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Posts by Bradley Williams5

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Well, if we don't keep this conversation about sports in San Francisco alive, it’s honestly going to vanish into thin air before we know it...

I feel like there's a real disconnect here—it's like one group is trying to steer the ship while the rest of us are just along for the ride...

We've been chatting on this thread for years now, sometimes getting a little silly or drifting off course without much rhyme or reason. Honestly, did anyone actually mind? Was anyone even filing reports over it back then?!
First of all, whether Dow Chemical is male or female really doesn't matter much... honestly, the fact that I don't even know their gender just goes to show there was never any real reason to find out since there hasn't been a single issue raised about it...
Secondly, the San Francisco discussion thread is open to everyone; anyone can jump in whenever they feel like it or if they need something, though it seems like very few people actually bother to participate. Our little handful of regulars is always here, though... I don't think you quite caught my drift regarding what I was trying to say...
Thirdly, the OFF topic threads are just plain boring...
But like I mentioned before, you guys just can't seem to wrap your heads around it, because you're far more preoccupied with the mystery of whether Dow Chemical is a man or a woman... Goodness gracious...
Then you should really consider opening up a dedicated San Francisco chat corner... while we keep this current thread active, even if it eventually drifts away from being strictly about the local scene.
As for that red color, I think I'll pass on commenting on that..
wiredangler5,
I truly hope we can have a civilized conversation about this.
Before LEGO took over, we had such a wonderful group here, especially with Dow Chemical acting as the true heart and soul of Beautiful us... he was incredibly accommodating, even allowing things that LEGO wouldn't dream of permitting in his wildest nightmares...
You see, to make our discussions about sports in San Francisco a bit more lively (since there aren't many of us and we all know each other quite well), he used to let us use a few different nicknames. It allowed us to chat, comment, and joke around as if we were several different people, when in reality, it was just one person having fun with us,...
With the arrival of LEGO, I fear that spirit is going to vanish, because he tends to delete posts like a simple "good morning, sunshine, finally ☕"
He doesn't seem to grasp that for us, just logging on in the morning and saying a few words is enough... it’s just how we Americans do things... it’s our version of a virtual front porch, where you don't even need to say much; it's just about knowing we are all present and accounted for....
In San Francisco, we don't spend our time bickering or fighting; occasionally we might comment on a current event, like Trump and his latest antics,... and then we'll move on to chatting about two lovely ladies who visit a certain cafe once a week, which inevitably makes everyone else "jealous," if you catch my drift.... honestly, this forum feels like a classic American soap opera to us....
I am asking you, please, let us write the way we are accustomed to. If someone new shows up and asks for advice, we will be happy to help and guide them... but the idea of us (the locals) posting constant updates about what's happening in every single country on a specific day is just plain ridiculous)...
Please, try to understand our perspective and explain to LEGO (who I suspect is quite young and a bit rigid, though surely he'll mellow out as he gets older) that we aren't bothering anyone and there is absolutely no need to delete our posts...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all the forum members from San Francisco.

Carol Hernandez94
Dear Reddit community,
I’m honestly not even sure who I should be addressing this to—it’ll probably just end up sitting in an inbox without a response—but I felt the need to get this off my chest...
I am genuinely curious about the reasoning behind appointing such a rigid individual as the moderator for our beautiful us subforum.
I’m referring to LEGO...
I notice they are hanging around the site constantly, which I suppose is one reason they were picked; clearly, the person has plenty of free time and enough energy to spare... since they don't have any major life stressors keeping them busy just yet, you decided to hand them a "job"...
But seriously, could someone please explain to them that when we talk in the San Francisco thread, we’re just being ourselves? We speak the way we talk and act the way we always do. It’s a small, tight-knit group of maybe ten people who all know each other well. For most of us, that specific thread is like our local neighborhood corner booth where we all meet up to grab a coffee or a beer and just hang out...
LEGO simply doesn't seem to grasp that, and they keep deleting posts for no apparent reason...

Oh, and one more thing... since they hold administrative roles in three different places, you really ought to consider paying them something. It seems only fair so the person isn't just sitting around all day monitoring everything for free...
rustygardener172, how did your checkup go today?
Anthony Kern43 said:The dark circles under your eyes and that swelling around your nose will gradually fade over about two months. You’ll likely see the bruising disappear first, but the nasal swelling takes a bit longer to fully subside during that timeframe. Honestly, there aren't any magic creams for under-eye circles that can speed things up; you just have to be patient and wait for the inflammation to settle down on its own. 🙂

I suppose I don't really have any other choice but to follow that advice,
which is something I've actually started noticing—my nose looks like a completely different shape every single day!
briskcyclist15 said:How long did it take before you felt okay enough to start chewing solid food again after your surgery?

