Posts by Maria Hall92

Rachel Fisher97 said:🙂
Hehehe, I am honestly just sitting here counting down the minutes until you finally pop that mold off! 😁😁

Haha, look at her go 😁... Honestly, same here. As much as I love the anticipation, there's always that tiny little knot of anxiety about how things will actually turn out once the big change happens. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, isn't it? :/

stormyharbor2 said:General anesthesia all the way! Honestly, I don't get why everyone makes such a huge production out of the physical toll or the recovery process, blah blah blah... Since I’m basically a plant during the whole thing, I didn't feel a single thing. The only things I noticed were feeling a little pleasantly woozy and being quite chilly afterward. 🤷

Ugh, tell me about it. Hang in there!

Haha, thanks! 🙂 So, when did you have your surgery, which hospital did you go to, and how was the experience overall?

Rachel Fisher97 said:Well, you’ve definitely cheered me up a bit now... I told you before, you’re my little ray of hope here. 😍
Honestly, just thinking about the local anesthesia part makes me feel like I'm slipping into a coma. 😁
I'll be asking for another status update tomorrow... I know, I know, I'm being totally neurotic. 🤣 😁

Hehe, don't you worry one bit. Before my surgery, that was my absolute biggest fear—just how much they were going to numb everything and what that sensation would actually feel like. But believe me, once they get that placement done, all those worries just melt away. And once they give you the stuff that makes your head spin? You'll be completely wiped out, probably smelling a little funky too, and then they’ll tuck those soaked gauze pads in your nose and start the injections, and just like that—it's over. You won't feel a thing; you'll just lie there listening to... well, nothing, actually, because you won't hear anything at all! It’s honestly as intense as being at a dentist's office. 🙂 So, please, don't be scared. For instance, even today, I don't have any of those dark circles under my eyes everyone warned me about; I just have a tiny bit of bruising near the side of my eye where the cooling pack was sitting. 🙂 My nose still doesn't hurt either... I only sneezed twice (gross!). 🙂)

Kate Taylor59 said:Well, my doctor actually told me that general anesthesia is the best way to go. He mentioned that none of his patients—at least not under his care—ever had issues stemming from the anesthesia itself...

Honestly, having gone through my first surgery under general anesthesia, now that I know this other option exists, I wouldn't choose general again if I had the choice. It feels like you're just wiped out; you can't even get back on your feet for ages because your whole system is just completely drained. But me? I was just in surgery yesterday, and I’m already up, walking around, and thinking clearly. Everything feels totally normal. The recovery speed is night and day... I just can't stand being stuck in a hospital bed.

Ashley Gomez said:I’ve officially scheduled my surgery with Dr. Bastaić for June 20th. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!
I honestly can’t even begin to wrap my head around the thought of having to deal with tampons for three whole days straight. It’s just... ugh. I get that sense of dread deep in my gut whenever I think about it. It feels like such a chore, you know? Like, why does this have to be part of the monthly routine? It’s one of those things that sounds simple enough on paper, but when you're actually living through it, it's just an exhausting cycle of discomfort and constant management. I'm already mentally bracing myself for the hassle. 😢

Ugh, I am feeling absolutely miserable right now. Honestly, even just trying to swallow feels like such a chore. I’m completely dehydrated, and it’s driving me up the wall. I have this desperate craving to just drench myself in water—like, soak my whole body in it—but I can't even get the hydration into my system properly. Every time I try to take two gulps in a row, it’s like this weird vacuum forms in my throat, physically blocking me from swallowing more than one sip at a time. It’s maddening! One little sip after another just isn't cutting it when you're this thirsty. I feel like I'm losing my mind; I just want to drink my fill and finally feel quenched! Aaaaah!

rustygardener172 said:I definitely did! I was using ice packs constantly. I actually grabbed some from CVS... they're those ones filled with a special gel... you just keep them chilling in the fridge at all times. When you need one, you pull it out, hold it against the area for as long as you can stand it, and then toss it right back in the freezer. They cost less than $6.75, and honestly, they're a lifesaver.

