Posts by driftingheron34

Is it just me, or does every club seem to be obsessing over their young backups lately? I feel like we spend more time talking about potential than actual performance. Does anyone else find the constant hype around youth prospects a bit exhausting?

Grace Morales74 said:I didn't really notice him until I saw Emina J. ja's nose. Since I have a small face, that Barbie-style nose would actually suit me pretty well.🎉 On this forum, there's usually a critic for every doctor, but I think he probably has the fewest haters. In my area, getting a rhinoplasty and fixing a deviated septum goes for about $1,300 total. Glumcic is more expensive, but I'd honestly rather go to him.

Emina J. ja?

Well, then you can try breathing through your nose. You'll end up having to breathe through your mouth every single night because with a nose like that, there's zero chance oxygen will get through. It's your call, but remember a nose has a vital function beyond just looking good.

If I absolutely had to choose, based on my own taste... I'd go with Dr. Zambelli or even Dr. Tončić—the older one, not his son. Both of them produce much more natural, substantial noses; they look at the face as a whole instead of just following a cookie-cutter template.
Of course, nobody can guarantee they'll never make a mistake; I'm just saying who I would pick.
You know your own style best, so you should pick a surgeon that aligns with that.

Grace Morales74 said:Hi everyone! I'm new here and have been reading through everything carefully. Since I'm not from the US, I was wondering how much a rhinoplasty or correction would cost with Glumcic in dollars, and if he really lives up to the hype? 👏

Looking closely at Glumcic's work, I feel like he uses a cookie-cutter approach—just lifting them up and slimming the profile for everyone. In my opinion, he isn't a top-tier surgeon.
I'm personally not a fan of the results he achieved for Blanka (they don't suit her at all), jelen Glišič, Severina's first procedure (he took too much cartilage), Nina Morić, Antea Kodžoman, or Marko Grubnić... If you look at those cases critically and actually like them, that's perfectly fine, but we clearly just have different tastes.

After doing quite a bit of digging, I’ve come to the conclusion that Dr. Glumcic might not be the absolute best choice. It's not that he lacks skill or doesn't know his stuff—far from it. However, it feels like his bedside manner leaves something to be desired. To be specific, his consultations feel rushed. From what I've gathered, you state your wishes, and he gives a very brief response; if you want to see photos of his previous work, you practically have to ask. For a rhinoplasty, you're looking at roughly $2,700 in cash, and there's zero room for negotiation. For international patients, the price jumps to somewhere between $3,800 and $4,300.

Glumcic runs one of those rare practices that stays incredibly busy. He’s built a massive brand because he handles everything from under-eye rejuvenation and facelifts to high-end liposuction. There’s nothing wrong with being successful—it certainly doesn't mean his results aren't top-tier—but when a practice is this high-volume, you can start feeling like just another item on an assembly line. Because you can't get much detail during the initial consult, and actually getting time with him is nearly impossible unless you book and pay for a formal appointment, it feels impersonal. I also find it frustrating that he sometimes takes liberties by ignoring specific patient requests, opting instead to do what he thinks looks best. In aesthetic surgery, where every millimeter counts, you really should honor even the smallest preference. To me, it feels like

Look, Glumcic definitely has plenty of business, but I think the sheer volume actually works against him. Based on what I've read on various forums and heard from people close to me, the organization is pretty messy. For instance, one girl complained that her surgery date was pushed back because the doctor had an "emergency." She later found out it wasn't some medical conference or an overseas surgery, but apparently just a personal trip. That isn't professional, and nobody wants that kind of unnecessary stress. Plus, if you try calling the number they give you post-op, nobody picks up—which is a nightmare if you have an urgent issue.

Like any surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty, Glumcic has his share of setbacks, big or small. Every surgeon does. But when things go sideways, he tends to become quite cold and dismissive. You can't reach him directly; you're stuck dealing with his nurse via email, and then you often face long waits for follow-up appointments that usually cost extra. There was even a case where a patient ended up with a visible notch in her nose because a hump wasn't removed correctly, leaving a noticeable gap. His response? He basically said "it happens" and offered to just use a filler inside to hide it. Honestly, the relationship seems to turn pretty sour once something goes wrong—and let's face it, complications happen to everyone.

Susan Cooper23 said:Private practices here have varying rates depending on the complexity of the case. My upgrade with Zambell cost about $2,400, which included an overnight stay.

