Amy Brooks17 said:😢 I'm honestly not sure—my doctor mentioned that if I end up needing it, they might just reschedule my move to a couple of days later once I get there. But man, you really spooked me with that whole thing about not being able to go out for a month...
I have no idea what kind of recovery journey you're looking at, but I had the open technique done. Plus, let's be real, I already have thicker skin to begin with. On top of that, they tucked something into the tip for extra stability—whatever the medical term is for that 😁—so maybe that's why everything felt so swollen all at once? Even four months down the road, I've still got a little bit of swelling left over...
Amy Brooks17 said:Hey everyone, I honestly lost it today when I realized my surgery scheduled for March 30th might clash with my period—my cycle is a bit wonky lately and since mine lasts forever, it’s looking like a total overlap. If that actually happens, will they just push the whole thing back until it's over, or what? My heart is racing and I can barely breathe because my left nostril is basically non-existent at this point... I'm just totally stuffed up through my mouth too, and I seriously cannot deal with this anymore. How long do people usually stay in the hospital, and how much downtime is needed—like, staying indoors and all that? I've heard so many different stories from people, and I'm trying to plan around my college classes and missing school... specifically regarding the public hospital in Miami, not a private clinic..
So, I was there recently, and on the day I checked in, the head nurse came by specifically to note down when my last period started. Even the surgeon mentioned beforehand that they wouldn't operate while you're on your cycle. You should definitely give them a heads-up early so they know—maybe they can swap you with someone else on the schedule... They kept me for 5 days, though you might get out after 4 if everything looks good. But man, I didn't even leave my house for almost a month after that—I was incredibly swollen.👎
So, I usually have an incredibly sensitive stomach and skin—like, super reactive—so I was fully expecting to spend the morning puking my guts out and waking up with my eyes swollen shut. But honestly? Nothing happened. You really shouldn't stress yourselves out beforehand 😉 because my stomach didn't even bother me that much; I just felt super sleepy... the only real annoyance was how numb my teeth and gums felt, which was a little irritating, but nothing major. Good luck! 🙂
It’s been about three months since my surgery, and honestly—my nose is still pretty swollen and looks a bit asymmetrical... but apparently, that's just what you're supposed to deal with after an open septorhinoplasty 🤷
So, I’m exactly two months out from my surgery, and of course, I just had to catch this nasty flu—my nose is swollen like crazy right now. Has anyone else dealt with something similar? It honestly feels just like how I looked immediately after the operation (and back then I was dealing with that fibrous tissue too), so I have this sinking feeling that it’s going to take forever for the swelling to finally go down. 😢
Drew Anderson10 said:Hey everyone 🙂 so I wanted to share this super weird experience I had getting a minor procedure done under local anesthesia—without being knocked out by sedation 🙂 Last summer, I actually had my first nose job under general anesthesia, and man, I spent a whole week recovering in the hospital afterward. It wasn't painful, honestly quite smooth, but you just feel totally wiped out from the anesthesia for a while... fast forward a year, and my doctor told me I needed to have a little bump removed that formed during the healing process, but this time, it would be done just under local anesthesia. If you've got minor issues like that, I’d honestly recommend going that route instead.
It was just a tiny bit of cartilage they had to trim in one specific spot. I was wide awake the whole time! They numbed my nose with two quick injections—which, let's be real, is the absolute worst part—but after that, the actual procedure was over in maybe 10 minutes. Then they popped in a tampon, slapped on some tape (didn't need the full cast this time), and I was out the door. It's been five days since the surgery, and the doc said to keep the tape on for two more days and then I'm all set! 🙂
My doctor mentioned at my last checkup that we should probably clear out this protrusion that popped up inside the bridge, right near the tip, and he wants to do it under local anesthesia. I am actually so curious about what that feels like—though, honestly, just thinking about those needles makes me feel like I might pass out 🤣
briskmason42 said:The nasal bridge looked okay to me, but honestly, things settled down quite a bit later on—mostly because during the swelling phase, everything sits a little higher since it's all dropping back into place. It might be similar for you, though maybe a bit slower since they did an external incision... For me, the columella was super swollen and that whole area underneath was puffed up, which made my lips look kind of weird too, but thank God it all went back to normal. Can you actually see the incision much? And who did your surgery?
It’s not really visible, just gets a little red when it's cold out 🤷 You have a message 😉
briskmason42 said:Mine were totally uneven too—even after a month, they still look slightly different, but I think things are looking up... maybe the internal stitches just pulled things a bit out of alignment? As for you, 🤔 the columella shouldn't really be drooping if they did structural work on the nose, since they usually tuck cartilage in there to keep everything firm. Is it actually hanging low, or could it just be the swelling making it look that way? Or maybe just a change in the overall shape? If it makes you feel any better, I’ve got a bump and all sorts of other stuff going on too 😁—if you don't mind me asking, where did you have yours done?
