Posts by Jesse Sanchez90

steelwalker26 said:Doctor, it’s honestly so kind and wonderful of you to want to help out. Thank you! But, surely you realize that when you're talking to people who haven't spent years in medical school, you might want to use a slightly more relatable vocabulary? You could try explaining things in a way that’s a bit more down-to-earth. This is just one little example, but it happens quite often. I totally get what you're getting at, but I doubt an elementary school kid would follow along.

Well, even then, a child would definitely need a parent there with them anyway, but the main thing isn't really whether a patient understands everything through an online forum. The bottom line is that they should always consult their own primary doctor or their local ENT specialist.
As for me, I'm not entirely sure if anything in what was written actually needs more clarification or not.

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Oh please, it's obvious this isn't cutting it. He needs to go sit down for a consultation and listen to everything from the very beginning; maybe he'll actually trust a surgeon more than us mere mortals. 😉 I totally get that he's just a kid and probably willing to do anything just to stop dealing with people's insults and condescension, but he really needs a professional to walk him through the details and open his eyes to the reality of it. I just hope he doesn't end up with some hack who thinks they're a surgeon and decides to perform surgery on a 14-year-old on their own whim.

@Mark Young10, please, just use some common sense and make sure one of the parents is right there with you if you're already jumping into surgical prep this early (though definitely don't rush into the actual procedure itself just yet 😉 ) 🙂

I try to explain things to him from the perspective I gather while lurking here occasionally, though I rarely jump into discussions since the issues are almost always the same. I only step in when something is fundamentally wrong, like in his case. Someone told him that "the bump will just grow back again." That's actually the least of his worries. If they have to perform a rhinoplasty involving surgery, they might disturb the bone structure, which could prevent the nose from reaching its full intended dimensions—creating a problem that becomes impossible to fix later.

With a responsible colleague, nobody is going to be having these kinds of conversations with a minor without supervision.

The biggest issue here is that from his point of view, he doesn't see the functional purpose of the nose; instead, he's focusing on what others might be making a big deal out of due to a superficial misunderstanding. Or, honestly, he might just be blowing things out of proportion himself.

Brian James41 said:So, I've got surgery scheduled on my sinus for June 2015. I'm dealing with a deviated septum and some mucosal inflammation, and honestly, I haven't been able to smell or taste anything for about a year now. Has anyone else dealt with similar symptoms? What should I expect? Dr. Bura already gave me an exam.

Before jumping into surgery, you might want to try calming down that chronic rhinosinusitis flare-up first. Using an intranasal corticosteroid spray for at least a month—or ideally two—could really help settle things down.

Kevin Hall51 said:I have an open septorhinoplasty coming up at Vinogradski soon.
I received the official clearance stamp covering all the tests required for general endotracheal anesthesia, but I noticed I didn't get the actual referral slips for some of them.
I have the ones for the EKG, chest X-ray, and coagulation profile, but the stamp also mentions electrolytes, urinalysis, and a few other things.
I'm wondering if those weren't necessary, or if they just handle everything at the hospital? My consultation with the anesthesiologist is scheduled for the day before the surgery.

You should really have those on hand when you check into the hospital so the attending physician can review everything, make sure your results are all set, and officially admit you.

Well, just put them right here so you can see what the public consensus actually looks like—honestly, that collective opinion carries way more weight than my SINGLE take on the matter. I tend to look at this from a functional perspective, and the reality is that no serious surgeon is going to knowingly step into an operating room if they sense a patient has a problematic relationship with themselves. There isn't a single surgical procedure in existence that can fix that kind of internal issue.

Mark Young10, you’re really not listening to me here—it isn't just about whether their nose gets overgrown or not. The real issue is that we could actually interfere with the child's foundational development of the nasal bone structure. That is a much more significant concern than having to deal with a hump later on in life.

Around here, we still stick to the golden rule of the profession: don't even think about a septum before age 16, and hold off on a pyramid until you're at least 18. The reasons behind this are laid out above, and they are absolutely spot on.

