Posts by fadedfalcon13

Betty Kelly16 said:I heard people saying his Rhinoplasty was around $1,800? I'm not sure if they charge more if there's a deviated septum involved, though I assume they do... but I can't see it hitting $2,500.

That was true a few years back. Prices have gone up since then. Even his base procedure, when you convert it to dollars, is about $6.25
...

stormyharbor2 said:Yeah, mine took about two and a half hours too. There’s some online forum run by plastic surgeons who answer questions, but I can't remember the name... maybe there's less work involved since you don't have to do much besides moving the implant and stitching it up?🤔 Not like they did much else to me anyway; my nasal supports are exactly the same as before.

Two and a half hours? That's a long time... aren't nose jobs usually just an hour or so? Did you go through a General Clinic?

lonehawk8 said:Does anyone know how I can find out when dr. Džepina has her next opening at the Napa clinic without bugging my primary care doctor? Is there a specific number I should call to check the hospital schedule? Thanks.

It won't do anything for the aesthetics of your nose. That was my experience... the only thing it actually fixes is a deviated septum, if you even have one.

Kimberly Sullivan49, if you’re actually this unhappy, I’d be looking into a refund—even just a partial one. There’s an American association for plastic and reconstructive surgery that can review your medical files and potentially file a legal claim...

First off, I don't get why you chose that clinic. For what you paid, you could have picked any of the top rhinoplasty surgeons in the country. Did he even show you his portfolio? That link proves everything. The guy doesn't even know how to straighten a nose profile, let alone handle complex nasal surgery.

You share some of the blame here, too. You should have double-checked who you were booking with and managed your expectations. The Bagatin Clinic has a fancy office in a high-end center, smiling nurses, plasma TVs, a slick website, and constant ads popping up online. One girl mentioned getting a facial there, which requires decent equipment. But with nose surgery, 96% of the result depends on the surgeon's hands... whether they have massive experience, hundreds of successful cases under their belt, and whether you're just another number to them. People don't realize that, so they go to someone like Bagatin or a junior associate, and then come venting on forums when things turn out poorly.

Chloe Lewis2 said:There are so many posts here, so sorry if I'm repeating an old thread.
Does anyone have experience with nose surgery performed by Dr. Bagatin or Dr. Glumičić?

You obviously ran into their online ads. You might want to read my previous post first:

fadedfalcon13 said:Look, a computer or a facial scanner isn't going to perform your surgery. Those tools are just there to give patients a better visual idea of what they want. Besides, what does a computer simulation actually guarantee? Most surgeons in the West don't even bother with them, even though that's where the tech started. The reason is simple: those programs ignore actual anatomy and other surgical realities. The picture looks pretty, sure, but it doesn't mean anything beyond a basic visual aid.

But beyond that, none of it matters. The Bagatin Clinic is a textbook example of a place that pours money into advertising and branding while hiding the fact that the doctors behind it aren't even at the level of some general hospital staff—and I'm talking about both Dr. Tomic and his brother Dinko Bagatin. Honestly, I'd rather go to a specialist from Vinogradski Hospital than deal with either of them.

Milica, you hit the nail on the head. The photos in their gallery look like someone intentionally botched a nose ☕, even if their website looks polished and high-end. 🤦 🙄 But can someone tell me what the doctor actually did in this photo:

From the side view, the profile isn't even straight; they just shortened the tip a bit. If these are the photos they're comfortable sharing publicly, I can't imagine what the others look like... 🤣

Same thing with this one of their handiwork:

The tip needed to be smaller, and the profile still isn't completely flat. Typical rookie mistakes.

Joshua Murphy7 said:As far as I know, Davor did his residency in ORL over in the USA. I’m totally with you—he’s both a plastic surgeon and an ORL specialist. I’m actually heading to the hospital soon for a surgical procedure with him. He was highly recommended, even though he doesn't brag much or push himself through self-marketing. What matters is the experience and the hours logged in the OR. Everyone is different, which means everyone has a unique approach and a unique set of issues. It's not one-size-fits-all. If you get too high on expectations, you're just going to end up disappointed. You have to look at everything with a realistic lens...