I can feel the bump, but thankfully it doesn't show. 😁 Yeah, I guess I misspoke—my columella isn't actually drooping at all. It's more that my nostrils look pretty wide when I look at myself from the front, which isn't exactly the look I was going for... I'm just hoping the tip drops a little bit eventually. It only *looks* like it's drooping because the skin feels kind of wide in that area—maybe it's still just swollen? Does that part ever slim down?
Ryan Ruiz7 said:What was the actual diagnosis before you went under the knife? I'm just curious about the baseline requirements—like, what's the minimum threshold you have to hit to even get scheduled for surgery?
Broken nasal bone with displacement and a deviated septum.
Hey there, It’s been about a month since my surgery, and honestly? I’m breathing better than ever. 👍 Since they went with the open technique, there’s still quite a bit of swelling—plus, I have thicker, oily skin 🙂—though I have noticed it does fluctuate a little from day to day. As of today (exactly one month out!), I feel like a tiny little bump has popped up right where the doctor worked on the break, but it’s super minor, so it doesn't really bother me much. On the other hand, what *is* bothering me is how uneven my nostrils look. One looks totally fine, while the other looks like someone gave it a little pinch—kind of like Severin's nostrils, you know? 🤣 Also, on that same side inside the nose (near the top), there's this small protrusion. At my last check-up, my doctor couldn't really tell me what it was, which has me feeling a bit anxious. Does anyone have any thoughts? He checked to see if it was just the stitch, but apparently, that wasn't it. 🤷 They also did some work on the nasal tip stability. At first, I was worried because I thought I might end up with a piggie nose, but now it feels like my columella is kind of drooping... it definitely wasn't sitting below the level of my nostrils before. 😢
I’ve been trying my best not to overthink everything since it’s still so early, and I can clearly see things are improving, but I just want to get some answers and stop worrying, you know? It’s hard to wait another 20 days for my next follow-up appointment. 😳
So, I finally went in for that checkup with dr. Cikojević over at the hospital in San Francisco a couple of days ago—you know, the one I've been putting off? Well, turns out I’ve got a Type 5 deviated septum. Yeah, sounds intense, right? Anyway, he already scheduled me for the surgery... a septoplasty... which won't happen for another five months. Just something to keep on the radar for next year! So, since my nose is a little on the larger side—not that I’m complaining, really—I’ve been thinking about getting some kind of aesthetic touch-up done. I mean, is that even a thing you can get for free through insurance or something? Probably not, right? But hey, a person can dream, can't they? So, I didn't actually get around to asking him yet—I'll probably have to bring it up later—but I was wondering... has anyone here actually been in for surgery with him? Like, did any of you go through the whole process, and if so, did he end up doing any cosmetic work for you too?
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Honestly, Dr. Cikojević actually approached me himself about doing some aesthetic work—so yeah, the guy definitely delivers. If you don't believe me, just go ask him yourself. 😉
So, I’m asking because the intake sheet clearly says they need height and weight, right? But he just left it totally blank—didn't even bother to ask! And when I finally walked in, he didn't even look up from his clipboard before I sat down... just kept staring at his files. :/ It honestly makes me so nervous. I know this girl who had surgery about five years ago, and they messed up her dosage big time, so she actually woke up during the whole thing. She couldn't feel any pain and was completely paralyzed, but she could hear everything being said. It's terrifying. The doctors actually thought she was just hallucinating or making stuff up at first, but then they realized she was telling the truth when she started quoting their exact conversations about what they wanted for lunch!
Ashley Ramos78 said:Is it okay to take Tramal before surgery?
Besides Vitamin C, is there anything else recommended to speed up recovery? I’ve been seeing stuff on some online forums suggesting protein shakes might help—apparently, they give the damaged tissue those extra "building blocks" needed for repair...
I'm actually not getting nose surgery, just something else, but I started a thread about this earlier and nobody really gave me an answer... so here goes nothing.
Honestly, I have no clue about the Tramal—you should probably ask when you go in for your blood work, but definitely make sure to mention it when you're talking to the anesthesiologist. Most of the stuff I've stumbled upon mentions Vitamin C and Arnica at most—though, fair warning, you shouldn't go overboard with the Vitamin C either. : Although Vitamin C promotes healing and helps with bruising it is possible that excessive Vitamin C consumption can cause over-collagetation (excess scar tissue formation) so adhere to your own surgeon's instructions. I think I also saw somewhere that Bromelain—that pineapple extract—is a thing too.
