Posts by Sam Kim12

restlessfox3 said:So why am I assuming mine looks just like hers? I mean, I know what it looks like, but I'm thinking every nose ends up looking the same once it's been done...

How on earth can you be so sure yours turned out with the exact same intensity as the lady in the other post if you haven't actually seen it?😁

Look, I'm not trying to get under your skin—really, I'm not—but you were the one who pointed out how every single surgery is unique, along with its own set of consequences and all that. And frankly, that's the truth; just reading a description makes it nearly impossible to be 100% certain about the specifics of what happened.😉

amberskipper3 said:I'm on the hunt for a sugar-free juice recipe, but man, it’s like they don't even exist out there... everything is just syrup in a bottle.

Barack Obama loves berries?
He probably means the soda.
I can't stand this flower juice; it's absolutely loaded with sugar.
I honestly prefer this second batch of berries way more—mostly because the flavor is on point, but seriously, that color is just gorgeous.
I'm cooking up something good, and honestly, I'm craving those berries.

If you're going to brag about it, why don't you just share the recipes?😍

restlessfox3 said:I have read so much absolute nonsense on this forum... honestly, it’s likely coming from people who have never even stepped foot in an operating room—barring a few rare exceptions, of course.
Let’s be perfectly clear about one thing—none of us here underwent the exact same procedure, none of us walked out with the same nose, and certainly none of us shared the same experience. Every single case is its own unique, isolated variable.
The only thing those of us who actually went through the surgery can offer is some real-world advice—things like how to manage wearing glasses afterward, how to dodge the sun, or staying far away from tanning beds.
Nasal massage, managing swelling... I figured it was worth touching upon a few of those minor nuances that pop up during recovery—sharing some actual experience might save someone else a bit of frustration.
Honestly, it’s just plain foolish to dive into any kind of deep medical speculation—we aren't doctors, after all...
Everyone seems to have a doctor they can just lean on—someone to grill about their rights or what kind of checkups they’re actually entitled to—but let's be real, knowing what you're owed is one thing; actually navigating the system is another entirely.
It’s honestly ridiculous to listen to someone who wasn't even in the operating room trying to lecture us on how it went.Honestly, you’ve got someone here who clearly hasn't even looked at the nose in question—let alone understood what kind of rhinoplasty we're actually talking about—yet they feel entitled to lecture everyone else. They're just filling their head with baseless nonsense and trying to draw these ridiculous comparisons to their own procedure, which, quite frankly, might be a much more straightforward case than what's being discussed here. It's pure speculation without any foundation.
That’s just how I see things—take it or leave it.

I’ll go ahead and share my own take here—mostly because I find myself in complete agreement with what was just said. It’s rare, but when someone lays it out that clearly, there isn't much left to add.

restlessfox3 Asks:
Look, I’ll just tell you this—I think you’re overdoing it a little. Honestly, that should be more than enough.

And then you go ahead and troll with that mindless little comment—just a cheap way to undercut everything that was actually said in the post above.😕

How on earth can you claim someone is exaggerating when you haven't even laid eyes on the nose? It’s pure speculation—nothing more.😕

Kate Taylor59 said:It’s absolutely NOT nonsense—honestly, I’d like to think people actually know what they're talking about when they speak... It is perfectly logical that the Tampons provide some level of structural support to the septum during those first five days.
It’s not like he’s some clueless idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about—he actually sat me down and explained those tubes you're rambling about—and honestly? It sounds like complete nonsense. The idea that breathing becomes even more difficult because mucus, phlegm, and blood all pool up inside those little pipes and just clog everything up... it's a nightmare. So, I’ve made my decision: I am absolutely not putting any of that ridiculous hardware into my nose. As for Zambellia, I wouldn't recommend her—she uses the open technique, which leaves those visible scars right under your nose, plus the recovery time is way too long. Besides, the look of the nose she reconstructed just isn't my style. But hey, at the end of the day, it's your call if you want to go through with it.