Personally, I was back at it after just a single day... provided you aren't dealing with too much discomfort. Just remember to take it very slow and chew carefully.
rustygardener172 said:Honestly, that isn't actually all that surprising or even that rare... it usually happens if your doctor uses a specific type of packing, like those gauze strips shaped into a tampon. Some doctors prefer using something more like a sponge, which you can't just unroll easily. At the end of the day, every surgeon does things a little differently. It’s just like how one doctor might leave tampons in for four days while another pulls them out after two for the exact same procedure. We have to remember, we're talking about surgery here, not a routine blood draw at a local clinic... there are always risks involved and anything can happen. Personally, I was much more terrified of not waking up from the anesthesia than I was about having to pull gauze out of my throat while awake...😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱


Please don't worry too much... you're going to wake up just fine. You're young and healthy, and that makes such a difference...
To be perfectly honest, I felt that same knot of fear in my stomach too... but look at me now, everything went smoothly.🙂
I have to say, working with Tony Stark's team was such a wonderful experience... the anesthesiologist is actually a well-known professor who also works in cardiology, so he has an incredible amount of expertise, and the surgical tech was fantastic, as was the nurse (who happens to be his wife)... honestly, the entire medical team was just top-notch.👍
Now, we'll just have to wait and see how everything settles in the long run. I'm really hoping there aren't any polyps, since that can sometimes pop up unexpectedly...
As for my breathing, it's already improving—I can smell things again and breathe quite clearly... but as for how my nose will ultimately look once everything is fully healed, I suppose we'll just have to wait and find out.
Anthony Kern43 said:It was entirely my own fault, really, but I ended up losing the tip of my nose because of it. Back in my younger days, I used to spend quite a bit of time training in kickboxing, and I actually broke my nose four different times. It eventually became such an irritation that I finally decided it was time to get it sorted out once and for all. Unfortunately, I can't exactly disclose where I went to get the procedure done, since I haven't actually paid for the surgery yet! :P 🙂
I’ve actually gone under the knife for nose surgery three separate times now, which meant I had to deal with nasal packing during each recovery period. The first procedure was to correct a deviated septum, while the second was necessary to clear out some polyps from my sinuses. My most recent trip to the surgeon was specifically for a rhinoplasty to refine the shape. Despite all those procedures and the downtime, I’m happy to say I’ve never once struggled with breathing issues.
I have to admit, there was one rather unpleasant little mishap during my second surgery that I haven't really shared with anyone before. As I was drifting off into anesthesia, the surgical gauze inside my nose somehow slipped backward into my throat. It was quite a harrowing scene to wake up to; honestly, I felt completely disoriented and wasn't even sure if I was going to be sick or not. To make matters worse, I couldn't catch my breath at all. In a bit of a panic, I ended up reaching down my throat with my fingers, trying to grab hold of the gauze. The strangest part was that while only about six inches were visible from my mouth, the rest of the material felt like it went on for miles! Eventually, the medical staff had to step in and use surgical scissors to carefully snip it out. Ugh, what a nightmare. I think I’ve had quite enough medical procedures to last me a lifetime—three surgeries was certainly my limit.

