Posts by Carol Diaz31

rustygardener172 said:I suppose we’ve drifted a bit from the main topic here... but honestly, I think we all know that in America, most people land their jobs through some kind of connection rather than actually being the best candidate for the position. So, looking at the whole situation with Tony, it isn't necessarily a bad thing in that context. It’s a family business, after all; it’s only logical that the son would eventually take over for his father. However, just because his father is a top-tier surgeon doesn't mean he automatically possesses those same skills. He’ll have to prove himself through time and actual experience. Even his father seems to realize that, since they’ve been operating together for years now. It’s almost like he won't let the kid perform any nose surgeries entirely on his own... at least not yet.
To be perfectly honest, I’m just sitting here holding my breath, hoping he actually follows in his father's footsteps—and I don't just mean following him into the same career path, but actually matching that level of excellence and quality.

Look, I don't see how people can call this nepotism. It’s just common sense, really. If a person spends their entire life training for a specific field—specializing in the exact same discipline as their father—and they have a family-owned medical clinic right there waiting for them, then obviously they're going to work there. It's logical. I guess some people want to make it out to be some big scandal, but if you've spent decades preparing for a specific role within a family practice, why wouldn't you step in? It makes perfect sense to me. 🤷
Secondly, I honestly don't get what this supposed "lack of experience" talk is even about. Just because Ray has thirty-five years under his belt doesn't mean that ten years of experience is somehow negligible. It really isn't. And let’s not forget, he’s spent that entire duration working right alongside a guy who’s been in the game for three and a half decades himself. As for Dan, sure, he’s younger, but he isn't exactly some green kid. He isn't nearly as inexperienced as some people here are making him out to be—as if they think he’s just some novice using someone else as a training dummy.

Maria Hall92 said:thanks.. uh, I really hope I won't need any grafts either! 😁 . does anyone know who he ended up needing them from, and did it go okay? Has anyone else dealt with complications?

Regarding that whole "cartilage grafting" thing, my issue was that I had absolutely no cartilage left at the tip. After they shortened the bridge, the surgeon said he’d take all the cartilage salvaged from removing the hump and use it as support to hold the tip in place. If that doesn't hold—and we won't know if the tip drops for another year—he mentioned we could try lifting the tip by using a graft taken from behind the ear. I guess I'm just hoping it won't come to that; it's only been four months, so we'll see.

Rachel Fisher97 said:I honestly don't get why a junior doctor handles the consultation when they aren't even the one performing the surgery... I mean, logically, shouldn't you be discussing all your concerns with the actual surgeon who's going to be operating on you? 🤷
I decided to go with Tončić too, but I am definitely insisting on seeing the senior surgeon for consultations. To me, this feels pretty unprofessional..
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck, and please, let us know how the surgery goes and what your new nose looks like!😍

In my case, both of them were there for the consultations and on the day of the surgery. I actually requested Rajko to perform the procedure, but like rustygardener172 says... I don't know, I tend to drift off when I fall asleep 😁 but I think they both operated on me because they were both in scrubs, and there wasn't anyone else in the clinic besides me.... even though nurses usually handle most of that stuff. Dinko was the one who removed my tampons, and Rajko took off the mold, so it was quite the team effort! 😁

Sandra Nelson14 said:I had my rhinoplasty back in March with Glumičić, and honestly, I am just beyond disappointed. My nose looks pretty much the same as it did before the surgery; the only noticeable change is that he lifted it slightly, which actually made things worse since I already have a bulbous, potato-shaped nose—now it just stands out even more. It’s awful. Spending $14,000 feels like I just threw money straight into the trash. I have a follow-up appointment next week, and I’m planning to tell him I want a refund because he didn't deliver what he promised. None of my friends even realized I’d had surgery. Every morning when I wake up and see how swollen my nose is, I just sink further into depression; I can't even stand to look at myself in the mirror. My appearance—specifically my nose—is seriously impacting my life, but in a negative way. I dread talking to people because they literally just stare at my nose. I thought this surgery would finally lift this burden off my shoulders, but instead, it’s been a total shock—nothing changed, and it feels like all that struggle was for nothing since there's no actual result. He didn't even give me a receipt, which I find incredibly strange. Anyway, how much time needs to pass before I can go in for a revision? I just can't accept looking at this flaw for the rest of my life. This isn't just a physical issue anymore; it’s becoming psychological. Has anyone else here had surgery for a bulbous nose? Who did you go to, and were you actually happy with the outcome?

