Karen Barnes31 said:Seriously, I’m telling you—Mary Johnson’s clinic is right over in the 3rd pavilion of the flower district area... the women there are absolutely fantastic at what they do, they don't cut any corners with their supplies, and you won't need to undergo any intense psychological training just to walk through the door! 😉
Oh, man, that is awesome! That's right in my neck of the woods. Honestly, if I happen to scream my head off because of a toothache, people will probably just assume it's some big game being celebrated over at the local college dorm anyway. Thanks for the tip! 👍
silentotter99 said:But wait, am I actually allowed to blow my nose? I read somewhere on a forum that it's strictly off-limits, and one girl even mentioned her skin near her nose started swelling up!😲 I really don't want that happening to me. Am I okay to just breathe in through my nose normally if things get a little stuffy, or should I avoid blowing my nose entirely?
I’d definitely hold off on blowing your nose for a while, especially if you have to strain to do it. If you absolutely have to clear your airways, try pulling everything inward first and then just exhaling through your mouth instead. 🙂 As for breathing through your nose—of course you can! That’s totally fine, provided you aren't inhaling like a high-powered vacuum cleaner. 🙄
placidbear34 said:If you're looking for the absolute best, you honestly can't go wrong with John Smith over in Brooklyn!
Look, I’m not one for theories. Honestly, I have no clue why anyone would call him the "best," or if there even is such a thing as a "best" specialist in this field. I actually had a consultation with him myself—okay, full disclosure, it was about ten years ago, but the memory is still crystal clear—and the whole conversation basically went like this: "Look, you've got a problem, I don't. So, who are you to question me? If you don't like my approach, just go somewhere else." So, I did exactly that. I took his advice and went "somewhere else." And while I wouldn't say I hit the jackpot either—since my breathing issues haven't been permanently fixed yet—at least I wasn't treated with that kind of attitude. Reading through some of the experiences shared in the "nose job" threads here, it seems like I'm definitely not the only one who got the cold shoulder from him.
placidbear34 said:If you're looking for an incredible dentist out in Arlington, you absolutely have to see Jane Doe! She is hands down the best in the business.
Thanks for the heads-up! Honestly, though, it wouldn't really make sense for me to go to her since she isn't even located in Washington, D.C. It’s just too much of a trek! 🙂
1) A good primary care physician in Washington, D.C. (ideally somewhere near Downtown, Midtown, the Upper West Side, or Brooklyn—just nothing out in the far reaches like Queens or Aurora, otherwise I feel like I need a flight just to get a checkup... 🙂). I’m not super picky, but I have a few dealbreakers: I don't want someone who gives me the "death stare" the second I walk through the door, I shouldn't have to fight for my life just to get a referral to a specialist, and I definitely don't want to sit in a waiting room for two hours even when I actually have an appointment scheduled weeks in advance...
2) A dentist in that same general area. It’s really important to me that they don't treat me like I'm undergoing psychological testing before they'll even touch me just because they're trying to skimp on anesthesia. I'd prefer someone who does the job right so my tooth doesn't fall out mid-meal or end up loose in my mouth because the filling wasn't properly secured. 🙂
Thanks in advance for any leads! Feel free to shoot me a DM or just reply here!
stormyharbor2 said:Give him a few days to breathe; the guy’s clearly swamped. Personally, I usually get a response within two days, and that goes for all the other doctors I've reached out to. Besides, my situation isn't just about looks—it's a functional surgery too.
I sent him an email two months ago! At this rate, how much longer am I supposed to wait? Maybe he’ll finally get back to me once I’m old and gray and just need someone to handle my funeral arrangements... 🙄 😁 Since I only need the procedure for functional reasons, maybe that’s why he’s dragging his feet. Honestly, though, it doesn't even matter anymore. Even if he replied tomorrow with a perfect solution to my concerns, I wouldn't go to him now. Once you lose that kind of trust, there's no going back!
rustygardener172 said:I am so sorry to hear that... I honestly don't get it. I sent him an email about ten days ago and he got back to me right away! Plus, I’ve been chatting via DM with a girl who also got a quick reply to her email... Are you sure you sent it to the right address?
