Posts by rustygardener172

silentotter99 said:I finally took the mold off and... honestly, I'm happy... mostly. Everything is still super swollen and I look nothing like myself right now, and it's hard to even tell how my nose looks yet 🙂 You were totally right when you told me not to look at myself for the next month, because ever since this surgery, I find myself staring in the mirror more than ever in my entire life 😂
I'm really glad you're happy with the results and that things kept getting better for you. 😉
What’s actually stressing me out is that the bridge of my nose feels thick and swollen, but it's also gotten really hard. I'm terrified that my cartilage is overgrowing. 🤷 I was reading on some forums that some girls have already run into issues where the cartilage just keeps growing—especially if you're genetically prone to it—and once it happens, there's no shrinking it back down on its own. Since I'm clearly one of those people who swelled up like a total bumblebee after surgery, I'm worried I might be one of those people prone to extra cartilage growth too. 😢 It literally feels like there's a checkmark sticker stuck on my nose.
Has anyone else dealt with this specific team? Is it actually possible for cartilage to start growing just a week after the procedure, or am I just panicking over nothing?

Ugh, tell me about it. My nasal bridge was swollen like crazy too... full-on nightmare mode. I was freaking out thinking it would stay like that forever, and I was literally questioning why the surgeon even touched that part since it seemed fine before... But listen, it's been two and a half months now, and that level of swelling is completely gone. 😁 Don't spiral. It's way too early for you to be making any definitive calls on how you look.
Cartilage grows... and man, people walk around with actual surgical scissors inside their bodies after these procedures. 😁 Look, what can I say? Weird stuff happens to people all the time... but that doesn't mean it's going to happen to you. So please, stop wrecking your head over a cute little nose by worrying about "what ifs" that haven't happened yet and probably never will. 😍

silentotter99 said:Honestly, I don't even know. I think I'll just wait until all these bandages are finally off and the swelling goes down a bit. Hopefully, things will start looking better then. 🙂

So, I was reading online that some girls have been using Heparin cream to deal with swelling, and since I couldn't find anything else at the drugstore, I just grabbed the Heparin cream instead—which is basically the same thing, right? But now I'm second-guessing myself. How on earth are you supposed to apply it around the eye area?? The instructions specifically say "do not get in eyes," but my bruising is most intense right around my eyelids. I'm staring at this tube thinking, do I actually put it on the skin there, or am I asking for a disaster? Anyone dealt with this before?🤷

By the way, rustygardener172, when did you actually have your surgery? And be honest—did your nose finally settle into its permanent shape, or is it still changing on you every single day? 🙂

It's not Hepanol, it's heparin. Seriously, get it right! 😁 Look, I’m not saying you can get it directly in your eyes—that’s a terrible idea. But applying it right around the eye area? That's fine. Just, for the love of god, be careful that none of it actually slips inside the eyeball itself. Seriously, watch your step there.
Don't go spiraling on me now... your nose is still going to go through a ton of changes anyway.Seriously, just don't even look at yourself in the mirror for the first month! Seriously, stay away from it. I am being dead serious here... this is hands down the best advice you'll ever get! 😉 ...but seriously, just take a picture already. 🙂 Look, if you want to see how much things actually change, just check out the nose progress shots. One week after surgery, two weeks... three... one month... two months... man, it’s a total roller coaster. Every single stage looks completely different. 😁 That's hilarious!!
So, I had my surgery on September 24th... which means it’s been about two and a half months now. Honestly? It feels like my nose is finally starting to settle into its actual shape. Don't get me wrong, I actually liked how it looked before, but now? Everything just keeps getting better and better every single day. 😁 So, the swelling at the tip of my nose is finally starting to die down, and honestly? It’s changing my whole profile. My nose doesn't look nearly as rounded anymore because the tip looks like it’s dropping. (And just so nobody gets the wrong idea—the tip itself isn't actually physically drooping; it's just that the swelling on top is vanishing, which makes it visually look like it's sinking... hope you guys catch my drift.) 😁 )