Why are you giving such bad advice? He could have specialized in ENT on Mars for all it matters. If you're following my logic... Every patient here is looking for a skilled surgeon and that sweet spot between quality and price. Price is huge because most of us don't have $5,000 lying around to fly straight to the USA. From a patient's perspective, all that matters is actual knowledge, hands-on experience, and results in the operating room—not how many medical congresses they attend in America or elsewhere. Those trips aren't exactly a guarantee when you're the one going under the knife, right? 🤔

She needs corrective aesthetic surgery. Nothing overly complex, but nothing so simple that any random private doctor or plastic surgeon thinks they can breeze through it. Another thing—don't jump the gun here—is how much experience Davor Đepina actually has with fine nasal aesthetics. I'm not saying he lacks the skill, and based on his work at the local hospital, he clearly knows his stuff. But does performing six septoplasty procedures a day there actually translate to advanced tip reshaping? Not necessarily. If he hasn't earned your absolute trust through photos of his own specific work, then there's no point in looking at him.

There isn't a single photo of a nose or any other procedure on his clinic's website.

Bottom line: if I understood you correctly, I don't think Đepina is your best bet. Your issue seems more about aesthetics than function...

briskmason42 said:For instance, Davor Džepina showed me photos of revision surgeries where terrible noses ended up looking amazing. I saw him again today, and I think he’s definitely my choice.
From what I know, I have two friends who didn't get great results from Glumičić, so they're stuck needing another surgery under general anesthesia. My takeaway? Picking a doctor is pure luck. So, good luck to all of us... 😛

Davor Đepina (vinogradski)? He has a private practice in Vukovar too. Honestly, I think he’s more geared toward functional stuff, since that’s what he does on his ward at the main hospital. If you're looking for aesthetics rather than fixing a structural issue—like a nasal valve obstruction making it hard to breathe—Đepina might not be the right call. I know girls who went through him via insurance at the hospital instead of going private, and they weren't happy either. For purely aesthetic work, the hospital isn't the place. It can happen, but don't expect someone to perfectly sculpt your nose there. It's basically Russian roulette. ☕

Your post is a bit vague... are you planning to see him privately or go through the hospital system? If it's the latter, it seems like a weird move. Unless you have a specific functional problem, there's no point in gambling on a surgeon whose main focus isn't aesthetics...

redmarlin96 said:It's been 18 months since my surgery
here's a photo so you can see how terrible my nose looks

Since I don't live in the States, it's much harder to make a real choice because I can't just drop in for a consultation to see before-and-after photos.

I honestly have no idea how to decide because everyone just posts profile shots, and I can't find any actual tip corrections anywhere.
The same goes for this doctor, he seems okay, check him out here http://www.dr-vukasin-rhinoplasty.co...id=2&Itemid=41

edit: now I've read on other sites that Ostojic is only good for the profile, which isn't what I need 😢 Actually, Glumicic does better work on the tip.
Who do you think I should go with🕺?

Your nose doesn't look that bad, honestly. It’s not like they botched it, but you can tell it could be better. The profile is fine, and if you just need a tip correction, you could probably just do that locally without needing anything done at the big clinics. Since this would be a revision, you really need to pick the right surgeon. Think twice about who you choose, because every revision carries more risk, and some of those private practices lack the skill that can lead to disastrous results for the whole nose, even if the rest of it looks straight.

The same names and the same praise—or complaints—always pop up here. Personally, I'd steer clear of Tony Stark, because I've seen work from them that's just mediocre at best. If you looked at their gallery before deciding on them
http://www.gallery.toncic.net/us/rhinoplasty-surgery/ you might have noticed they barely touch the tip or the width, which is a problem because changing the profile usually requires adjusting the tip too. You could have guessed the tip wouldn't turn out ideal, since it seems neither of those surgeons has much experience there. You actually lucked out; things could have been way worse based on what I've heard from girls leaving their clinic unhappy.

redmarlin96 said:Miroslav Klincl doesn't have photos on his website, and Bojan and Ostojic are alright, though pretty expensive.