Oh, I am positive, the address is totally correct. The thing is, most people just won't bother replying if they don't feel like it, if they don't like what you're asking, or if they just don't know how to handle it—it's awkward to give someone a "no," you know? It's kind of like trying to get a straight answer from the folks over at the Mayo Clinic; you could practically jump through hoops and they still might not get back to you! (And I tried two different addresses, so it's not like they can't read their inbox.) Anyway, it's no big deal. I managed to find a doctor at a different hospital, so I'm headed there for my checkup right after New Year's Day.
rustygardener172 said:Honestly, what you’re dealing with requires a top-tier ENT specialist; an aesthetic surgeon isn't really your main focus here... Since you aren't looking for cosmetic changes, the price should actually be quite a bit lower. Usually, combined functional and cosmetic procedures run about 12-15 $0.00... so yours would probably land somewhere around $1,000... just my best guess.
The thing is, some private practices might not even want to take on cases that are strictly functional. It really varies by doctor, but I've noticed this growing trend where they charge pretty much the same for a purely functional fix as they do for a full makeover. Your best bet is to reach out to a few different specialists individually and see how they approach it.
rustygardener172 said:Regarding the Cleveland area, I've heard that Zambelli is excellent... he runs his own private practice...
I've also heard great things about him! Even though he isn't technically an ENT, I wouldn't sweat that too much—if anything, I'd trust someone like him over a "traditional" ENT when it comes to surgery, because they often have way more hands-on experience navigating all sorts of tricky situations. That said, you can expect his rates to be pretty... well, substantial.😉
rustygardener172 said:I actually saw Glušac down in Malibu... he’s a fantastic ENT as well, and I’m sure he could handle your situation easily.
That’s exactly what I thought (I think I actually told him that in writing!), but he's actually the one private doctor who never even got back to my email inquiry. So, I never even got the chance to see if he was a good fit. Since I wasn't interested in any of the cosmetic stuff and only cared about fixing the function, I felt like I might be treated like a second-class patient—which is funny, because that's exactly the part I put 😉 emphasis on! 🤷
Building an adapter isn't actually the hard part; the real headache is teaching Windows 7 how to play nice with an old-school Xbox gamepad... Anyway, I finally cracked the code! It turns out if you run Windows 7 in test mode, load up the XNA driver, and use an Xbox 360 controller emulator along with its Xinput files tucked right into the game folder, everything syncs up perfectly. Sure, it’s a bit of a clunky, "MacGyver" kind of workaround, but hey, it works—and it saved me about $40 in the process!
Has anyone ever gone down the rabbit hole of modding an original Xbox controller? I'm curious about how that actually plays out when you plug it into a PC. Will the system even recognize it, or am I going to be hunting down extra drivers for Windows 7? Also, does anyone know if it can effectively emulate an Xbox 360 for Windows controller?
Does anyone know a solid ENT or maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in cartilage spreader grafts? I’m looking for someone experienced in replacing cartilage to actually fix breathing issues and get things working normally again. If you’ve gone through something similar or have a recommendation, please shoot me a DM. Honestly, I’m starting to feel pretty desperate about this... 😢
Kate Lee43 said:I honestly can't decide if I should just dive headfirst into all of this, but man, I have such a massive craving right now! It’s like that feeling when you're staring at a menu and you know exactly what sounds good, but you're still second-guessing if you should go big or stay safe. I'm totally torn! Here’s the kicker—the part that really gets you thinking—he won't actually guarantee that the exact same cartilage won't just decide to grow right back again!😕
It really all comes down to a few things—your age, where you stand financially, and just how much you're willing to invest in yourself! It’s like choosing between a reliable used sedan and a high-end luxury ride; your budget and your stage in life dictate which path makes the most sense for you. 😉 If you’re still really young, my advice is to just hold off for a bit. Take some time to sit with it, breathe, and maybe even learn to embrace that little "imperfection" of yours. You might find that once you grow into yourself, it doesn't feel like such a flaw anymore! Look, I’ll be real with you—it all really comes down to how your recovery plays out once the dust settles. Everything depends on that post-op journey! While we always hope for the absolute best-case scenario, we have to stay grounded: there is definitely a possibility that things won't turn out exactly how you've pictured them in your head. It's all about how your body responds to the process! Based on everything you’ve described, it honestly doesn't sound like anything stands out or looks out of place. If I were in your shoes, I probably wouldn't bother "fixing" it at all!