silentotter99 said:I honestly don't know yet. I haven't even taken the splint off, so I'll give you the real scoop once I do. Right now, though, it looks like my nose got way shorter and lifted too much, but fingers crossed it settles down once all this swelling finally dies out. 🙂

hahahaha man, I thought the exact same thing...but trust me, it's not true. Once you finally get that mold off, you’re going to be staring in the mirror in total shock at how "huge" your nose looks from all the swelling—it'll look like a pig snout for a minute there. But seriously, it'll go down in just a few days...it gets smaller and smaller and smaller until it's just perfect. 😉

silentotter99 said:It’s only been four days since the surgery, so I know I’m still in that weird, blurry recovery zone where everything feels unpredictable. But man, this sensation is driving me nuts. It feels like these little air bubbles are constantly inflating inside my nose. I’m guessing it’s just mucus trying to find a way to let some air through, but the timing is terrible because I can't actually get a decent breath, and the constant tickling is absolutely maddening. 🙂 I was reading some stuff online saying that girls start breathing normally almost immediately after taking out a tampon, but honestly? For me, I only got a few minutes of relief before everything felt totally clogged up again. It’s such a joke. Whatever, I’m just gonna try cleansing with some aquamarine and using those baby drops he gave me—just whatever gets into my nose, it goes in. Fingers crossed.

So, I should probably just leave the Q-tips alone entirely, right? I mean, I was just trying to clear out some of that gunk from the tip of my nose—just whatever would stick to the cotton—and I’m basically swirling them around super gently while I work. But man, I feel like I've already burned through half a box of them. Is this bad? Or am I just overthinking it?😂

Look, man, it’s been four days of absolutely nothing on my end... I was dealing with a nose that felt like it had been stuffed with concrete for at least a week straight. Just hang in there and be patient; eventually, things are gonna clear up. 😁
Honestly, it was probably just some girls who left those tampons sitting in their noses for five or seven days straight... I only had mine in for a single day, and I’m guessing you didn't keep yours in any longer than that either.
I’ve gone and used those Q-tips a "few" times myself, too. 😁 Go ahead, man—nobody’s stopping you. Just watch your step, alright? Don't say I didn't warn you. 😉

Amanda Davis15 said:Hey everyone,🙂

I figured I’d jump into this thread too... maybe some of you can toss some advice my way if you've dealt with something similar, or just give me a little pep talk... haha...

...I definitely need surgery, I just haven't decided which one yet.🤣🤷

Everything Glušac told you, I’ve heard firsthand... even that bit about the roof and the hardwood floors 😂 because I was actually right there when this woman came in for a consultation with the exact same issue you have... I was just sitting on the couch waiting for my own checkup.😁
The odds of you being wrong when someone tells you that you have a deviated septum are basically zero... considering like 80% of the population deals with it. It really just comes down to whether it messes with your life or not. I bet Glušac mentioned that no elite athlete could ever make it to the big leagues if they were struggling with a deviation... he repeated that to me at least ten times.😁
It sounds like you're one of those people where the deviation actually matters. If you really sit down and think about it... his logic makes total sense... everything he said holds water. I’m guessing most doctors (at the hospital) wouldn't even have the bandwidth to overthink your specific case... they just don't... you're just one of a hundred patients walking through their doors that day... by the time you leave the office, they've already forgotten who you were.
Anyway, it’s worth a shot... if I were in your shoes, I’d go ahead and fix the septum and then just wait to see what happens with the tonsils. If they don't get better, you can always have them removed later, but at least you'll be done with the nose situation.😁
I had my septum repaired at the hospital... then a couple years later, I had my tonsils out... and then a few years after that, I had to redo the nose surgery because the first one clearly didn't take. After the tonsil surgery, I was absolutely dying from the pain... I would NEVER, and I mean NEVER, do that again in my entire life... but as far as the nose surgery goes... I went under general anesthesia, so that should tell you enough 😁 it didn't hurt a single bit... not even a little!
Glušac even told me he thought I wouldn't have even needed to deal with the tonsils if the septum surgery had been a success in the first place.
I went in for my surgery just two weeks after my exam... and that was only because he was out of town for a week.😁 Things move pretty fast with him once you get started.
Sorry for the novel, but I hope this helps a little... whatever you decide, good luck! 😉

silentotter99 said:But wait, are you even allowed to blow your nose? I read somewhere on some random forum that it’s strictly off-limits—some girl mentioned her skin was actually swelling up around her nostrils because she did it.😲

