I feel like preseason awards are always such a massive reach. It’s fun to celebrate the stars, but does anyone else feel like these honors are mostly just hype before the real grind actually starts?
Hi everyone. It’s been about nine months since my surgery (an aesthetic procedure performed by a private practitioner). I guess the operation and the recovery process were both tougher than I had anticipated, but I suppose you just get through it eventually. In any case, it simply wasn't easy, and I think people need to be prepared for that. After the fact, there was this constant cycle of staring in the mirror and measuring every single millimeter of change. My advice? For those first two or three months, don't even look at your nose because there isn't much to see yet. You can only really judge the result after about six months have passed. Right after they removed my cast, everything looked perfectly straight—swollen, sure, but symmetrical. It was only later that I noticed certain flaws, like a small bump, a little indentation, and what feels like a wider nasal pyramid in the upper section compared to before. That said, the tip looks great and the nose is shorter now. It looks genuinely natural and suits my face. The issue is that I used to have a beautiful, straight, narrow nose, though it did have that unfortunate little bump (nothing extreme). When I was swapping photos with some girls on the forum, a few of them actually told me they would have preferred the nose I had before. Even my surgeon told me that my nose only needed fine-tuning. Because of all that, and because the doctor was so expensive, I was expecting something nearly perfect. I wouldn't expect anything to be perfect, though, because there are no guarantees. I am fairly certain that many people with much more difficult cases ended up with better results than I did. Because of the reasons I mentioned above, I have a minor revision scheduled in five months under local anesthesia, and I’m hoping that everything will be right after that. I want to wish everyone lots of luck and patience when choosing a surgeon. Mine didn't do an amazing job, but he didn't ruin me either. I have an okay nose and I breathe perfectly fine; the minor flaws are there, and I'll have the chance to fix them. I personally didn't want to have surgery in a hospital setting because I heard quite a few negative stories. That doesn't mean there aren't excellent doctors in hospitals, but I feel that when you pay over $2,500, you should expect a certain level of service. Though, I do know of a case (analogotter43 on the forum) where a private surgeon named Kurtovic completely ruined her nose. She had to rush into a revision surgery because her nose essentially collapsed after he removed too much cartilage, leaving her with a deviation, a bump, and a whole host of other issues. My advice is to focus on the individual—the surgeon—and their track record. Get in touch with as many of their previous patients as possible, exchange experiences and photos, gather impressions, and then decide. Don't just undergo surgery at any cost. It is better to wait until you are absolutely certain about your choice. Again, good luck.😁
Sea water is basically just a natural physiological solution, so diving should be fine. My doctor actually suggested I get out in the water as much as possible this summer. It’s been about a month and a half since my surgery, and I guess I could probably dive without any major issues, though I still have quite a few stitches in my nose (plus, I'm still feeling a bit chilly 🙂 )
Hannah Baker23 said:it depends on whether we're talking about cosmetic touch-ups after a week, or if it's functional surgery, which takes longer. Then again, it really comes down to the surgeon; everyone has their own way of doing things.
No, absolutely not. None of that is true, not even close. Maybe that’s how they handled things twenty years ago, if that was even the case back then. Usually, it happens after two days—four at the very most. Some surgeons, like Dr. Smith, for instance, will even do it the day right after the procedure. In my experience, I had mine removed after just two days, and I barely made it that long. I don't think I could have dealt with it for any more days than that...
It’s been six weeks since my surgery, and honestly, my nose looks great. Everything seems fine, though there's still a bit of swelling, but my God 😁 Anyway, I’ve noticed this tiny little bump, almost like a small grain, right in the middle of my nose. It isn't visible to the eye, but I can definitely feel it when I touch it. Does anyone have any experience with this or know what it might be? Thanks so much.😉
restlesspuma15 said:Are you talking about the Conan sutures? 🙂 They took mine out the same day they removed my cast, and they told me I should pick up some Contractubex for the scarring. Honestly, though, I don't see any trace of them at all. I went ahead and bought that expensive stuff anyway ($40) just to be safe and keep an eye on things.
Yeah, the Conan sutures, the dots, the stitches.🙂 I had my surgery done using the closed technique, so the little sutures are still in my nose. They told me they’d probably fall out on their own around day 20, so I guess I'm just waiting... Right now, they're all still right where they belong inside my nose.🙄
restlesspuma15 said:Thanks for the advice. I've got some paraffin drops and some ointment for moisturizing the membranes, so things are okay for now.
