Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Alex Moore62 said:So you just signed up because of some advertisement? 🙄

There’s a distinct lack of logic here—if that swelling hasn't subsided even after eight months, how on earth can you claim everything is suddenly "fixed" after just one week? What makes you think it'll just vanish this time?

I don't really follow your comment?? I actually registered a long time ago...
And I have absolutely no idea who exactly I was supposed to be advertising....🙂

Betty Edwards22 said:You’re probably talking about the surgical consent form. You know, the one where you agree to take on the risks of general anesthesia.

I got handed my paperwork literally a minute before surgery. They told me it was just the consent form for the procedure and the risks of general anesthesia. But since I didn't get a copy for myself, I have to know—does that fine print say they aren't liable if something goes wrong during or after the operation? Thanks for any help.

Alex Hayes68, I’m really crossing my fingers that everything turns out okay this time around... though I honestly can't wrap my head around why they would go in for another surgery only nine months after the first one, especially since everyone knows the nose is still settling in during that first year! In so many cases, the tip doesn't even fully settle until the twelve-month mark and loses that "wooden" look... so, who was your surgeon? You can always hit me up in the DMs if you want to chat privately

Olivia Cooper39 said:Alex Hayes68, I really hope everything turns out okay this time around. Though, honestly, I don't quite wrap my head around how they could perform a revision just nine months after the first one—isn't it common knowledge that the nose doesn't even fully settle for a whole year? In so many cases, the tip doesn't stop looking "wooden" or lose that stiffness until at least twelve months have passed. Who was your surgeon? You can always shoot me a private message if you prefer.

I'm also crossing my fingers that this time it all works out... though, even now, it's strikingly obvious that the profile is much more attractive—narrower and more refined than the initial result.
Before committing to the revision, I actually sought out several different doctors—because why trust just one opinion?—and they all agreed that nine months was sufficient time to go back under the knife... and even the surgeon himself could see that the tip wasn't hitting the mark we had originally envisioned. So, we very easily coordinated a date for a localized tip refinement under sedation.🙂

Hey everyone
Quick question about breathing after having the packing removed. It’s been four days since they took them out, and I still can't breathe through either nostril. The left side—which was the main issue before surgery—is working perfectly, but the right side is completely blocked. Is this just due to thick mucus and blood clots, or am is this my new normal? I’ve been reading posts where people say they could breathe perfectly right after the packing came out, and honestly, it's making me spiral a bit. It’s day four and I haven't seen any progress. I’d love to rinse my nose with saline, but my doctor told me not to touch it yet.
Also, does the width of the nose narrow down over time? The length and the profile look great so far, but the width makes me feel like I have an oversized nose. Right now, it actually looks wider than it did before the surgery. I know it's just swelling, but I'm terrified it'll stay this wide once the inflammation goes down. A little reassurance wouldn't hurt. XD

Chloe Murphy35 said:hey everyone
I have a question regarding breathing after having the packing removed. It’s been four days since they took them out, and I still can't breathe through either nostril. On my left side—which was actually the problem area before the surgery—everything is working perfectly, but the right side is just completely blocked. I'm wondering if this is just due to heavy buildup and blood clots, or if this is just my new reality. I've been scrolling through posts where people claim they could breathe perfectly the second the packing came out, and honestly, it's starting to get me a little depressed. It's day four and I haven't seen any progress yet. I would love to rinse my nose with saline, but my doctor specifically told me not to do that. Also, does the width of the nose decrease over time? The length and the profile look great so far, but in terms of width, I feel like I look like an aboriginal. My nose actually looks wider right now than it did before the surgery. I know it's just the swelling, but I have this nagging fear that it'll stay wide even after the inflammation goes down. :A little bit of comfort wouldn't hurt:.XD

Well, what kind of care did they actually recommend to you then? 😕 Because how else are you supposed to clear out all that junk that builds up inside?!

Every single time I've gone through this, I was told to do heavy rinsing multiple times a day using a concentrated saline solution (basically mixing two tablespoons of salt and two tablespoons of baking soda into half a liter of saline)—it's absolute torture and feels like rubbing salt in a wound, but it ensures nothing nasty settles in there. Using a Neti pot is easily the easiest way to get it done.

