Posts by Laura Castillo7

I managed to pull the threads out myself using tweezers—but if you don't have the nerve for it, just don't. Honestly, you give it a little tug, and if there's any resistance at all, for heaven's sake, do not yank it. Just pull the ones that come away easily.

As for exfoliation, my specialist told me that once I removed the mold, I could apply a light scrub—though they emphasized "light" quite heavily.

Sarah Cook11 said:Hi everyone,
I’m also considering rhinoplasty. I had my initial consultation with Ostojić—he seems excellent—but I’m planning a second opinion, perhaps even visiting Bastaic. My situation requires tip work (it's wide and somewhat square) along with an osteotomy to straighten the bridge, as my nose deviates slightly toward the center when viewed from the front.

Has anyone here undergone a pyramid rhinoplasty? I’ve heard rumors that the bleeding afterward is intense and that the head pain following such a procedure is absolutely excruciating!

Please share any personal experiences with surgeons if you have dealt with similar structural issues! Thank you all so much for your responses!!!!!!!!!!!!

I underwent that specific surgery—it isn't painful, per se, except for the headache and tooth pressure caused by the nasal packing; however, once those tampons are removed, everything feels fine. As for the bleeding, mine was quite significant for about a month, though that varies wildly from person to person—for some, it clears up in a week.
Good luck; I hope you end up being satisfied with the results!

Maria Diaz79 said:Hey everyone! I have some great news for those of you stressing over bumps on your nose!! I had my nose fixed up 🙂 about four and a half months ago. I am completely satisfied—especially since I had this noticeable bump right at the bridge of my nose. Today, the Doc just pulled it out with a needle, and it’s gone—poof, nothing left :-). Apparently, a tiny piece of cartilage or bone breaks off, and during the healing process, fluid collects around it, creating that bump. It turns out it can be removed very simply 😉 .

Just tell me—does it hurt? Should I ask for some kind of anesthetic?

Elizabeth Baker50 said:hey there 🙂 you answered all my questions perfectly Laura Castillo7! thank you so much!! 🙏 I’ll set up a phone consultation with Dr. Cimprini and let her know when I want to schedule the surgery—I already have a timeframe in mind, somewhere around late September or early October. I’ve been contemplating this for ages and finally managed to scrape together enough courage. I’m actually based in Chicago, so I think I’ll stay put until the packing is done. I would love to fly back home, but if staying here is the better move, I’ll bite the bullet. My case is supposedly a bit tricky because of a hump, and the bridge shifts slightly toward the right side. My tip also points downward. It might even be causing some breathing issues, though I can't say for sure. At least my nose isn't oversized. Otherwise, it's hideous! 🤣 I’m sure the price will be complicated too, LOL. I hope not. Do you happen to know what the typical price range is for those celebrity surgeons??

Once again, a massive thank you! You’ve been incredibly helpful! 😉

I had that exact same issue—a hump that drifted to the right and a tip that pointed down; it looked... hooked, gross. Now it's small, pretty, and straight. For me, the main goal was just getting rid of that bump.
I paid $1,800, but I honestly don't know if prices have spiked since then—I've heard they have with certain doctors, but I'm not sure about him. Consultations are $50

Elizabeth Baker50 said:thanks Laura Castillo7! I am so glad you are happy with the results!! 🙂 I really admire his work too—I've actually decided to book him myself. If you don't mind, could you walk me through the process? From what I gather, the first consultation is where you also settle on a date for the surgery. What about the testing phase—what exactly needs to be done or checked? I’m aiming for surgery sometime in October. When would you suggest I schedule that initial consultation? Also, since I don't live in Chicago, should I plan to stay near the clinic, and if so, for how long? Regarding the cost—do you finalize the price during that first visit, and is it a fixed rate or subject to change?

thnx! 😉

Hey, here is the breakdown: you go in for a consultation where he outlines his proposed plan, shows you some of his previous work, and talks things through—this is your chance to ask every single question you have. If you aren't sold on his specific approach, tell him what you're looking for, and he will explain whether your idea is viable or not. Essentially, you should grill him on EVERYTHING during that meeting so you don't have to waste time coming back for a second consultation. After we talked, he told me to take some time to think it over before calling to set a date—provided, of course, that I actually wanted to proceed. Personally, I booked mine right then and there because I had been planning this for ages; I didn't need more time to deliberate. Everything he said just solidified my decision. He will provide a checklist of everything required beforehand—usually a full blood panel, urinalysis, EKG, HIV/Hepatitis screening, and blood type. I'd recommend going in for the consultation as soon as possible; the schedule is packed and the wait times are significant, so get it handled early. You can actually give them a tentative surgery date right away to get on their books—that's how you secure your slot. I wanted to move fast. I stayed overnight, but that really depends on your travel distance—you'll have packing removed after two days and the mold removed after seven. They will give you the best recommendation on how long to stay based on your situation. They give you the price immediately; it's paid in cash—USD, obviously—and from my experience, it's pretty much non-negotiable. If you have any other questions, just ask. I know exactly how you feel—I've been in your shoes!

