Posts by wanderingmason86

Joseph Hughes7 said:Please, I need some advice here.

I’ve got to go in for a septoplasty to fix a deviated septum. It’s nothing crazy—I can breathe just fine—but my left nostril feels totally obstructed. Back when I was training boxing, I took a massive hit to the nose during one of my matches, and now there's this tiny little piece of cartilage on the left side that's shifted and fractured. The docs say they need to remove that little fragment so I can actually breathe properly through the left side.

Based on a recommendation, I went over to Johns Hopkins Hospital to see Dr. Martin Jurlina.
The guy barely spent three minutes looking at me before telling me the whole thing has to be done under general anesthesia.

But then, he dropped this absolute bombshell. He told me straight up that he CANNOT guarantee success if the procedure doesn't go exactly as planned. I was like, "WTF?!" 😲

When I tried to press him on what he meant by that or how the surgery would actually look, he just completely brushed me off, acting like he couldn't even hear me. Total dodge.

So, what’s the move? Do I head to a private specialist, like maybe Dr. Ostojić, and shell out $2667 for the surgery? Or do I take the gamble with a surgeon who acts like he couldn't care less about the outcome?

Has anyone here had any experience dealing with this doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital?

I’ve heard something similar myself, though it came from a private specialist—that they can't promise things will be better after the fact. Honestly, some doctors act like there’s "nothing to be done," which is often just a lazy way of saying they don't want to deal with the headache.

At this point, how you interpret that is entirely up to you. If you’re an optimist, you might think the doctor is just being brutally honest and transparent about the risks, while everyone else is just being too cautious. But if you lean the other way, you’ll probably feel like there are better physicians out there who *can* offer more confidence, leading you down a never-ending rabbit hole of searching for the "perfect" surgeon.

I personally went to three different specialists for consultations, and I’m still no wiser. Sometimes it feels like either everyone is running away from my specific issue, or they’re just trying to squeeze every cent out of me. Generally speaking, very few people will give you a 100% guarantee on anything.

That said, I have only heard glowing reviews regarding Dr. Martin Jurlina’s expertise (even though I haven't sat in his exam room myself). Just to be safe, I’d suggest putting together a list of questions and getting a second—or third—opinion. If everyone else gives you the same uncertain answer, then maybe heading back to Jurlin is your best bet. 🙂

gentleharbor84 said:That’s really my struggle... honestly, once I stop using nasal drops, I can't sleep at all because I just can't breathe through my nose. I actually managed to quit for a little while, but eventually, I ended up right back on the drops...
I should mention that I'm allergic to a ton of stuff—dust mites, feathers, you name it. I think I'll head over to an ENT specialist to see what they suggest. Regardless, the lady at the pharmacy told me to avoid surgery if there's any way possible...

If allergies are the root cause here, then you're actually in a pretty good spot. 😉
So many people deal with this exact issue, and most of the time, it's manageable with sprays. Your doctor will likely want to see your allergy test results before prescribing a specific spray regimen to help clear things up.

One thing you should check: try to see if you can breathe roughly equally through both nostrils after you use the drops. If one side feels significantly more blocked than the other (asymmetry), that usually points toward a structural issue that might only be fixed with surgery.

Anyway, you'll get some clarity once you talk to the doctor. There's a good chance the sprays could do the trick for you (personally, nothing works for me, but I'm a total 🙂 outlier!).

It’s actually totally normal for one nostril to feel more stuffed up than the other while the second one stays clear—this is what doctors call the nasal cycle. Basically, every four hours or so, one side becomes the "dominant" side, meaning it opens up while the other side takes a backseat.

However, things get tricky when one nostril (or both) is constantly blocked due to something physical, like a deviated septum, a collapsing valve, or some other structural issue. In those cases, that one "clear" nostril isn't enough to let you breathe comfortably on its own.

