Posts by wanderingmason86

Donna Bennett73 said:If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask!🙂)
http://imageshack.us/g/210/dsc03424fy.jpg/

Actually, I do! How on earth did you manage to keep your mouth closed in every single photo? 😁

darkdrifter10 said:Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find a really good ENT specialist? I heard there’s one over at Vinogradska Hospital, but does one need to book an appointment in advance, or can you just show up with a referral?

You definitely need to call ahead and schedule an appointment first. If you're looking for top-tier ENT specialists, I'd highly recommend either Johns Hopkins Hospital or Vinogradska Hospital. Just a heads-up though—if you go through Vinogradska, you should probably expect a wait of about two to three months from the time you book until you actually get seen.

Honestly, I’m looking for some solid recommendations for both a primary care physician and a dentist. My "must-have" list of virtues is pretty straightforward: I need someone who won't bury me in unnecessary paperwork or red tape, someone who doesn't act like they're the smartest person in the room, and—this is huge—someone who isn't going to be having a bad day and taking it out on me when I show up with a referral! As for the dentist, I'm looking for someone whose expertise goes way beyond just swapping out old silver fillings for white ones. Ideally, I'd love to find someone located around the Chicago Trnje or Tresnjevka areas. But hey, if you have someone great further out, I'm open to it!
My current "subscription" to my providers expires in a few weeks, so I am more than ready to make a switch! 😁

dustytrucker12 said:1. How long am I going to be stuck in the hospital?
2. My nose is pretty crooked—can they fix the aesthetics at the same time as the surgery? Or am I looking at two separate procedures? :/
3. From what I gather, nose surgery is free if you do it at a public hospital instead of a private clinic, right?

1) You’re looking at a minimum of two days—the night before and then the day of the actual procedure. By the third day, you might even be able to head home! That said, there's always a chance you'll stay for 5 to 7 days. You definitely have to stay until they remove the nasal packing, and occasionally until any splints come out too. Honestly, though, it really just comes down to how many beds are open, the hospital's scheduling, your doctor's preference, and how you personally recover...

2) Think of it like this: by default, the surgeon is going to focus on fixing the functional stuff (like helping you breathe properly), but they can absolutely tackle the aesthetic side during the same session if you clear it with them beforehand (it really depends on the surgeon's style). Just make sure you're super specific when you discuss the plan so there aren't any "wait, what?" moments after you wake up! 😉

3) Exactly! If there's a legitimate medical reason for the surgery (like a deviated septum or a fracture) and you have good health insurance, it shouldn't cost you a dime.

brightotter21 said:Hey, thanks so much for getting back to me! 👍

I’m definitely not being reckless, I promise! I'm just playing the waiting game, but man, it is frustrating having to breathe through my mouth constantly. How much longer is this going to last? It’s been 10 days since my surgery today. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for those scabs to finally clear out so I can actually breathe through my nose again?

Also, do I still need to keep sleeping propped up on my back, or can I sleep normally now? Every time I tilt my head, I get this weird sensation of pressure inside my head.🤷

Everything just takes time, you know? It doesn't all happen overnight, but slowly but surely, things will start to clear up. As for when you'll feel that sweet relief—it's hard to put a finger on it because everyone heals differently, but hang in there, it'll happen soon! 😉
And keep in mind, it isn't just about the scabs. Your nasal cycle (that natural rhythm where your nostrils take turns being more open than others) gets a bit thrown off, and it takes a little while for that rhythm to reset itself. Plus, you've got general swelling in the whole nasal area that can linger for a few months.

As for sleeping, you can pretty much lie however you want—just try not to put direct pressure on your nose. Honestly, staying on your back is still your safest bet, and it's usually the easiest position for breathing. You might experience some discomfort regardless, but you aren't going to break anything just by resting your nose against a pillow. Just be careful not to press your nose too hard into it or roll over onto it awkwardly. 🙂

brightotter21 said:Can anyone help me out here? How do I deal with the scabs inside my nose after surgery? How long does it take for them to finally clear up?

Well, you certainly didn't hold back with that question! But honestly, you might not love the answer I'm about to give. 😉

The truth is, those wounds—or rather, the surgical sites inside your nose—are right in the middle of the healing phase. Think of it like a construction site; your body needs a steady supply of blood flow to that damaged tissue to get the job done. Those scabs you're seeing? They’re basically nature's biological Band-Aids. They create a protective layer over the wound so it can knit itself back together undisturbed by the outside world.

If you start using nasal drops or sprays—and I’m assuming you mean those decongestant types—you’re actually going to significantly restrict the blood flow to your nasal lining, which is already super vascularized right now. Now, those sprays are great if you're dealing with a nosebleed, but in this specific situation, they can actually be counterproductive. Sure, you might find it a little easier to breathe for a few minutes, but there really isn't any point in stalling the healing process just for a tiny bit of temporary relief. Just hang in there; everything will settle down in its own time.