Actually, the open technique is way more precise than the closed one. You get a much clearer view of everything, which lets you work wonders starting right from the nasal passages. In fact, American ENT specialists deserve a huge amount of credit for spearheading its global revitalization back in the '80s.

Mark Young10 said:So, basically nothing then?

I'd say leave that septum alone until at least the 16th, and definitely hold off on the pyramid until you hit 18.

Ashley Ramos78 said:No, but I actually had surgery for it.

It would be really helpful if someone could get back to me regarding what I asked about the recovery process.

It would actually be super interesting to hear exactly what was operated on, because Donna Johnson16 is totally right.

frozenangler17 said:Hey everyone, I have a question for those who visit the ENT department at Mayo Clinic. Has anyone here had experience with Dr. Marcel Marjanović Kavanagh? To give you some context, I actually had two surgeries about four years ago—one for my septum and another for my sinuses—performed by Dr. Rank Mladin. However, the nurse mentioned he isn't taking new patients or performing surgeries anymore... at least that's what I was told. Now, I'm looking at a third procedure (to fix a septal perforation and remove part of a nasal turbinate), but I don't know anything about Dr. Marcel or even the specifics of the surgery itself. If any of you have firsthand experience, please let me know! 🙂 Or, if you have a recommendation for another truly excellent ENT in the Washington, D.C. area, I'd love to hear it. Thanks! 🙂

It’s most likely an implantation of a silicone button, but—honestly—that is something you really ought to clarify during your consultation.

silentridge9 said:I just had my nose surgery a few days ago, and if you're facing this too, my biggest tip is to pack plenty of straws.

It’s honestly such a struggle to drink anything, and even swallowing food becomes a chore when you're forced to breathe through your mouth. Plus, those first five nights with nasal packing are absolute torture—you'll be waking up constantly because your mouth feels bone-dry and your tongue feels like a rock. A straw was a total lifesaver for me..🙂

I second that! That is a much more accurate description of what it's actually like.

steelwalker26 said:@Betty Edwards22

Are you really missing my point here? I’m more than happy to clear things up if I wasn't being clear enough.

I was referring specifically to the printed pre-op instruction sheet that a nurse handed me at the oral and maxillofacial department. I assume similar instructions are handed out everywhere else, following established medical guidelines. My point was that if our local hospitals aren't following those exact same protocols, then Dawn Davenport's fourth tip isn't necessarily wrong—it just depends on where you're actually having the procedure done.

As for the whole thing about using a straw—look, I don't want to get bogged into it 😉. Some people who go through this themselves will totally get why it matters, while others won't. There's no need for the drama. If you bring a straw, great; if you don't, it's not the end of the world.

On another note, I have a question. Did I catch you correctly when you said that over at the local credit union hospital, patients are actually allowed to eat breakfast the morning of their surgery? Are you saying they don't restrict anything at all?

You definitely misunderstood me, because I never mentioned eating anywhere.

I'm not going to argue with you about the specific piece of paper you were handed. The info I'm sharing here represents professional standards, not patient handouts—which are often written with double the caution because, frankly, experience shows that patients often don't follow the warnings. So, what's listed there isn't always a clinical necessity; sometimes it's just a legal safeguard.
So, withholding pain medication before a procedure might not be a clinical requirement, but it's done for other reasons.

At the end of the day, every doctor has the right to decide based on their own professional judgment, and I think we can agree on that. One point of contention, though?

steelwalker26 said:Dawn Davenport just shared some general advice, which obviously isn't something anyone has to follow blindly.

Then you jump in to say that doesn't align with modern guidelines.

Then I chime in to mention that I actually had a totally different experience just recently at a major hospital in Chicago.

And then you claim your Chicago hospital is BIGGER than my Chicago hospital.

🤣

And what about the mouth situation? That feeling of discomfort during the first 24 hours after surgery while your whole face is still sensitive? But wait, some people don't have small mouths, right? I honestly feel like we're talking past each other here. But—it really doesn't matter. I hope everyone can just pick and choose their own advice from this thread along with whatever their doctors recommend.

First you bring up official guidelines, and now suddenly we're talking about "advice"—do you even know the difference? It doesn't seem like you do.