Online forums aren't always the most reliable source since you run into fake posts and hidden ads, but there are plenty of us here sharing real experiences to help others out. Back when I was posting actively about my own issues, I had people messaging me privately, and some actually ended up going to Zambell for their surgery. They were all happy with the results.

Based on how he handled my friend's procedure, he certainly doesn't deserve any praise. Honestly, I wouldn't let Zambell touch me even if he paid me. If you don't believe me, I can set up a coffee meeting so you can see his work for yourself.

Comparing Dr. Zambell to a world-class, respected surgeon just isn't a fair comparison. It’s even more illogical to compare his prices—which are only slightly above average compared to other clinics in Chicago or the surrounding region—to top-tier specialists. How can a plastic surgeon be measured against a global ENT specialist who has performed hundreds or even thousands of rhinoplasties? Of course, those elite specialists have premium prices that are out of reach for most of us, but having a high price tag isn't a 99.9% guarantee of success either. Zambell might be skilled in his primary field, but we all know what that is, and he's likely not the best choice for nose surgery. The real question is whether choosing him is a smart move overall.

Susan Cooper23 said:There will always be people trying to discredit him, but at the end of the day, the results speak for themselves.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve seen multiple surgeons, and I wasn't truly satisfied with any of them. Most private practitioners quietly advertise themselves on this forum. You're aware of the dynamic. One girl asked about Zambell and received zero feedback or replies. It was only when someone posted a negative comment that a group of people suddenly appeared to defend him aggressively.

Your experience might be valid, but don't let it cloud your judgment. You can only speak from your own perspective because that's what you lived through. That doesn't mean other people haven't had the exact opposite experience, and those stories deserve to be heard too.

A friend of mine went to Zambell for her initial consultation, and honestly, she’s breathing any better than before. The work he did was anything but exceptional, despite all the self-proclaimed praise coming from Dr. Glušac. Even if you hear patients giving him glowing official reviews, I would never choose him after seeing my friend's experience. Zambell is simply not an option for me—plus, he's pricey, even compared to Glumičić and the other clinics.

I'm not here to trash anyone or give recommendations, but relying solely on internet forums is naive. Over the last two years, I've sat through several consultations and discussions, and unfortunately, I haven't found a single doctor I can actually trust. There's the arrogant Glušac, who spends the whole time boasting about himself and won't let anyone else get a word in. Then there's Tončić, who doesn't seem to listen to my questions and just gives me generic, scripted answers, which doesn't inspire any confidence. As for the others who remain anonymous, like the Mešter clinic, I won't even go there. It's clear they are all private practitioners making decent money off us, so they have to be extremely careful with how they word their responses. So now I'm left wondering: who do I see? Tončić isn't the right choice because I don't want to be his practice case, especially at a price tag of 10 $0.00. I also don't want to go to Dr. Glušac based on my impressions as a patient; he's had quite a few mistakes in his career. Besides, he's far away in a place like Miami, whereas I'd prefer someone closer to the big city.

Does anyone have a fourth option? That leaves Glumičić, though he also seems to have a million negative comments out there. Still, he has operated on most of the celebrities in the US and even those from across the border. I just wonder if I'll have bad luck, or if regular folks like us just don't stand a chance?

I can't tell if it was just me, but I didn't feel heard during my consultation with Tončić. Every time I ask a specific question, instead of a direct answer, I get these vague, sweeping generalizations. For instance, when I asked about how to address my nasal tip, he just covered the hump on my nose with his finger. And trying to get him to dive into any actual surgical details? Forget about it. Honestly, given what people say about him on these forums, the whole experience was pretty disappointing.

It feels like a total waste of $83 and all that travel to NYC 👎

Grace Patel75 said:I was planning to email Zambelli, but they require me to fill out a form for a preliminary review first. Has anyone actually had a doctor give them specific feedback just by looking at a photo? I'm mostly just looking to straighten my nose without touching the tip, so I assume it wouldn't cost as much.

If I were you, I wouldn't go to Zambelli. I’d steer clear of anyone who isn't primarily an ENT specialist. That means neither Zambelli nor any of those other options are really worth considering. It’s one thing when you're talking about breast surgery or liposuction, but for a nose job, you should let nothing but an ENT handle it.☕

@ casualstag24 Stick with Veir. A family friend of mine went to him for a minor touch-up, but it turned into a massive overhaul that was anything but harmless. To make matters worse, his reaction afterward was just awful.