Personally, I’ve always maintained that most people don't actually feel much pain in their nose during this. I’ve gone through two procedures myself, and not once did I feel even a hint of discomfort. If you haven't felt any pain up to this point, I doubt you ever will 👍

Yeah, I know about those at CVS, I'll pick some up. For now, I'm just using the ones from the clinic 😁 Yeah, it doesn't hurt at all, seriously, it's great 🙂

steelangler88 said:Oh, tell me about it. I didn't have anything going on the first day either, but by day two? My eyelids were turning blue, and by evening, the swelling between my eyes was so intense I could barely keep them HALF open.😂 It was honestly terrifying. I was sitting there thinking, "Good grief, if this gets one millimeter worse, my eyes might actually pop out," and I was worried the pressure would be so high the splint would just fly right off against the wall!😁
And here I am, feeling like I'm making absolutely zero progress... I don't know, my nose looks massive right now, and honestly, that experience from my first surgery hasn't helped much because I still have no clue how this is all going to turn out in the end... 😲

😢 Just try to stay patient... though, dammit, I was actually kind of looking forward to not having blonde hair anymore! :/

Rachel Fisher97 said:Oh my goodness, I have to ask 😲 how exactly you felt that... was it actual pain, or more like when you're at the dentist having a filling done—you can feel the work happening, but there’s no sharp pain?
Goodness gracious, just 😲 hands down
such incredible bravery. Please, you absolutely have to give us daily updates 🙂 because you are my beacon of hope! 😍

It felt more like a little tickle inside my nose rather than any real pain. Honestly, the only time I felt anything was when they were using the hammer; I felt a bit of discomfort, but it wasn't even painful. And strangely enough, it still doesn't hurt at all right now... it's quite bizarre, really. I'm crossing my fingers that it stays this way! 🙂 Hehe, alright then, I'll be sure to keep everyone posted 😛

rustygardener172 said:Maria Hall92... wow... so you heard the whole story? Honestly, that’s probably for the best—now you know exactly what they put you through 😉
As for the bruising... I actually thought it wasn't a big deal at first until I finally slept through the night. 😁 It doesn't just happen instantly; it takes a little while to really show up. For me, the second day was absolutely the worst.

Are you serious? I mean, she mentioned it to me, but I honestly thought that was all there was to it 😁.. Did you use ice packs? My doctor told me to keep an ice pack on my nose constantly...

Hey everyone, I’m finally back from my surgery... so let me give you the full rundown of how it went. First off, I had another sit-down with the doctor to finalize the game plan. He mentioned he’d likely go with a closed technique because he thinks he can achieve a better result that way, whereas an open procedure might actually make things more complicated. After that, I headed over with my sister so she could give me a sedative injection to help me relax, and then they did another round of exams—this time with a more senior specialist. They spent quite a while looking me over and debating the best approach, even bringing up the possibility of an open surgery again (honestly, at that point, I wasn't even worried about the surgery itself; I was just dreading the needle! It felt like they could have just amputated my leg 😁 for all I knew). I truly felt like my nose situation was a bit of a mess, and for a second, it almost seemed like they were second-guessing whether they could pull it off successfully... Afterward, I laid down on the table, and my sister placed those soaked gauze pads inside my nostrils—anesthetic or whatever it was—and then they started the IV drip with something that made me feel heavy and sleepy, though I wasn't fully unconscious yet. Then came the slightly unpleasant part: the local anesthetic applied internally. I felt it hitting several spots inside, and it was pretty uncomfortable because of the stinging; I definitely had some tears welling up. I just lay there for a few minutes waiting for it to kick in. I kept my eyes tightly shut the whole time, and then suddenly I heard the doctor say, "Let's go" (OH MY GOD!). I heard everything, vividly. I wasn't asleep at all. I was just in this dazed, quiet state, keeping my eyes shut. I could have opened them, but I didn't think it was a smart move—I really didn't want to accidentally see anything, heaven forbid!!.. I’m actually not entirely sure which specific technique they ended up using... I felt some scraping, heard him mention something about having to work laterally, and then I heard the sound of the incision being made to remove that little bump. I felt the tugging of the thread, and then... out of nowhere... the hammer 😁 hahahahahah oh my goodness... I actually felt and heard the impact of the hammer, hahaha! I felt it hit maybe two or three times. Seriously, folks, I felt and heard every single thing. But I have to tell you, IT ISN'T BAD AT ALL and for anyone who is nervous, you really don't need to fear the locally enhanced anesthesia or any of the stuff I mentioned (well, except for the local part, which is bearable). IT DOESN'T HURT... Once the surgery was done, I just rested for a bit, and now I can head home. I can walk around just fine, I'm not dizzy, I don't feel nauseous, I'm actually hungry, my nose doesn't hurt at all, my head feels fine, and I don't feel exhausted or worn out... Honestly, you shouldn't avoid this just because of the fear, because you won't deal with any of that discomfort. I don't even have bad bruising; you can barely see it in the corners of my eyes. Everything went wonderfully with Dr. Tončić.
I'm just waiting to see if he managed to fix my ugly nose 🙂. If he did, I am definitely recommending him
.