It’s been five days since they took my cast off, and I'm still blowing all kinds of weird stuff out of my nose 😁 Is that normal?
Yeah, that's completely normal. For me, it was leaking quite a bit until day six, and once I started cleaning it out, everything just kept coming out for the next few days. I was probably blowing out all sorts of things for two full weeks—sometimes even little tiny bits of bloody mucus. I used saline rinses both morning and night, plus whenever I felt the need during the day, and I'd apply some olive oil once or twice when the inside felt dry or tight.
Sarah White79 said:I took my cast off this morning, and I wish I felt as good as you do... I knew there would be swelling, but maybe not quite this much... I don't look like myself at all; my face is just terribly swollen. So, I wanted to ask, how long did they tell you it would take before you'd look normal again, and what did they say about the nasal "cleaning" process? (
So many people end up unhappy with their nose right after the splint comes off, so don't worry too much.. When I first got my splint removed, I was actually thrilled with the profile because it looked perfectly straight, even though everything else felt way too big and incredibly swollen. Right after the splint comes off, you can really only judge if the shape/profile is okay; you can't really judge anything else yet.. They say it takes at least 8 weeks to see what the nose will actually look like, and the tip usually needs even more time to settle down.. For me, it’s been 23 days and the tip has settled nicely and looks small, though there is still quite a bit of swelling.. For the first 20 days, it looked absolutely massive, but now it's noticeably smaller, so people around me can't even tell I had surgery. It’ll just keep getting better, but it definitely needs time. 😉 I was swollen for two weeks, and after that, I didn't even need foundation or concealer or anything like that..
restlesspuma15 said:I was foolish and followed what people were saying online instead of listening to my actual doctor. It seems everyone here gets worked up about blowing your nose after having a tampon removed. I did the same thing, and it caused the lining in one of my nostrils to seal up completely. Everything just crusted over. Now I have to go back to the hospital for a nasal debridement. Thank God they’re able to fix this!
So, use some common sense. Everyone’s anatomy is different and recovery varies, so maybe just listen to the professional who actually examined you.
I was also pretty confused because I felt like I was being way too aggressive with my nose compared to what other people on these forums were doing. Eventually, I just decided to do what felt right for me. I started blowing my nose as soon as the drainage stopped. One day, maybe because I blew too hard, there was a bit more bleeding, but I just cleared out a massive clot and kept going—just moderate pressure. From day six until now, three weeks post-op, my breathing and nose blowing have been perfect. I apply olive oil inside twice a day using a Q-tip, and it really seems to help, so maybe give it a shot. It shouldn't hurt since my doctor recommended it to soften any crusting (which I hadn't even noticed) and help the internal tissue heal.
Nicole Ortiz34 said:If you were in my shoes, I’d be asking you those exact questions... honestly. It’s because of people like this—people who claim they’re willing to help, yet somehow get offended when someone reaches out in a moment of genuine desperation—that I’m walking away from this group. 👋
Don't mention it. I was only looking for those old posts to help you out before your first surgery. Honestly, I was hoping you might reconsider going to that surgeon. He completely ruined my friend's nose—even a revision surgery couldn't fix her columella issues—so, I guess he’s just not someone you want touching your face. Most people here have gone through surgery themselves, including me, so I know exactly what you're going through. We’ve all been in your shoes. Best of luck.
Nicole Ortiz34 said:Who asked you anything?! I eat what I want and I do what I want; I don't just waste my time. If I had actually found someone who underwent surgery with him, I wouldn't be looking for answers here! I'm gathering information however I can, and I'm trying, because this time I want to make a smart choice. :503
I agree with Patrick Robinson7. It's much easier for you to just find people who have had surgery with the doctor you're interested in and send them a private message rather than posting questions about it on a forum. I was just quoting those dissatisfied women and the websites where they posted two years ago, because back then I was actively searching for a doctor too, and I knew about the mistakes made by the one you've chosen. You can't really expect people who have had surgery—who might check every single page regularly—to see your message, respond in detail, give advice, or maybe even send photos and such. That's how I handled it when I was torn between two doctors, and that method worked out fine for me. There are plenty of people who have had surgery with the doctor you're looking at right now; I'm sure they would be happy to help you.
rapidbadger7 said:is a cast worn after every cosmetic procedure? i realized they just use bandages, not actual casts...