Of course, if you're looking at a minor procedure—like earlobe correction—done under local anesthesia, there's absolutely no reason to stay overnight at the clinic. But my point is about offering flexibility to patients traveling from outside Chicago, without essentially picking their pockets for the privilege. A nose job, whether it's local or general anesthesia, is a significant procedure that takes a toll on the body. You shouldn't be "forcing" someone to hop on a train or a bus just an hour after surgery. When people are paying these kinds of premium prices, providers should be meeting them halfway. It really says a lot about the mindset of certain private practices.

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Exactly. It’s actually smarter to pay a few extra thousand dollars elsewhere if it includes a free night of recovery. You might end up paying a few hundred more for a different place just to stay overnight, and even then, you'd likely come out ahead. Besides, who's to say one doctor will care more about you than someone who just lets you rest at home if they think you're up for it?
Most likely, it won't even be him watching over you all night; it'll be the nurses or medical techs. A higher price tag isn't a guarantee of better service or a successful surgery. Plenty of people chase the prestige only to be disappointed. Trust your gut—that's really all you can do—and gather as much intel on the surgeon as possible. Look at whether his track record is mostly wins or if there are too many setbacks. That's how you find the right fit. 🙂

The difference of a thousand dollars doesn't matter here. Both options are expensive for the average American income. Back when Glumičić was charging 10k, maybe five or six years ago, he used to include the first night's stay in the package for rhinoplasty.

He can command those prices because he built a brand and a reputation; he has the clientele. In my opinion, he also produces the best results. Even though people complain because he can't satisfy every single whim, he's still top-tier. If I were choosing a private surgeon, I'd probably pick him, though I'm not dismissing other clinics entirely. He seems to be the best option available right now. You shouldn't obsess over saving a couple thousand dollars, because you only do this once. There's no warranty like when you buy a toaster from Target and can just take it back the next day.

That's why you need to do your homework on the surgeon. There are honest accounts on this forum, and it's pretty easy to spot when someone is just running an ad. If I were in your shoes, analogbison15, I wouldn't go to Tončić. There are quite a few people on this forum who say his results didn't match what he promised during the consultation.

It feels a bit strange to me that these "top-tier clinics" try to kick patients out immediately after surgery. In my opinion, once you've already paid the $3.75, they should at least let you sleep through the first night—just sleeping, no extra services or meals required. Instead, they push you to pay an additional $133 just for one night's stay. It didn't used to be this way. When you go to Glumičić or others, you get full service and accommodations. Sure, they might be the most expensive option, but at least everything is included.

How long does this procedure actually take?
To be honest, this feels more like they just want to grab your money, rush the surgery, and then wash their hands of any further responsibility. I really don't care for this cutthroat capitalist approach taken by Tončić and a few other clinics.

I have to agree with the impressions from the consultation with Glušac. I saw him last year down in San Diego, and honestly, the doctor tends to brag a bit too much. He didn't really give direct answers to my questions either; instead, he kept things vague, mostly just listing his own achievements and basically reciting a highlight reel of himself. When I pressed for specifics, he was actually kind of rude, essentially telling me why should I care, since he's the surgeon and not me.

Look, it’s not necessarily an issue if he boasts, provided he actually has the track record to back it up. But belittling every other surgeon out there—whether they work in private practice or at major hospitals—is totally uncalled for. Claiming he's the only competent person to operate on a nose is a stretch. There was even a case where a girl went to him for cosmetic surgery, only for him to tell her she'd breathe better if he fixed her septum too. It turned into a mess when he removed half the bone in her nose, leaving her stuck in a hospital ward in NYC for a month over such a small thing. I personally know two women from San Diego who went to him; everything turned out fine, but I truly believe they wouldn't have fared any worse—or better—at a standard hospital, except they wouldn't have had to shell out those massive fees.

His whole philosophy feels a bit strange and somewhat reckless to me. He told me I shouldn't worry about a thing because my only job is to show up, pay the bill, and head home the same day. That struck me as odd; it's like saying I can just pop in for a band-aid for thirty minutes and leave, as long as I hand him the cash $5.25. Honestly, for that kind of money, you could find much higher quality and more responsible surgeons and clinics in Washington, D.C., if you're looking to pay for premium service.