9 posts shown.
Anthony White3 said:On August 30th, I had an appointment with Dr. Gudelj at the Holy Spirit Medical Center, where he determined that I have a deviated septum. I should be starting the necessary preliminary tests any day now, and I’m scheduled to check into the hospital on November 14th. From what I’ve gathered, the surgery usually takes place the very next day, though I haven't a clue how long they expect me to stay for recovery. I’ve heard nothing but glowing praise for Dr. Gudelj, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly. If anyone here has been under his care, I would truly appreciate any insights you might share.
I wasn't personally under his care, but I know plenty of people around me who were absolutely thrilled with him!!
rustyjackal26 said:Sending out huge thanks and even more kisses to placidcobra84, because she was actually the one who suggested I see Dr. Zambelli—and let me tell you, he is exactly the kind of physician she described!🎉
Thanks, rustyjackal26, I’m truly glad I could be of some help. 😍 Is there anything quite like the quiet, lingering sensation of a slow afternoon? It makes one wonder if we ever truly stop to appreciate the stillness, doesn't it?
rustyjackal26 said:@placidcobra842/">@@placidcobra842: please, dear, just keep us posted on how you're doing...🙂 we're all praying you'll be back to your old self very soon..🙂
How did you manage to get in touch with Dr. Raguž? Since I'm currently under Medicare, it feels a bit awkward for me to just drop in and see a specialist like that, so I was wondering if I might be able to reach him via phone or perhaps an email...
Getting an appointment with them can be quite a challenge, honestly; I had to coordinate everything through his secretary, so don't let the idea of visiting discourage you. His office number is 01 3712036, and he holds consultations on Fridays—and from what I've gathered, he truly is the absolute best when it comes to these matters, by the Holy Spirit. He’s a younger doctor, and you'll find he's incredibly open to any questions you might have.
I have finally undergone my nose surgery at the Holy Spirit Hospital, and I wanted to take a moment to share my experience with all of you who might be considering this procedure through Medicare.
Well, this whole journey actually began about a year and a half ago, though I kept putting it off until this summer due to sheer nerves and a busy schedule. Ultimately, it was the wealth of shared experiences here on this forum that gave me the courage to finally seek relief; after all, I’ve been breathing through my mouth since I was eight years old, and my nose had developed a slight tilt and a bump that was barely noticeable except in photos. Following several posts and some invaluable advice from our dear Donna Bennett73, I decided it was time to tackle the issue. Since the wait times at Rib or other major hospitals can be quite extensive, I opted for Holy Spirit under the care of Dr. Raguž. My initial consultation took place at the end of July, and the surgery was scheduled for September 24th. They diagnosed a severe deviation, and we agreed on a minor aesthetic adjustment—which I actually suggested myself by showing him a photo of how I wanted the final result to look! After completing all the necessary pre-op exams, the surgery took place on Tuesday, September 25th, which was just three days ago. Waking up from the anesthesia went reasonably well, though I suppose that experience is quite subjective from person to person.
That first night was restless, as I struggled with mild pain and the sound of nearby snoring. For me, the second day was definitely the lowest point; I felt incredibly weak and ended up vomiting a few times in the afternoon. Thankfully, by today—the third day—I am feeling much better. You should be prepared for the fact that every single day brings some sort of pressure or discomfort in your head, teeth, or ears. You also have to sleep strictly on your back. As for bruising, mine isn't too dramatic; I mostly just look like I applied a heavy layer of burgundy eyeshadow to my eyelids, while the nurse stayed by my side until my eyes finally closed.😲
I’ll be wearing the nasal tampons for five days, staying in the hospital until Monday (six days total), and the cast will come off after seven to ten days. The nursing staff here is absolutely top-notch!!!!😍
So, that is the update for now; I will be sure to keep you all posted on my recovery progress.😉
silverscout32 said:Hey everyone, I’m looking for some serious recommendations for surgeons because I’m facing a second nose surgery—this time covering both aesthetics and function.
Even after scrolling through all the advice here, I still feel completely paralyzed by indecision; how can one possibly choose someone who will actually nail this job while restoring my confidence for a follow-up procedure? I clearly messed up the first time...
To be blunt, I had surgery on my septum three years ago, and to call it anything less than a disaster would be an understatement.
The aesthetic part—that trendy little "add-on" during surgery—is one thing, but my breathing is ten times worse now than it was before! My primary goal right now is being able to breathe properly, though fixing the cosmetic damage wouldn't hurt either, so I really need a true master of both crafts. It’s the classic dilemma, isn't it? Private clinics seem to focus solely on looks, while the specialists focused on function 🙂 tend to overlook the beauty, but I need a magician! Please help... thanks in advance!
It always unnerves me when I read about someone having such a bad experience. I am truly sorry you're going through this. Are we talking about those high-profile doctors who specialize in septoplasties? Any specific details would be incredibly helpful.
I really appreciate how quickly everyone jumped in with their responses. 😍
Does anyone happen to have a sense of what the current wait times look like for rib surgeries? Furthermore, I’ve been wondering if the surgeons there are equipped to handle aesthetic nasal corrections alongside a septoplasty—specifically, if they would address removing a small bump on the bridge—all under the coverage of major medical insurance?
Lisa Edwards said:I actually had my nose done at the beginning of the year at KB Merkur in New York City. At their ENT department, you have several otolaryngologists to choose from, so everything really hinges on which specialist you see for the consultation and who ultimately performs the surgery. I was quite lucky—one of the doctors agreed to handle the aesthetic side of things for me, even though he originally didn't want to; I just had to be persistent about getting the cosmetic correction done at the same time. I’ve known cases where the doctors flat-out refused to touch the aesthetics, and they didn't—I actually saw some girls in my room at the clinic go through that. That's why I say it all comes down to how you negotiate during your initial exam.
-Regarding doctors covered by Medicare... They are primarily incentivied to fix the septal deviation (that's what they are paid for), not to perform cosmetic work. It truly depends on your communication and the specific arrangement you make with an individual doctor. Now, not every doctor under Medicare operates the same way; some might ask for an out-of-pocket fee for the aesthetic portion—though I don't know much about those specific arrangements—while others won't. 😁
In my first surgery, they corrected the deviation, but my stubborn nose tip ended up curving in such a way that I'm right back where I started. However, during my follow-up, they told me they could operate on the tip again (strictly for cosmetic reasons this time). If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a PM. 😬😬
Thanks so much for the reply!!!
Lisa Edwards said:Exactly—a deviated septum can absolutely be corrected via surgery even at seventeen. At least in public hospitals; I wouldn't know how things work with private clinics.
And honestly, if you opt for the procedure through a public hospital, everything is covered by Medicare if the deviation is medically necessary. While you're at it, you can always try to negotiate whether they’ll handle the aesthetic side of things too; if they won't, well, then you just keep looking elsewhere. As for private practices, I'm really not sure—maybe ask someone else or do a bit more reading in this thread...
It doesn't actually hurt... and frankly, I want to be able to breathe with my lungs full, which is why I'm going back in myself.😁
I realize people can get a bit intense when these questions come up, but I am genuinely curious: does anyone have firsthand experience regarding which doctors are reliable under Medicare coverage? Specifically, are there any willing to perform a little cosmetic touch-up on the nose during the process, or is that still an option in our public hospitals?
So many people mention great surgeons, yet it seems nobody ever speaks up about those who will tackle the aesthetic improvements for free!