I am so incredibly sorry you went through such a bad experience.👎 but maybe, just as a little bit of encouragement... try not to despair just yet or rush into thinking about a revision surgery immediately. Give it a few more months; who knows, maybe things will settle and change somehow.

The part that really baffles me is that he didn't provide you with a receipt. 😕
I mean, without documentation, I'm not sure what basis you'd even have to demand a refund... unless you paid by credit card, in which case you might have some kind of "proof."

Kate Taylor59 said:so you can't really expect massive transformations, especially if the patient doesn't have some huge nose... or one of those "parrot" types...
With Glusac, there are noses I actually like (looking at the photos online), but then there are some that are just a disaster to me; one female patient looks like a pig because they lifted her nose way too high... Tončić has 35 years of experience with surgeries, while Glusac has maybe 14 or 15... which, I guess, doesn't necessarily mean he's worse...
The photos from Tončić look like they were taken with a high-end camera, so everything is clear, but unfortunately, with Glusac, I can't see the details nearly as well...
Some people said there isn't much difference when it comes to Tončić... hmmm, I don't know about that... if you look at the first few pages, one girl posted her before and after shots... the difference was huge... and in the end, you still never truly know, because it's all so subjective... you're basically gambling, and whatever happens, happens...

I think everyone's opinion on how much a nose changes is incredibly relative, primarily because none of you actually know what the patient requested or how much of a transformation they were aiming for in the first place.
Based on photos, sure, you can judge whether you like something or not, but you'll never truly understand the underlying desires and decisions behind any given nose job.

Kate Lee43 said:This girl seriously had a huge, awkward hump of a nose, and now it looks totally fine—completely natural, like she never even had surgery—and I think that's great.
Personally, I'm not a fan of noses that, if you catch my drift, look like they just come straight out of the center and are perfectly flat, and I see that Tončić does that.

Regarding the anesthesia, he does it that way because it's the cheaper option—that's why it costs $10$0.00—so maybe offer to pay extra for general anesthesia if you actually like his work...

There are other surgeons in Los Angeles besides Tončić, and obviously, he attracts people mainly through his pricing.

I believe Tončić doesn't perform rhinoplasty under general anesthesia regardless of whether someone is willing to pay more or not; personally, he told me that getting wisdom teeth pulled hurts countless times more than a nose job, so nobody really asks for general anesthesia anyway.😁

And as for price, that's highly relative and has nothing to do with the quality of work; being more expensive doesn't make someone better, and being cheaper doesn't make them worse.
The Tončić family is often featured in various magazines and shows, so they don't necessarily have inflated prices (for nose surgery).
Dr. Bastajić isn't exactly a household name either, and I doubt most of you even knew about him until reading this forum (myself included), so the price is around $2,000-$2,200.
The point is: my surgery with Tončić was $600 less than my mom's with Bastajić, and my nose turned out much prettier.😁 and

Elizabeth Wells10 said:I don't know about you guys, but whenever I Google "perfect noses," all I see are these absolutely flawless, airbrushed images, and honestly? It makes me terrified that my own expectations are completely skewed. It might sound a bit neurotic, but maybe it's just me—deep down, I think I'm most afraid of making my own mistake during the process. 🙄

If I were in your shoes, I’d suggest setting those Pinterest photos aside for a moment... at least initially. It’s probably better to just sit down with your surgeon and be brutally honest about what specifically bothers you about your own nose. Tell them, "this part feels too wide," or "this area looks too large," or "there's this bump here that bugs me." If you approach it that way, you can actually work together to pinpoint exactly what needs fixing. Once you've established that baseline, then—and only then—can you show them a few reference photos to see if any of those styles align with what you've already identified. 😉

rustygardener172 Asks:
Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for those straight, aquiline noses—there's just something about that profile that looks classic to me. As for myself, though? I'm stuck with this little button nose. It's more rounded than anything else, I guess. 😁 Not everything that catches someone's eye is actually worth having, I guess. It’s funny how people chase things that just don't suit them, isn't it? Maybe it's just wishful thinking on their part, but honestly, just because you like something doesn't mean it belongs in your life. Not everyone has the sense to know when something simply isn't right for them. 😁

