctors; based on my own extensive experience visiting various specialists across the country, I’ve concluded that the surgeon who performed my procedure simply provided the best care possible.

I honestly can't wrap my head around why everyone is taking my comments about another doctor so personally. To be clear, I wasn't talking about you—since I don't know your name, I have no idea if you were even part of the medical team treating me at the clinics I've frequented. It makes me wonder what your actual motivation is for showing up on this forum just to launch such a targeted attack against me. Furthermore, I fail to see why you feel the need to act as a spokesperson for Dr. Jurlina.

To be clear, I’m not here to air anyone else's dirty laundry or leak private details; I’m strictly sticking to my own skin. Everything I’m sharing is based solely on my personal runaround through various outpatient clinics—specifically my experiences at the hospitals in Chicago, like Vineyard and Salad (which is now Mount Sinai), as well as Mercury, where I only went in once to get a second opinion after following an insider tip to see a specific specialist.

If you take a look back at my posts on this Forum—which anyone can easily verify if they bother to check—you'll see I’ve been writing about this for about four years now. Ever since I started following the threads regarding septum surgery, I've voiced my thoughts repeatedly. Honestly, I don't see how any of this touches on anything private; all it does is expose the facts. Mine. I’m being careful about sharing private details, specifically regarding where I’ve received medical care. To be clear, my knowledge is limited to people I actually know who have undergone surgery at either the Vineyard clinic or Mount Sinai, whether they were under my own doctors or someone else's. I simply can't speak on the behalf of other hospitals I haven't visited, nor do I have any insight into who was treated there or by whom.

None of this actually has anything to do with you. I haven't said a single word about you, which makes sense since we don't even know each other in real life, nor have I made any comments regarding where you work. I honestly have no idea where you even found that information.

Furthermore, if I wasn't clear before, my comment regarding the competition was meant as a genuine question; neither then nor now can I wrap my head around why one doctor would feel the need to write about another doctor on a public forum.

It would only make sense—and frankly, it would be the only decent way to handle things—if a doctor actually decided to step up and engage with the people on this forum. He’s offering his expert opinion, some solid advice, and a few recommendations to help steer things in the right direction.It isn't about judging other doctors or getting defensive when someone brings up their own experiences with a particular physician or clinic. At the end of the day, you’re the only one who truly understands your own motivations and the reasons behind your decisions.

In the meantime, please stop putting words in my mouth that I have never once uttered; try to grasp the simple fact that everyone on this forum is entitled to share their own perspective and lived experience, whether you personally find it agreeable or not.

Betty Edwards22 said:That’s an accurate assessment. Prof. Kalogjera is primarily a functional rhinoplasty specialist; he even published a specific flap technique regarding functional nasal reconstruction. Looking at your post, it seems you aren't just focusing on one specific issue, so I have to wonder why you'd even suggest him—he doesn't need the publicity, much like Dr. Jurlina or his patients would attest. His clinics are fully booked two to three months in advance.

What is the motivation behind this dirty insinuation and planting of ideas? Is this an attempt to discredit the competition? This forum isn't meant for that, nor is it a place for advertising; here, we are all just trying to help one another by sharing our lived experiences as patients. If a doctor truly wants to be helpful by offering information, advice, or a recommendation, people will be grateful, but this kind of writing is simply beneath us.

Dr. Jurlina certainly doesn't need any marketing because his schedule is already overflowing; usually, by the time spring rolls around, they stop taking new patient appointments altogether. He handles the heavy-duty surgeries at Mount Sinai, and things like septal deviations are managed alongside those more demanding procedures.
As someone who has been a long-term patient of his and has undergone surgery twice under his care, I can say nothing but the best about his expertise, which is exactly why I'm recommending him here if anyone is looking for guidance.

Having struggled with sinus issues for most of my life and having cycled through countless ENT specialists before finding him, I can judge the difference in approach based on my own history. The way he handled my diagnosis and treatment was night and day compared to others who failed to provide even basic diagnostics, let alone actual treatment—including my time at the local hospital where the peak of their "therapy" was just prescribing nasal drops without bothering with a proper diagnostic workup. I can only hope the standards there have improved since then.

Furthermore, I am far from the only one here speaking up as his patient; others on this forum have shared positive experiences with him over the years, both before and after my own journey.

Sandra Johnson78 said:Thanks a million! Honestly, I’ve always been a bit skeptical about those private clinics... I think I’ll stick to one of our wonderful major public hospitals and see how it goes 😁 So, you're saying Mount Sinai is the way to go? I live right near the Vineyard hospital, so I was wondering if there's somewhere else that actually performs better... And which doctor in Chicago is worth seeing? I really want to avoid having to slide someone five thousand dollars under the table just to get my spine straightened out. At this rate, I might have to sell a kidney just to afford the consultation.