In my experience, I actually had all three procedures performed during a single session. It was quite a whirlwind, but it felt efficient at the time. I know some people go through them one after another at hospitals in cities like Miami, where they might schedule just one procedure every six months or so for up to a year. However, when I went to see Dr. Glück, he preferred to handle everything all at once in one go.
I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately thinking about the whole ordeal of dealing with sinus issues, a deviated septum, and the eventual path toward corrective surgery. It’s one of those things that sounds relatively straightforward on paper, but once you’re actually living through the constant congestion and that nagging, heavy pressure in your face, you realize just how much it impacts your daily quality of life. For the longest time, I found myself constantly battling that feeling of being unable to catch a full, clear breath, which can be surprisingly draining when you're trying to stay focused during a busy workday or even just enjoying a quiet evening at home. There is something uniquely frustrating about having your breathing compromised by something structural inside your own nose. After looking into it quite extensively, I've realized that addressing a deviated septum isn't just about aesthetics—though, don't get me wrong, a smoother profile is always a nice bonus—it's primarily about finally being able to breathe properly again. If you are currently navigating this journey, please know that you aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed by the medical jargon or the prospect of recovery. It helps to take it one step at a time, from the initial consultation with a specialist to understanding the nuances of the procedure itself. I truly believe that once you find the right surgeon and get the correction handled, the sense of relief is absolutely worth the anticipation.🙂
So, I’ve officially hit the three-week mark since my surgery, and I wanted to share a little update on how things are progressing. On the bright side, the left side of my face is looking absolutely wonderful and seems to be healing quite smoothly. However, the right side is still dealing with some lingering swelling, and honestly, it feels like my nose looks slightly different every single morning when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror! It's all part of the process, I suppose, but it certainly keeps things interesting.
The only thing that’s really bothering me at the moment is this stubborn dark circle under my eye that just refuses to budge. It’s been hanging around for about a week now, and despite everything else clearing up, this little spot won't change color or fade away no matter what I do. Everything else seems to have resolved itself quite nicely, but this one persistent issue is still lingering.
My doctor mentioned that the surgery was quite intensive—it went on for about two and a half hours—but I suppose that’s why my overall recovery feels like it's moving along so smoothly! Everything seems to be healing beautifully, though I am dealing with this persistent discoloration right under my eye. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with that? I actually popped into the local CVS to see if they could help, but the pharmacist wouldn't sell me any of those standard bruise creams because they were concerned about how close it is to my eye. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
I would truly appreciate some advice, if you wouldn't mind! Please!
Well, it looks like the sutures have finally started coming loose, which is actually a pretty good sign! My nose still feels quite firm and a bit stiff, though I have a feeling that sensation will pass within a few days. Most importantly, I’ve been breathing completely on my own without needing any nasal spray for over five days now. I’ve been keeping a close eye on my progress, and honestly, I feel like I'm breathing wonderfully.
To be honest, things were feeling a bit rough about a week or two ago; I was dealing with some pretty heavy shortness of breath even while using my inhaler, and it felt like I couldn't stop coughing for even a second.

And what else... honestly, my nose is hurting right at the very top—well, more like deep in the root area. Since I had surgery on my sinuses recently, that spot is still incredibly tender, especially if anything even brushes against it. It’s just one of those lingering things, you know?

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how everything unfolds a month from now. I’ve always found that patience is a virtue when dealing with these kinds of uncertainties, though it can be quite a challenge to stay calm while waiting for the dust to settle. We shall see!
rustygardener172 said:Well, I'm 28 and my friend is 27... so we aren't quite as young as you might have assumed! 😁
And if it helps at all, I wouldn't call myself a heavy smoker either. I usually pick up a pack once a week, and on some days I might have two or three cigarettes, but other days I don't touch them at all. So, I'm fairly certain I won't be dealing with any throat issues because of it, though I can't say the same for her...


It’s true, I did think you both were a bit younger... especially since people in their twenties often don't stop to consider the long-term consequences of their actions. Your smoking habit seems perfectly manageable, as long as it stays within those moderate limits. However, what your friend is doing feels much more serious—it honestly looks like she's making a conscious choice to harm her own health.
rustygardener172 said:Honestly, after a whole month of this, I’ve reached a point where I’m just sitting here wondering why I even bothered to start in the first place. It feels like I've been spinning my wheels, and sometimes I can't help but feel a bit foolish for putting in all that effort only to end up right back where I began. 😉
And now, I find myself presented with a second opportunity. 😁
As for how much damage it actually does... honestly, I haven't the slightest clue myself. It’s one of those things that feels like it should be straightforward, but then you realize how murky the details can get. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably spend some time digging through the internet to see what the consensus is; there's usually a wealth of information out there if you know where to look.
When I had my tonsils removed, I was incredibly cautious and didn't touch a cigarette for an entire month because I was just terrified of catching some kind of infection. Honestly, the recovery process was absolutely brutal; the pain was enough to drive anyone a bit crazy. Then, I have this friend who had her tonsils out about a month after I did, and she actually lit up a cigarette the very second she walked out of the hospital doors! To make matters even more baffling, she didn't experience any significant pain afterward and seemed perfectly fine. It really makes you wonder how differently everyone's body reacts to the same thing. 😠

