Posts by neonhawk78

Doctors, could someone please give me an answer here? Does Prof. Kalogjera perform paid procedures for rhinoplasty, specifically focusing on nose reduction and tip reshaping?

wanderingstag9 said:How on earth does one manage to get an appointment with that doctor if you don't live in New York City? Does he have a private practice anywhere?

I’m actually wondering the exact same thing.

briskmason42 said:I absolutely do! I look terrible and have this hump on my nose. He was actually the one who operated on me, which is why I’m telling you—he’s at KBC Firule! Look, he’s a great doctor, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't say his surgical results are all that impressive. 👎

Do they handle rhinoplasty over at the Miami plastic surgery clinic?
From what I understand about Dr. Cikojević, he once actually pulled a bullet out of a guy's head through his nose; there was even an article about it in the news. My take is that the ENT department in Miami doesn't really specialize in nose jobs—it seems like some junior doctor is mostly tasked with that. Maybe try reaching out to the plastic surgery department instead; I'm not entirely sure how their workflow is set up.

Betty Edwards22 said:Look, forgive my phrasing here, but are you even listening to me?
There is no such thing as a perfect surgeon; there is only the one who communicates best with you.

Fine, I get it—you don't want to play favorites with certain colleagues or discriminate against others. But if that's the case, just tell me: which surgeon is actually the most competent based on their specific experience and specialization for the issue I described? I don't care if they work in private practice or at a major hospital like Mayo Clinic. I just need narrowing and tip reduction of the nasal tip, that's it.

Betty Edwards22 said:There are—specifically Dr. Davor Džepina and Doc Vagić plastično-reko-rekonstivan.

Plastic surgery, when treated as its own subspecialty, doesn't necessarily center on the nose. I suppose the nasal skeleton is really the domain of a rhinoplasty specialist, which is what truly dictates the outer appearance. But hey, if you want to look at it your way... In the US, some specializations and subspecialties are more about semantics than anything else. For instance, plastic surgeons technically shouldn't even be touching heads, yet maxillofacial surgeons often don't get any meaningful ORL training during their residency.

That’s fine, but since you're a specialist who also handles noses, who would you actually recommend for a tip reduction and narrowing? My nasal tip is just incredibly wide and bulky, honestly.

Is there anyone in the US who specializes in both plastic and reconstructive surgery AND otorhinolaryngology? I'm looking for someone specifically to refine my nasal tip, but I need to be absolutely certain they won't mess up my breathing or overall nasal function in the process.

Betty Edwards22 said:That’s exactly the kind of approach Professor Kalogjera takes. The whole idea is to somewhat reduce the cartilaginous structure of the nasal valve without actually compromising its function.
But, from what I understand—he performs surgeries at the hospital just like he does weekly checkups in an overcrowded clinic.

Is he a plastic surgeon? Honestly, right now, I feel like I need a plastic surgeon more than an ENT. Does anyone have any before-and-after photos of his work? I really can't afford to walk into some random idiot's office just because someone told me they were good.

Man, I am officially out of patience. Where is that one doctor who always gives such solid advice on here? Does anyone have a plastic surgeon they actually trust? This is the final touch-up, and I absolutely cannot afford to pick some idiot like I did with my last surgery. People, please, I need help. We’re talking about the tip and a corrective procedure there. 😢
I'm done with hospitals. They're all just glorified slums. It's honestly a nightmare!
P.S. While you're at it, if anyone knows a good psychiatrist, send them my way!

briskmason42 said:Believe me, I think I might actually need to see a psychiatrist at this point. After those last two setbacks, which felt like taking two massive steps backward, I’m starting to wonder if I've finally hit my limit. 🙂 To be honest, I find myself wallowing in regret every single day. I’m constantly kicking myself over that decision, and the weight of it just doesn't seem to lift.

God, I feel for you. Honestly, I’m right there with you. I absolutely loathe coming to this site—it honestly gives me more PTSD than anything else—but I have to be here to consult with a top-tier plastic surgeon. Did you go through private specialists for both of your procedures? 🤦

briskmason42 said:How long has it been since your surgery, and which doctor performed the first one? Was it always shaped like that, or is this new? I really hope you’re happy with the results after the second round, though honestly, I have no idea who I could even recommend to you since I'm just as lost in this area myself. 🙂

Well, the first surgeon was from the hospital, but now I'm looking to go with a private plastic surgeon. Before that, an ENT handled it.
My tip has always been a bit wider, but it wasn't that specific BULGE on top of the bridge. It’s also always been a bit droopy. Now, my goal is to narrow the tip and get rid of that lump at the same time. I just don't have the energy anymore; I've completely lost any desire to sit through consultations, vet different doctors, or visit various clinics. Honestly, the whole thing just makes me feel sick.
It’s been over six months since the operation, and I want my tip to stay fixed when I smile, rather than having it spread out all over my face—it's absolutely horrific. If I actually go through with this surgery, I think I’ll need to see a psychiatrist beforehand, because I seriously, truly cannot deal with this anymore.