There are also several different types of rhinitis that cause this constant congestion. The most common one is allergic rhinitis, which can usually be managed with corticosteroid sprays like Tafen or Flixonase. Then there’s vasomotor rhinitis, which is idiopathic—meaning it’s a bit of a mystery. It hasn't been fully researched and there isn't a definitive cure. Sometimes rinsing with saline helps, but honestly, most people just learn to live with it.
Furthermore, you really have to be careful with decongestant drops (like Operil, Olynth, or Benil...). You shouldn't use them for more than five days straight because they can trigger a third type of rhinitis called medicamentous rhinitis. This creates a nasty cycle where your nose feels permanently stuffed unless you use the drops, but using the drops just keeps damaging the lining and fueling the fire.

As for surgery, fixing a septum generally helps quite a bit, provided an ENT specialist actually recommends it. That said, there are cases where the results aren't perfect, or maybe you only feel better for a short time. I’d suggest asking your doctor if they are 100% certain the septum is the culprit. There might be less obvious issues at play, like that valve collapse I mentioned earlier. In that case, you don't want anyone "cutting" anything; instead, you might need to actually *add* cartilage to stabilize the area and prevent it from collapsing when you inhale.

My best advice? Get a second (or even third) opinion. If multiple specialists all agree on the diagnosis and the treatment plan—whether it's medication or surgery—you can feel much more confident that you'll actually see results. If breathing is truly a major struggle for you, you can generally expect a pretty significant improvement after a successful procedure.

Just a quick disclaimer: I am definitely not a doctor! But I do know a fair amount about this topic based on my own frustrating experiences.
Bottom line—try to stay away from those decongestant drops as much as possible. Stick to saline rinses and try DisiLakse patches; they’ve been a lifesaver for me.

Nicole Nguyen34 said:Wait, why would you even question if getting it right "on the first try" is a gamble? Look, any surgeon out there is going to offer a "revision" at their own expense if they mess up, but you’ve got to sit down with them first to talk through the issue and get a real prognosis on how likely a fix actually is.

The reason I'm asking is because I'm dealing with a little hiccup that most ENT specialists don't even recognize as the actual cause of my breathing issues. Honestly, two doctors brushed it off entirely, while only one third specialist actually saw it. And even that guy can't give me a 100% guarantee that it'll work. Basically, I've done my homework—I know I can take the leap and come out on top, or I could totally strike out. The ball is in my court.
That’s why I’m reaching out to see if anyone knows a surgeon who will truly go above and beyond—at least from what I can gather—so I don't have to spend my life trekking to every single clinic in the country.
Not everyone has simple issues like tonsil stones or things that surgeons just "clip away" as part of their daily routine. 😉

I’m dealing with a functional issue in my nose (not the septum, though I’ve already taken care of that part).
Since the success rate of getting it right "on the first try" feels a bit hit-or-miss, does anyone know of a surgeon who is willing to step up and perform a revision at their own expense if things don't heal correctly or if they make a mistake after a certain period? I can't help but feel like once things go south, everyone just starts pointing fingers and dodging responsibility...
On top of that, because I'm strictly looking for a functional fix rather than an aesthetic overhaul, I get the impression I'm being treated like a second-class patient. 😉

Quick side note:
Has anyone here actually seen Louis Baxter? I read somewhere that he’s excellent, but I’m having a hard time finding any real, firsthand accounts of his work.

Bottom line: I need someone who won't break the bank but is also willing to truly stand behind their work. Or maybe I'm just asking for too much... 🤷

driftingsurfer96 said:I think we all watch way too many American movies and TV shows, making us believe everyone is going to come rushing to our side the second we step foot in a hospital.

I was actually watching that "Sicko" documentary by M. Moore just the other day—is that the kind of stuff you were thinking about? 🙂

Scott Allen10 said:I'm no expert, but I'll give you the quick rundown...

Think of premedication as when they administer a specific medication—usually via an injection into the muscle—about thirty minutes to an hour before the actual surgery starts.
The goal here is two-fold. First, we want to help ease the patient's anxiety and get them feeling a bit more relaxed... and second, we're essentially prepping the body for induction, which is the official start of the anesthesia process...
Typically, doctors use a mix of sedatives or narcotic analgesics (like Midazolam, Dormicum, or Fentanyl) along with Atropine. Most anesthesiologists actually have their own "go-to" cocktail they prefer, provided there aren't any medical reasons why they shouldn't use it.

