Posts by Jesse Sanchez90

briskmason42 said:I actually had some corrective surgery done on my nose because it was drooping, and now it looks way too upturned. I’m really hoping it settles downward and narrows out a bit. Since there wasn't an actual break—just some minor tissue damage—it doesn't make sense for it to stay this wide unless it was always like that, right? Or am I totally off base here? Thanks in advance for any advice!

That whole description points to one thing: hypercorrection. It sounds like they overcompensated to prevent the tip from drooping.
Plus, everything is still swollen—this isn't just like getting a mole removed...

Give it about six months and everything will eventually settle into place. Even if you feel like the tip of your nose was slightly over-corrected, it’ll naturally drop and adjust over time.

briskmason42 said:Can someone explain why my upper lip feels a bit too lifted after surgery? For example, when I apply some Chapstick and try to rub it across my lips, I feel this pulling sensation, almost like the skin is being stretched tight. I can actually see the area near the columella tightening up while I do it. 🙂It’s honestly driving me crazy, and I’m wondering if it’s because the tip is lifted too much or if this feeling will eventually go away?

It could be happening because different areas of tissue are pulling against each other as the scar tissue forms. However, that tension can often be "stretched out" over time. Those sutures are essentially there to hold the new position in place, but once they've done their job, the scar tissue takes over the heavy lifting.

briskbison12 said:Exactly. A dentist really needs to weigh in here, but since it’s the weekend and everything is closed until Monday, I’m just taking an antibiotic on my own. Based on past experience, I always end up using Augmentin—or whatever they’re calling it now, Klavophar. I'm strictly taking it to calm down the inflammation so things don't get worse, or hopefully, by Monday, it'll be "settled" enough so they can actually go ahead and pull the decayed tooth.

My biggest worry is whether the antibiotic will interfere with the actual surgery prep. I really don't want to have to redo all my blood work and tests if I can help it.

It won't hurt anything. Plus, if you're in Chicago, there's always an emergency dental clinic available.

briskbison12 said:I'm scheduled for nose surgery on December 1st. I've passed all my pre-op checks and am just counting down the days. However, I've run into a bit of an issue with a tooth—specifically one of my molars. Because it’s partially dead, a little abscess has formed at the root, and it's actually starting to affect the gum line. Now I'm wondering, is it okay to take antibiotics, like Augmentin, before my surgery?

I was thinking about just trying to calm the inflammation down now and then dealing with the full dental work after the surgery, since the nose is my top priority right now.

It’s definitely doable—you really need to get that infection under control before you head into surgery.
The only thing is, you should really touch base with your dentist to get their professional take on it, just so they can assess exactly what kind of state that tooth is in.

The open technique offers a much clearer view of the actual nasal pathology, which is why you see it used so frequently during aesthetic procedures.
Historically speaking, this technique was championed back in the '80s by ENT specialists in Chicago—specifically Prof. Padovan—who pulled it straight out of the textbooks. It really hit the mainstream after being presented at a major medical congress in Miami in 1988, where a significant portion of the medical community in the US embraced it. The big advantage here is that everything is right there in your line of sight: you get much easier access to the nasal pyramid, it makes working on the nasal valves a breeze, and accessing the septum becomes straightforward since everything is under direct visual control.
The one downside? You're looking at a visible scar in the columella area.

Rachel Anderson said:Hi everyone! I have a quick question regarding nose surgery... I'm scheduled for a septoplasty to fix a deviated septum through my insurance provider in a few days. My doctor mentioned he’ll be working internally through the nostrils, so there won't be any bone breaking involved. Honestly, I felt a bit awkward bringing it up, but I was wondering if he could also tweak the appearance of my nose while he's at it. It's not like I have a massive hump or anything, but my profile bothers me because the tip looks a bit droopy. Does anyone know if surgeons actually do these kinds of cosmetic tweaks during functional procedures? And should I have asked sooner, or can I just bring it up right before the surgery?

You can definitely have "bone breaking"—technically known as osteotomies or a chelemoplasty—done using a closed technique.
That said, they were being polite to you; you really need to mention this beforehand so they can schedule the operating room accordingly.

William Robinson80 said:If you go to Rebro, you're looking at a six-month wait. If you don't want to be stuck waiting forever, you're better off heading over to Dubrava or Vinogradski.

At Vinogradski, you're usually looking at about 3 to 4 months, depending on when they do that final checkup and make the call on the procedure.

Melissa Martinez5 said:Trying to convince him that he'll feel better and finally be able to breathe normally again...

Well, I definitely wouldn't want anyone messing up his nose...

How long does an operation like that usually take?

And do they put the patient under with anesthesia?

Neither he nor I have ever had any surgery done...

It really depends on what needs to be fixed, but it could take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes.
And of course—that old-school way of doing things went out of style decades ago. 🙂
Still, he really needs to learn how to manage his anxiety at a basic level. If he doesn't, he'll be the first one in the family to go through this. 😉

copperraven5 said:I’ve been scrolling back through about a hundred pages here, and I noticed that nobody has mentioned Dr. Bagatin yet—not even a passing comment, good or bad. It actually surprises me quite a bit, especially since his father was a top-tier maxillofacial surgeon and both of his sons followed right in those footsteps. The thing that really caught my eye about him is that he uses this 3D computer modeling system to simulate what you'll look like after surgery. Now, I have no clue how accurate that tech actually is, but having even a rough idea of the end result would be amazing. I’m curious if any of the other private clinics around here offer something similar? If they don't, how do you all usually coordinate with your doctor regarding the specific look you're aiming for (is it just verbal descriptions, photos, or something else entirely)?

