Posts by Karen Clark12

Harold Long14 said:A few days ago, I had nose surgery. I decided to go all out—fixing the hump, the tip, and getting the columella incision too. So, it was a full decortication rhinoplasty with medial and lateral osteotomies plus some cartilage work on the tip...
The packing is finally out, but I'm still wearing the splint. From a "frog's eye view," looking up, the splint looks a bit crooked toward the right. 😲 Honestly, because I've been so swollen despite all the ice packs, it feels like the swelling actually pushed the whole splint up, lifting it away from my face and making it look slightly crushed toward the right side. I'm terrified this will mess with my bone healing, making my nose look wider, pushing the base further from my face, or leaving me with an asymmetrical tip pointing toward Greece. 🙂
I mentioned it to my doctor, but he just brushed it off and told me not to worry. My mom thinks it does look a little off, though she thinks it's just because the swelling is so intense.
Still, I can't help worrying that the splint being tilted right means my tip will tilt right, or that the swelling is spreading everything out, including the bones... All I want is a cute, slim little nose! 🤷
What do you guys think?
Has anyone else dealt with swelling so bad that you were scared the whole thing was being pushed away from your face? 😕

Mine was tilted to the right too, but it ended up perfectly straight. I totally panicked at first, though!
🙂 🙂

Angela Wright4 said:Your nose looks great! Mine actually dropped just a tiny bit toward my lip after a few weeks, so yours will probably settle into perfection too.

I actually had my tip adjusted just yesterday. It's still pretty swollen, so I can't tell if it's actually teary or if it's just the swelling. No, I really have to wait...

Yeah, it’ll definitely drop since they didn't touch the tip, but honestly, I've gotten used to it and I kind of like it this way. Even today, it already looks a little less swollen from the front—just applying some compresses now. 🙂
Patience is key; we just have to wait. 🙂))

northernmaker84 said:How’s the recovery coming along? Any good tips to share? I've got my own operation coming up next week!😁

I was super stubborn about sticking to the ice and compresses at the clinic during those first four rough days, so everything looks great! My nose is still a little swollen and I’ve got a few purple bruises left, but they're fading fast. 🙂 The only issue I'm having is that my face feels super oily and breakout-prone, while my nose is all dry and peeling. It actually hurts a bit, so I can't really mess with it too much. For me, there wasn't any real pain—just uncomfortable, nothing crazy. You could probably handle it. 🙂
Here's a shot of my braces before and after! 🙂 (ps the first one isn't great, and the second was taken on a pillow, so my hair is all over the place) 😁 )

Took the mold out on Wednesday, and I am just so incredibly happy with it!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
The profile looks perfect. It’s a little swollen in the front, but honestly, it's only been 12 days 🙂)

northernmaker84 said:Hey, which gel from CVS were you using? I have an operation coming up in about a month, so I want to be prepared! :-) thanks

It’s got these little pouches inside filled with this blue gel. It's awesome because you can actually shape them to fit perfectly over your eyes, and they aren't expensive at all!$6.00 Plus, you can use them as warm compresses too—just pop them in some hot water. They're super practical. 🙂 Here's the link, and this is what the box looks like:
http://www.cvs.com/beauty/skincare/eye-care

So here I am 😁 😁 😁 I finally went through with my septorhinoplasty at the Rijeka University Hospital Center! I was scheduled for March 4th, but since my doctor, Kujundžić, wasn't in the hospital those days, I didn't get operated on until March 10th once he was back 🙂
Right before I woke up, they gave me something for nausea (since I usually struggle with motion sickness), so that part was actually smooth sailing. No real pain either—I just took one Voltaren because my gums were feeling sensitive and some Tylenol for a fever I had on day three. On day three, the swelling was absolutely insane, but I finally made it home today and I'm already looking less yellow this evening. I was seriously, seriously intense about using ice (that gel pack from CVS $6.00 is top-tier); while that was cooling down, I’d rotate in cold water compresses and chamomile tea wraps! Trust me, it is totally worth the hassle! As for the nasal packing... what can I say? It was gentle enough, but the sensation is just gross. I'm getting this metal splint removed next Wednesday, so I'll let you guys know how everything looks! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Drew Wilson2 said:How much does Zambelli charge for someone's first operation?