Elizabeth Baker50 said:Hey everyone 🙂

First off, please excuse my rough English—I hope I can still get my point across. After a lot of soul-searching, I’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on rhinoplasty. I’m 27, and frankly, my nose is a disaster. It has a prominent hump, it veers slightly to the right toward the bridge, and the tip is quite drooping. I’m originally from a small town in Vermont, and unfortunately, I don't think we have any top-tier cosmetic surgeons around here. There used to be one incredible surgeon who operated on my sister about 12 years ago, but he’s retired now. 😢

So, here is my question for the ladies who have seen Dr. Miller. His work and his specific philosophy seem to align most closely with what I am looking for. How satisfied are you all with your results? Please, give me the full rundown! I am trying to summon the courage to book my first consultation. Brrr...

I’ve been under his care and I am satisfied. I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for June 1st, so we will see what he thinks then. Generally speaking, I appreciate his approach—as well as the entire staff—and he delivered exactly what he promised. If there is anything else you need to know, just ask.

nimblebison18 said:Hi everyone 😉I posted here once before when I mentioned that after my surgery, the bump—the bone structure—on the right side of my nose actually grew back or "strengthened," so I wanted to give you all an update..

It’s been three years since the procedure, and frankly, I’m not happy. My nose has "grown" quite a bit in the meantime; while it isn't as large as it was originally, it is significantly bigger than it was immediately following the surgery. To be more specific, the tip has drooped noticeably, and that middle bone structure has thickened, enlarged, and widened—which makes that right-side bump very prominent again.

I went in for a follow-up with my surgeon, and his take was that my nose still looks better than it did before the operation. I definitely agree with him on that point, but the whole reason I decided to undergo surgery in the first place was to achieve a result I could be satisfied with—not to have it continue growing, or even just change perceptibly.
In my opinion—and this is likely the most probable cause—I simply went under the knife too early. I was only 16 at the time, and I suspect that’s the primary factor. Please don't misunderstand me; I am not blaming the doctor. As a layperson, I can't see where he might have made a technical error, so it was likely just my own haste. My advice to you ladies: wait until you're 18 or 19. Don't rush into it.

Regardless, my doctor refused to perform a revision (even though I offered to pay the standard rate), so I’ve scheduled an appointment this Monday with a specialist in Washington, D.C., to get a second opinion.

It’s not just about whether I decide to go through with another surgery; I genuinely want to understand what happened and why the shape has shifted so drastically over the last year.

To those of you currently recovering, I wish you a speedy healing process, and for those preparing for surgery, feel free to reach out if you have questions..

Your nose grew? Come on, you’ve got to be kidding me. What is happening with these noses lately?! Just what I need—finally getting rid of a bump only for it to grow right back! Let me know what the specialist says and why it's changing so aggressively. It’s normal for things to shift slightly after surgery, but after three years? And that drastically? Well, I really hope everything works out for you. Keep us posted! Good luck.

wiredcrane12 said:I finally took the bandages off yesterday. My nose is so swollen—honestly, I look like a little piglet from the front. The profile looks fine, but looking head-on is terrifying. I went back through some old threads, and apparently, this is just part of the process. I had a good cry last night, but then things got even worse... I just have to power through this.

I don't know which surgeon you went with, but please, don't cry. The swelling in your nose will go down; in my case, it took two full months and it's still settling—slowly, but surely.
And your smile will come back, too—that was my biggest fear. Generally speaking, everything that feels weird or "off" right now will eventually return to normal, only with a much better nose. Don't worry!

electricwolf6 said:Thanks, you too. 🙂

Tell me—how long were you applying that ointment?

Oh, right... I was skimming through some of your posts and noticed you mentioned you haven't had any facial lymphatic drainage done—or rather, that nobody suggested it to you....

In my case, they actually recommended it; apparently, it aids recovery and might even lower the risk of those lumps forming if you follow through.