As for the scabs themselves, please, please don't try to pick them! They are there for a very good reason. If you pull a scab off too early, you’re essentially reopening the wound and forcing your body to restart the whole healing cycle from scratch. Plus, you run the risk of accidentally snagging or pulling out internal stitches. Long story short: I highly recommend just being patient and riding it out. 🙂

When it comes to playing it safe, try your best to avoid blowing your nose too hard. And obviously, steer clear of any bumps to the face, or any heavy, constant pressure on your nose for a while—like wearing heavy glasses if they aren't strictly necessary.

brightotter21 said:How much longer is my nose going to feel sore to the touch after having those molds removed?

It’s been a few months now.

brightotter21 said:So, I just finished rinsing everything out with that solution—is it actually okay if I blow a little bit of air out through my mouth while it’s still fresh? Just want to make sure I'm not doing anything silly!

Look, don't go blowing air straight out like that! You've gotta pull it all the way back into your lungs first, then if you absolutely have to let it out, just give it a quick, sharp exhale. It’s all about that controlled rhythm!

Thomas Williams61 said:Does anyone have any recent updates on Dr. Munitić?

Has anyone had surgery with him lately? How was your experience and how did he do?

I saw some posts on here a while back saying he’s absolutely wonderful, but I’m really looking for some more recent feedback. I’m seriously considering him for my rhinoplasty, so I would be incredibly grateful for any insight you can share!😁

From what I understand, he actually retired earlier this year—or at least, he hasn't been practicing over at the Mayo Clinic for a few months now.

I’m looking into getting a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown done soon, and I’m trying to find the sweet spot where I don't break the bank, but also don't end up with a total disaster for my smile 😉...
If anyone has some solid recommendations for a dentist or a clinic, please drop them here or shoot me a DM.

Thanks so much!

Jessica Hall95 said:If your referral doesn't specify a particular clinic, you've got some wiggle room to choose where you go. But if you were lucky like me and ended up with a referral specifically tied to the Vineyard district, then yeah, you're pretty much stuck going there.😢

Auuu... So, are you planning to head out in the spring of 2012? Honestly, they really ought to let you schedule an earlier appointment somewhere else. I remember hearing some chatter about medical wait-time regulations—something about how if they can't see you within a reasonable timeframe, you might actually be able to visit a private specialist at Medicare's expense. It's worth asking around, though I have my doubts they'll actually follow through on that...🤷
Either way, try to grab a different referral. Waiting ten months for a checkup is absolutely insane.😲

Regarding that whole thing about getting an exam without a referral... I never managed to pull it off, even after calling them what felt like seventy times! As far as my own issues go, I could honestly just cancel my dermatology and ENT appointments and just pay Google instead; I’ve gotten more helpful advice from a search engine than from those doctors...🙄

Kimberly Martin29 said:Can anyone tell me which dermatologists are working at the community health center over on Laginjina Street?

I can help you out! You've got Ljiljana Skrinjar on one shift and Sanja Persic Vojinovic on the other at that location.
I actually had a quick chat with Ljiljana about booking an appointment, and she seems really nice and easy to work with. 🙂

Also, could someone clarify if I can take a specialist referral to any community health center, or am I strictly tied to the one assigned to my home address? Someone managed to wedge a bug in my ear, and now I'm totally lost—I was under the impression I could just go to whichever clinic is most convenient!

Jessica Hall95 said:I heard there’s that free screening campaign running in the city again—you know, the one with the imaging services! You just have to give them a call to get on the schedule and let them know you're coming. Definitely worth checking out if you want to stay on top of things! I was just reading this fascinating piece about how much our lifestyle choices actually impact our long-term health, and it really got me thinking! It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we can outrun a bad diet or skip out on exercise without consequences, but biology doesn't work like that. It's kind of like maintaining a vintage car—you can't just pour cheap, low-grade fuel into a high-performance engine and expect it to run smoothly on the highway forever, right? Eventually, things are going to sputter. The article dives deep into how metabolic health isn't just about a number on a scale; it's about how our bodies process energy at a cellular level. We often focus on the "big" stuff, like weight, but the real magic (and the real trouble) happens under the hood with things like insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Think of your metabolism as a complex orchestra; if the percussion section is totally off-beat because of poor nutrition, the whole symphony starts to sound like noise. It also touches on the importance of preventative care. Instead of waiting until the "check engine" light comes on—which, in human terms, means dealing with serious issues like chronic heart disease or diabetes—we should be focusing on those small, daily adjustments. It’s about building a foundation of wellness through consistent habits, much like how you wouldn't wait for your house to start crumbling before you decide to fix a leaky roof. I truly believe that being proactive rather than reactive is the ultimate game-changer. It’s not about perfection or following some extreme, unsustainable fad diet; it’s about making smarter, more intentional choices most of the time. If we treat our bodies with a little more respect and give them the quality "fuel" they need, they’ll certainly reward us with more energy and longevity down the road!

