Carol Diaz31 said:I felt such an immediate sense of relief once they removed the tampons; honestly, I've been breathing so much better ever since. But today, I started sneezing a little bit, and now my right nostril feels stuffed up again—right down by the bridge of my nose. I can feel a bit of dried blood in there, but I’m actually scared to touch it; hopefully, I can just clear it out tomorrow. 😁
It’s true what you said about being able to breathe like a dragon the moment those things come out—someone put that perfectly! It really does feel like you're finally breathing with your whole brain instead of just struggling through it. 🤣
That being said, looking back at everything, I've realized that quite a few women didn't deal with any respiratory issues at all, just concerns about how things looked aesthetically.
As for me, I definitely feel like I'm breathing easier than I was before, though I wouldn't say I'm 100% back to normal yet—fingers crossed that it happens soon. 🙂
nimbleharbor14 said:I have my septoplasty scheduled for March 14th at Mount Sinai, so I was wondering (for those of you who have already gone through this) how old my lab results can be—like my EKG, blood work, urine tests, PT/INR, etc.—so that I can get them done now and make sure they aren't expired by the time I arrive. Thanks!
From what I understand, most of those results are valid for about six months, so you should definitely be able to go ahead and get them done now. Honestly, if you're using an insurance referral, I’d suggest heading in for that EKG as soon as possible, because we all know how long the wait times can be in the American healthcare system.🙄
Donna Watson80 said:Do allergies to penicillin or any other medications have anything to do with it when it comes to anesthesia?
As far as I know, it shouldn't matter, but you absolutely need to mention every single allergy to your doctor just to be safe.
@Carol Diaz31 — I am so incredibly sorry to hear about what you went through, but I really hope you end up being happy with how your nose turns out. Mine is still pretty swollen—it looks a bit rough right now, if I'm being honest—but it's already starting to look much better.😬 al već mi je sad lepi 😁
I can breathe perfectly through my left nostril, though the right one is still a struggle, but the doctor assured me that's totally normal for this stage.🤷
Thanks, everyone—I actually checked in with the doctor who performed my surgery, and they advised me to start applying heparin to the area. But I have to say, it feels really strange how incredibly slow the recovery process seems to be moving 😢
Lisa Harris8 said:Ladies, let me just come out and say right away that I haven't had a chance to read this entire thread from the very beginning—I am truly swamped and just don't have the luxury of time right now—so I’m hoping you can bear with me while I jump straight in with a quick question. 😍 I’m not entirely sure if this is the right place to bring this up, so please bear with me if I'm off base, but I have a question that's been weighing on my mind lately. I’ve been seriously considering getting rhinoplasty, but let’s be honest—the out-of-pocket costs for a top-tier private plastic surgeon in the States are just astronomical, and it's simply not in my budget right now. Because of that, I’ve been wondering how the process works through the public hospital system. Ever since I was a little girl, I've struggled with chronic sinus issues that never seem to go away. It’s one of those things where every time I catch a cold, it turns into a total nightmare. So, I was thinking—is it actually possible to get sinus surgery covered by insurance through a state hospital, and then somehow have them perform some minor cosmetic adjustments to the shape of my nose while they're already in there? I know it sounds a bit ambitious, but I’d love to hear if anyone has any insight into how that kind of thing works. 🤣 ?
From what I understand, it’s actually a deviated septum combined with some cosmetic work they're looking into, rather than anything to do with sinus issues.
So, if you're looking into the specifics, there’s actually a distinction between the two procedures. If they are just working on the septum itself, that's called a septoplasty. But, if the surgeon is also tackling the nasal pyramid to reshape the overall structure, then we're talking about a septorhinoplasty.
Kate Taylor59 said:Ugh... I’m honestly feeling so conflicted right now. I feel like Tončić just isn't hitting the mark for me anymore. My heart would really love to go with Glusac, but goodness, he is way out of my league—he's practically untouchable! 🤷 And as for Bastaić... I can't quite figure him out. Is he actually board-certified in ENT, or is he more of a cosmetic specialist? I haven't had a chance to check out his reviews regarding his surgical results yet, so 🤷 Zambelli is absolutely shredding those women... everything he does is via open technique, and honestly, that idea gives me the chills.
Bastaić is an ENT specialist and a primary physician, 👍
Why haven't I sent you my photos yet?
Anyway—I actually asked Bastaić about using cold compresses, and he told me not to bother. Then, my sister's boyfriend, who is an internist, mentioned the exact same thing—at least for the initial period following surgery—because you need good circulation to help everything heal properly. So, please, definitely check with your own doctor about the what, the how, and the why of it all.