Hi everyone. It’s been about nine months since my surgery (an aesthetic procedure performed by a private practitioner). I guess the operation and the recovery process were both tougher than I had anticipated, but I suppose you just get through it eventually. In any case, it simply wasn't easy, and I think people need to be prepared for that. After the fact, there was this constant cycle of staring in the mirror and measuring every single millimeter of change. My advice? For those first two or three months, don't even look at your nose because there isn't much to see yet. You can only really judge the result after about six months have passed. Right after they removed my cast, everything looked perfectly straight—swollen, sure, but symmetrical. It was only later that I noticed certain flaws, like a small bump, a little indentation, and what feels like a wider nasal pyramid in the upper section compared to before. That said, the tip looks great and the nose is shorter now. It looks genuinely natural and suits my face.
The issue is that I used to have a beautiful, straight, narrow nose, though it did have that unfortunate little bump (nothing extreme). When I was swapping photos with some girls on the forum, a few of them actually told me they would have preferred the nose I had before. Even my surgeon told me that my nose only needed fine-tuning. Because of all that, and because the doctor was so expensive, I was expecting something nearly perfect. I wouldn't expect anything to be perfect, though, because there are no guarantees. I am fairly certain that many people with much more difficult cases ended up with better results than I did.
Because of the reasons I mentioned above, I have a minor revision scheduled in five months under local anesthesia, and I’m hoping that everything will be right after that.
I want to wish everyone lots of luck and patience when choosing a surgeon. Mine didn't do an amazing job, but he didn't ruin me either. I have an okay nose and I breathe perfectly fine; the minor flaws are there, and I'll have the chance to fix them.
I personally didn't want to have surgery in a hospital setting because I heard quite a few negative stories. That doesn't mean there aren't excellent doctors in hospitals, but I feel that when you pay over $2,500, you should expect a certain level of service. Though, I do know of a case (analogotter43 on the forum) where a private surgeon named Kurtovic completely ruined her nose. She had to rush into a revision surgery because her nose essentially collapsed after he removed too much cartilage, leaving her with a deviation, a bump, and a whole host of other issues.
My advice is to focus on the individual—the surgeon—and their track record. Get in touch with as many of their previous patients as possible, exchange experiences and photos, gather impressions, and then decide. Don't just undergo surgery at any cost. It is better to wait until you are absolutely certain about your choice. Again, good luck.😁

Alex Moore62 said:So what kind of care did they actually recommend to you then? 😕 I mean, how else are you supposed to clear all that gunk out of your nose?!

Every single time I ask, the advice is always the same: rinse thoroughly multiple times throughout the day using an enhanced saline solution (basically, you take half a liter of saline and mix in two tablespoons of salt and two tablespoons of baking soda). Honestly, it feels like rubbing salt in a wound—it’s pretty unpleasant to deal with—but it really ensures that nothing stays stuck in there. Using a Neti pot makes the whole process so much easier.

Also, 😕

Just stick to plenty of regular saline; there's really no need to go through the struggle of making a hypertonic solution in some intense Rambo style.

Alex Moore62 said:So what kind of care did he actually suggest? 😕 How else are you going to clear all that gunk out of your nose?!

Every time I ask, they just tell me to rinse aggressively multiple times a day using an enhanced saline solution (basically adding two tablespoons of salt and two tablespoons of baking soda to half a liter of saline). It’s like rubbing salt in a wound—it’s brutal—but it ensures nothing takes root in there. Using a Neti pot is the easiest way to do it.

The doctor didn't recommend anything at all. He told me to leave it alone and let it settle down on its own. Clearly, I didn't listen. Based on your advice, I bought a 500ml bottle of saline this morning and I've already gone through half of it. :'D I have to admit, this stuff really works. Almost everything has crusted over, and I see chunks coming out after every rinse. My breathing has improved too; I can finally breathe clearly through both nostrils now.😁
thanks for the reply, it helped a lot.🙏

Betty Edwards22 said:Also, 😕

The physiological impact is plenty. There’s no need to struggle through a hypertonic solution in Rambo style.

Hahaha, I agree. I get enough pain just removing a tampon; this would be way too much. I'm weak, what can you do?😬
Thanks again for the recommendation.🙂

Chloe Murphy35 said:The gentleman doctor didn't actually suggest anything specific to me; he just told me to leave it alone and that it would settle down on its own. Clearly, I shouldn't have listened. Just this morning, following your advice, I picked up a 500 ml bottle of saline solution, and I've already burned through half of it. :'D But I have to admit, this stuff really works. Almost everything has cleared out, and I'm seeing bits of debris come out after every rinse. My breathing has improved, too—I can finally breathe clearly through both nostrils now.😁
Thanks for getting back to me, it really helped.🙏

Don't mention it, I'm just glad you're feeling better. 🙂
That doctor of yours makes me uneasy, though. He's not doing a great job. He absolutely should have recommended saline rinses; that's such a fundamental part of the process.

Chloe Murphy35 said:hahaha I totally agree. Honestly, I deal with enough discomfort just removing a tampon; this sounds like it would be way too much for me. I’m definitely not built for that kind of intensity, so what can you do?😬
Thanks again for the suggestion!🙂

Just make sure to peel it off carefully—draw it up into a 10ml syringe and apply it bit by bit, at least three times a day. To be honest, before I started working at the clinic, nobody even mentioned this to me; if they had, my biceps would probably be huge like Popeye's right now. 🙂

If you can find it, it's great to use Maxitrol—just 3 drops, three times a day, for about 5 to 7 days to help calm down the local mucosa. If you can't track that down, Maxidex works just fine at the same dosage.