Rachel Fisher97 said:Are you actually scared of local anesthesia? 😲 Because I am absolutely terrified. 😢
If I read that correctly, you're heading in tomorrow? Please, please let me know how everything goes, and good luck! * :

Oh, definitely. It’s locally administered. I was reading some threads online saying it’s no big deal—that you just get local numbing in the very spot where they're operating, plus something to help you drift off... though not quite the deep, heavy sleep you get with general anesthesia. But still, yeah, the idea of it scares me. 😢 Especially after falling down the rabbit hole of surgery forums once I started looking into this... ugh, my nerves are shot.

Thank you so much! I promise I'll report back with all the details on how it went. Honestly, though, I'm nervous. More than the anesthesia itself, I'm worried about whether they'll actually deliver what I'm looking for—you know, if they'll truly fix the specific part of my nose that I hate most. Like I mentioned before, the surgeon didn't make any impossible promises. We have one more consultation scheduled, and I plan to be incredibly blunt about my expectations so there's zero confusion. Mamma mia! 😢 Hahaha, I don't know why I decided to go through with this! 😁

Rachel Fisher97 said:I honestly don't get why they have you consult with someone younger if they aren't even the ones performing the surgery... In my opinion, it would make much more sense to lay out all your specific concerns and "worries" directly to the surgeon who will actually be taking charge of your case. 🤷
I ended up choosing Tončić too, but I am absolutely insisting on meeting with a more senior doctor during the consultation because, frankly, I find this whole setup a bit unprofessional.
Anyway, I'm wishing you the absolute best of luck! Please, please keep us posted on how the surgery goes and how the new implant turns out. 😍

Hehe... I was actually feeling a little bit pickier about wanting a more veteran surgeon myself, but honestly? Just let it go. It doesn't really change anything for you. This guy isn't some amateur, either. During my own consultation, he mentioned that there’s always one final chat right before the actual surgery date, so you'll definitely have one last chance to speak your mind and get everything settled. Plus, he noted that they often have two or even three specialists working together depending on the complexity of the case. He won't be alone in there, so there's really nothing to fear 🙂. And like rustygardener172 pointed out, you never know who might be tinkering around under your nose while you're unconscious on the table 😁 😁
.
Thanks so much for the good vibes! I'll be sure to update everyone on how it all goes. 🙂

Kate Taylor59 said:let me tell you how it went...