Hey everyone, I’ve actually gone under the knife for my nose once before, but I really need to go back in to correct it—specifically to slim down the tip. Right now, it just looks way too bulbous. Is there any possibility of getting this done under local anesthesia so I can avoid dealing with those awful nasal tampons and all that mess?
I honestly just want to reduce the tip, which looks far too fleshy and rounded. If you look at those Jennifer Aniston before and after photos, that’s more or less the kind of result I’m aiming for.
I am truly hoping this will be the final fix, because I am just so exhausted by the whole cycle of doctors, clinics, and noses. I don't think I have the energy left for this... My nose looks like a ball stuck right onto my septum rather than an actual tip; I feel like I need some sort of liposuction in that area to refine it and actually give the tip some structure.

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear lady,

The local community clinic labs don't handle peripheral blood smears; those have to be done at a hospital lab. There are also private labs out there that offer that specific service.

You can't just order "only platelets from a blood smear." When a technician performs a blood smear under a microscope after staining, they analyze everything: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. It’s an all-in-one process.

Regarding that cough: a standard chest X-ray isn't enough to give you a full picture of what's happening with your heart and lungs. If the coughing persists, you really need further testing—like pulmonary function tests (spirometry), or maybe other diagnostics if necessary.

In my opinion, it’s probably not a good idea to try and hand-pick your own medical tests.

Your prothrombin time/INR results look perfectly fine. Those values between 2 and 3.5 are specifically for patients on blood thinners; everyone else should be around 1.0, which is exactly where yours sits. It’s completely normal and expected.

As for the urine analysis, it isn't actually that bad. Are you experiencing any symptoms of a urinary tract infection? Also, did you manage to provide a midstream sample, and were you careful to ensure the urine didn't get contaminated by vaginal discharge?

My period started today—could that be why there was mucus and erythrocytes in my urine, even though I took the test yesterday morning? As for the actual collection process, I was pretty clumsy about it. I had to use the restroom at the lab facility, and I felt really awkward, so I'm assuming I managed to get a midstream sample, but I honestly have no clue how much urine is lost in that initial flow. I was feeling pretty stressed since the lab wasn't comfortable at all, so I probably wasted about 10 ml on the first bit; I was actually worried I wouldn't have enough left for the test itself.

P.S. I've never dealt with a UTI before.

Hey everyone, I’m currently running through some routine pre-op testing to clear me for an upcoming surgery, but I have to admit, I'm feeling pretty uneasy about my urinalysis and prothrombin time results. Everything else in my bloodwork looks perfectly fine, but these specific findings have me worried. Here is what the report shows:
Regarding my latest blood work, I noticed that my Prothrombin Time—specifically the INR—came back at 1.06. Looking at the standard reference range provided by the lab, which typically sits between 2.0 and 3.5, this value is clearly flagged as low. I suppose it’s worth keeping an eye on, though I'm still processing what that might imply for my overall clotting profile.

Urinalysis results:
Appearance: clear
Color: yellow.
pH level: 6.0
Specific gravity: 1.025.
Protein levels: negative.
Regarding the erythrocyte and hemoglobin levels: they’re coming back positive.
Glucose levels: normal.
Ketones: negative.
Bilirubin levels came back negative.
Urobilinogen levels came back normal.
Nitrites: negative.
Leukocyte esterase: positive.

Microscopic examination of the sediment within the visible field:
White blood cell count: 4-5.
Red blood cells: 4-5
Squamous epithelium: just a thought.
Bacteria: something to consider.
Service: mass

I am incredibly worried right now. Honestly, looking at these results, I’m starting to think I won’t even be able to move forward with my surgery at all. It feels like instead of focusing on the procedure itself, I'm just going to be stuck spiraling into a whole new set of health complications. I feel completely overwhelmed... maybe I'm overthinking it, but I'm truly at my wit's end here. 😢

analogbison15 said:Can I get surgery for free if I have supplemental insurance? I’m actually interested in aesthetic stuff—is it possible to just tell the doctor that I sometimes have trouble breathing so they'll do it for free?

😂😂😂
Go ahead and try, I guess. It won't cost you anything to ask.

I’ve scheduled surgery in Washington, D.C. to fix my deviated septum, but I'm honestly feeling a bit stuck regarding my thickened nasal mucosa. I can't help but wonder if there's even a way to resolve that specific issue. I've gone through liters of nasal sprays in the past, but they never seemed to do anything at all. 😠

electricangler32 said:Look, here's my take... I spent an entire month on bed rest trying to maintain a pregnancy due to preeclampsia at the ST maternity ward. A check-up lasts maybe thirty seconds; if you actually have a question, they just tell you to go talk to the nurse.
And of course, she either doesn't have the time or she simply doesn't give a damn.
The only reason I ended up with clean sheets was because I was staying with a friend who has connections there; otherwise, I would have been covered in stains just like everyone else. When I finally gave birth, obviously I bled—and quite a bit at that—but let’s be real, you aren't going to get a pristine white sheet when things are naturally going to get messy.I felt absolutely mortified whenever anyone came to visit. And don't even get me started on how rude and unprofessional the staff can be!