Davor Dzepina and Zoran Veir don't have galleries.

You need a surgeon who has operated on tons of people, and more importantly, someone whose patients are actually happy. You don't know anything about these guys yet, because as you said, their sites don't have many photos that matter to you. So, you can't really judge them. Plus, some surgeons will flat-out refuse to show you photos, claiming it's "clinic policy." Run away from those immediately. From what I know, Glumicic and Zambelli actually show examples of noses similar to yours. If they won't show you, get out. I don't know if Tony Stark showed you anything before, but mostly I hear people saying they just point to stuff on our forum. There is some stuff available, but it's mostly just minimal profile straightening.

...I’d stay far away from Ostojic. I’ve seen comments from women who were suicidal over this—one actually ended her life. In that case, it was about fillers; one girl got injected with way too much, leaving her face and lips completely disfigured.

Kincl and Veir are plastic surgeons, so I don't get what they could possibly contribute regarding tip reshaping. And honestly, why are the same old surgeons circling this thread? There’s an entirely different subforum for breast augmentations and lipo...

I think Glumicic will finish the job right. It feels like he actually works on the tip—not just lifting or shortening it, but narrowing the width too. Some people on here seem convinced he just uses a cookie-cutter approach of lifting and shortening, but if you look at the models who went to him—women whose entire careers depend on having a perfect nose—you can't say their noses looked worse after the surgery.

copperraven5 said:I’ve been scrolling back through a hundred pages and noticed nobody is mentioning Dr. Bagatin. What specifically caught my eye about him is that he uses some 3D computer system to generate what the post-op look will be—now, I have no idea how accurate that actually is, but it would be nice to get even a rough idea of the final result.

Look, neither a computer nor a facial scanner is going to perform your surgery. Those tools are just there to help patients visualize what they want. Besides, what does a computer simulation actually guarantee? What is it really telling you? I know that many surgeons in the West don't even use them, despite the tech originating there. The reason is simple: those programs don't account for actual anatomy or other surgical realities. A picture is just a pretty image; it doesn't mean anything beyond an initial visualization.

Beyond that, it’s all smoke and mirrors. The Bagatin clinic is a textbook example of a place that pours massive amounts of money into advertising and branding, while the actual talent behind it is mediocre at best—maybe not even meeting the standards of a basic municipal hospital. And that goes for both Dr. Tomica Bagatin and his brother Dinko Bagatin. Honestly, I’d rather go to a resident at a county hospital than see either of them.

Hannah Hernandez9 said:Personally, I think their before-and-after photos from some pretty failed procedures look terrible.

Hannah, good call. Their gallery photos seriously look like someone intentionally botched a nose ☕, even if their website looks polished and aesthetic. 🤦 🙄 But can someone tell me what the doctor actually did in this photo:

Looking from the side, the profile isn't even straight; they just shortened the tip a bit. If these are the photos they chose to share publicly, I can't imagine what the ones they hide look like... 🤣

Same thing here with their handiwork:

The tip should have been reduced more, and the profile still isn't perfectly smooth. Typical rookie mistakes.

Just because someone is an ENT doesn't mean they have the actual skill or experience for nose surgery, whether it's simple or complex. Of course, an average ENT knows way more than most other surgeons since they spent their residency focusing on it. By default, you're safer in the hands of an ENT specialist.

Chris Moore3, can you tell us about your first surgery? Had you seen a surgeon before that?
If so, who was it? And just because Zambelli fixed your breathing issue or that high septal deviation, it doesn't mean some other experienced ENT couldn't have done the same if you'd trusted them. But me? I wouldn't go under the knife for my nose with someone who built their entire career on silicone injections and liposuction... 🙄 Unless I had much stronger guarantees and references for that surgeon.