How old are you and your friend, exactly? Honestly, it might not feel like a huge deal to you right now—and I truly mean that, it probably doesn't feel like an issue at this moment—but the consequences of smoking immediately after a tonsillectomy tend to surface much later. We’re talking ten or even more years down the line, when things like scar tissue buildup in the throat start causing issues, along with who knows what else. That’s why I really wouldn't recommend picking up a cigarette right away after surgery, especially if you've just come out of the procedure. It would be so much wiser to wait at least a few months to ensure those wounds have completely healed. I suppose dealing with a nose procedure might be slightly less complicated, but even then, it's still not something I'd advise. If you absolutely must, please try your best not to breathe any of that smoke through your nose.
Thanks so much for the reply, Chris Price! I was actually reading somewhere that it can take up to three months before the nose finally settles into its permanent shape... honestly, you’ve really put my mind at ease, thank you, truly. To be fair, I wasn't even looking to change the shape of my nose specifically; most of this was done to address my sinus issues and that deviated septum that was absolutely killing me, especially whenever those heavy winds blow through town. The headaches were just unbearable...
The splint has already been removed, and everything seems to be going quite smoothly. I'm actually starting to breathe a bit better without needing nasal sprays, and there are just some tiny purple marks left that are barely noticeable at all. It feels like I'm healing remarkably fast, considering I'm only on my tenth day post-op...
I am so glad to hear that you found the doctor a bit unconventional too!
I actually had my procedure done with Glušac, and they used general anesthesia, which was perfectly managed and went very smoothly...
However, I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading lately, and honestly, my mind is just racing with all these different possibilities. I can't help but wonder—how long does the lower part of the nose typically stay looking a bit bulbous? Right now, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, it looks a little like a tiny potato or just generally swollen, and I really have my heart set on achieving a much narrower, more refined shape. Will it eventually shrink down to what I'm hoping for, or am I stuck with this look forever?
Honestly, just bring along everything you can remember, including all those ointments and soothing balms...

Does anyone happen to have any advice or insight regarding blowing one's nose?
I was wondering how many days you plan on staying? If you’re planning a quick trip like I usually do—just popping in for a few hours—then honestly, you won't need to pack a thing. However, if you’re settling in for a few days, I’d strongly suggest bringing along some essentials like extra underwear, a towel, your toothbrush and toothpaste, pajamas, slippers, socks, and soap. It really depends on which facility you end up at; if you find yourself at the San Diego hospitals, for instance, you almost have to bring everything with you, including toilet paper, especially when dealing with the public state institutions...
And what about blowing your nose? How did you all manage with that?
I just have one quick question for those of you who have already endured the grueling torture of the recovery process... did you find it helpful to use any nasal drops, and if so, which specific brand or type did you swear by?
redridge15 said:Greetings to everyone!
I underwent rhinoplasty with Dr. Glušac about ten days ago, and I honestly can't say enough good things about the whole experience—he truly is wonderful! To my absolute surprise, I didn't feel a single pang of pain. I had fully prepared myself for at least a little bit of discomfort once the anesthesia started to wear off, but miraculously, there was nothing at all. It felt as though I hadn't even gone through a surgical procedure! Instead of going under general anesthesia, they used a potent local anesthetic, which made a world of difference. Because of that, I didn't deal with any of that nasty post-op nausea or feeling unwell when I came around. In fact, I just drifted off into a light sleep and woke up feeling refreshed, having had some rather vivid dreams along the way! It was quite a relief, especially since I hadn't eaten or even had a sip of water in the two hours leading up to the surgery. Dr. Glušac explained that because he utilizes such modern anesthetic techniques and works with a top-tier anesthesiologist, the risk of vomiting is virtually non-existent. Everything went so smoothly, and I really have to extend my heartfelt praise to the entire medical staff as well; they were absolutely fantastic and made me feel so well cared for! 👍
Once I finally managed to wake up and truly pull myself together, I made my way back home.

I finally made it back to the clinic today to have my tampon removed, and honestly, it felt like such a massive relief. It had reached a point where breathing through my mouth was becoming an absolute nightmare—everything just felt so incredibly dry and uncomfortable. I am so glad that part of the ordeal is finally behind me! 😠 That really is wonderful news, and honestly, having the packing removed the very next day feels like such a massive relief! If there was one thing that truly gave me pause before undergoing this procedure, it was the thought of having those bulky tampons tucked away in my nose—just imagining two meters of gauze stuffed up there sounds absolutely terrifying. However, I am so incredibly grateful because this doctor doesn't use those heavy gauze packs; instead, he uses a specialized sponge that is much easier and significantly faster to pull out. It’s a little bit awkward, I won't lie, but it isn't painful at all since the sponge is only about eight inches long—I actually caught a glimpse of it when he pulled it out! So, everything went perfectly smoothly, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
I finally had my cast removed after five days! It was such a relief to feel the air on my skin again. They left a few little adhesive strips on my nose, which I ended up peeling off myself about two days later. Everything is moving along smoothly!

