Posts by Maria Bishop3

wiredmaker24 said:I suppose I should be asking for some assistance and perhaps a bit of advice from anyone here who has undergone rhinoplasty. 🙄
It has been exactly eight days since my surgery at Mercury Hospital under the care of Dr. Lehman (I wonder if anyone else has seen him? I had heard he was one of the most highly regarded, so I was quite interested.)
It wasn't for medical reasons, really, but purely for aesthetics. I had a dorsal hump and a tip that needed a slight lift. My nose also seemed a bit long, so I was hoping for something shorter, narrower, and more refined. I was aiming for something akin to Liv Tyler’s nose—you know, that sort of perfect profile we all seem to desire. 🙂
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...w=1280&bih=699
In any case, because they had to shave down the hump, the entire structure of my nose had to be reworked. They essentially had to build a completely new one.
The swelling wasn't too overwhelming initially, though by the second evening, things began to swell quite a bit, and I was prescribed some pain medication. I had to wear nasal tampons for six days, and just yesterday—on the seventh day—I went in to have the cast removed.
I was expecting a lovely little nose, but I must say, I was rather taken aback. My nose looks incredibly thick and wide right now. There is a noticeable bump right in the center. The tip itself feels swollen and puffy. However, the profile is actually quite perfect. You can tell from the side that the nose is still heavily swollen due to the procedure, but the profile is there. It actually resembles Liv Tyler or maybe Angelin Jolie. But looking at myself head-on is a complete disappointment. 👎I feel like a caricature of myself because my nostrils are so visible, and while the tip is lifted as the doctor intended, the rest of it is just terribly wide and large. My eyes look squeezed and small, and my cheeks seem massive. I honestly dread looking at my face in the mirror.
I find myself feeling somewhat depressed because of it. I really don't want to end up looking like a cartoon character. 😢
I wonder, how long will I remain this swollen and puffy? When might the swelling subside, and when will the tip finally settle into that smaller shape it's supposed to have? I am also curious if this level of puffiness is directly related to the bone being broken during the procedure. 😕😕😕

So, if anyone happens to have any similar experiences, I would be most grateful if you could share them. Thank you.😢

I suspect it varies quite a bit from person to person. In my own experience, the bruising had cleared up after about 14 days, though even now, at three and a half weeks, my nose and the surrounding area are still somewhat swollen—though certainly not nearly as much as immediately following the operation. It seems to be improving slightly every day. I don't spend too much time staring in the mirror, personally; I think the shape is already excellent, and more importantly, I can finally breathe properly.
I have been applying Traumeel, which is a herbal-based cream, while massaging my nose about three or four times a day. For the next week or two, I plan to start using nasal tapes at night, and then I suppose that should be the end of it.

It might take another two weeks to really settle, but I suspect that after about eight weeks, one would see roughly 70% of the results. The remaining details are just fine-tuning, which might take up to a year for some people, I guess.

Starting next week, I’m going to focus on exercise, which I think is the most vital part. My nose has finally settled down and there hasn't been any further swelling, so a bit of physical activity to boost blood circulation can only help with the regeneration process, I imagine.

rustygardener172 said:What I actually found quite appealing about Glušac 😁 was his self-assurance and laid-back demeanor... he doesn't seem to care much for having a fancy marble office or the latest issue of Cosm waiting in the lobby. He’s just a straightforward man who focuses entirely on his craft. He truly loves what he does and isn't afraid of the grind... he performs more surgeries daily than most, which is why he can fit you in tomorrow, rather than because he lacks a schedule. Plus, he works through Saturdays and Sundays, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. My own procedure wrapped up around 11:00 PM, and he went straight into another surgery right after me... and he had already completed one earlier that morning.
The girl was certainly throwing shade at him, but speaking purely as an individual rather than a clinician—since she didn't provide a single concrete example of a poorly reconstructed nose... just empty assumptions.
And if I recall correctly, it wasn't the nurse whose nose he fixed, but the surgical tech. That woman works alongside him every day, so I imagine he gave her exactly the look she wanted... tastes vary, after all. I personally think she’s wonderful. Very polished, takes great care of herself. And she has fantastic shoes 😁 not that it matters, but I just had to mention it, I’m a sucker for footwear 😍

I find myself agreeing with you. Dr. Glušac is a great guy, and I find this unqualified critique from someone who merely went in for a consultation somewhat interesting; it seems she was frustrated by professional feedback after apparently being botched twice by other specialists before this. It’s understandable how someone might react poorly when told the price is higher than average, though there is always that significant risk in these things—where a third surgery could go sideways and you end up waking up looking like a cartoon character with a nose in your pocket.