It's like saying "my dad is bigger than your dad." Your perspective is based on that, but mine is based on the fact that the more you do something statistically, the more statistically significant your results become.

The inability to open your mouth that was described is a completely different issue from the pain and discomfort mentioned earlier. From a clinical standpoint, the cause simply isn't the same.

steelwalker26 said:Based on the guidelines they handed out at my local credit union a few weeks back, you aren't supposed to take those specific medications for three days leading up to the procedure. Plus, nothing should be eaten or drunk after midnight if the surgery is scheduled for the morning. It seems like they aren't following the most modern protocols 🤷

Just one day after the procedure, they told me I could take Advil or Motrin for the pain.

As for that sensation in the mouth—that’s really just the patient's subjective experience. It's that feeling of discomfort, soreness, sensitivity, or tightness you get on that first day post-op. Everyone experiences it differently, but if there's something that can help ease it, why wouldn't you take it?

According to the protocols used over at Mayo Clinic—they don't withhold anything.
As for how many people actually undergo this surgery and who might have more accurate statistical insight—I'll leave that up to the readers to decide.

So, it isn't universal. The only possible reason would be the intubation process itself, which requires opening the mouth, but even then, that should be the exception rather than the rule; not everyone has a small mouth.

Laura James11 said:Since my surgery date is getting closer, I’ve been doing a ton of reading on how to prepare properly. So, I figured I’d just drop everything I’ve found right here for everyone else!
1. Some potential post-op symptoms include headaches, swelling, bruising, and nosebleeds.
2. It's highly recommended to stay hydrated, get as much rest as possible, and use compresses (under the eyes—don't leave them on the nose too long, though, to avoid sinus inflammation).
3. Make sure to avoid cigarettes and alcohol during the pre-op period.
4. Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or Vitamin E, as they can thin your blood.
5. For a smoother recovery, there is an effective Arnica Montana healing cream (there’s even an oral version in pellet form).
6. After the procedure, chewing and opening your mouth in general will be pretty difficult, so get ready for soups and make sure to bring some straws along. It's also a good idea to stock up on juices since they actually have some calories and flavor, unlike plain water.
7. If you get dehydrated, your lips will get really dry, so keep some Lip Smacker handy.
8. To make changing clothes easier, it's a great idea to have button-down shirts ready so you don't have to pull anything over your head.
9. You can find decent hot/cold gel packs at a CVS or Walgreens for about a couple of dollars.
10. Taking Vitamin C before and after surgery is recommended for optimal healing.
11. A travel pillow might help those who aren't used to sleeping flat on their backs.
12. When you show up for the actual surgery, make sure your nail polish is removed so the doctors can check your circulation at any time.

That's pretty much it for now. 🙂

4. According to modern guidelines, that isn't even necessary.

6. You're having nose surgery—what does that have to do with your mouth?

"So highly anticipated," right? It’s funny how things change once you actually stop to think about it—???

Casey Kelly2 said:1. How am I even supposed to ask them?🤷

2. Yeah, for teeth care

Have you ever actually heard of... a phone?

Casey Kelly2 said:Hey everyone!

1. Does anyone know if it's possible to get an ENT exam, surgery, and all the necessary referrals sorted out through a general practitioner or a local clinic by October? 😢

2. Can you have rhinoplasty while wearing orthodontic braces?

3. Is the anesthesia usually general, or can they do it under local?

1. You really need to check directly with those specific hospitals.
2. Are we talking about teeth?
3. It's most often general anesthesia. Doing it under local is pretty much considered an extravagance.

Maria Wood8 said:Hey everyone

I had nose surgery about three years ago, and today I took a pretty hard hit right to my nose (specifically the bridge on the left side).
It hurts whenever I touch it, and I’ve noticed a bump forming along with some redness in that spot. Do you think it'll go down?
There wasn't any bleeding and it doesn't feel too bad, though if I look at my profile, you can definitely see the swelling.
Help me out, guys—what should I do? ;(

You should probably head to an Urgent Care or an ENT, but honestly, it's most likely just some swelling that looks worse than it actually is.