As for Dr. Zam, all we know is he worked on Severina's cartilage and tip, but nobody ever saw the results. From what I follow in the celebrity news scene, the story didn't end there. She ended up seeing other surgeons later for more procedures, including nose corrections. Using Severina as a reference for anything is pretty ridiculous.

Maria Rodriguez75 said:and thank you for that!! 😵 I think I definitely will
..I just need to wait until next year to save up enough! Some unexpected expenses popped up, so most of my savings are gone👎

If nobody has managed to convince you yet that when your tooth hurts, you go to a dentist—not a gynecologist or an eye doctor—then you get the point. It's the same for your nose. I'm not looking to debate this further. 🤦 Just decide for yourself. When you're finally going under the knife and dropping two or two and a half thousand dollars, you'll know who you want to go to.

Chris Moore3 said:Hey everyone! It’s been over six months since my second nose job, so I thought I’d pop back onto this forum to see what’s happening. Looks like there’s some debate going on regarding Dr. Zambelli. Here’s my experience, if anyone is looking for guidance during their selection process.

It’s funny how right after people start criticizing certain private practitioners, a few users suddenly appear out of nowhere to share their "experiences." 🤔No one is saying Zambelli—or any private doctor—can't do a good job. At the end of the day, it’s a bit of a lottery. With a high volume of surgeries, you're bound to have a certain number of failures or mistakes that require revision. It's just basic math. But what I want to know is why anyone would choose him. Setting aside the fact that he’s the president of an association of aesthetic surgeons and has all those other credentials... he's a renowned surgeon when it comes to implants and plastic surgery. He actually gained wider recognition in the public eye and on forums after Severina (and she got it for free, no cost at all) had her nose done by him.

Before then, I guarantee nobody had ever heard he even dealt with noses. And that's when certain users started popping up, claiming they went to him too. Some shared positive impressions. Others just never came back to provide any follow-up. I remember one girl posting that, given the recommendation and the price she paid, she expected something better.

...I'm asking all the women who went to him, or are planning to, to explain their reasoning. Most of us in this discussion agreed that a more appropriate specialist would be an ENT. Someone with actual expertise in breaking nasal bone, fixing septal deviations, or reconstruction. I’m not saying another surgeon *can't* do it—that's an unfair assumption—but common sense tells you that for such a delicate procedure on the most exposed part of your face, you go to specialists for that specific area. Just like you'd go to a plastic surgeon for implants or a breast lift, rather than an ENT who runs a private practice and checks sinuses.

analogotter43 said:Regarding Dr. Glušac, I see there are conflicting opinions here. 😁 Reading this forum, I felt somewhat prepared for his demeanor, so I expected a certain level of detachment. But I realized that wasn't quite the case, based on how he treated me during and after the procedure. He’s a bit blunt, a real old-school guy from the South. 😁He swears and brags about himself, and he desperately needs a secretary, though apparently, he prefers answering patient emails and calls himself. Also, I think he needs his own private clinic instead of working out of a community health center. The reasons I chose him were local anesthesia,Removing tampons the very next day, plus his dual specialization in ENT and plastic surgery and how he’s constantly leveling up... I could barely snag a consultation with him, but it’s a dealbreaker for me.

Since you keeps bringing up Dr. Glušac, I might as well give you my unfiltered take. Up until two years ago, I thought he was one of the most competent guys in the country when it comes to rhinoplasty. His resume says it all—training in America at clinics that specialize specifically in nose jobs. You assume he’s picked up some solid, practical experience. Most of his work revolves around rhino and septoplasty; you could say noses are his bread and butter. Even though his practice is registered for reconstructive and plastic surgery, the bulk of his business is all about the nose. A surgeon friend of my dad’s, who’s actually a department head at a hospital, told me that when it comes to noses, Glušac is leagues ahead of the other big names in Washington, D.C. and the rest of the US.