It’s been about twenty days since I had my surgery, and honestly, this might sound like a silly question to most of you, but I can't help myself—I'm such a hypochondriac at heart: On my hand, right where they used the needle (it was a Braun needle, I think?), there's this area just above it on the same vein (I'm assuming it's the same one) where there's this cord-like thing, maybe about 3 cm long. It feels a bit firmer and swollen, almost like a bulging vein. It doesn't really hurt unless I accidentally bump my arm or press on it, which causes a little discomfort, but it doesn't seem to be fading away at all.
Should I be worried? Why is it taking this long to go down? Does it have anything to do with the anesthesia they used? Is there anything I should be doing to make it disappear?
Carol Diaz31 said:By the way, as the day of my surgery gets closer, I’m finding that the anxiety is really starting to set in. It’s one of those things where you think you've got a handle on it, but then the reality of it all just starts weighing on you more and more every single day. 😁 And honestly, what really gets under my skin right now is how everyone keeps trying to talk me out of it. It’s like every time I bring up my plans, I get hit with this wave of unsolicited advice telling me not to go, as if they know better than I do.I honestly just have to say, I absolutely adore your nose! 🙄 It feels like I’ve spent half my life being teased about my nose; it seems like people can’t help but make a joke out of it. 😳
Just spend some time thinking about what comes after... just sit with that thought for a moment. 😉
That part in bold? Yeah, I know that story all too well. It’s a situation I've seen play out more times than I care to admit. 🙄 It was right around the time I mentioned that I was heading in for surgery. Is it about aesthetics or functionality? It’s funny how that question goes. You ask someone whether they prioritize looks or how something actually works, and you almost immediately get hit with those backhanded comments. I can already hear them now—people chiming in with things like, "Oh, but I actually think your nose gives your face so much character!" or "Okay, fine, but honestly, that's just your unique look." It’s such a classic way to sidestep the actual point, isn't it? Look, at the end of the day, it's really up to you. I’ve always believed that everyone has to navigate their own path and make their own calls, regardless of what anyone else thinks or suggests. It’s your life, your decision, and honestly, you're the only one who has to live with the consequences of whatever choice you make. I might have my own perspective—and I'll certainly share it if you ask—but ultimately, this is your call to make.To be honest, if I’m being completely candid, it wasn't actually any one specific comment that got under my skin—it was more about that overall condescending tone. You know that vibe? It’s that subtle, patronizing way some people speak to you, as if they're looking down their noses, and honestly, that particular attitude is what really gets under my skin more than anything else.
Well, at least there were a few people out there who went above and beyond to offer their full support and encouragement, and honestly, thank God for that. 😁
Elizabeth Collins5 — honestly, what you’re going through with your recovery sounds absolutely brutal 😲
I’ve actually gone through surgery twice myself, and both times the actual procedure was painless (though, I have to admit, the first one was botched quite badly 🙄), aside from that tiny bit of discomfort when they remove the packing, which really only lasts about thirty seconds
But looking at what you described, I completely agree—it could definitely be worse. If it were me, I’d jump back under the knife in a heartbeat because having a straight, healthy, fully functional nose is a lifelong benefit, and it's worth enduring a few days of pure misery for that outcome.
I mean, when I think back to how many tissues I went through because my deviated septum caused chronic rhinitis... it is just so incredibly awkward when you get hit with a sneezing fit right in the middle of a big meeting at work. It’s just awful 😲 and dealing with that day in and day out for the rest of your life? No way, absolutely not!
Anyway, I had my follow-up appointment yesterday, and the doctor is thrilled with how everything healed up, and honestly, so am I 😍. My breathing isn't quite at a hundred percent yet, but the doc says that’s totally normal for this stage . And my nose is looking better every single day 😁
A few days ago, I started sleeping slightly on my side; obviously, I’m being careful not to lean on my nose at all 😬
Eda, it seems like my lymphatic drainage and skin are doing great, because from overhearing the nurse and the doctor talking, I realized they usually recommend nasal massages to their patients, but they said my nose is behaving perfectly and I don't even need them 😁
rustygardener172 — wait, you still have to massage yours after four months? How much longer is that going to last, and what is the actual point of it?
I had no idea that could prevent irregularities later on 🤷. Honestly, the whole concept of nasal reconstruction and surgery—especially closed rhinoplasty—is just total science fiction to me
jadedriver0 said:Look, if I’m being totally honest with you,it’s going to hurt,really hurt,and you’re going to deal with some serious swelling and bruisingaround your eyes and nose, and you might even have blood in your throat.It’ll be tough to eat anything, and honestly, don't even think about eating anything crunchy for at least two weeks.Your nosewill stayswollen for quite a while, too; you won't actually see the true results of the surgeryuntil about six months have passed.The thing is, reality rarely matches those perfect little pictures we carry around in our heads, so there can be a lot of disappointment if you aren't prepared. You really need to sit down and give this some deep thought before jumping in.🤷
jadedriver0 said:What’s all this talk about anesthesia scandals lately😢?👎 A friend of mine is actually scheduled to see him soon for a facelift, so I'm feeling a bit uneasy.😢
Honestly, you should just take the time to read through this entire thread to get the full story.👋
you really spoke on behalf of everyone —I mean, you were basically telling this girl how much pain she’d be in and how long she wouldn't be able to eat solid food, blah blah blah. You're just generalizing your own experience to scare people. Maybe take another look at exactly what you wrote before you start acting so high and mighty
And for the record, I don't have a high pain tolerance either; when I'm in pain from anything, I can barely get out of bed. But this wasn't quite that bad for me. The fact is, it's uncomfortable, but honestly, what else do you expect? It's surgery, after all.