Oh, great. Here we go again. Just more of those flat, pointy little noses. Honestly, I don't even know why we're still discussing this. It’s just... it's just one thing after another, isn't it? Maybe I'm being too harsh, I guess, but it really gets under my skin. 😍

David Ross8 said:I’ve been keeping an eye on this forum lately, and since I still haven't made up my mind about which surgeon to go with, I have a question. How is your mom doing now? Is she happy with her results after all this time? I know she went to Bastaić, while you went to Tončić. They’re both definitely on my shortlist, so I’m just stuck trying to decide who to pick...

Our noses aren't even similar, so I guess it's hard to say if you can even compare them—like, a nose shape that works for me probably wouldn't look right on her, and maybe he wouldn't approach her case the same way anyway.🤷

Personally, I actually like my nose as it is, so I wouldn't want it looking like hers does now; but then again, it's the same thing with me—maybe Bastajić wouldn't give me that specific look either.

At the end of the day, I suppose the most important thing is that we're both satisfied with how things turned out. Maybe you should try scheduling consultations with both of them, or just spend some more time looking through photos and other details that might help you make a call.👍

Jamie Kern8 said:Thanks for all the feedback....
To be honest, I’m a bit shocked. It’s surprising to hear that public hospitals actually perform that poorly—or at least, that's how you all seem to describe it..
(I feel like I should defend them a little, since it is my profession, after all🙂)...but it sounds like that might really be the case.
Besides, I had always heard that ENT specialists at university were highly skilled; a few doctors have mentioned that to me... whereas most of these private practitioners aren't even true ENT specialists, and frankly, I wouldn't want to see anyone who isn't an actual specialist..🙄
Ugh.... now I'm even more torn about what to do. Theoretically, I could just go to a hospital and ask for a second opinion from whoever is available.. but I'm pretty cheap, so paying for a consultation fee feels like a total waste of money.
😁
Hmm....😕

There’s definitely some truth to that. Dealing with those consultation fees is tricky, though I suppose I get it—you can't charge a fortune just to sit around and talk all day.
I know that some surgeons (for instance, Bastajić) will waive that fee if you eventually decide to go through with the surgery, while others won't touch that.

I think it is possible to find a doctor who will truly put effort into your nose even within a hospital setting, but you honestly have to have the drive, the right information, and the time to hunt for them. With private clinics, you usually know exactly who is doing what and how they operate, so you can judge for yourself whom to trust, but when it comes to the hospital staff, there just isn't enough information out there.
And I don't even know if you're allowed to have a real conversation with a doctor to see if they're a good fit, or to gauge if they actually care about your case... in my opinion, that's the biggest difference of all.

Sandra Peterson74 said:I experienced something similar following my first surgery, though my situation was a bit different—I had my nose done because it was completely deviated to one side, making it nearly impossible to breathe. And honestly? Even now, I can't breathe much better. It didn't really help at all. A few months after that initial procedure, this tiny little bump started forming right between my eyes. On top of that, for some reason, my nasal bridge actually looks wider than it did before they operated on me. They cut it and reshaped it, yet somehow it ended up broader? I have absolutely no clue how that’s even possible. Anyway, I eventually had to go back under the knife just to get that bump removed. This time it was just local anesthesia, and I have to say... it was an absolutely horrific sensation.
So, because of that whole mess, they actually kept me in the hospital for an extra day. And get this—when the second doctor was coming in to remove my staples, he literally muttered to himself right in front of me about how the whole thing hadn't even been done properly to begin with... I mean, good grief, honestly. It’s just terrifying. To make matters worse, there were three other girls in my room at the time, and some of them were telling me that this was already their second or third time having to go back in for surgery. It's just... I don't know. It makes you wonder.
It’s getting ridiculous. It feels like I'm dealing with sinus infections every single time I turn around lately. Honestly, my health feels worse now than it ever did before. I guess it’s becoming pretty obvious that I'll probably have to go back under the knife for nose surgery... I'm constantly fighting off these constant colds just because of this, and it's just exhausting.👎
I don't know if anyone else is dealing with this right now, but honestly? I’m starting to think that undergoing two separate surgeries, followed by an entire week of being bedridden with constant pain and dealing with chronic sinus inflammation... it just isn't worth it. I mean, I can't say for sure what everyone else thinks about cosmetic procedures or whatever, but from where I’m standing—based strictly on my own hellish experience—it feels like a losing game. Maybe some people have better luck, I guess, but for me, the trade-off just doesn't add up.🤷