Is it actually normal for an anesthesiologist to just... not even check you out during an exam? Like, they didn't even bother asking about my height or weight? 🤷
I figured I’d get a few comments on this 😁 Regarding those medications—well, I did some reading, but obviously I'm not exactly a medical expert or anything, so you'll definitely want to get the real scoop from your doctor or nurse. And about the straws... look, I don't have tiny little lips or anything, but after hearing what some people went through, apparently trying to chew right after surgery isn't exactly a walk in the park. It sounds pretty uncomfortable, so it’s probably worth being prepared—and hey, at least carrying a straw around shouldn't be too much trouble, right? 🤷
Since my surgery date is creeping up on me, I’ve been falling down basically every rabbit hole online regarding prep—so, I figured I’d just dump everything I’ve gathered right here for anyone else interested. 1. Just a heads-up, you might deal with some headaches, swelling, bruising, or even a bit of a nosebleed after the procedure. 2. You really want to stay hydrated, get as much rest as possible, and use cold compresses (just be careful not to hold them against your nose for too long, unless you want to trigger some sinus inflammation). 3. Definitely steer clear of cigarettes and alcohol leading up to the big day. 4. Also, skip the aspirin, ibuprofen, and Vitamin E for a bit because they can thin out your blood. 5. For a smoother recovery, there's this super helpful Arnica Montana healing cream—they even have little pellets you can take orally if that's easier. 6. Post-op, chewing and opening your mouth is going to be a real struggle, so get ready for a diet of soups and definitely pack some straws. It’s also a smart move to stock up on juices since they actually have some calories and flavor, unlike plain old water. 7. If you get dehydrated, your lips are going to get incredibly dry, so grab some Lip Smacker or Vaseline ahead of time. 8. Pro tip: grab some button-down shirts or zip-ups to make changing easier—you really don't want to be pulling anything over your head. 9. You can pick up decent hot/cold gel packs at a CVS or Walgreens for just a few bucks. 10. Taking Vitamin C both before and after the surgery is highly recommended to help with the recovery process. 12. A travel pillow might actually be a lifesaver if you aren't used to sleeping flat on your back. 13. Oh, and make sure you show up to the surgery without any nail polish on, so the doctors can check your circulation whenever they need to.
John Gomez6 said:Hey, so I’ve got this thing called nasal kyphosis along with a deviation—basically a bump right on the bridge of my nose. I took a pretty hard hit to the face back when I was a kid, though I’m not totally sure if that's what caused it, but my nose definitely leans to the right. Also, I'm one of those people who loves sleeping, but I always end up on my left side, smashing my nose into the pillow, which might be making the rightward shift even worse? It's starting to really bug me because while my profile looks fine, looking at myself from the front feels... well, pretty ugly. I sent some photos to a few clinics and they basically confirmed it's just nasal kyphosis and a really pronounced deviated septum. They actually asked me how I even manage to breathe normally! I've had it this way since childhood, so I guess I don't even realize how much breathing isn't "normal" until things get straightened out.
What I'm wondering is, since you can go to a doctor for stuff like this, usually you can get the corrective part done for free through insurance if it's for breathing purposes (but how will the nose actually look? Like, will they fix the aesthetic part too, or just the functional part??)
The reason I'm asking is that private surgeries are just way too overpriced for my budget—I haven't got thousands of dollars lying around to drop on something like this. If anyone here has gone through this, I'd love to hear your story. 🙂
I'll post some pictures so you can see what we're working with:
Basically, you head to your primary doctor to get a referral for an X-ray, then you take those results back, and if they see a break or a clear deviation, you get a referral to an ENT specialist. At least, that's how it worked for me. My GP even told me there was a chance I wouldn't qualify for surgery because she thought my nasal bone was broken but hadn't shifted, but then the specialist looked closer and saw a much more significant fracture. 😁 As for the aesthetics... from what I hear, some doctors will offer to touch up the look for free alongside the septoplasty, just to make sure everything heals right and avoids complications later on. But then again, other doctors won't touch the cosmetic side at all, thinking you should pay extra for that.
Aha, in that case, I might just hang tight and wait until I'm back in San Francisco. I've heard nothing but great things from patients who went to Dr. Cikojević—people swear by him—and honestly, if it means recovering that much faster... Thanks so much, guys! 🙂
So, I wanted to pick your brains on something—I know this question probably gets asked a million times, but I honestly can't find a straight answer anywhere. How long after surgery can I actually show my face in public again? I’ve got my date set for October 30th, but that's right when my semester kicks off... and there is just no way I can miss two whole weeks of classes. That’s just too much to miss, you know? :/ And now that I see they're only looking at a month out in Savannah, I'm seriously tempted to just switch things up. I've been sitting here in San Francisco waiting for five months already, and it feels like I've got another eternity to go. My only real hesitation is whether the surgeon there would be willing to fix my nose as thoroughly as the doctor here promised (mine is pretty crooked, and he mentioned he could straighten it out and narrow the tip at the same time).
Jerry Myers3 said:Does anyone actually know what the wait times look like for surgery through Medicare?
Honestly, it’s hard to say—it really just depends on where you live and how backed up the patient list is at any given clinic. I ended up breaking my nose right before the New Year, went in for an exam at the end of January, and they didn't even give me a date for the procedure until October 30th. Can you believe that? Just a massive wait. 😢