Thanks for the explanation!

To be honest, I was mainly asking because Bryan Reed4 mentioned getting that premedication, and then (maybe half an hour or so later?) she was already on the operating table feeling "really good." So, I wasn't quite sure if those were two different things, but it sounds like they are just different parts of the anesthesiologist's favorite combo being given at different times.🙂

Zachary Thompson21 said:It looks like you guys know this stuff pretty well. Just like you mentioned, my surgeon told me he’s going to take some cartilage from my ear to reinforce my nasal wings. He seems really confident about it, talking about the surgery like it's just a routine procedure and saying I'll only need to stay at the hospital for two days—nothing crazy. I feel like I can really trust him. I'm heading in for my appointment today, so I'll let you all know how it goes. Best regards.

Well, definitely let us know—if it's not too late—what the doctor actually said. Like, what's the specific plan? What kind of anesthesia will they use? How long is the procedure expected to take, and what are the actual success rates? Keep us posted!

Zachary Thompson21 said:Can anyone offer me some advice or a few words of wisdom here?

Look, I can tell you firsthand that I’m dealing with almost the exact same thing—my support structure just isn't holding up. That "carrying" part of the pyramid has basically crumbled, which makes breathing a total nightmare. I'm looking at needing stabilization using an implant made from leftover septal or ear cartilage... Honestly, that's why I'm hanging out in this forum, trying to figure out which surgeon actually knows how to pull this off, but it's been a real struggle.

From what I understand, the procedure itself isn't anything groundbreaking for the patient, but it is incredibly tricky for the surgeon. It's like trying to thread a needle while wearing oven mitts (which is something those female "patients" should probably understand a bit better 😁). Because of that, my best advice is to really dig into who is performing your surgery. Check their reputation! This kind of work demands a veteran hand, whereas most ENT specialists can handle basic septum issues without breaking a sweat.

Also, a quick question for Bryan Reed4:

I'm a little confused about that first "pre-medication" you mentioned. Was it just something to take the edge off? And then they actually "thicken" things up even more right there on the operating table?
During my previous septum surgery, they gave me an opioid via suppository (I wasn't just relaxed; I was straight-up high!), and honestly, they didn't even need to give me anything else after that because I was being such a nuisance—literally trying to tell the doctor exactly where to make the incisions and stuff 🤣.

Regarding what Laura Booth6 was saying, there’s one thing I just can’t wrap my head around...
If they were already struggling with "getting the needle in"—you know, actually administering the anesthesia or the sedative—where exactly did things go sideways? How did they just decide to plow ahead with the procedure?
I mean, sure, the patient is screaming and everything, but is that really the vibe? Like, "Whatever, let's just keep cutting"?
It’s not like she was in the middle of an emergency heart transplant where every single second was a matter of life or death.
I can't even imagine how traumatic that experience must have been. Honestly, I wouldn't wish that on anyone (though, granted, I've had my fair share of traumatic moments myself, but those were usually either due to pure bad luck or, well, my own damn fault).

Laura Booth6 said:I wasn't even relaxed or high or anything! And I wasn't even asking her to give me the shot in the butt again—she actually told me she had to do it in my hip because of some nerves there that needed to be numbed out.😕

When they were working on my arm, I was totally fine... though honestly, I have no idea how long it lasted. To me, it felt like an absolute eternity, maybe 45 minutes or so? Roughly.

Honestly, it would’ve been polite if she just came in to check on me and let me know everything went smoothly, instead of standing there chatting with the nurses while they were cleaning up and dealing with the tampons. Since I was basically "frozen," I couldn't even react normally or really process what they were saying. Plus, it would have been nice if they'd given me a private room so I could have some peace, rather than this semi-open setup. A nurse called me today to tell me when I need to come back on Monday to get the tampons removed... I seriously can't wait!🙏
Man, even if I had spent three days straight dealing with bleeding after general anesthesia, I still would have preferred this. But hey, I can't blame anyone since I practically forced my way into this surgery! I originally decided on Kinčl and tried calling him, but nobody picked up. Because I was being so impatient, I ended up calling Tončić, and he set up the consultation right away.