What changed my mind were certain cases that happened under his care. Like I said, even with a high volume of surgeries, there’s always a small percentage of unwanted scenarios and complications. Some of those cases were discussed right here on this forum. If you're curious, just search his name in the search bar and the forum will pull up the exact posts. I don't want to get into the weeds with them now, but judge for yourself... especially regarding how he treats patients.

analogotter43 said:He tested out a technique on me to reduce bruising. Just a heads-up, I have pretty large eyes, but the day after surgery I had almost zero purple under my eyes :/

That’s one reason why I’d steer clear of him for now🙄, even if the guy clearly has the experience. I don't know how you feel about it, but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I were a guinea pig, letting someone experiment with new techniques and procedures on me. It could turn out great, or it could... mess up your entire nose, leaving you to spend half your savings on corrective surgery.🤦

Beyond that, I resent how much he oversimplifies crucial things, like wearing nasal tampons. We studied this in med school—for any kind of nasal trauma, it’s vital to keep the tampons in for several days. They act as stabilizers along with a splint to ensure the nasal bones heal correctly. I suspect he downplays these steps just to make himself and his methods look more appealing. But for the actual benefit of the patient, you really should have tampons for at least three days and a splint for at least a week. That said, purely as a technician, I still think Glušac (despite everything mentioned) is way more competent than someone like Zambelli or some of the newer private practitioners...

Judging by his recent posts, it looks like 😁

All jokes aside, I had an amazing experience with Dr. Glušac until about a year ago, but his blunt way of doing things... it definitely leaves an impression.

northernmaker84 said:Hey, does anyone know if going back to the same surgeon for a follow-up procedure means paying full price again, or is there usually some kind of discount... thanks.🙂

Which doctor did you see? 🙄

Maria Rodriguez75 said:I've been digging around... mostly just finding old stories. Does anyone actually have some recent experience to share? I'm also curious about the price tag. A few years back, it was around $2,400... hope it hasn't jumped up since then...

You need to decide for yourself if he's even worth the trouble. As far as I know, he specializes in general and plastic surgery—specifically the stuff people actually rave about. If there are any compliments, they’re usually about breast augmentations; I haven't heard a single good thing regarding rhinoplasty. I know he did a celebrity's nose once, but who knows how that actually turned out. Just because he worked on her doesn't mean he'll get it right for you. You’re taking the risk entirely on your own. Honestly, for the price he's asking—well over three thousand dollars—I'd rather just go straight to Dr. Glumič or some other big-name specialist who actually focuses on noses. Plus, the guy is cold... and he barely even answers his emails...🙄 It’s pretty common knowledge... just take a quick look at some of the discussions online about silicone implants and other cosmetic procedures.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole mess. It feels like we’re just spinning our wheels while everyone else moves ahead... Honestly, I don't see how anyone expects this to work without a serious reality check. Just my two cents...

I don't know what kind of logic you're using there, electricfox21... It just doesn't add up. Even if we look at it from a different angle, the math still fails. Honestly, some people just refuse to see the obvious truth right in front of them... it’s exhausting.

Look, I agree. What the surgeon actually does on the table matters way more than whether they’re charming or polite. But you can't totally ignore the human element either... especially if you need to go back in for a revision or tell them something isn't right. If they act like an idiot and just shut you out, that’s definitely not the doctor you want...

I’ll be the first to say it: an aesthetic surgeon needs to have a cool head. You want someone clear-headed and honest, not some sugar-coated salesman... though, I suppose a little kindness and empathy doesn't hurt either.

cosmicbadger83 said:I don't know who you've been talking to, but I'm one of Tončić’s patients. It's been 13 months since my surgery and nothing has gone wrong... nothing has collapsed or shifted. He removed my bump and narrowed my nose. You can find my previous posts on this topic if you look back—I even posted a couple of photos...

If you don't mind, go ahead and post those photos here... front view and side profile...

Lucky. Let us know how it goes when you're all done.

And I really hope you're getting the older Dr. Tony to perform the surgery... I've heard his son isn't much of an expert. Still just a rookie, really. The father knew what he was doing, but honestly, I wouldn't let him touch my nose.