I really feel it's important to emphasize that Dr. Glušac is actually performing the rhinoplasty. I was thinking about how we approach certain processes lately, specifically when we utilize closed-loop techniques to ensure everything stays tightly controlled and streamlined. It’s one of those methods that really brings a sense of order to the chaos, much like how a well-oiled machine operates in a high-end factory out in the Midwest. When you implement a closed technique, you aren't just working harder; you're creating a self-sustaining environment where variables are kept in check, which provides such a wonderful peace of mind during a complex project. I remember back when I was working on a large-scale logistics overhaul in Chicago, we moved toward this exact kind of methodology, and the reduction in errors was simply marvelous. There is something deeply satisfying about knowing that every input and output is accounted for within that sealed system.I was just reading up on some modern surgical approaches, and I have to say, the advancements are truly impressive. Instead of the traditional method where they essentially open up the entire nose, they now use this incredible technique where everything is done through a single nostril using specialized instruments. It’s such a sophisticated way to handle things—it leads to a much faster recovery period and significantly less bruising for the patient. It really makes you appreciate how far medical technology has come!

I imagine you all might be curious about the bruising after a procedure like this... you’re bound to get some, though I've noticed it seems to vary quite a bit from person to person. On a scale of one to five, I’d say I was sitting right at a three. I definitely had some discoloration, but nothing too overwhelming! Today marks my tenth day, and while there is still a tiny bit left, I can easily cover it up with a little foundation, and I’m certain it will vanish completely in just a few more days. My nose is still feeling a bit swollen, too. If I look at myself from a profile view, I actually feel pretty great, but once I face the mirror head-on, I feel a bit like Miss Piggy! I am really crossing my fingers that everything settles down and looks back to normal in about ten days or so.
The price is set at 10. $0.00I should mention that follow-up appointments after surgery aren't something you have to pay for! In my own experience, I didn't have to shell out a single cent for my very first consultation either—and I certainly didn't use any special connections or pull any strings to make that happen.
If you happen to have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out—I'm right here and more than happy to help! I truly hope my insights were useful to you!


I had a very similar experience myself... I actually went under the knife just yesterday. I have to say, the team was absolutely wonderful, especially Dr. Lojpur, the anesthesiologist. He’s truly one of the best at San Diego Hospital and usually handles everything over in cardiology. Everything went quite smoothly, and honestly, I’m feeling great—no pain at all right now. The procedure itself turned out to be a bit more complex and took longer than expected because they had to deal with a septal deviation along with a full correction; my nasal bone had become completely ossified, which made things a little tricky. The surgeons really had their work cut out for them! They removed the packing today, and I'll have the cast taken off in about four days. My husband caught a glimpse of my nose before the cast went on, and his verdict was that it looks excellent, though I suppose we’ll see what the final result actually looks like once everything settles. As for the doctor, he was just lovely—so sincere, open, pleasant, and easy to talk to.
Alright, I wanted to give you all a quick update on what the next steps look like in this whole process... just so everyone is in the loop. By the way, if anyone was wondering about the damage to the wallet, the total came out to about $10. $0.00And to top it all off, they actually include all the follow-up exams and checkups both before and after the procedure at no extra cost! It really takes a huge weight off your shoulders when you realize everything is already covered.
He mentioned that if I need any follow-up procedures at all, they’ll be completely free of charge. It turns out my procedure was quite extensive; he actually had to work on the bone structure between my eyebrows to stabilize everything. Honestly, the whole area felt quite bony during the process. Right now, I’m dealing with some purple bruising and a bit of swelling around my eyes because he also had to address the side bones, which had become significantly spread out. Even the doctor remarked that he hadn't seen that level of ossification in quite a while! Despite all that, I’m feeling wonderful—there isn't any pain at all, and since everything was performed from the inside, the recovery feels much smoother than I anticipated.
I realized I actually forgot to mention this earlier, just so there wouldn't be any confusion among everyone here, but that specific procedure was performed by Dr. Glušac.
It seems like everyone is avoiding the elephant in the room when it comes to the actual costs involved... I’d love to get some clarity here, so please, if you have any insight, would you mind sharing what kind of prices we are looking at?