I suppose one might wonder if there is any logic in suggesting 🙂 that since it’s his surgical tech (who, by the way, is fair-skinned as milk), if she were dissatisfied, she could simply lie down on the operating table!?
People tend to assume Esteticars are wizards who can reshape any snout into a tiny button nose, even though that was successfully achieved in my case (I’m just waiting for this swelling to subside a bit more)

So, based on my experience, you can see he is top-tier both as a specialist and as a human being. I certainly won't be posting updates again; I can only speculate on the final result now that I am already satisfied, though I have to wait five or six months for everything to fully settle.🙂

It really is quite transformative; people barely notice my former nose (which was quite substantial) until I show them photos, and then they are just stunned.🙂🙂🙂 Even those with perfectly fine noses tell me they’d consider going under the knife.🙂

Elizabeth Collins5 said:As for me, I wouldn't touch a burek if you paid me, or even a slice of cheese bread for that matter. 🙂 🤣

The procedure took place at around 11:00 in the morning. Before that, there hadn't been any nausea, so I suppose people were just trying to figure out how best to make me feel better—though, honestly, I think they assumed there was no way to truly please an American more effectively than by offering a warm plate of burek. 🙂

Sarajka_Mazza As stated by:
jasmine—so, I suppose you've officially hung up the gloves and stepped away from boxing? I was wondering when that might happen, though I can't quite put my finger on it... was it following the surgery? 🙂

It’s been quite some time since I’ve been particularly active when it comes to actual sparring. Lately, I’ve mostly been serving as a training partner for some rather heavy-hitting guys, which, I suppose, has led to a few more physical setbacks than I would have liked. 🙂 Well, I suppose it’s true that age is just a number, but even so, once you hit 34, you start feeling it. For certain high-impact sports, I guess you could almost call it retirement age at this point. Personally, I find myself gravitating toward more measured activities—Yoga, running, mountain biking, maybe a bit of weight training here and there. It feels like a much more sustainable way to stay active.

Thanks to everyone for the comments, especially those ladies who have an appreciation for a certain aesthetic 🙂It’s a bit of a shame I didn't hear from you all sooner 🙂))

I am feeling quite satisfied today, having taken my first stroll through downtown Munich with the new profile 🙂

What can I say? I suppose I had grown accustomed to my old look, though perhaps as an athlete, I tend to view these things with a bit more detachment than your typical urban socialite might. Still, the functional aspect was absolutely critical for me.

Regarding costs, if we look at the Hilton standard—it’s about a 10% difference because you are a patient of Dr. Glusca, and honestly, the facility is quite decent, and the food is great.
As for Dr. Glusca's fees, please reach out to him directly for specific details, as I imagine pricing fluctuates based on the complexity of the surgery and individual preferences, though it seems to align with the ranges mentioned by other forum members regarding Dr. Glusca.

I feel a slight sense of regret that some have interpreted my post as a reklama. My sole intention was simply to share my experience with those of you facing the exact same struggles. It has always felt somewhat strange back home in the States regarding this issue; there seems to be a tendency to undervalue our own top-tier specialists, which probably explains why so many of us look toward overseas options. But Dr. Glusac is truly top-tier, and I felt it was important to mention that. I have consulted several "experts" myself (and I assure you, the cost was never the sticking point), yet they couldn't provide answers to even the simplest questions. If you look at the photos, you can see what he had to work with; it was a significant undertaking, certainly, but he managed to achieve an incredible result.

I will be posting more photos soon. I am still dealing with some swelling, but everything feels wonderful after two weeks, especially considering there were four different incision sites during the procedure.🙂

Now, I just hope that some paid shills or representatives from other "specialists" won't start throwing stones at me or Dr. Genius again.🙂

Best regards,
jasmine

Greetings to everyone here on the Forum, and a special hello to those currently facing—or perhaps, like myself, having already moved past—challenges involving nasal aesthetics, such as structural deviations or similar concerns.

Having spent years competing in Kickbox, my nose has endured quite a few breaks and various injuries over time. This eventually resulted in a significant change to my appearance—it’s now quite prominent, high, hooked, and even looks somewhat crooked from the front, almost like an S-shape. Beyond just the aesthetics, I’ve been dealing with near-impossible breathing through my right nostril and some general difficulty on the left side as well. I suppose, like many athletes, I used to look in the mirror at my nose with a certain level of detachment, almost without any real emotion, and it didn't bother me terribly much at first. However, given the breathing issues, I have finally decided to move forward with surgery.

I have spent quite a long time researching and gathering information regarding various surgical techniques, potential outcomes, recovery processes, and the reputations of aesthetic surgeons both in Germany and throughout the States. It simply didn't occur to me at the time to just lie down on the operating table for every charlatan who currently carries the title of cosmetic surgeon.
It seems that in Germany, many established surgeons struggle to successfully perform functional procedures on their own, often finding it necessary to call in an ENT specialist to assist. I suppose that is perfectly acceptable, provided they are truly experts and maintain full transparency about the situation; however, in my estimation, many of them simply lack that level of professionalism.
They were unable to provide satisfactory answers to many of my inquiries, and frankly, they failed to instill any sense of confidence or professional competence in me. I began to develop this growing, unsettling feeling that their investigation was essentially a game of Russian roulette—one that would eventually expand its scope to include the North America. This is particularly troubling because I hold our own experts in such high regard; those who truly possess the genuine expertise we need.