It used to be right there on the bridge of my nose, but it's gone now... I think it was just some kind of deep, subcutaneous pimple or something like that. Anyway, the pain has finally subsided, so I guess it's resolving itself.

I am honestly just so incredibly sorry you had to go through that. It’s absolutely gutting when you pour everything you have into a treatment, only to be left sitting there with nothing but lingering health issues to show for it. I mean, it’s just wrong. Maybe—and I’m just guessing here, but maybe—it would have been better to seek out a second opinion or at least consult a different specialist the second time around? Just to be sure. 🤷

casualgardener21 said:So, who did your mom go to?

My mom went to see Bastajić.

stormyharbor2 said:Honestly—for me, personally, it was. It only lasted a few seconds, but I actually pushed my hand toward him so it would go faster. 👍 🤣 It’s not even about how much it hurts, but rather the specific type of pain, which was just revolting; my ears started aching and it felt like some hot, long, slimy worm was being pulled straight out of my brain. He actually had to pause for a moment to let me calm down before he could pull the one from the other nostril. Even later on, I wouldn't even let him clean my nose because I kept having flashbacks to removing tampons, so I’d just instinctively flinch every single time. 😵

Mind you, I see that some people here didn't feel anything at all, so please don't get offended by my dark sense of humor. 😁

In my case, he just grabbed it with the tweezers and pulled it out in one single motion; it was literally over in a second. It wasn't terrifying... but, well... it's definitely a strange sensation. 😳

Sophia Hill22 said:Well, he actually asked me if I wanted a bulbous tip, so I suppose that’s an option with him too, though you can tell he's much more of a perfectionist who prefers working with straight lines.

With my mom, her nose is perfectly straight; the tip stayed slightly pointed but it's significantly shortened now. Honestly, I really love it. I much prefer a neat, straight, slightly tapered nose over those bulbous, tiny little tips.

Mine is more rounded right now... at least for the moment, since I can still feel some swelling and numbness at the tip.

It's just something I feel when I touch it—it's bothersome when I run my finger up and down that part of my nose—but you wouldn't even notice it just by looking at me.

Anyway, my follow-up appointment is in about 20 days, so if this hasn't settled down by then, I'll just grill him about everything.

My mom took her cast off about three days ago, and obviously everything is still swollen and wide, so I’m not quite ready to give a full opinion yet. That said, she actually told me she thinks my nose looks better than hers.

Even though we used to have pretty similar noses, her hump was always much more pronounced, whereas now our noses look completely different. So, I guess I'm just glad I chose Toncic😁

As for me, I think my nose looks great right now, even though it’s only been five weeks since the procedure. Everything feels exactly how I wanted it, but I’ve noticed this little "bump" right in the middle. I honestly can't tell by touching it if it's just something subcutaneous, like a pimple, or if it's actually part of the bone or something else entirely.😕 I know I read on some Forum where some girls were mentioning something similar happening to them, but I can't quite recall the specifics.
All I know is that it hurts if I press on it even slightly, or when I'm applying foundation with a sponge. I have to carefully tap it instead of rubbing it normally because the pressure really stings.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this?

casualgardener21 said:So, how much did you actually end up paying?

The Difference in price usually runs about $600 to $800, depending on what kind of work they're doing.