Kate Lee43 said:I’m really curious if anyone knows what the actual process looks like when you're just fixing the tip of the nose—you know, specifically focusing on the cartilage part. I just want to slim down that specific area a bit, make it look smaller... Does this actually require full-blown surgery, general anesthesia, nasal packing, and all that? Please let me know if you have any insight! Thanks so much!😉
Oh, absolutely—it’s a "yes" from me. Honestly, there’s way more work involved than people realize! The silver lining is that your recovery time should be a lot smoother. And hey, you don't necessarily need to go under general anesthesia; depending on what you and your surgeon decide, it’s totally doable using enhanced local anesthesia instead.
Susan Anderson77 said:Honestly, would you guys get nose surgery if you were in my shoes? I'm only 14, and I'm just so incredibly self-conscious, and it's solely because of my nose. When I talk, the tip of my nose moves around. O.O I don't even know how to describe it. http://it.tinypic.com/r/2mzm64l/6 That bump on the bridge is driving me absolutely crazy.
NO—or, if you really want to, definitely not yet! To be perfectly blunt, nobody is going to perform surgery on you before you turn 18, and honestly, it’s not recommended anyway (unless you're dealing with serious breathing issues). So, please, don't stress about it right now. Just hang in there for a few years. By then, you'll either have grown comfortable with it and moved past the insecurity, or you'll reach an age where getting it fixed actually makes sense. Trust me, nobody is looking at your nose during these years. If it weren't your nose, it would be something else entirely—like thinking your legs are too short, your hair is thinning, or you feel awkward in social settings. This is just a classic teenage "crisis" centered on your nose. 🙂
restlesstinker4 said:Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing great! :-)
I just left Dr. Džepina's office, and we finally got everything squared away! My surgery is officially on the calendar for June 15th.
I’m honestly spiraling a little bit right now because I’ve been falling down a rabbit hole of reading everything I can find online—and frankly, it’s starting to freak me out! I could really use some honest advice from you all. Has anyone here actually sat down with him before? I'd love to hear about your personal experiences or even just your gut feelings about working with him. Any insight at all would be a lifesaver!
Is Dr. Dzepina really practicing over in Vukovar? I actually asked this same thing just a few days ago, but I haven't had anyone get back to me yet! If someone finally does answer, then I guess the issue is definitely on my end—maybe I just have one of those faces that people tend to skip over! 🙄).
Has anyone here ever had an exam or surgery with Dr. Davor Dzepina? To be clear, I don't mean Ivo Dzepina (who works alongside Glumicica), but rather Dr. Davor at the Dzepina Clinic over on Main Street.
What has your experience been like? Feel free to shoot me a DM if that's easier! 🙄
So, I’ve been diagnosed with internal valve collapse in one nostril, which is why my breathing is such a struggle. I had septoplasty a while back, so this is most likely the fallout from an overly aggressive "straightening" of the septum, though there's a chance it's just how I was born. The fix involves implanting what they call a spreader graft—basically using cartilage (either harvested from the septum itself or taken from the ear) to fill the gap between the septum and the collapsing cartilage. I have spent countless hours scouring the internet for info on this, and I am absolutely positive that this valve collapse is the root of all my breathing issues.
But here’s where the headache starts: getting a straight answer from doctors. One specialist diagnosed me but wouldn't "guarantee any improvement." A second doctor told me I shouldn't undergo surgery "just for the sake of surgery," and a third guy half-heartedly agreed with the first diagnosis before quickly pivoting to some other topic entirely. Then there was the fourth doctor—the one I actually went under the knife with. He promised he would implant the cartilage and, honestly, he was the only one who inspired any real confidence.
Fast forward to the day of the surgery. Once I was already committed and there was no turning back, he took one last look and suddenly decided, "Oh, you don't actually need any cartilage here." Well, a few months have passed since the procedure, and I’m stuck with practically the exact same symptoms.
So, where does that leave me?