What is even the point of that foil lining sitting above the Tampon, or any kind of internal reinforcement for that matter? Honestly, I’ve been wondering about the actual engineering behind it—what is its specific purpose?😉 Honestly, that guy is absolutely top-tier—the kind of person who actually provides real support, much like a reliable Tampon does when you really need it.🤣Oh, absolutely brilliant—nothing beats the sheer joy of having a fully saturated tampon shoved up your nose for several days straight. Truly top-tier living. 😬Who exactly are we talking about here—Djepina or Toncic? 🙂
Don't go shouting yourself hoarse if you haven't actually done your homework—it’s honestly exhausting. This whole "tampon" business is only practiced by a tiny fraction of doctors, and let's be real, about 90% of them are just working out of private clinics. They rely on outdated surgical methods, too. To make matters worse, the highest rate of revision surgeries comes from those exact same private practices. It's a cycle.🙄

I’ve dealt with breathing issues my entire life—just a constant, nagging struggle—and only now have I finally reached the point where I've uncovered all the nonsense doctors try to pull. I'm finally going through with the surgery, and I'm doing it at a major hospital, not some overpriced private clinic where you spend half your life suffering just to line their pockets. I refuse to deal with those types who would insist on jamming half a meter of Tampon up my nose for seven days straight when it isn't even necessary.

Kate Taylor59 said:Answer this if you actually can... sure, it takes a mountain of cash, plus an endless supply of patience and nerves of steel—I spent five miserable days just struggling to breathe (don't even ask how I managed through that)... but the surgery itself isn't the terrifying part since you're under anesthesia and won't feel a thing. The real issue is how incredibly uncomfortable the whole ordeal is. It can drive some people to total dissatisfaction because they chase a version of "perfection" that simply doesn't exist, leading to a cycle of more surgeries until they don't even look like themselves anymore... you know how that goes. If you want my advice, go see Dr. Davor Dzepina in Washington, D.C.... you won't regret it. I wouldn't recommend Toncic because of the local anesthesia, and definitely stay away from Glumicic because he's not an ENT specialist... nor would I suggest Zgaljardica or Zambellia... or Glusca because pulling those tampons out after just one day is absolutely brutal... the tampons are there to support the septum.. maybe Dr. Bastaic is an option! 😉)

You're talking nonsense😉
Some facilities use those little tubes along with the tampons to hold everything in place so you can actually breathe through them😉.. the main job of a tampon is to absorb fluid, not to act as a structural support for your nose

lonetrucker16 As I was saying:
Hey there... quick question—do I actually need to book an appointment with an ophthalmologist at the local community health center over in Grižansko?

From what I gather, you're looking at waiting a few days—unless, of course, it’s an emergency. In those cases, they move you to the front of the line and handle things immediately.😉

Jose Miller3 said:Hidensil is actually zoledronic acid—which, just so you know, has been registered here in the States as Novartis Aredia since October 2011.

It’s an infusion solution, so... yeah, you have to get it administered at the hospital. Any specialist who diagnosed the condition will definitely know exactly how to get their hands on it if it's needed...

There is also Pamitor (Torrex Chiessi Pharma GmbH) available on the market.

Donna Miller4 — look, since this is an intravenous drug, the dosage isn't some arbitrary number; it depends entirely on plasma calcium concentrations and several other clinical factors. It must be handled under strict medical supervision, so you really need to sort that out and consult with a specialist first😉 regarding the "what," the "how," and whether you are even permitted to receive it at all, 🤷 just as Jose Miller3 pointed out.

Maybe I’m off base here, but since we're talking about a drug used specifically as a metastasis blocker, I suspect you’ll need a formal medical history from a specialist explicitly stating this medication is required—that’s the kind of documentation a general practitioner would need to actually prescribe it for your mother. Now, if the drug isn't covered by Medicare, you're looking at what we call a private prescription, which a specialist can write without any issue.

If I were in your shoes, I’d get on the phone with your mother's primary specialist immediately to discuss this specific medication. You really need to ask if it’s even appropriate for her—everything depends on her unique physiology, after all, and every single drug comes with its own set of side effects.😉

BTW: try giving the Frebel pharmacy a call to see if they even stock that medication here in the States; if they don't, you might have to look into sourcing it from overseas where it's already registered.