Why not just shoot them an email with that exact question? They'll be happy to get back to you with all the specifics on pricing and payment plans—honestly, they'll give you better info than we ever could here on this forum.

Hannah James71 said:I'm not really sure... I'm heading to see him this Friday to finalize the date for the Operation and have him walk me through everything. I might also ask if he can fix up that tiny little bump and slim down my nose while he's at it. I think there's some gel you can grab at a drugstore to help it heal faster... As for those compresses, hmm... I guess I'll just have to ask my mom to handle that part. 😁
How long will I actually be stuck in the hospital? I'm not a fan of hospitals—I'd want to head straight home if I could! 😁

Well, listen, you won't be on the schedule immediately. They usually write it down so you don't have to stay overnight right away, but sometimes you end up waiting two or three days for your turn. Then, after the surgery itself, I think you're looking at about four more days. That’s how it worked for a friend of mine...

Hannah Hernandez9 said:Karen Clark12, I've heard nothing but amazing things about Dr. K from people on the inside. If I were living in Rhode Island, he’d be my first choice. Good luck!

I actually used a connection to get an appointment with him specifically because his reputation is so solid. 🙂Thanks so much! 🙂

Hannah James71 said:Dr. Manhattan... So, who's your doctor?
He didn't actually suggest anything specific, so I want to ask him myself. I'm seeing him this Friday.
Are you heading in for your Operation on Tuesday? Oh man, I'm crossing my fingers for you! Is there anything I should grab at the pharmacy beforehand? I read somewhere about rinsing your nose with saline solution... I was thinking of picking up some Octenisept too. I've got those little ice packs in the freezer, but maybe I should get some anti-diarrheal gel? Ugh, I'm getting a little nervous. 🤣

Dr. Manhattan operated on a friend of mine. Her nose looks perfect—she had a bump removed, the tip reshaped, and her deviation fixed. He did a ton of work.😁
I'm seeing Dr. Kujundžić. I'll be checking in soon, but the surgery isn't until Wednesday or Thursday (you always end up waiting a day or two).
And I'm not sure about the ice thing either. If there isn't a fridge there, how am I going to manage? Ice packs are amazing for swelling, but I haven't figured out if I'll just have to pester everyone who comes to visit to bring them to me. 😁
When is your surgery scheduled?

Hannah James71 said:Hey everyone!
So, I’m heading to the Rijeka Medical Center this Friday to finally nail down a date for my surgery. It's for a septoplasty and turbinate reduction. My surgeon mentioned last time that he’ll only be working on the right side since the deviation is only there, but now I'm low-key panicking that things might end up looking asymmetrical. Plus, I really want him to smooth out that tiny bump on the bridge and narrow my nasal bones, but honestly? I'm too embarrassed to even bring it up. 🙄

Don't feel bad about it—they're usually the ones who suggest it to you anyway. 😁 So, I'm heading in next Tuesday. It's the same deviation, just on the right side this time... which doctor are you seeing for yours?

Daniel Sullivan36 said:So, I’ve decided to see my doctor in a couple of days, and he'll definitely be sending me over to an ENT. It got me wondering—does anyone know for sure if they handle the cosmetic side of things at the Rijeka Medical Center too? I'm hoping it's covered by Medicare. I don't doubt the person who told me they do both, but since I'll be driving quite a few miles to get there, I just want to be absolutely certain...