I am dying to see how my nose looks now. I seriously cannot wait!

Wow, quite the experience... The doctors definitely messed things up a bit there.
For me, the only thing about that sedative injection was how boring it was. I was just sitting there waiting for them to finally come grab me so we could get the surgery over with, just so I wouldn't die of boredom.🙂
There wasn't any sign of fear or discomfort at all.

I trust it'll all be worth it in the end. Just in case, you should feel free to post some "before and after" photos here for us to check out—don't worry about anyone trying to hit on you; it seems like this thread is strictly women, except for me, right? 😉.

Laura Booth6 said:🙂 thanks! I look so serious in my photos, and whenever I try to force a smile, my pup Lex comes running over because he thinks I’m crying—that's how much I sound like I'm sobbing! 😂 Yesterday, I was looking back at my recovery progress and almost died laughing because it hurt so much, but I just couldn't stop giggling. 😬

And the sneezing and drinking water? It's honestly awful. I'm sneezing two or three times every half hour (well, only while I'm awake, everything inside feels like it's jumping around), and when I take a sip of water, it feels like half of it ends up going straight up my nose where the tampons are...

I have no idea what they actually gave me. I asked her why she didn't just give it to me in the hip instead of the thigh—since it actually feels better there anyway—and she just told me it's because that's where all the nerves are located. I didn't push the issue after that. As for calming me down, they gave me something in the lounge area after I got the injection...

And this whole "burst veins" thing, I don't get it either. That's what they told me—that they were trying to give me the shot but my veins kept collapsing, and they couldn't find them because they had retracted from the shock. Honestly, they could have just given me a sedative first! 🙄 Then the doctor finally said he'd try the spot where they drew blood for my tests. Since they had no other choice, he poked me, pushed, dug around, and then taped it up. Then the nurse asked if it was okay, and he was just like, "Yeah, fine, come on, don't be dramatic, let's get back to work." So there you go... right after the bloodwork, and I felt like I only got half a dose... or maybe even less. 😁

This was the first surgery I've ever had, but I've never had anything like this happen during a blood draw! And now it's happened three or four times in a row! 😂

It’s totally normal for everything to feel like it's jumping around. On the first day, there's constant bleeding, and then later it starts itching, feeling tight, irritated... just "fussy," if you know what I mean. 🙂
As for what they gave you, who knows... maybe some kind of muscle relaxant.
Were you more relaxed or more out of it than usual before they started "digging around" in your arm?
You really should have insisted that they do it in the hip, otherwise, you're going home! 😁
Looking at it all together, did it feel like you were under for a long time on the operating table?
It would have been polite if the doctor had at least checked in on you after the surgery...

And hey, general anesthesia isn't exactly a walk in the park either. I mean, it was fine for me, but everyone reacts differently. Some people deal with a sore throat from the intubation, nausea, and all sorts of other little delights afterward.

Laura Booth6 said:So, I finally made it into that little exam room, changed into my gown, and hopped onto the bed. Then, one of the Sisters of Mercy came in and gave me an injection right in the hip—just a bit above the glute.

So, I finally made it to the operating table, but things took a turn for the worse right then. As soon as I laid down, my veins just buckled on them—they couldn't even get the sedative in! It was such a frustrating moment.

Hey! Do you happen to know what they typically give you while you're in that pre-op room in the hospital bed, versus what they actually administer once you're laid out on the operating table?
I’m pretty sure they use Midazolam for the pre-op sedation, but shouldn't they be giving that to you before you even step foot into the OR? I mean, wouldn't it make more sense to get that settled early so you aren't sitting there trying to play it cool while feeling all the nervous energy of the hospital atmosphere? It just seems like a much smoother way to handle it! 😉)?

What exactly do you mean when you say "burst veins"? Is that something you’ve experienced before whenever you get a needle stuck directly in the vein?

Anyway, I guess I’m just as sweet as Hannibal... totally out of control! :PPPPP 😍

Grace Williams19 said:So, where exactly did you have that surgery? Were you at a private clinic or over at the main hospital?