A question for the doctors and anyone who knows the ropes regarding medical procedures:

Is it actually true that a primary care physician can issue a referral for hospital admission and surgery just three days before the scheduled date? Here’s the situation—yesterday, I was quite literally shown the door and sent home under the pretext that they couldn't issue a referral ten days prior to surgery, only three days before. I spent the entire day trying to get through to the legal department at Medicare to see if this is even legitimate, but I couldn't reach anyone on the phone. I’m asking anyone in the loop for some information—or better yet, a link to an article, memo, or official directive that addresses this specific rule.😁

EDIT:

I finally managed to get through to the Medical Department over at the Medicare Office, and they told me straight up: there is no such directive. According to them, I should have received the referral since I have all my documentation ready and my procedure date is already set—which is also clearly noted in my medical history. Honestly, we’re in for a rough time with doctors who just flake on their patients like this.😠

Ashley Wells16 said:This might sound like a silly question—but seriously—has anyone actually taken a taxi home after this? Or did someone naturally just come to pick you up? 🙂

I honestly don't see the point of even asking this.🤷

It really doesn't matter how you get back—whether it’s by bus, tram, taxi, or a private car—what matters is the principle. Just like any other surgery, the absolute priority is ensuring the patient has someone there to look after them. Your body is going to be weak, period. How you physically navigate the trip home is secondary to having that support system in place.

Ashley Wells16 said:So, if they're doing the tip lift too, why are certain parts being billed separately? It just seems illogical—if they're lifting the tip anyway, shouldn't that be included? And honestly, does anyone actually know what his ballpark pricing looks like? I am completely lost here.

Look, prices aren't going to be identical for everyone—nobody has the exact same nose or the exact same set of issues.😉 For instance, removing a tiny hump on one person is a completely different job than dealing with a massive hump that spans half or even the entire bridge—and that is exactly why the costs fluctuate so much.😉

Rebecca Gomez37 said:It shows up on every single one of my medical reports—it’s just constant—and since I already had surgery for sinus polyps, I honestly assumed that was just what they called it. My bad.
Well, back in 2010, wasn't it? ☺

How lucky can one person be?😍

Rebecca Gomez37 said:During my consultation, I checked the bill—since my procedure wasn't strictly cosmetic, I actually qualified for a sales tax refund on the 14 $0.00 which is quite a nice little perk.
Look, ladies, I don't mean to lecture anyone—really, I don't—but I’ve been dealing with these breathing issues since I was eleven years old. It's a constant, exhausting cocktail of allergies, inflammation, and polyps... I feel like I've practically lived in the hallways of the Mayo Clinic, and before that, various clinics around town. I've seen top specialists like Smith, Kurtovic, Racic in Saint City, Toncic, Depine, Klapan in the city, and even John Smith out in Maryland. Honestly, John Smith left such a terrible impression on me—he wouldn't stop gossiping about Madonna and other celebrities—while I was standing right there holding my spinal CT results, trying to explain that I can't even smell anything anymore, and he just kept rambling about his own nonsense.

So, when did you have your surgery to get that refund? Was it before 2011?

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Polyp surgery is called FESS and you can have it done at a hospital... in Saint City, doctors like Roje, Cikojevic, and Racic are excellent... I believe there are others too—you usually stay in the hospital for 5 to 7 days.
When you undergo that specific procedure, it won't do anything for your looks—it's purely functional. However, for those getting a deviated septum corrected, doctors often end up fixing aesthetic flaws as well. This price I mentioned is what Smith charges for FESS, whereas if you're looking at a septoplasty to fix a deviation, it'll run you about $20,000, and that's when they'll actually improve the appearance—though nothing too drastic. If you have a truly eagle-like nose, you'll notice the difference, but if yours is relatively normal, they aren't going to suddenly lift it, depress it, or change the profile entirely...

That isn't actually the name of the operation; FESS is just the term for the method used—specifically, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).😉

darkmaker9 said:I just got my sinus scans back today—the ones Dr. Glusac ordered—and honestly, my sinuses look perfectly clear and unobstructed. It turns out my only real issue is this damn deviated septum. According to him, he doesn't do "aesthetic" work without functional necessity; he basically thinks fixing the looks is like a dentist polishing teeth when the actual structure is fine.
Now I’m stuck in limbo. A specialist at the hospital told me they could straighten the septum quite easily—a quick 20-minute procedure, some Tampons afterward, nothing nearly as intense as more complex surgeries. What do you all think? I was originally leaning toward going private because I was worried the hospital wouldn't do a great job... but now, I’m second-guessing everything.