I felt just as terrible and embarrassed when people came to visit me, because the staining was so obvious that I always found myself spreading the top sheet across the entire bed to hide it.

Alex Moore62 said:No, things don't work that way at Bone.
What you’re describing just isn't right; that isn't proper post-op care for someone who just had sinus surgery—not from the doctors, and certainly not from the nursing staff.
That said, there are morning and evening rounds every single day, and anything bothering you should have been brought up during those rounds. You especially should have pointed out that your nose looks crooked now and asked why that happened and how they plan to fix it.
As for the bloody bandages, you probably should have left them exposed so they could see them during rounds; then the nurses might have actually reacted, because I doubt the doctors would ever permit something like that (not at Bone, anyway). Otherwise, in any hospital on any ward, there is a tidying up period every morning before rounds—they check the rooms and straighten the beds so everything looks presentable for the doctors (they aren't changing the sheets, just smoothing them out). I don't know how it works over at st.

Edit: It is also completely unacceptable that you're having to re-dress your own wounds. I honestly don't understand why you didn't ask a nurse to do it for you?

Back at Firulama, we had students neatly making the beds every single morning, even though they probably would have begged God if we tried to do it ourselves. For the woman sharing my room, they didn't even remove her IV until two hours after it had run dry. I highly doubt the doctors would hold anyone accountable; they all look out for one another. 🙄
I didn't dare speak up when something felt wrong because my primary doctor wasn't even part of the rounds, and the one guy who did visit us every morning was incredibly arrogant—he used to address all of us by our diagnoses rather than our names. And yeah, the evening rounds weren't even happening every day.

I’m not going to go out on a limb and name the specific surgeon who operated on me, but looking through the threads here, I noticed two other women mentioned him. Apparently, both of them had pretty terrible experiences at that same hospital.
:@Alex Moore62, look, surgery isn't exactly a walk in the park, especially when you're young and facing it for the very first time. In my case, blood from my incision leaked all over the sheets after they pulled my IV, and then they refused to change my bedding for five straight days, claiming the ward was out of clean linens. Every single day, I ended up having to change my own bandages and that gauze under my nose because the staff rarely bothered to check on us. They’d only show up if they needed to adjust an IV drip or hand out morning and evening meds; otherwise, I guess even the high school students were the ones checking our temperatures. Since I was the one constantly messing with the gauze under my nose, I realized by the very first day that my skin was completely ruined (even though it was already swollen). Honestly, the whole thing was such a shock to my system, and none of the staff made even the slightest effort to make my stay more bearable. I find it hard to believe that every hospital operates this way!

Melissa Wright8 said:My doctor didn't even mention anything about not blowing my nose. All he told me was how to hold it while I do it. I actually started blowing my nose regularly just two weeks after the surgery. I really hope nothing goes wrong because of that. 😢

It sounds like you were operated on in Miami too 😂. Honestly, nobody there tells you a single thing; they just don't take you seriously at all. They botch your surgery, leave you stuck in the same hospital bed for five days, and serve you food that’s either boiled or baked with absolutely zero seasoning. Then, they wait until the fifth day just to pull those nasal tampons out before sending you home. And get this—when they’re handing you your discharge papers, they actually roll their eyes at you just because you didn't bring them some kind of gift. 🙄

Alex Moore62 said:Wait, hold on a second—you're actually that person? Is it normal to be blowing your nose like crazy after surgery? I mean, I’m starting to wonder if this is just part of the recovery process or if something is actually going wrong. It feels a bit excessive, honestly.
This is absolutely unacceptable! Seriously, did they not tell you?!
After the surgery, you really have to be careful with your nose. You need to rinse it thoroughly and frequently using saline solution, and any fluid that drains out should be brought up to the back of your throat and spit out. Whatever you do, please don't try to blow your nose; I guess it might seem intuitive, but it’s probably best to avoid it entirely to prevent any issues.
How long did you wait before you started blowing your nose after the surgery? I mean, I can't help but wonder if that might be why things look a bit deformed now. Maybe it's just my speculation, but it seems like a possibility.

I know you aren't supposed to blow your nose after surgery, but I have to be honest—I was so incredibly frustrated one time that I just couldn't help myself. They had me crying, and my nose was just completely stuffed up with mucus. Eventually, I ended up blowing my nose, and that blood clot finally came out. Then again, I think it had already been about three weeks since the procedure, so maybe it wasn't as big of a deal as they make it out to be.