I'm actually heading to the RI Medical Center next Tuesday for a septorhinoplasty, so yeah, they definitely do the cosmetic part too!🙂

Drew Wilson2 said:HAS ANYONE HERE HAD SURGERY WHILE ON THEIR PERIOD? I talked to my doctor and they said it doesn't matter for nose surgery, but when I was at the hospital having my appendix out, they told me I shouldn't be menstruating. My surgery is scheduled for March 7th, which is right when my period is supposed to start.

Check out my explanation on the anesthesia thread—I actually just answered this for someone else recently. You definitely shouldn't be on your period.

Ugh, reading all your stories about cleaning... haha. Honestly, I'm kind of jealous you guys already got through it! I've still got two weeks to go before my turn. Ufffff!

electricangler32 said:I had a super hypertrophic nasal turbinate—basically a rotting cartilage situation—plus a rightward deviation. They also removed a hump to get my nose centered since it was leaning left. I’m pulling the tampons out tomorrow morning, and if the bleeding stays under control, I’m heading out on Tuesday. My doctor wants me to stay until Saturday for the mold removal, but that feels like way too long. Fingers crossed everything goes well tomorrow!!

The vomiting and nausea... how did that end up going? Did you manage to get anything down?

electricangler32 said:The nurse at the desk told me they don't perform surgery during that time, but I was curious why. I’ll actually be getting my period the day after surgery, so it’s not like I'm in pain or anything. But since my cycles are super irregular anyway, it worked out perfectly that the appointment fell right before it starts—who knows how long I would've waited for everything to line up if it hadn't!

It would be totally perfect if you didn't have to deal with it at all for a few days post-op, but if you mentioned it and the nurse didn't flag anything, then you should be fine... honestly, with all the pre-surgery stress and excitement, your cycle might even end up being a few days late!😁

electricangler32 said:I've already asked this on this thread, but I haven't gotten a "professional medical" answer yet. So, here's the deal: I'm heading in for nose surgery in a week—already known. But honestly, I'm wondering if it's okay to be on my period during the operation? If not, why? I'm guessing it affects how the body reacts somehow, but how exactly? And does it have anything to do with anesthesia? I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me a professional breakdown.

You definitely shouldn't. Every time I book a surgery, they ask when my cycle is so they can schedule it during my off weeks. During surgery, you lose quite a bit of blood, especially with nose procedures—unless it's an emergency, which yours isn't. You'll need less blood loss to recover properly, and it puts way less stress on your system. Doctors don't know your specific flow or how much blood you lose, so just imagine: dealing with your usual period bleeding on top of surgery and meds? That’s just asking for trouble for your body. Once the surgery wears you out, you'll barely be able to get up, let alone be running to the bathroom every two hours to change pads. It's honestly weird they didn't mention this to you...

electricangler32 said:They told me to show up at 11, but the OP says 12 AM. I'll just stick to that plan then. Thanks!

Aha, okay, fair enough. I'm heading through the hospital, so I'll probably just camp out there—plenty of time to kill while waiting for my turn. 😍But honestly, good for you! Just mention it politely; I'm pretty sure if you're going through a private clinic, they won't give you any trouble about getting that. 🙂

electricangler32 said:She didn't actually write it down because I had already grabbed my paperwork. She just told me to ask once I'm in the room. Honestly, I don't know if I'll be able to pull this off. There are still 12 days left until then.

It’s actually pretty chill once you get to the hospital—you aren't usually rushed right away (at least in Rhode Island, you typically wait a day or two). Just find the head nurse and let her know, or tell the doctor when they come by to check on you before the procedure. Make sure to emphasize it to them! 🙂

electricangler32 said:I'm wondering about this too. The anesthesiologist I saw during my checkup told me to just ask for it once I'm actually in the OR. But honestly, will there even be enough time for that? And what exactly does it involve? Thanks!

They really ought to include that in the prep notes. Last time I had an ENT procedure, they listed all my meds and prep instructions right there, but I didn't know about this back then. Next time, I’ll definitely ask them to put it in writing.