Look, if the scans show your sinuses are fine, then there is absolutely no reason to touch them.☕
Half of these private practitioners will perform unnecessary procedures just to pad their pockets.🙄

I don't get why you're doubting the public hospitals—to be honest, the main reason I chose the hospital route was seeing how many people end up there for corrective surgery after private clinics completely botch the job.😲 The waiting room at the local medical center is constantly packed with people who are miserable because they went private and ended up with a nose that looks great aesthetically but fails miserably on a functional level.

stormyorca said:Anyway, my cat—who isn't with us anymore (turns out she was battling leukemia, though we'll have to wait a few days to see if rabies was also in the mix)—bit me. I’m assuming she was rabid because of the excessive drooling, even though she was never aggressive before—she bit me while I was just holding her to change her bandages.

Long story short, this happened two days ago. What should I do, and what does the treatment actually look like?

Thanks

Get to a doctor immediately—you really should have reached out already.🙂
First, they'll give you a tetanus shot.
2. They'll administer the rabies vaccine at the Department of Public Health.

Unfortunately, cats aren't subject to mandatory rabies vaccinations—which is frankly a bit idiotic, but what can you do?🤷Even though they're far more likely to come into contact with the rabies virus than dogs because they cover such massive territories.

No offense intended, but instead of posting this on some random forum, you should have just typed the question into Google and received this perfectly clear answer that covers everything:

“If bitten, the wound must first be thoroughly washed with soap and running water to effectively remove saliva and secretions from the site. Afterward, you need to report to your primary care physician, an urgent care clinic, or the emergency room. Once the wound has been treated, you must visit a specialized anti-rabies clinic for an examination with a referral from your primary doctor.”

wiredrider9 said:Guys, I’ve got a real issue here—my nose has been chronically stuffed up for years now. I honestly have no clue what’s causing it or why it’s sticking around this long, but it’s just my reality—I end up speaking through my nose constantly. I’ve been scouring various forums trying to figure out where to even direct a question like this, and this place felt like the closest bet. I assume I need to go see a specialist to get my nasal passages checked out and find the root cause, but does anyone here actually have experience dealing with this? Or better yet, does anyone know someone who has gone through similar struggles??

Thanks in advance,,,,,,,,,,,,,

There could be a dozen different culprits—allergic rhinitis, swollen mucosal linings due to some other underlying issue, an enlarged adenoid, and so on...
I dealt with the exact same nightmare, and let me tell you, ever since I had my adenoids removed, I can breathe like a bird🤣. You absolutely need to head to an Otolaryngologist for a full evaluation; they'll likely order a CT scan or an MRI of your nose and sinuses, and then you'll finally have some actual answers.😉

Peter Mendoza3 said:After wading through all your posts, I’ve finally decided to weigh in on this topic myself. I’m scheduled for septorhinoplasty with turbinate reduction in a few months at a major hospital in Chicago. The diagnosis: a deviated septum and a crooked nasal pyramid.

The breathing issues are constant—I end up mouth-breathing all the time, especially while sleeping or if I'm in a heated room. Plus, the headaches are relentless, particularly when I'm being active, even if it's just a basic walk. As for the aesthetics—well, my nose tilts to one side, and if we’re being objective, it’s far too long and much too wide. To put it bluntly: it isn't functional, and it certainly isn't pretty.

The "functional" fix should cover the septum correction and the turbinate work. My doctor suggested that straightening the septum might incidentally straighten the exterior of the nose, though he couldn't give me any guarantees. He also mentioned shaving down the hump—which, frankly, is the least of my concerns since it's barely noticeable. When I asked if he could slim down my profile or narrow the tip, he flat-out told me no. Shaken by the possibility that my nose might still look crooked after the surgery, I went for a second opinion at another clinic in Chicago. That doctor agreed the exterior should straighten out, but he backed the first guy entirely—saying any actual reshaping of the nose was strictly off the table because it's simply too much work.