So, how long has it been since your surgery? My surgeon, Glušac, told me (it was about 10 days out from the procedure) that blowing my nose was actually encouraged. But I’m not talking about your typical "grab a Kleenex and blast it" move... that's a recipe for disaster. What he meant was more like using a saline spray, like a little Sterimar mist, into one nostril, waiting a sec... then covering the other side with your finger (don't squeeze it shut, just block the opening) and gently breathing/blowing outward through the sprayed side. You'll see exactly how much gunk comes out 🙂 and then you just do the exact same thing for the other side...

silentotter99 said:And when did you guys finally start breathing normally again, without all that blood buildup and congestion getting in the way?

For me, it was maybe two or three weeks in... then suddenly, I could actually breathe again! 👏

silentotter99 said:I’ve got a question for the ladies who have already survived surgery. Did your doctor prescribe anything specific for rinsing out your nasal passages once those tampons were finally pulled? And honestly, how long did it take before you could actually breathe normally again? My doctor told me to pick up some NeilMed sinus rinse and use it three times a day, but everything inside my nose is just completely crusted over with dried blood. The liquid barely even makes it halfway through. I’m also wondering—did any of you try cleaning the inside of your nose with Q-tips? Part of me is terrified to even touch anything in there, but the other part is freaking out that if I don't clean it, the scabs are just going to get worse. Should I just go ahead and grab some standard saline solution from the pharmacy on my own, or should I stick strictly to what the doctor ordered? If anyone has some actual, smart advice, please help a girl out! 🙂

So, I spent the entire first week following exactly what my doctor laid out—two drops every single time, three times a day. But honestly? It was a total wash. It’s like the stuff couldn't even get through the blockage; there was just way too much congestion for those little drops to make a dent. 😁
So, when I showed up for my follow-up appointment, the doc told me I needed to start rinsing out my sinuses—either using a saline solution or some kind of sea water spray. He specifically suggested picking up something like Arm & Hammer or maybe just a basic saline kit from CVS. Honestly? I’m lazy. Like, unapologetically lazy. The idea of messing around with a syringe, trying to mix my own solution or deal with saltwater sounds like way too much work for my current energy levels. I didn't have the patience to play chemist in my kitchen just to get some relief. So, I just went ahead and grabbed those Sterimar sprays instead. It’s just easier since they come with the built-in sprayer right on the bottle. Why make life harder than it needs to be, right? 😉
I didn't even have to mess around with anything... I just grabbed one of those nasal cannulas, waited a beat, gave it a good blow, and then did the exact same thing with the other one. Simple as that.
Look, you can just go out and buy your own saline solution. It’s not like it's some restricted substance or anything—it's not that deep. Seriously, stop making such a big deal out of it.

stormyharbor2 said:Do we seriously even need to keep those tampons in for five whole days if we're doing both aesthetic and functional work?😢

Look, I had them keeping the tampons in me for five full days at the hospital, and all they did was a basic functional fix... which ended up being a total bust. 🙂
Glušac only kept mine in for a single day, but she handled both the functional and the aesthetic stuff... and honestly, you can see how successful that turned out. 😁

I ended up dropping about $1,800 on my surgery... I was mostly looking to fix how things actually worked, but honestly, I decided to get a little cosmetic work done too 😁 because if I’m already under the knife, I might as well make sure it looks good. 😁 Just fixing the function alone would've been cheaper... if you want the lowdown on any other specific details, feel free to shoot me a DM and I'll get back to you.

stormyharbor2 said:Comfort me, rustygardener172. 🙂 Maybe they were just dealing with much tougher cases than yours?