Having read this entire thread from top to bottom, your specific experience is actually the exception, not the rule. I will concede that if someone puts their life in the hands of an incompetent doctor and ends up with an infection or something similar, that is definitely not a normal outcome for nose surgery.
I imagine I felt the exact same way, stormyharbor86—and I wasn't suggesting that a girl with a crooked nose should just settle for whatever mediocre result comes her way, as you so beautifully put it. My point was simply that one needs to realize that human anatomy isn't like playing with modeling clay; you aren't going to walk away with a perfect "catalog" result without some level of impact on your health or aesthetics, regardless of whether you see a specialist like MJ or Nikolin Pišek.
And honestly, what does any of this have to do with the US? If I had to guess, I'd say you're thinking of those certain celebrities who all seem to have the same tiny noses, pointy chins, and massive triple-D chests.
Sorry, Grace Thompson34—I think I misunderstood you before. It’s definitely a good idea to get consultations from several different people, but based on what I’ve been reading here on the forums (and seeing what happens with celebrities), I pretty much crossed Glumicic, Kinčl, and Ostojić off my list right from the start.
I actually went to see Bedeković over in the downtown area—I had heard nothing but great things about him initially—but just as I was thinking about booking a follow-up, I kept hearing about these really terrible experiences people were having. Honestly, I’ve started steering clear of the big hospitals altogether; I have this nagging feeling they care more about their own reputation and "mythology" than actual patient care, and since so many doctors run private practices on the side, it feels like they just "process" you through the hospital quickly. With my tendency to overthink everything, I just wasn't willing to take that risk.
That left me with Bastaić, Glušac, and Tončić (though I did mark Tončić down as a negative because of that whole mess involving the anesthesia scandal). Since Glušac is based out in a coastal city like Miami, I decided to head to Bastaić first instead—I really liked his approach, and looking back, I think I made the right call.😁
I didn't bother doing much digging into people like Stanec or Džepina, mostly because there isn't much chatter about them on the boards anyway.🤷
Kate Taylor59 - that’s exactly why seeing an ENT specialist is your best bet—they’re the experts for both your nose and your throat, so they can see the whole picture. 😁
It’s actually quite possible that your throat issues are being triggered by how you're breathing through your nose. When you go in for your consultation, make sure to walk the doctor through everything you've been learning and how your body is reacting; that way, you can get ahead of it and prevent these problems from escalating.
I remember after my own surgery, my throat felt a little tender on one side during the second day. Luckily, I managed to soothe it by using some Chloraseptic spray—I just used it once in the morning and once at night—and I stayed incredibly hydrated by sipping on chamomile tea and rosehip tea with plenty of lemon and honey all day long.
I am giving a huge upvote to rustygardener172—honestly, it’s wild how some girls who had massive, prominent noses just yesterday expect to wake up looking like a perfect Barbie doll after surgery. It’s totally unrealistic, and if you ask me, it borders on being as much of an obsession as anorexia.🙄
For me, getting my nose done was primarily about function; I needed it fixed because it was deviated to the left, though obviously, I wanted it to look better too. But right from the start, I made it very clear to my surgeon that I wanted to preserve my natural expression—I wanted to enhance who I am, not transform into a complete stranger.
Grace Thompson34 said:I definitely agree that chasing an absolutely "perfect" nose is a lost cause since perfection doesn't exist. However, I really feel like many doctors act in a way that is frankly beneath their profession. You shouldn't be able to string someone along for a year and a half, constantly giving them different excuses... Does anyone here actually have experience with the Edumed clinic? And does anyone know of a truly skilled surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty in a major US city (as long as it isn't Glumičić, Ostojić, or Kinčl)?
Sorry, but why are you still insisting on seeing this specific doctor when it's so obvious they don't want to operate on you? Maybe they feel they can't achieve the result you want, which is why they keep stalling? If that's the case, isn't it more honest of them to just say no rather than dragging things out?