I'm going to book an appointment, though not until next month—supposedly you need to wait at least two weeks post-op.

I kept using it until the sutures dissolved—well, until I started pulling them out myself. As for the lymphatic drainage, I'm based out of a smaller town outside of Atlanta and there aren't any specialists here, and frankly, I didn't feel like driving all the way up to Washington, D.C. while feeling like absolute garbage. Besides, it isn't strictly mandatory.

electricwolf6 said:thanks Laura Castillo7🙂

Look, I am fully aware that the nose shape will continue to settle into its final form—even if the changes are already becoming apparent—but I really wanted to hear perspectives from someone who has actually navigated this entire process already...

Are you happy with the surgeon's work?
In my opinion, he is essentially the go-to specialist for rhinoplasty in the country.
At least based on all the research, observations, and word-of-mouth I’ve gathered...

My first choice was actually a different surgeon, but he suggested a frenectomy—cutting the tissue between the upper lip and the teeth—and frankly, that didn't appeal to me at all.
I'm not saying he isn't a skilled doctor; it just seems to me that he has a preference for creating those "upturned" noses, which simply wasn't the look I was going for.
The current surgeon delivered exactly what I requested.

Yes, I am extremely satisfied with the whole team—from the surgeon to the anesthesiologist and the nurses. Everyone took incredible care of me and the other patients; as you mentioned, the support during that pre-op window and immediately after waking up—when you feel your absolute worst—was exceptional.
Oh, and they actually owed me some change$17 because I didn't have any small bills on me. I was so caught up in the nerves of it all that I completely forgot about it, but the nurse remembered to settle up when I returned a week later to have the splint removed. I was genuinely surprised by the attention to detail.
I have a follow-up appointment soon, so we'll see what the verdict is—hopefully, everything looks perfect.
Wishing you and everyone else a smooth recovery.

electricwolf6 said:That’s how it stands.

After a long period of deliberation and several consultations, I finally made the call to go through with the surgery—which took place last Friday, April 24th.
I underwent general anesthesia for a procedure that lasted roughly an hour—and honestly, once I came around, there was absolutely no pain. Not during the recovery, either. It was remarkably seamless.

The swelling hit its peak around the second or third day—and since then, it's been steadily, albeit slowly, receding.
I kept the mold in for five days—they didn't even bother pulling the nasal swab until the following day. I wasn't bleeding heavily, otherwise, I would have been stuck waiting around until Monday...

All things considered, the whole ordeal went off without much of a sting.
There’s no pain quite like it—tampons in the nose are uncomfortable, sure, but they aren't exactly a catastrophe.
Well, that’s enough to make anyone want to throw in the towel—or at least take a long, hard look at the wreckage. Honestly, sometimes you just have to sit back, take a breath, and wonder how things reached this level of absurdity. It's one thing to deal with minor setbacks, but this? This feels like a total collapse of common sense.

So, here we go...

My nose is still swollen—and frankly, I’m not exactly thrilled with how it looks right now.
I’m hopeful that everything eventually settles into place—once those swelling subsided, your nose will likely end up looking quite different regardless.

I underwent surgery under Dr. Miller's care—and honestly, I couldn't be more satisfied with the results.
I specifically requested that they don't perform a rhinoplasty—and thankfully, they didn't. Aside from the inevitable swelling, my facial structure looks completely normal.

I’m looking for some input from anyone here who has been through this—specifically those whose experience is a bit further along than mine. Does the appearance of the nose actually soften up after a few weeks or months? Or is what I'm seeing in the mirror right now essentially the final result? Right now, I'm just trying to convince myself that the swelling is doing most of the heavy lifting and that things will eventually settle down.🙂 )??

Is the end result actually anything different?

By Monday, I’ll be hitting the two-month mark since my surgery—I had the exact same procedure with my surgeon. Your nose shape is going to change. You might not realize it right now, but everything you're seeing at this stage is just swelling; it’ll take several weeks before the actual structure starts to define itself. At least, that was certainly the case for me. Now, a friend of mine keeps telling me that every time she sees me, my nose looks different. I don't even notice it myself because I'm staring at it every single day, but clearly, it takes months for everything to finally settle into place.

swiftheron48 said:Did they just remove the mold and the tampon at once? Or did you pull the tampon out beforehand? I’m scheduled for mine this Monday and I am honestly counting down the minutes—this whole situation is just brutal. Did it actually hurt? Personally, I'm terrified of finding some random lump. 😢

For me, the actual removal of the tampon was the worst part—it triggered a massive headache and toothaches; the pressure was just unbearable. But of course, that relief is fleeting. The mold itself isn't quite as bad—the main issue is the skin irritation, since they use a petroleum-based substance to help the adhesive stick—but you can just apply a soothing cream immediately after it's off and the stinging stops. Ultimately, the sense of relief after seven days is absolute, though my nose still feels like garbage.