The guy is wonderful... honestly, he’s one of the most down-to-earth doctors I’ve ever met, and a fantastic psychologist to boot.
I practically suffocated him with my "what if this" and "how about that"... He tried so hard to explain why he couldn't just slim down the tip of my nose too much—you know, that little point at the bottom—because then I wouldn't be able to breathe. He put it this way: look, I could do that easily, it would be the simplest job in the world, I'd just snip that part off to make it narrow, boom, done... but then you wouldn't be able to catch your breath... and what would we do then??
So many surgeons promise you the moon and stars, and then you end up with a tiny, pretty little nose, but your breathing—which is actually the most important part—is completely messed up.
I immediately started asking to see photos of his previous work. He showed me a few things, but then he said, "Listen, how do you know I won't just show you my absolute best results? The ones where everything turned out perfectly?" He was basically asking if I thought surgeons didn't play that game. He told me he'd show me more, but emphasized that everything is unique; everyone has a different nose structure, and it’s simply impossible to use a cookie-cutter template (like, "I want a nose like Severina") because the goal is to reshape *your* nose into its best version. I told him straight up: I love your photos, but to be honest, I'm not feeling it from the front view... that tip... this and that... He then turned to my mom and said, "It's not easy for you... it's all in the head." He mentioned there are people who can never be satisfied, and frankly, those are the types he fears most. He said he wouldn't even operate on someone like that because they are chasing a perfection that doesn't exist... they'll always find something to complain about... Later, when I asked to see more photos, he said, "I'm sorry, I'll be the bad guy here, but I can't show you more because I see this isn't leading anywhere..." I kept badgering him about the tip of my nose... He explained nicely that if the skin is tightened, it might pull, and that he'd make an incision under the nose to correct the tip... but since I have thicker skin, I shouldn't expect an ultra-tiny nose. The results would be visible, but he's worried my expectations aren't realistic... It was also a huge letdown to find out I don't actually have a deviated septum (which they had initially diagnosed), and that my sinuses are fine, yet I constantly feel stuff draining into my throat, making it hard to swallow. Since he's a true man of science, he explained it's likely acid reflux. To be fair, I have had stomach erosions and acid issues, but how am I supposed to breathe through my mouth when it hurts so much... I was so frustrated yesterday that I just gave up on the surgery altogether... I don't know...
Anyway... the man is a genius... and I highly recommend him to anyone who doesn't want to deal with breathing problems after their procedure...
As for the anesthesia—he said no one of his patients has ever struggled with nausea or any issues with it, and that modern anesthesia is a massive leap forward compared to before...
(It's being done in a general hospital)

Yeah, the guy has a point, and I agree with him, but why did you give up? He was just giving you the reality check, and that doesn't mean he can't make your nose look better... He was just telling you "what if" scenarios. Your nose definitely won't stay looking the way it does now; it will be improved...
And why are you disappointed just because you don't have a deviation? If anything, that's better for you! The procedure would be simpler because of that.
Don't talk bull🙂 ... even Tončić didn't promise me the world... I felt like a lost cause myself... but I'm going through with it anyway because I can't believe that modern medicine can't fix a few small things, and I truly believe I'll look better.

Emily Martinez12 said:Honestly, everyone, I’m constantly scrolling through stories about those lumps and bumps that seem to show up on everyone after surgery. Then I saw rustygardener172’s post, and for a split second, I thought, "Hey, maybe there’s finally one person out there whose results turned out perfectly!" But then I look closer, and even she ended up with more "little imperfections" than expected. 😢

It’s a disaster. Honestly, I feel completely discouraged now.. 😢

Ugh, tell me about it... seriously. It’s such a catch-22. If you don't go through with the procedure, you're stuck dealing with your nose and how you look forever. But if you do go for it, you're risking a total mess. Personally? I've made my choice—I'm taking the leap. 😁 It's decided now. 😁 There's no turning back... and honestly, I'm not terrified, mostly because I doubt anyone could make things worse than what that butcher did to me..
Besides, look... it might not even be a permanent thing. Recovery takes months, after all..

steelangler88 said:The first doctor painted my clouds a vibrant shade of blue, but the second one just told me he couldn't make any promises at all...😁 so, can you guess which one actually delivered better results?😛

Anyway, back to me—I honestly think that lump on my right side has gotten smaller!!! Ugh, if it would just DISAPPEAR entirely, that would be absolutely WONDERFUL!!!!!😍

Though, I suppose I probably shouldn't get my hopes up too high just yet.🙄

Haha... look, if you're still relatively fresh out of surgery, don't stress yourself out. Everything has to settle in its own time, you know how it goes...