If we're talking about which hospital it is—well, if you're heading to Dubrava Medical Center, you're generally in good hands! It’s a solid choice, really reliable. But hey, it all depends on what exactly you need. If it's just a quick check-up or something routine, it's totally fine. If things are more serious, though, you always want to weigh your options. Just let me know which one you have in mind and I can give you a better take!

I actually visited the Dubrava Medical Center for the very first time once upon a time—it was back when they were still transitioning from being the old New Hospital, or what used to be the Military Hospital. It was a long time ago, and I was just there for a septum surgery, nothing too major or life-altering!

Back around 1997 or 1998, I found myself checked into Mercury Hospital to get a displaced fracture straightened out. I ended up staying there for about five or seven days to recover. They performed the surgery under general anesthesia, and honestly, I didn't deal with any of those nasty side effects people always talk about—no nausea or anything like that, just feeling super groggy and wiped out for a bit. To pass the time, we spent the evenings in our room watching the movie "Heat." 😁
On the other days, I just spent my time wandering all over the hospital, pacing through the halls and checking out every nook and cranny, until they finally decided to "release" me!
To be honest, I can't complain at all! Looking back on everything, I didn't have any particularly bad experiences regarding how the surgery went or my overall stay at the hospital. Everything was actually pretty manageable and easy to deal with.

Donna Wells90 said:Well, I’d love to be sent home too, but if I told them, "Hey, I really want to go home now," would they actually let me go?😕

Look, unless there's a major change in your stats, they aren't going to let you walk out those doors. Back in the late nineties, I remember being held at the hospital for five whole days after my surgery just to finish up a course of penicillin...
And honestly, I didn't have any complications at all; I felt pretty great!
But that's how it works—they'll always justify keeping you a little longer just as a precaution against potential infections and stuff like that.

Hannah Long82 said:Hey there!

I actually went through with my rhinoplasty at the Gulic Clinic. Dr. Gulic was my surgeon, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with how things turned out. 🙂 It’s only been about a month since the surgery, and while the doctor mentioned it’ll take a few more months to see the final result, my nose already looks completely natural and I am absolutely loving it! By the way, she was just wonderful—from that very first consultation, she was so kind and professional. I was actually a little worried that I might have overwhelmed her with my endless stream of questions and anxieties (you know, being super picky about wanting this specific shape instead of that one!), but she was incredibly patient and really took the time to listen to me and do a thorough exam.
And I have to mention the clinic itself—it might seem like a small detail, but I was seriously impressed! Everything is so sleek and equipped with world-class technology. I actually stayed overnight there, and it felt like such a treat. You should see the bathroom!🙂
It was totally worth it!

Thanks for getting back to me!
I noticed she answers questions on certain forums with such diligence and patience, so I decided to do a little "investigation" on her. 🤣
By the way, I heard that the famous Dr. Ranko Mladin also works at that clinic? Does he perform surgeries there too? (Or maybe even privately if you're interested 😉)

Regarding Dr. Bedekovic, I saw him mentioned in a few recent posts. I have to say, I had a similar experience, though it was about 10 years ago. That was just an exam at a hospital after I broke my nose. I suppose private clinics hire doctors like that and maybe give them a little extra incentive to be "nicer" to their patients. 😉

Hey everyone!

I have two quick things I wanted to run by you all...

First off, has anyone actually been here for an exam or maybe even surgery? I’d love to hear what your experience was like!

Second, I have a pretty specific question for a surgeon. I’ve got my diagnosis ready—all the details on the symptoms and everything—so now I’m just looking for a seasoned pro who can give me a straight answer on "can this be done or not," and eventually, "what’s the damage going to cost me?"

But here's the kicker: how on earth am I supposed to pose that question to Dr. Glumicic when he absolutely ignores the email address listed on the clinic's website?! Should I call and beg them to put me through to him? Or am I expected to just book a full appointment, pay for a consultation, and then walk out of the office one minute later still stuck with the same question?
Honestly, I don't get it. I can get a response from the IRS about customs duties on some random junk I bought on eBay, but getting a word in at a prestigious private clinic like Gulic Clinic is a whole different story...