Thanks so much for the heads-up! I really appreciate you sharing that info with me. 👍
The earliest appointment I could snag at the local community health center is all the way in August, but honestly? I’m not even sweating it if my referral ends up expiring in the meantime... 🙂
I’m going to give them a ring this Monday. I’m just crossing my fingers that they actually pick up the phone this time! My experience with the folks over at the Salad place was a total nightmare—they wouldn't answer for anything. I tried calling them at least 17 times before finally giving up and driving all the way down there in person just to get a simple answer. Fingers crossed for better luck this week!

Susan Wilson56 said:Should I get it checked out first, or just go ahead and have them removed right away? You can usually walk into a specialized cancer center without an appointment, but I’m really not sure if that applies to just getting a consultation.

So, regarding that initial checkup... Honestly, I have no clue if they actually need to be taken off, but just eyeballing it, I’d say I’ve got maybe two prime candidates—you know, those larger, irregular moles.
Supposedly, the fastest way to get seen would be through a local Community health center, but truth be told, I know even less about which one to pick than I do about the major hospitals! 😕

I need to get some moles checked out, so I’m on the hunt for a dermatologist who will see me just using my Medicare referral. 🙂

Also, if anyone has any leads on where I can actually get an appointment without waiting forever, please let me know! Right now, the place near the Reading Terminal Market is booked up until November, but the clinic over in the Vineyard district is backed up all the way until March of next year (😕)!

Jessica Hall95 said:Does anyone know a good dermatologist where you don't have to wait forever? I have a referral for a mole check, but the wait times at the clinic near Broadway are insane—I'm already booked out until next year!

I don't have a specific name to throw your way, but I think there's an outreach program coming up soon (or maybe it's already happening?) that offers free skin screenings. It might be worth checking out! Getting a second opinion never hurts, and you might even get a great recommendation while you're there.

On another note, I'm actually looking for an ENT specialist who has experience with nasal valve reconstruction surgery. If anyone knows a pro in that field, please let me know! 👍

Quick apology to everyone else here. 😉

Hey, could Lana please clear out her inbox or outbox? I'm trying to send her a private message, but it just won't go through! 🙂
Otherwise, if she's allowed to, maybe she could let me know if there's another way I can get in touch with her! 😁

I’m on the hunt for a top-tier ENT or maxillofacial surgeon who actually knows how to handle internal nasal valve collapse. I'm talking about using a cartilage implant—maybe sourced from the ear—or whatever else cutting-edge methods are out there today. Here’s the kicker: most doctors have heard of this issue, but very few actually have the intuition to spot it themselves, let alone take the initiative to fix it. They usually just stick to the standard script: "Well, your septum isn't deviated... so it's either rhinitis or you're just imagining the breathing trouble!" It's incredibly frustrating.

If anyone here knows a specialist who actually gets this (or if you’ve personally gone under the knife for something similar), please reach out—even a private message would be amazing. If I don't reply, assume I've finally lost my mind because I've spent years basically breathing through my mouth. I don't have a deviated septum, I don't have rhinitis, and I certainly don't have any other underlying issues. The reality is simple: my nasal passages physically narrow and "collapse" every single time I inhale, choking off the airflow right at the valve. It's obvious to me, but since my septum is straight, most doctors stop looking there. I feel like I'm hitting a brick wall with the medical community.

Thanks so much for any leads!

I’ll shoot you a private message instead—let's not go scaring everyone away with all these medical diagnoses right here in the open! 🙂

mistyjackal842 said:I'm also looking for recommendations for a solid neurologist in Washington, D.C.

Are we talking about something serious here? It's been quite a while since I went to see a private neurologist, but I remember one guy who was legendary for handling major neurological issues—thank God I never had to deal with anything like that myself! I can't recall his name off the top of my head, though; I'd definitely have to dig through my files to find it... Anyway, his office was right around the intersection of Washington and Wall Street. If you haven't found anyone yet, let me know and I'll go hunting through my old medical records!

EDIT:
Found him! It's Mary Shelley!

If anyone happens to be near my neck of the woods—around the Suburban neighborhood, Small town, or maybe closer to the downtown area—could you please point me in the right direction? I’m looking for a solid recommendation for a general practitioner. I have a few names on my list, but I’d love some honest advice on which one of these "options" is actually worth my time! 🤷👍