I used a pink plastic mold. I suppose it really depends on the surgeon. I once saw someone with this massive cast taped right to their forehead, but then again, dr. Glušac doesn't use casts at all.
I don't really think Hepan cream is all that dangerous or terrifying. During my first week, I stuck to just using cold compresses, and later on, I’d only apply a thin layer right under my eyes. My surgeon told me it was fine to use, though he mentioned I didn't have to if I didn't want to—he just warned me to be careful not to get it in my eyes. He didn't mention anything about drastic side effects affecting my nose or anything like that. In fact, the other doctor, the one who removed my mold, actually applied it himself and recommended I use the cream. In my opinion, the gel is much better than the cream. It absorbs more easily and goes on smoother.
All this drama and comparing it to some sort of natural disaster or apocalypse... 🤣
Melissa Thomas35 said:I actually had a different take on this. They told me it isn't some kind of bone callus, but rather that my septum collapsed because the surgery was way too aggressive. Apparently, that "lump" is just my old bone becoming visible now because the septum gave way. There might be a follow-up procedure in a year where they take cartilage from my ear to fill in the gap. So, there you go—I went in for the sake of breathing better, and now I’m stuck with a terrifying saddle nose shape.
I mean, just go get a third opinion, or even a fourth if you have to. It honestly seems like half of these doctors don't have a clue what they're doing. I can hardly believe it... 😠 Good luck!!
restlesspuma15 said:I’ve gone through this entire forum, but my head is spinning and I can't quite remember—did you guys start breathing through your nose immediately after the tampon was removed?
Just a little bit, or maybe almost not at all. But it gradually increased every day, so by day 6, I was breathing through both nostrils with full force. 😉
goldencobra92 said:Hey everyone, I had surgery yesterday and I’m honestly feeling pretty desperate. To be brief, I’ve never been able to breathe through my mouth, and now that this is happening, it’s bothering me so much that I feel like I’m hitting the limits of my sanity and endurance. I actually felt like just pulling the tampons out myself. I don't know if I can make it until they get removed. I’m nervous, miserable, and just sad. Does anyone have any experience or maybe some comfort to offer? I am just completely overwhelmed. 😢
I know how it feels... For me, the wait until those tampons came out was absolutely awful and incredibly difficult! I finally had them removed two days after my surgery, and that was my salvation. I don't know how I would have survived five or six days, which is what some people here seem to be mentioning.. Just try to hang in there until then. Once they are out, at least in my case, you slowly start being able to breathe through your nose again. By the sixth day, I was breathing 100% through both nostrils. After that, recovery is basically a walk in the park. 😉
How long does the nasal pyramid stay swollen after surgery, and roughly how much time does it take to go down? I know the tip usually takes the longest of all the areas to settle...
Rachel Rivera19 said:I think I read something about blowing your nose too... I can't remember which page. I don't know if there was a specific note saying you shouldn't touch your nose at all for, say, several months. I honestly don't understand how anyone would even think to blow their nose just 10 days after surgery. Mine is constantly running, but that’s why I use these swabs.
What is this talk about not being allowed to touch your nose at all for several months?? And that you aren't supposed to blow it 10 days after the procedure??
Correct me if I'm wrong, but since my fifth day, I've been blowing my nose regularly and completely normally. If I hadn't done that, I don't know how I would have cleared out everything I blew out, and I've been breathing perfectly since the sixth day without any congestion. Today is my 12th day post-op and my breathing is fine.. How am I supposed to not touch my nose for a month?? Even the doctor had to touch it when he was removing the cast... I wash it (on the outside) gently with a cotton swab and apply cream—very lightly, obviously, because the skin is so dry.. I might have touched it a bit more firmly a couple of times, but some experienced girls told me it wouldn't be an issue since a nose isn't made of paper, and now it turns out I'm not even allowed to touch it?! What, is a light touch going to make it warp or change shape? I don't get it..🤷
Glumicic is, if you ask me, an extreme surgeon. He swings all the way from producing truly flawless and frankly stunning noses to making massive mistakes that demand a difficult revision.. His approach just isn't my style because you can really tell on the nose that surgery was performed, and I find many of his results look quite similar. Maybe his patients specifically want that look, I guess.. But if he gave someone like Severina such a botched job that she had to undergo a revision, and considering we all know what Blanka Vlasic's nose looks like, I'm not so sure he's the most reliable choice..🤷