If anyone has any insights, please chime in! For instance, if you know someone who had ear cartilage implanted to improve either their nose's appearance or its function, let me know so I can look into it. I am honestly at my wit's end running from one specialist to another; they'll list a thousand different reasons why my breathing is bad, but then during the actual exam, they brush it all off as just rhinitis or a deviated septum (which, again, is already straight, so I should be breathing fine). I realize this is delicate work—it's a tiny, cramped space, and it seems much easier for surgeons to tackle a standard, never-before-operated deviation. But man, I would settle for just one honest professional to look me in the eye and say, "I don't know how to fix this," or "It takes too long for the results to be worth it." At least then I could accept my fate and deal with the chronic pharyngitis that comes from constantly mouth-breathing.
For what it's worth, my nose isn't a masterpiece, but it's not a disaster either. While there's definitely room for cosmetic improvement, I'm not looking for a facelift. I just want to be able to breathe through those damn holes that are supposed to be there for that exact purpose...
Sarah Brooks said:But those drops are usually the kind you give kids to help boost their appetite... they aren't even sold in spray bottles or anything like that, so there wouldn't be any way to accidentally "drop" them into someone's drink like that. Are you absolutely sure those are the right drops?
Yeah, that’s exactly what they are. I’m definitely familiar with how those appetite-boosting drops work for kids, but in this specific situation, the doctor is actually recommending them for everyone to help speed up healing and clear up congestion. Anyway, I couldn't track down that exact blend, but I did find separate Vitamin A and Vitamin D supplements, so I'm just mixing them myself!
So, about a week ago, I went under the knife for septorhinoplasty at the VA Hospital in New York City. I was seeing Dr. Moore, who is widely considered their top ENT surgeon—people rave about him, especially when it comes to the aesthetic side of nose reshaping.
The whole process involved staying in the hospital for about 2 or 3 days. Including the time spent with facial casts and nasal packing, I was "wrapped up" for about 7 or 8 days total. Honestly, there was almost no swelling! My breathing feels noticeably better already (fingers crossed it keeps improving), and my nose looks straighter with a slightly lifted tip. As for the damage to my wallet, it cost roughly $450. That covers the general anesthesia plus everything else involving the hospital stay—vitals checks, meds, meals, doctor rounds, the whole nine yards.
Luckily, I had a place to crash while I was in town, so I didn't have to worry about extra hotel costs, just the train ticket to get there.
If anyone is curious about the specifics, just give me a shout! I’m more than happy to send you a private message with all the details on how everything went.
One quick question for the group, though. My doctor instructed me to use some Vitamin A+D drops to coat my nasal mucosa. In my rush to catch the train, I completely forgot to pick them up, and when I checked the local pharmacies here, they told me they were out of stock. Does anyone know where I can track these down in Washington, D.C.?
Has anyone here gone through nasal valve reduction surgery, and if so, how did it turn out for you? I’m mostly curious about the impact on breathing and whether there are any lingering issues down the road, like chronic dryness in the nasal passages or anything else...
Brandon Bennett said:So, I just had my nose surgery a few days ago with Dr. Johnson, and I’m starting to wrap my head around the recovery process! I have a few questions for anyone else out there who has been through this exact thing before. Any advice or tips would be amazing! I’ve been feeling a little under the weather lately, and now I’ve got this constant post-nasal drip that just keeps running down my throat and getting all over my swabs. Honestly, it’s starting to freak me out a bit—could this lead to some kind of nasty infection or even something serious like gangrene? I'm feeling pretty anxious about it! 😁 Has anyone else ever dealt with that feeling where you get hit with nausea every single night? It’s honestly the worst—it feels exactly like I have a heavy stone sitting right in my stomach. Has anyone gone through something similar?
Honestly, this is probably just that weird, congestion-like sensation you get from using tampons. I’ve actually dealt with something almost identical before—that feeling where the tampon feels totally rigid and starts chafing, and then if you sneeze, it’s like a massive irritation hits you all at once. After a big sneeze, it felt like the tampon was just floating around in mucus; it was such a bizarre sensation, kind of like I was scuba diving! But seriously, don't sweat it—it's generally harmless.
And this could also be part of that same spillover we were talking about in the first one! 🙂
Look, if you feel like your symptoms are getting a bit too intense—I mean, if you’re running a fever, dealing with vomiting, or seeing any actual pus from the wound—you really need to give your doctor a call. Seriously, don't sit on it! Even if you aren't ready to head into the clinic just yet, why not ring them up right now? Just having a quick chat with a professional could be exactly what you need to settle those nerves and give you some peace of mind. 😉