steelangler88 said:Honestly, girls, I’d much rather someone tell me straight up that they can't make any promises than have them swear up and down they'll do everything perfectly, only to end up doing absolutely nothing—or worse, just making a total mess of things. It’s like when you hire a contractor who talks a big game about how your renovation will be flawless, but then they show up late, miss deadlines, and leave you with a half-finished kitchen. At least if they told you from the start, "Look, I'm busy and might not get to this right away," you could prepare yourself. My first experience with an operations manager was exactly like that... ugh, what a disaster.
🙄

And that’s just the honest truth. I completely hear you on that—it honestly takes me right back to how I felt after my very first one. Just... absolute garbage. 😢

rustygardener172 said:One of them gave up on it, and honestly, I can't even remember what the other one said.
I’m not sure if she’s just being dramatic, but based on what you wrote—which lines up perfectly with what he told me and what I remember hearing elsewhere—it sounds pretty 😁
I was actually really leaning toward going to him... even after that whole awkward conversation. But my friends talked me into getting a second opinion from a specialist first before making a final call. Because, man, he really threw me for a loop...
When I finally sat down with Glušac, it was a completely different vibe... firm, confident, and truly promising. That approach felt much more reassuring to me, especially since this was my second surgery.

That’s exactly it. I walked out of there feeling just as unsettled as you did. It's like he doesn't want to make any promises, though maybe he's more certain than he lets on? Still, it feels like he's just pushing the patient along, and I don't quite get why. As for me, I ended up not going to any further consultations at all. Deep down, I have this gut feeling he’ll sort it out, and given how unique my situation is, I figured anyone else would probably tell me the exact same thing. I don't know...

Kate Taylor59 said:Oh man... I am honestly so incredibly sorry you're going through all of this right now... 😢
Everything is going to turn out fine, though. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! And thank you so much 🙂

Look, life just throws these curveballs at us sometimes, doesn't it? 👎 When is your follow-up appointment? Please, let us know how everything goes

rustygardener172 said:That’s exactly how I felt after talking to him... like my nose was some kind of impossible medical anomaly that he couldn't possibly guarantee success with... blah blah... asymmetrical features, issues with the cartilage...
That's why I eventually walked away and went to get a second opinion.
But don't let it get to you... honestly, it sounds like he's just using that line as a sales pitch to everyone before surgery. It's like he's trying to build a legal shield so he can avoid lawsuits or refund requests if things don't go perfectly. He can just say, "Hey, I warned you it might not work, and you signed off on it anyway." 😁
If I had realized back then that it was just a tactic, I probably would have gone to him too. I really would have. But at the time, I thought he was just being extra cautious with *me* specifically, until a few other girls told me they heard the exact same thing... so now you know. 😁
Good luck on Monday!!!!! Please let us know how it goes. I'm sure everything will turn out amazing!!

So he's just blowing smoke, huh? 🙂 ..you've actually made me feel a lot better about this, and I really hope you're right 🙂.. did those girls who told you that end up going to him for their procedures, and how did their results turn out?
Honestly, the whole thing feels so bizarre to me—the idea that a plastic surgeon wouldn't be able to fix a nose. It's not like I'm walking around with a door handle on my face instead of a nose! 🙂.. anyway, I really hope it all turns out okay..
Thanks for the good vibes, I'm definitely going to need them... I'll keep you guys posted on everything 🙂. I'm just counting down the days because, truth be told, I'm pretty nervous (this is my second surgery, and honestly, the thought of it makes me want to gag because I know what's coming), I just want it all to be over. At least I won't have to show up to work! hihi 😬😬

Kate Taylor59 said:Honestly, why even stress? Compared to someone taking a dull chainsaw to your leg, this is nothing! xDD
Anyway, is it really that painful?? Good grief... I’m actually feeling a bit uneasy about it... ://
I'm going to see Dr. Davor Dzepina 🙂

I don't know... for me, it was rough. I remember having nasal packing shoved in my nose while I was still wide awake right after my accident—now THAT is real pain. When they finally pulled them out, it hurt too, but nothing compared to the sensation of having those things drilled straight into my brain... haha. But hey, we'll pull through this, we really will 🙂...

Wishing you all the best with everything 😁