So, here is my question: what actually constitutes the "aesthetic" portion of this operation—the rhinoplasty part? Is it just sanding down a bump, or is there more to it?

To be perfectly honest, despite everyone being incredibly polite, I'm feeling quite let down. Based on what I've read in this thread, it seems like hospitals often bundle aesthetic improvements with functional ones, and usually quite skillfully at that. I’m not expecting a nose like the one Dr. Glumičić produces, but if they’re going to go in there and mess with it anyway, I’d hope they could at least shave off a few millimeters or narrow it slightly. There's always the chance it stays just as lopsided as it is now. Generally speaking, the idea of nose surgery doesn't exactly fill me with joy, but I had hoped they could tidy things up both inside and out so I wouldn't have to undergo a second procedure later. Maybe I'm asking for too much... 😢

As a rule, you don't just get an aesthetic upgrade at a hospital—it works differently. Usually, that's reserved for reconstruction after a major trauma, like a car accident or a facial injury. A standard septorhinoplasty covers the septum and the nasal bones that are physically obstructing your breathing; whether the surgeon decides to touch up the aesthetics—which have nothing to do with your ability to breathe—is entirely up to their good will. 😉 In layman's terms: if that hump resulted from a broken nose but isn't messing with your airway, the doctor isn't obligated to sand it down just to make you look better. 😉 (Though, let's be real, we'd all love a little extra cosmetic work thrown in for free 😬 haha)

Amy Richardson86 said:I've got more of them now.

Listen, I’m at my wits' end here—I need some actual, practical advice from people who actually know what they're talking about. Please, help me out.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
How on earth does one actually get this facial swelling under control? It’s becoming an absolute nightmare.
When exactly is this thing supposed to finally pull back—just a little bit? Seriously, how much longer are we expected to sit around and wait for some semblance of movement?
When will I ever look even remotely normal?

If you’re looking to get some light facial lymphatic drainage going—and I mean actually doing it right—you need to understand that this isn't just about rubbing your face like you're applying moisturizer. It’s a process. You’re essentially trying to coax the fluid buildup out of your tissues and back into circulation. It shouldn't be aggressive. In fact, if you're pressing too hard, you're defeating the entire purpose. Think of it as a gentle, rhythmic sweep—almost meditative—rather than a deep tissue massage. You want to focus on those specific pathways that lead toward the lymph nodes near your ears and down toward your collarbone. If you do it correctly, you'll notice a certain... clarity. A reduction in that puffy, "just rolled out of bed" look that plagues so many of us. Just be consistent; one session won't perform miracles, but a steady routine will certainly pay dividends.😉

vividsailor7 said:Everything stated above holds water. However—and this is a significant "however"—I fail to see any actual clinical indication for an *H. pylori* test here. Those "few stubborn breakouts on the chin" just don't justify a full diagnostic sweep. Besides, we have to consider the sheer statistical reality that roughly 60-70% of the American population is positive for *H. pylori*. It’s practically ubiquitous. My firm stance on *H. pylori* eradication is quite simple: there is absolutely no reason to pursue eradication unless there are clear, present symptoms—whether we're talking about gastrointestinal distress or specific skin issues like urticaria or rosacea. If that's the case, then why even bother running the tests in the first place? This situation is a perfect example of over-testing without cause.

It seems to me that there’s a massive, almost irrational avoidance here toward dermatologists who actually manage to nail a diagnosis—a trend I saw play out with my own case when they identified chronic gastritis based solely on facial inflammation and hyperpigmentation. I just don't get it. Honestly, why the hesitation? Just because seventy percent of the population struggles with a specific condition doesn't mean an individual should be forced to endure endless side effects or throw money down the drain on overpriced cosmetics and vanity treatments—all when the entire issue could be resolved with a single visit to a specialist and the right prescription.🤷