Hannah Lopez62 said:Regarding my rib—I saw a specialist who explained that the bone has essentially fused back together, though the cartilage on the other side didn't settle quite right. It's positioned near the center of my nose; it isn't glaringly obvious, but it's there.

Laura Castillo7, where did you go for your consultation? I might actually seek out a second opinion myself just to be safe.

About six weeks ago, I underwent surgery with a surgeon in Washington, D.C.—following a preliminary exam, naturally. My follow-up is scheduled for the fifth month, and I'll see what the verdict is then. For the moment, I'm satisfied with the results, assuming nothing unexpected crops up later. I suspect the bone has already finished healing.

Hannah Lopez62 said:Allow me to weigh in with my own experience!
I underwent surgery two months ago and am currently dealing with two lumps—one on the bone and another that popped up just last week. It looks like I'm headed back under the knife. Does anyone happen to know what a private consultation costs—say, with one of those specialists out in Miami?

The cost is $50, based on my own experience about six weeks ago. Out of curiosity, which surgeon did you go with? And where exactly are these lumps located? I ask because if we're talking about fluid buildup, that can often be resolved with a simple injection rather than more invasive measures.

wanderingangler8 said:No, I didn't get any ointment.
They just told me I could use Aqamaris, but that’s hardly a solution.
It isn't like I was hemorrhaging—nothing extreme—but after removing the tampon, there's still some lingering spotting and dried blood from my nose. It's quite a mess.
It's fine, though; I assume everything will clear up once they remove the splints this Friday.
By the way, how long has it been since your surgery? Are you completely satisfied with the results?

My two-month follow-up is coming up on May 3rd. And yes, I am happy with it. To be honest, I spent a lot of time worrying about potential lumps or irregularities, but if nothing has surfaced by now, I'm choosing to believe nothing ever will. Everyone tells me I look adorable and that this new profile suits me much better than the old one.

Jamie Mitchell13 said:Hey ladies. I’m finally pulling the trigger on nose surgery. My consultation is set for April 28th with the specialist. Has anyone actually been to see him—what’s his reputation like? I’ve been debating this for ages, and honestly, if I want it this badly, why wouldn't I just go for it? Also, does anyone know how many days pass before they take the cast off?

The cast comes off after one week.

wanderingangler8 The user states:
The real issue is that everything has already dried up so much—it's practically petrified at this point. I’ve been applying some WD-40 and just waiting around for it to actually dissolve so I can get in there and clean it out, but honestly, it’s barely making a dent. I'm starting to worry that even the solvent isn't going to be enough to clear this mess. 🤷

Didn't he tell you he was applying some kind of ointment to the wound? I was constantly slathering mine on—I never wanted it feeling dry—though, to be fair, I didn't have any actual bleeding, so there wasn't really anything to scab over in the first place.

wanderingangler8 said:him.
Did they grease and clean it up for you while they were removing the mold?

Yes—and also when I was removing the tampons. At that point, they told me to use cotton swabs for cleaning. You just gently pull out whatever is bothering you. Honestly, you'll be terrified of hurting yourself at first (I felt exactly the same way), but eventually, you get the hang of it. Those swabs were a total lifesaver for me, because you can't really do anything with a pad.

wanderingangler8 said:Personally, I’m terrified of messing with it when everything feels swollen and I've lost all sensation—I don't want to push the swab too deep and cause an injury. Will the doctor handle the cleaning during the mold removal process?

I honestly can't say—it depends on which specialist you saw. In my case, they cleaned everything out, applied some sort of ointment, and instructed me not to blow my nose for a full month; I was told to stick strictly to gentle cleaning with swabs.

wanderingangler8 said:Yeah, he actually cut through the muscle. It was necessary in my case because my nose had started to sag quite a bit—I wasn't exactly protesting the procedure.
The swelling is still there, though it seems to be migrating downward toward my cheeks now. Is that normal?
Also, how did you manage to clear out all that dried blood from your nose? Mine is still stuck in there, completely dried up.

Just clean your nose using cotton swabs—but please, be extremely gentle; remember, you are dealing with an internal wound here.