But yeah... Any specific recommendations for a doctor or a hospital? Mount Sinai?

Mount Sinai, Dr. Martin Jurlina 👍

As long as you have supplemental insurance, you won't have to pay a dime once you're at the hospital. 😉

Good luck 🙂

Amanda Fowler4 As if I haven't heard this all before.
Hey, I’m checking in at the very last minute, which is pretty much my standard operating procedure. All things considered, I’ve got surgery scheduled this Friday at Mount Sinai with Dr. Bilic, and now that the reality is setting in, I’m starting to feel that familiar wave of panic about the logistics and the unknowns. I’ve been lurking here on the Forum for quite a while, absorbing everyone else's experiences, so I was hoping to get some insight into what the actual process looks like—how long they typically keep you in the hospital, what the pain management is really like, and all those other nagging questions that tend to pile up right before you go under. 🙂
Hey there. 🙂

Don't go spiraling just yet; everything is going to turn out fine. 🙂
Are you actually scheduled for surgery this Friday, or are you just heading into the hospital for observation? If you're only checking in and aren't officially on the surgical schedule for Friday—meaning you don't have to deal with the whole pre-op routine like fasting from food and water at a certain hour or taking that specific pill the anesthesiologist prescribed—then they’ll likely push the actual procedure to next week. It's much more probable they'll let you head home for the weekend, especially if you're coming in from somewhere like Chicago.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the forums lately, you probably already know the whole story. 🙂 So, here’s how it typically plays out: you show up at the hospital on the morning they scheduled you for admission. You head to the administrative office where the clerk gets all your paperwork squared away—though, if I can offer a bit of practical advice, having supplemental insurance is a lifesaver because it ensures you aren't left footing the entire bill yourself. Once the paperwork is settled, they check you into the ward, the medical staff performs their initial assessment, and they assign you a bed. From there, it’s just a matter of settling in, catching some TV, and trying to get some rest while you wait. 😉 You find yourself asking the nurses on the ward when you’ll actually be added to the surgical schedule or exactly when they plan to roll you into the OR—since they usually have tomorrow's itinerary set by today anyway—and in response, they just give you the standard rundown of when you need to stop eating and drinking the night before the procedure.
The protocol is pretty straightforward: you don't eat or drink a single thing on the morning of your surgery. If you happen to be on any mandatory daily medication, you can't just wing it; you have to get the green light from your anesthesiologist first. They’ll tell you exactly whether you can take that pill with a tiny sip of water or if you need to wait. Once you've cleared that hurdle, you just check in with the nursing staff to see when they're planning to call your name, and then you settle in to wait for them to come fetch you.
In the lead-up to the procedure—specifically the evening before and then again the morning of the surgery—you'll need to shower and wash your hair using that specific cleanser they provide.
When you finally come out of surgery, you’ll likely spend most of your time drifting in and out of sleep while you wait for that anesthesia haze to lift. You can't touch any food or water until the medical staff gives you the green light. Once they do, don't be shy—ask them for a pitcher of tea and drink as much as you can. It really helps because breathing through your mouth all day tends to leave your throat feeling like a desert. Just focus on sleeping, eating, and staying hydrated so you can get back on your feet; if you follow the routine, you'll be heading home before you know it. I'd suggest bringing some straws and a label maker with you to the hospital—take another look at what we discussed earlier regarding the essentials, as it's still worth having those on hand.
Once you’re through with surgery, it’s usually a good idea to stick to something soft, like a little pudding, to settle things down. If you find you're experiencing any bleeding, they’ll likely give you some ice cubes to hold against the roof of your mouth to help steady everything.
If you're constantly blowing your nose all day long, just go ahead and ask your doctor directly; they’ll be the ones providing you with the specific discharge instructions on what to do once you're out of the hospital. One thing is certain: you aren't supposed to blow your nose at all. That's how you end up back there for a follow-up appointment. 😉

electricangler32 said:I have a septum surgery scheduled for January. Since my cycle is pretty irregular, I’m starting to wonder what happens if my period actually hits on the day of the procedure. I don't have an exact date yet, but everything points to sometime between January 10th and 13th. Does the hospital typically go through with the surgery under those circumstances, or would they just send me straight back home?😕

I wouldn't say there's any real connection to this specific surgery—they're working on your septum, which is all up in your head, not down somewhere else 😉 If you were heading in for some kind of gynecological procedure, then I might see the logic in that. Just pack your basic toiletries for the hospital stay and call it a day 🙂
The only thing to watch out for is birth control; you can't be taking those pills right before the surgery, meaning you have to stop using them about a month in advance. You should probably double-check the discharge instructions you received from the hospital—specifically regarding which medications you need to discontinue a certain amount of time before the procedure—because that's usually tied to things like blood clotting and similar issues.