I don't know... I mean, have you seen my nose lately? It definitely wasn't exactly a masterpiece before this... He had to break bones, shave down cartilage, reconstruct my nasal conchae...
Honestly, it all comes down to the individual and how sensitive they are... and let me tell you, I am fooooooolishly sensitive, and I didn't even look like this back then 😁
but I stuck strictly to everything the doctor told me to do... creams, cold compresses...

James Edwards said:Hey everyone!
So, I’ve got a question for you all. I had surgery last year to fix a deviated septum, and honestly, everything seemed totally fine for the first two months before it just reverted right back to how it was. My nose is absolutely killing me again, and I really want to get it fixed properly this time.
The catch is, I don't have any supplemental insurance anymore, so I'm wondering—how much does an operation like this actually run me?

I can give you the full rundown on my experience, too. When I woke up from the surgery, they told me everything went perfectly and they were super happy with the results, even though they ran into some issues because my nose was actually fractured (they didn't realize that until they were mid-surgery, even though I kept telling them about this massive bump on my nose). I was floored when I looked in the mirror and realized they hadn't even touched the crooked part😲. It was pure shock and disbelief, but at that point, I was almost willing to just live with a hump on my nose as long as I could breathe normally.
But like I said, after two months, my nose went right back to its old ways; I can't breathe through one nostril at all. Also, if you'll excuse the bluntness, my nasal congestion is rock hard—meaning my nose isn't runny, it's just constantly stuffed up every single morning to the point where I can't even blow it, I basically have to dig it out. Is it possible they messed something up with my nasal mucosa or something?👎
Anyway, the big question is still the main thing: how much would a redo cost? Because I'm definitely not in a position to drop a massive amount of cash on this right now.

Hospitals... man, what can I even tell you. My nose was crooked and they told me I had a deviated septum and needed surgery (I went in for a checkup because I was constantly congested, couldn't breathe without sprays, and was dealing with brutal migraines). They also told me the surgery was a success... except my nose was still just as crooked. When I asked why they didn't straighten it, they claimed I told them I didn't want cosmetic surgery. Look, I did say I didn't want cosmetic work—I wanted to keep my original shape—but surely it goes without saying that they should fix the actual deviation that was preventing me from breathing?!?! I still don't get their logic to this day!!!! After my surgery, it was just like your situation... my breathing felt worse and worse, and my nose looked more crooked by the day... I have no clue what they were even doing down there?! So, about 3 or 4 years after that first mess, I finally had a second surgery... and this one was actually successful, because even now, only two and a half months later, I'm breathing better than ever!! ...but I went to a private specialist instead.

As for the mucosa... it recovers, but it takes a year or two. Basically, right after surgery, it might feel like you're breathing worse, but that's just at the start... once the deviation is straightened and oxygen starts hitting areas it couldn't reach before, the tissue has to adjust, clean itself out, I don't know how else to put it... hope you get what I mean😁 but generally, it takes about a year for things to settle down and start functioning properly again...

wanderingmason86 said:Anyway, it doesn't really matter now. I managed to track down a doctor over at a different hospital, so I'm heading in for a checkup right after New Year's Day.

The main thing is you finally found yourself a doctor, 👍

stormyharbor2 said:Honestly, I’m actually starting to freak out a little. I genuinely thought that was just some extreme outlier case, but now it turns out you guys were all looking the same way.

WE ARE NOT 😁

wanderingmason86 said:Look, if a private practice actually wanted to focus strictly on functional stuff... well, it varies by doctor, but I’ve definitely noticed this weird trend where prices are leveling out. It feels like they aren't charging much less for a purely functional surgery compared to one that’s half-aesthetic. Honestly, your best bet is just to grill every single surgeon individually.