vividsailor7 said:Regarding my area of expertise—it’s gastroenterology. So, to give you a proper answer, I’m going to pull two direct quotes from the standard internal medicine and gastroenterology textbooks.
Ana Votava-Raić — Chapter 33: Food Allergies
The diagnostic process—if one can even call it that—is a grueling marathon of uncertainty. It’s an exhausting cycle of tests, waiting rooms, and endless speculation that leaves you feeling less like a patient and more like a data point in some massive, impersonal experiment. You go through the motions, hoping for clarity, but all you really get is a mounting pile of paperwork and a deepening sense of dread.
Let’s be honest—these lab results don't carry much weight when it comes to making an actual diagnosis. They aren't the smoking gun people think they are. If you want any real insight, you might find some scraps of useful information by looking at the lymphocyte and eosinophil counts in a peripheral blood smear—but even then, it's a far cry from a definitive answer.
Boris Vucelić et al.—Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The XII-immune system—if we’re even going to call it that—is an absolute mess of biological redundancies and questionable design choices. It feels less like a finely tuned machine and more like a series of frantic, overlapping patches applied to a crumbling codebase by developers who were clearly working under extreme pressure. You look at the way these layers interact, and honestly, it’s a miracle the whole thing doesn't collapse under its own complexity—though, given how often our bodies seem to be tripping over their own feet, maybe it should.
XII 3 ALLERGIC AND PSEUDOALLERGIC REACTIONS
Branimir Čvorišćec—Asja Stipić-Maraković.
4.4 NUTRITIONAL ALLERGIES
Diagnosis.
If you dig through the standard laboratory results—specifically looking at the peripheral blood work—you’ll often stumble upon eosinophilia.
Internal Medicine — Božidar Vrhovac and associates.

It would be quite helpful if you could actually disclose your sources. I realize you're likely leaning on standard medical textbooks—which are all well and good—but if you happen to have access to a more relevant or cutting-edge authority, please, do share.
As for Richter—I trust his judgment implicitly. If he decided to let you go, believe me, there was a damn good reason behind it. At the end of the day, how he treats you, or how he communicates moving forward, is entirely on you—you set that tone through your own conduct.

It’s honestly quite fascinating—if you can call it that—when some gastroenterologist dismisses gastritis and H. pylori as if they're nothing more than a "piece of cake"—an absolute walk in the park—given that roughly 70% of the American population is carrying around that very same infection.☕ And let’s be clear—facial issues shouldn't be the only thing triggering a request for a checkup—it goes much deeper than that. Honestly, thank God you aren't my doctor.😉

If you insist on clinging solely to those outdated textbooks they handed out in med school—well, good luck to you when you actually step foot in a clinic. You’re going to need it. 😬 A little bit of advice from an allergist would actually go a long way here—purely as a practical lesson in clinical reality. I honestly think your medical training should have taught you that clinical symptoms can deviate wildly from what the lab results suggest. You’re reminding me of this one OBGYN I once met who insisted it was physically impossible for a pregnant woman to have a positive urine culture without showing any actual symptoms. It’s the same kind of rigid, textbook-only thinking—completely disconnected from how patients actually present in the real world.🤣) A book is one thing, but the actual clinic is a whole different story.

Regarding Dr. Richter—it’s honestly fascinating to watch him spout all that nonsense and belittle people online, yet when he's face-to-face, he suddenly loses all that nerve because his chair starts shaking. 😉

vividsailor7 said:Temperature and CRP have absolutely nothing to do with an allergy—and you can take Dr. Richter’s word for it if you want!

Please, spare us the lectures if you aren't actually certain about what you're talking about—especially regarding Dr. Richter. I could go on forever, but honestly, it's enough for me that he sent my child home from the ER just because his mother was "overreacting"—even though the kid had a 104 fever we couldn't break, along with Lkc 4 levels, only to be rushed to infectious disease hospital the very next day for Adenovirus pneumonia, dehydration, and total exhaustion—despite having downed over two liters of fluids. That should be more than enough evidence for any intelligent person; besides, his rude way of communicating—both in person and on these forums—speaks volumes about him.

Temperature and CRP can most certainly be linked to allergies—they show up as secondary indicators, and if a food allergen is ravaging your intestinal wall, your CRP is going to spike.
You still haven't told me what your actual medical specialty is, but frankly, I have much more faith in Dr. S. and Dr. B. over at Rebro—as well as several other allergists who actually bother to examine and listen to their patients instead of just throwing out diagnoses based on textbook test results.😉

So many doctors hear "Lkc 15" and "CRP 30" and immediately start barking about bacterial infections—but anyone with half a brain knows that isn't always the case.☕