There’s just no way to predict exactly how your tissue is going to react, and honestly, anyone can make a pretty convincing edit in Photoshop.

Melissa Martinez5 said:He does have supplemental insurance...

Does anyone have recommendations for a good doctor or hospital?

My husband is pretty nervous about the surgery, so I really want to make sure he avoids any unnecessary trauma or bad experiences...

But how exactly do you all plan on making that happen?
At the end of the day, I truly believe it's a fundamental thing that people should handle their own business and take responsibility for themselves.

Personally, I can't help much there—I'm just a local guy following this thread strictly to jump in if someone needs a specific clarification. Giving out random recommendations without knowing the details just wouldn't feel like fair play to me.

Melissa Martinez5 said:If breathing through my nose is a struggle, would an operation like that be covered by insurance?

How long is the typical waitlist?

And where should I even go for this?

Honestly, yeah—it’s definitely worth having good supplemental insurance.
It really just comes down to which specialist you choose and where you're located.

I’m not entirely sure where Dr. Mladin sees his private patients, but I do know that Klapan Def has a private practice.

Is the location more important than the skill level?

analogotter43 said:Based on just one girl's bad experience, I think it’s really out of line to talk about the doctor this way. Everyone slips up sometimes—hopefully he won't make those mistakes with me 😁—and honestly, there isn't a surgeon out there who hasn't messed up at some point. But that doesn't mean it's okay to go around removing half the bones in someone's nose. -.-

For those of you who have visited Glušac and spent the night in Malibu, where did you stay? A private 🙂
might work too.

He isn't just some local guy; if anything, he's actually quite well-known outside of the US.

Based on what you've been through, that could easily happen to you—but why would a private clinic even make that their priority?

Of course, it’s possible, assuming there's actually anything there that needs touching. Allergies mess with your mucous membranes, and you really need to treat that systematically first. Only then can you see if there's any polyp-like thickening in the membrane that's actually getting in the way of your breathing.

@cosmicmoose112/">@@cosmicmoose112:
Those are some really interesting observations—very realistic once you break them down a little bit.

When it comes to working on the nasal tip, you really have to know what you're doing. That’s why most surgeons steer clear of it, unless they aren't being critical enough about the risks involved. Performing nose surgery to clear out obstructions—like dealing with septal issues, spurs, or pathologies in the vomer and perpendicular plate—isn't actually the hard part; those procedures are done routinely in hospitals all over the country. Charging astronomical amounts for that, though... hmmm... that's a different story. The much more complicated stuff involves narrowing the nose or the nasal pyramid, or correcting kyphosis, because that requires breaking bone. But the absolute toughest task is shaping the nasal tip. While people mostly care about the tip for aesthetics, its primary job is actually the nasal valve, which handles respiratory function—that's the whole reason the nose exists in the first place!

As for those "clumsy" ears you mentioned, what you're describing is usually the result of not treating the cartilage enough. If the cartilage stays too "strong" after surgery and the stitches give way, the connective tissue just isn't robust enough to hold the ears in their new position.

Melissa Martinez5 said:I was wondering if anyone here has had nose surgery because they were struggling to breathe?

Basically, my husband has been dealing with really difficult breathing through his nose for years now.

It always feels like his nose is completely stuffed up..

From what I've read, it seems like surgery might be the only real fix for stuff like this...

Absolutely—that’s actually the whole point of the procedure. Cosmetic plastic surgery is almost entirely a different thing.
Congestion can stem from all sorts of issues: it could be a deviated septum that’s physically blocking the airway, causing functional breathing problems, or it could be chronic inflammation or allergies, where surgery might not actually help much at all.
The only way to know for sure is to see an ENT specialist for a full exam and a review of his medical history.

@555
I’m a woman, but I honestly don't have the stamina to write as much as you do. I'm not going to dive into a deep psychoanalysis of my own character or work because, frankly, I don't think it serves any purpose for this forum. That’s just moving into off-topic territory. Speaking as a surgeon, I can usually point out when someone is slightly detached from reality, but in this case—it's a total disconnect. Simply put, I don't have enough free time to spend deconstructing these delusions, but I am absolutely repulsed by the idea and felt the need to say so. I’m sorry if that sounds like a jab to you, but it isn't; it's just a call to come back to earth. In the real world, things aren't even as over-the-top as they are in the most dramatic Hollywood movies.
🙂

No, I’m actually talking about the entire conversation you were having with him—which I can tell now since you're pushing back—but honestly, I don't care if there were two people involved or five. It doesn't change anything for me.

The thing is, you can't really explain it to him. He’s still looking at this like someone is trying to pick his pocket, which is why I'm trying to have a rational discussion here. I might be able to clear up a few minor details, but once someone has completely lost their mind over a concept like this? It's a lost cause.