I know for a fact that Glušac wants to... because right after my procedure, this guy came in for surgery who was strictly there for function—specifically his turbinates... and when I saw him at the final follow-up, he’d had nothing done but the functional part...

wanderingmason86 said:That’s what I used to believe too (I think I literally told him that), but here’s the kicker: he’s the only private doc who hasn't even bothered to reply to my email inquiry. So, I haven't even had the chance to see if he's legit. I wasn't even interested in the cosmetic side of things, just the functional fix, so maybe that makes me a second-class patient in their eyes (which is funny, considering how much emphasis they put on the "functional" aspect 😉).
🤷

Ugh, I am so sorry to hear that... I don't get it. I sent him an email about ten days ago and he got back to me instantly. I’m even messaging a girl on PM right now who said he replied to her email immediately, too... Are you sure you sent it to the right address?

Michelle Williams5 said:Hey everyone!

I’ve been scrolling through this thread forever, but I haven't found anyone dealing with anything even remotely close to my situation, so I'm coming to you guys for some real talk. My ENT just gave me the news: I've got a deviated septum with a massive spike hitting the lateral wall right near the back of my nasal turbinate. Basically, my whole right ethmoid area and middle turbinate are totally warped. The weird thing is, breathing isn't actually the issue—my sinuses feel fine. It's the killer headaches that are ruining my life. My doctor suggested a functional procedure on the septum and the lateral wall to shave down that little spike, which he thinks is the culprit behind the head pain. Since I went to a private specialist, he told me it could be done "the easy way"—painless, no nose-breaking, no heavy-duty packing, just using those fancy modern sponges. He said I'd be in and out of the hospital in a single day without a brutal recovery period. I’m assuming that’s the "luxury" version, whereas most people here seem to be describing the classic hospital experience involving a week of misery and stuffed-up nose with old-school packing. Has anyone actually gone through a similar surgery? Or dealt with those specific headaches and found relief afterward? Also, does anyone know what a private procedure like this runs for? And honestly, what’s the reputation like for ENTs over in Seattle?

Thanks in advance for any help! Seriously, I'll take any info you've got on this!

Look, what you’re dealing with requires a top-tier ENT, not a plastic surgeon... Since you aren't looking for an aesthetic overhaul, the price should be significantly lower. Cosmetic stuff (plus fixing function) usually runs around 12-15 $0.00...so yours might be closer to $1,100...at least that's my best guess.
As for Seattle, I've heard Zambelli is great... he's in private practice. To be honest, I don't know much about the doctors working in the public hospitals, because when I was digging around for my own surgery, I wasn't looking at anyone covered by insurance...
I actually saw Glusac down in Memphis... he's a stellar ENT too, and I'm sure he could handle your situation easily.

stormyharbor2 said:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is99OOwzMrI

How many of you guys actually looked like this after surgery?

OMG!!!!! I am literally shaking right now!! I definitely did NOT look like that... not even close... someone call 911 please help me😁

Gerald Cruz71 said:It’s not exactly "uncanny valley" territory, but yeah, it’s definitely heading in that direction.

I sent the photos out to everyone who asked, so feel free to drop your thoughts right here.

Honestly, I dig it... it didn't totally overhaul her face, which is the biggest thing... and it didn't even mess with her nose too much, just smoothed out the bumps and slimmed it down a bit... it looks great on her! 👍

stormyharbor2 said:Right back atcha! Seriously, blow up my inbox, pretty please.

Just make sure they're actually your own photos—don't go pulling some random stuff off Google Images on me.😁

Honestly, I think I’ve already spammed you enough for one lifetime. 😁

Chloe Patel41 said:I'm actually pretty new to this forum, even though I've been lurking here forever... Could you please tell me how long your recovery took? I'm trying to figure out how much time I need to take off work.

Look, you can probably pull it off in a week... just pile on a heavy layer of concealer 😁 or better yet, give it two full weeks and then head back to the office looking like a total rockstar. If you end up with some bruising, you might have a few yellowish spots lingering for a bit, but that’s about it. Your nose might be a little swollen, but honestly, you'll notice it way more than anyone else ever will.

stormyharbor2 said:So why does everyone keep saying it doesn't hurt?

I mean, maybe it hurts when someone's being a total jerk about it...
For me, I didn't feel a single damn thing!