But honestly, I don't think the cost is even the main point here. At the end of the day, the result is all that matters. For now, I'm pretty happy with how things look. I just really hope my backside doesn't start sagging again... it’s been a little over a month since the procedure, and I am beyond satisfied. I mean, I don't even know what else to expect over the next five months, I guess.🤷

As for my mom, we'll just have to wait and see how that goes.🙂

Sophia Hill22 said:I didn't—she told me as little as she could, but I'm kind of worried about my nose, so I've been wearing contacts, which is such a hassle when you're doing it for 16 hours a day😢 I guess I'll just start wearing them in the morning and take them out before bed

Anyway, I was looking at what you wrote regarding the costs—I mean, isn't the price at Tončić relatively reasonable? $3333 Because over at Bastaić, it's around $2,200, so that's actually a bit lower than I thought$5000 so I don't really get how you calculated a difference of $7,000😕 It seems unlikely that Tončić is only charging $9,000; if that's the case, it's honestly incredibly cheap
:

I don't even wear glasses all day anyway; I'm not a fan, and since I just started wearing them, I can't seem to get used to them. Plus, I don't even own any contact lenses.

Hmm... I thought it was $2,200, my bad😳
Anyway, he was my second choice, so I directed my mom there instead. Her surgery is this Tuesday, and I suppose her nose won't end up looking better than mine🤣

Sophia Hill22 said:I’ve also decided I won't be wearing contacts for a while, and once summer rolls around, I’ll probably just limit myself to an hour or two of sunny weather, if that.

I mean, when you're actually happy with the results, nobody would want to change a thing, thank God.😍

Did you ask him specifically for his advice on how long to stay out of them?
The advice I was given was six weeks.
But then again, I’ve read at least three different versions of recommendations ranging from a month all the way up to a full year.🙄

My issue is that I have to wear my prescription glasses during lectures, and right now, I can't see a damn thing.😁

Sophia Hill22 said:Carol Diaz31 — Look, the price tag is higher over at Bastaić, but you have to realize what you’re actually paying for. You aren't just paying for a procedure; you're paying to have a top-tier specialist in the room. And more importantly, you're getting full general anesthesia handled by a dedicated anesthesiologist, an anesthesia technician, and two nurses. That kind of level of care doesn't come cheap, I guess. It costs what it costs for a reason. 🙂

I mean, honestly... everything you just went through? For me, that sounds like an absolute nightmare. A total horror story. I guess I can barely even wrap my head around it.

Look, what happened to me... it’s probably a one-in-a-million kind of situation. I realize that. But honestly? Dealing with all that vomiting and those endless, unpredictable side effects from general anesthesia is just something I can't wrap my head around. It’s completely unacceptable to me. I guess everyone reacts differently, but for me, it’s just not something I find tolerable. Individual biology is one thing, but this is another.
I mean, I also had three sisters available to help me out, and honestly, their expertise is beyond question. So, if we're looking at what could actually drive up the surgical costs, the only real factors would be the general anesthesia and the overnight stay at their facility. Though, I guess I highly doubt that's going to cost nearly as much as people think. $2167

I mean, look, at the end of the day, it’s anyone's call, I suppose. But I straight up told my mom she was being absolutely delusional. I just can't wrap my head around it—there is simply no logical reason for that kind of price gap. 🤷

jadedriver0 said:he even advises against wearing sunglasses for a while

That’s honestly my biggest struggle right now. I love them as a fashion statement, but the real issue is that my eyes have become incredibly light-sensitive; I’ve basically been tearing up every time I step outside for the last two days. My doctor told me to hold off on wearing shades for about six weeks, but I think I’ll play it safe and wait at least two months, just in case. 😁