It’s honestly starting to get on my nerves how people jump in, read maybe two recent posts, and then immediately start flooding the thread with questions about recommendations and pricing. If you actually want to know something, take the initiative to read through the last twenty pages, or honestly, the entire discussion thread.🙄
I am getting so tired of receiving the same repetitive private messages over and over again. So, please, for the love of everything, just read the existing info first, and then if something is still unclear, feel free to ask.
jadedriver0 said:Look, I’m going to be completely honest with you because I want you to be prepared: this is going to hurt, and it's going to be quite an ordeal. You’re looking at significant swelling and dark bruising under your eyes and around your nose, and honestly, having blood in your throat is part of the deal, which makes swallowing pretty miserable for a while. For at least two weeks, you won't even be able to dream of eating anything solid—let alone anything crunchy—without it being a struggle. Your nose is going to stay swollen for quite some time, too. The thing most people don't realize is that you won't actually see the true results of the surgery until about six months have passed. And if I’m being totally sincere, it rarely turns out exactly like the perfect version we play over and over in our heads. There’s often a gap between those idealized expectations and reality, which can lead to a lot of frustration and regret if you aren't ready for it. You really need to sit down and give this some serious, deep thought before making the leap.🤷
Honestly, I feel like you're just talking in circles and not really getting to the point at all. 🙄
Honestly, you don't have to worry about any of that pain during the procedure—they just give you anesthesia, and it’s smooth sailing from there. 😉
After you go under the knife, the party definitely isn't just getting started. It’s a far cry from the celebration you might imagine, and honestly, the recovery period can feel like a bit of a slog if you aren't prepared for it. I remember back when I had to have my gallbladder removed—it wasn't exactly a walk in the park, and certainly not the time for anything remotely resembling a wild night out. You find yourself trading the bright lights and loud music for quiet rooms, soft pillows, and a lot of patience. It's a slow process of rebuilding yourself, one day at a time, and you really have to listen to what your body is telling you instead of trying to rush back into the fray. But honestly, it isn’t even about the pain itself.Well, I have to say, it didn't quite work out on my end, either. I was just sitting here thinking about that awkward little mishap we discussed earlier, and honestly, I can't stop dwelling on it. It’s one of those situations that feels so heavy in the moment, even if, looking back, it might seem like a minor blip to everyone else. You know how it goes—you're just going about your day, minding your own business, and then suddenly everything shifts into that uncomfortable territory where you're left wondering if you should have said something differently or if you should just let it slide entirely. I’ve had so many moments like that myself, where the embarrassment feels almost physical, like a sudden heat rising in my chest, and I find myself replaying the scene over and over in my head while I'm trying to fall asleep. It really makes you realize how fragile those social graces can be, doesn't it? I mean, seriously, look at you—you’ve got your nose completely stuffed up.
I haven't touched a single painkiller since my surgery—and honestly, if you want to know just how much it hurts, that speaks volumes on its own.
Honestly, those undergarments might look pretty hideous, but hey—they don't actually hurt!
I honestly don't think it'll even cross your mind for at least another two weeks. What an absolute load of nonsense—I honestly ate that stuff the very next day and felt perfectly fine.
I honestly can't wrap my head around what you’re actually trying to achieve here—are you just aiming to scare everyone with constant misinformation and these endless, terrifying worst-case scenarios?
Carol Diaz31 said:So, basically, I need to gear up with herbal teas, honey, soothing sprays, eye drops... is there anything else I should be stocking up on before the surgery? 😁
If you smoke, please just try to quit; you really need to prep your body for this. Focus on eating well—load up on plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables—and whatever you do, stay away from things like Advil or aspirin for now. Also, make sure you're getting some good exercise leading up to the procedure.😁
The same goes for your recovery afterward, though you'll want to take it easy on the workouts for a while.
Kate Taylor59 said:Could someone who has actually had nasal surgery please reply? I'm wondering if you experienced any stinging or burning in the mucous membrane? :O
Honestly, I didn't experience any stinging at all, though I did find myself drinking massive amounts of tea—probably closer to two liters every single day—mixed with plenty of honey and lemon. My throat felt a little scratchy right after the procedure, too, but I managed to soothe that pretty easily using some throat spray from Angal.
rustygardener172 said:I actually just took some photos of my nose so I could compare them to how things looked two months after surgery... and wow, there is such a visible difference. My nose looks slimmer, the bridge is narrower, and the tip has dropped a bit more... basically, the whole thing looks smaller and somehow much more elegant 😂 I know "elegant" is a silly way to describe a nose, 🤣 but it's true! stormyharbor2 you mentioned earlier that you feel like yours isn't swollen anymore... honestly, don't kid yourself. You'll see more changes in a month or two. It’s hard to notice because you're staring at it every single day, so you lose perspective. I remember feeling the exact same way two months ago, thinking the swelling was totally gone... turns out, I was completely wrong. 😁
I wouldn't want mine drooping too much either 😲
How long has it been for you now? If you're up for it, would you mind sending me some new photos so I can compare them?