After quite some time spent scouring the internet for answers, the direction became unmistakable: I should head toward Makarska to see Dr. Smith.

Mr. Dr. Smith is truly a wonderful individual—a consummate expert and a dedicated professional. Above all else, he is someone who has remained grounded and realistic, despite the fact that his level of skill and expertise far surpasses most surgeons I have encountered in my career, and I have certainly met quite a few of them.

From the initial organization—starting with the driver picking me up at the airport—to the hotel reservation and even the initial consultations, I have found myself quite fascinated by the level of care provided. The driver was an exceptionally kind individual who, seeing that I was visiting this part of the coast for the first time, took the liberty of sharing plenty of local history and keeping me informed about both the various possibilities available to me and the general current state of things in the country. As for the hotel, it was truly excellent; situated right in the heart of downtown Makarska, just a five-minute walk from the clinic, the service was both courteous and highly professional, and I would say the food was absolutely top-tier.

Last night, Mr. Dr. Smith personally picked me up in his own vehicle. After our consultation, he drove me back to the Hotel. Throughout our discussion, Mr. Dr. Smith was incredibly thorough, addressing every single one of my questions with such professional precision that I found myself quite impressed. He actually managed to identify several nuances that, I suppose, even the specialists in Munich failed to mention—specifically regarding the muscle pulling my nose downward and the fact that the left side has also become compromised.

The next morning, on Sunday, even though Mr. Dr. Smith describes himself as a bit of a night owl, he actually came by personally to pick me up and drive me to the clinic so he could get everything ready for my surgery. His team—who were just as kind, witty, and highly skilled as he is—welcomed me so warmly that I suppose you could say the whole procedure got off to a rather pleasant start.

The anesthesiologist on Dr. Smith’s team is truly a top-tier professional. He took the time to walk me through every single stage of the anesthesia process, ensuring I understood exactly what to expect before he very gently "turned out the lights."
After about an hour and forty minutes, the surgery was finally completed, and I have been moved into the recovery room.
Once I finally started coming around, Dr. Smith showed me exactly what he had managed to remove from my nasal passages—the polyps, various fragments, and everything else. 🙂 ...so that he could personally drive me to the Hotel afterwards.
The kind Doctor's team was thoughtful enough to hand me a bag on my way out of the clinic containing a cheese burek and some yogurt. It was quite a gesture, allowing me to spend the rest of the day just lying back in my room, recovering peacefully without having to worry about finding something to eat.

Over the coming days, Dr. Smith was incredibly attentive to my recovery. We actually managed to develop a rather genuine human connection during our time together, which allowed me to learn quite a bit about his life and his extensive experience working abroad. He would personally come to pick me up and drive me to my dressing changes; during those drives, he spoke with such care, almost as if he were personally tending to my nose after I had returned home, and he took the time to walk me through the intricate details of the surgery itself.

The sutures were removed just one day after my surgery, which I found quite helpful, as it allowed me to sleep much more comfortably during the following days.
Regarding the actual rhinoplasty procedure itself, I should probably mention that the dorsal hump was entirely removed. There was also some tearing at the tip and along the base of the nose, and the overall length of the nose was shortened.
To have achieved that kind of result, his nose would have essentially had to be shattered into four different pieces; yet, here we are, just ten days post-op, and I suppose almost all traces of the surgery are virtually invisible now.

I honestly didn't feel any pain at all, perhaps just a slight bit of pressure while the nasal sponges were being placed, but fortunately, those weren't in there for very long.
In the end, even my return trip was neatly organized by Dr. Smith, and his kind driver dropped me off right at the airport.

What else can I say, besides a massive thank you to the Doctor? I am beyond thrilled with the results, especially since I had the chance to meet such a skilled expert and a genuinely cool guy.

For anyone thinking along the lines of, "The guy is from Germany, he must have made a killing off this," I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. The pricing is perfectly reasonable and clearly posted on the wall of the clinic. I should also mention that Dr. Smith didn't charge me for the exams, the consultation, or any of the supplies provided for my trip home—like the pills, tapes, creams, oils, and drops. He didn't even charge for transport, and even the Hotel rate is about 10% cheaper when Dr. Smith handles the reservation.

I'm a pretty transparent person; even though I hold a professional position in Germany, I stand by my experience and have nothing to hide. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have, but rather than me writing endlessly, I'd suggest you just look at the results for yourselves.

Before Surgery:
http://img703.imageshack.us/i/rechtsa.jpg/

1 Day Post-Op:
http://img30.imageshack.us/i/naseb.jpg/

8 Days Post-Op:
http://img543.imageshack.us/i/9tagepostop.gif/

P.S. Please excuse any grammatical slips; living abroad for 14 years tends to leave its mark.🙂

Best regards,
Jasmin