On another note, my mom is so obsessed with my nose that she actually went to see Bastajić for a consultation today since Tončić is away on vacation. I have to admit though, his rates are 😲 😲

wiredmaker24 said:I could really use some help or advice from anyone here who has gone through rhinoplasty.
It’s been exactly eight days since I had nose surgery at Mercury Hospital with Dr. Lehman (has anyone actually been seen by him? I heard he’s one of the most highly recommended surgeons out there, so I was curious.)
It wasn't for health reasons, just purely aesthetic. I had a bump on my nose and the tip needed a bit of a lift. My nose also seemed naturally long, so I wanted something shorter, narrower, and just overall prettier. I was aiming for something more like Liv Tyler's nose. You know, that perfect look we all kind of dream about. 🙂
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...w=1280&bih=699
Basically, because they had to shave down the hump, the whole structure of my nose changed, so they had to rebuild the entire thing from scratch.
The bruising wasn't too bad initially, but by the second night, the swelling kicked in and I had to take some pain meds. I had to wear nasal tampons for six days, and just yesterday—on the seventh day—I finally went in to have the cast removed.
I was expecting this cute little nose, but honestly, I was shocked. My nose looks incredibly thick and wide right now. There's even a fatty patch right in the middle. The tip is just swollen and puffy. However, my profile is actually perfect. You can tell from the side that the nose is still swollen and large due to the surgery, but the profile itself is okay. It actually looks quite a bit like Liv Tyler or Angelin Jolie. But looking head-on is a total disappointment. 👎 I look like a little doll because you can see my nostrils, and the tip is a bit too lifted because that's what the doctor did. But the nose is just terribly wide and huge. My eyes look squinted and small, my cheeks look massive... I absolutely hate looking at myself straight on in the mirror.
I'm feeling pretty depressed about it, if I'm being honest. I really don't want to end up looking like a pig. 😢
How long am I going to be this swollen and puffy? When will the swelling finally go down, and when will the tip actually look small like it's supposed to? Does this level of swelling have anything to do with the bone being broken during the procedure? 😕 😕 😕

So, I'm asking you all, if anyone has any experience with this, please let me know. Thank you.😢

Please, don't even let it get to you. 🙂
My experience was exactly the same... I literally wanted to scream when I saw myself for the first time. It was just like how you described it. But after only about ten days, my nose looked way, way narrower, and that lifted tip you mentioned will eventually settle down. At first, it always sits a bit higher, but then the tip drops to where it's meant to be. For me, it's been three weeks and one day, and my nose looks absolutely brilliant. I was just looking at it today thinking how wonderful it turned out.😍
And my first impression is identical to yours: it’s way too wide, looks bloated, and just feels overly elevated

Just try to hold yourself back from staring at it for a few days, or if you absolutely have to, just keep telling yourself that it'll pass quickly 😉

casualgardener21 said:Alright everyone, what on earth is going on here? Just when I thought the most important thing was simply getting through the actual surgery itself, you all start talking about these bizarre side effects... What I really need to know is, does this stuff just go away, or is it forever?? If there are any people here who had their noses done maybe 5 or 10 years ago, it would be incredibly helpful if you could chime in and say when those strange symptoms finally vanished. I suppose my dream is that one day I’ll just forget it was ever operated on—that it feels like a natural part of my body, rather than something I can't even touch without thinking about it for the rest of my life.

Honestly, that’s just how it feels when everything is still "fresh"... don't worry too much. 😁

stormyharbor2 said:So, for those of you who had your surgery about two months back... does anyone else get this weird, tingling sensation right at the bridge of the nose, kind of up between the eyes, especially when you try to lift your brows? It’s such an odd, unsettling feeling. I mean, honestly, it feels exactly like I just went under the knife for a full facelift. Just a strange, localized sensation that I can't quite shake. 🤣

The absolute worst part about yawning... honestly, everything just feels so tight. I find myself tensing up constantly because I’m genuinely terrified that my nose is going to end up all wrinkled and scrunched up. It's such an uncomfortable sensation. 😁

jadedriver0 said:Oh, you definitely should be careful. I mean, yours might actually end up looking even narrower or smaller than you expect. It might not be obvious to everyone else right now, but since it's still dealing with all that inflammation, it really needs time to heal. Just... please, watch yourself so you don't bump your nose. I did that once, and let me tell you, the pain was absolutely brutal.🤣I haven't touched any kind of sports for six months because of my nose.🙂

I can literally feel how "fragile" it still feels from being broken, and yeah, it still hurts whenever I touch it. I know for a fact it’s nowhere near fully recovered yet. And honestly? As for sports, I haven't been active in twenty years anyway.🤣