Just two more weeks until my surgery 😁..
Alex Moore62 thanks so much for those numbers, but I’m actually all set—I’ve already looked into everything..
I finally got the paperwork back with all the labs and tests I need to get done..
The good news is they aren't pushing my procedure back; I found out just in the nick of time so I can still squeeze all these appointments in..

And regarding that post on the previous page about what to pack in your hospital bag 🙏🙂..

By the way, does anyone happen to know roughly how many days I'll be staying at the hospital?

Hey everyone! :P I’m really torn between Bastaic and Toncic. I’ve heard some mixed things about Toncic—some good, some bad—but mostly just positive stuff about Bastaic, though not a huge amount of feedback yet. I actually went in for consultations with both, and honestly, Bastaic felt like a better fit for me. I’m just looking for a minor correction, nothing crazy, but I definitely want to get it done! If any of you have experience with either one, please let me know—it would be a massive help! Thanks so much 🙂
PLEASE LET ME KNOW 🙂))))

Michelle Scott19 said:I’m just a couple of weeks away from surgery now😁..
Alex Moore62 thanks so much for providing that number, but there's no need, I've managed to find everything out myself..
I finally received the paperwork detailing all the tests I need to get done..
It looks like my surgery isn't being pushed back, which is a relief since I found out just in time to actually get everything finished..

Regarding that post on the previous page about what supplies to pack🙏🙂..

By the way, do you happen to know roughly how many days one usually stays in the hospital?

Don't mention it, I'm happy to help; I remember exactly how it feels when you're facing your first surgery😉
The main thing is just getting those tests and the anesthesiologist appointment squared away, and then you'll have some downtime once they admit you🙂 Usually, they bring you in for hospitalization on your scheduled date, but then they often send you home—especially if you're coming from somewhere like NYC—to wait right up until the procedure itself, because the surgical schedule can be unpredictable. When I went in for my first one, the doctor was traveling, so I just sat there waiting for his return, and for my second, everything stalled because the anesthesiologists were out sick during flu season, so they had to cancel. If you end up stuck in the hospital waiting for your slot, definitely bring something to read or listen to for those few days😉 What is your exact admission date?

As for the recovery, everything depends on your specific situation—how extensive or complicated the procedure was and how your body responds, so it's really an individual thing. During my first time, things got a bit messy with some bleeding (I didn't have tampons, it was more like splints or whatever they call them), my CRP levels spiked, and they had me on an IV for antibiotics, so I ended up staying longer. My second time was a much smaller operation, and I think I was able to head home after just two days.

Edit: I forgot to mention one more thing—it's a good idea to focus on boosting your immune system before the big day, so try to avoid crowded places like public transit or anything similar. I know that while you're getting your tests done, you'll be surrounded by plenty of sick people, so stay as careful as you can. Also, pay close attention to any medications you aren't supposed to take beforehand—I believe it's noted in your paperwork (for instance, oral contraceptives might need to be stopped a month prior to prevent bleeding issues). It should also specify the prep requirements, like not having nail polish on, etc.—just review everything carefully and follow the instructions to the letter.

Is anyone actually posting anything? Bastaic or Toncic, where you at?

Has anyone here actually had surgery to fix a bulbous nose tip? Would love to see some before and after photos if you have them!🙂)))

Terry Smith9 said:Is nobody going to chime in? Where are the thoughts from the usual crew??????

Look, this isn't like cheering for Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, and it’s not like asking your mom or dad to make a call for you. You have to figure this out on your own. You've experienced both sides of the coin already.

Alex Moore62 said:Don't mention it; I'm just glad I could help. I know exactly how it feels when you're waiting for surgery for the first time 😉.
The main thing is to get all your tests and the anesthesiologist appointment out of the way, and then you can just relax a bit once they admit you to the hospital 🙂. Basically, they always admit you on the date you were given, but then they usually send you home—especially if you're from New York City—until the actual surgery because you never know exactly when you'll be scheduled. When I went in for my first one, the doctor was traveling, so I had to wait for them to get back; for my second, I ended up waiting because the anesthesiologists were out sick (it was flu season), so there weren't enough people to run the surgeries. So, if you end up staying in the hospital while waiting, bring something to read or listen to for those few days 😉. What’s your exact admission date?

After the surgery, everything depends on how intensive or complicated yours was and how your recovery goes, so it’s different for everyone. For me, the first time got complicated due to some bleeding (I didn't have tampons, but rather splints or whatever they call them), so my CRP levels spiked and they had to put me on an IV for antibiotics, which is why I stayed longer. The second time was a much smaller procedure, so I was home in maybe two days.

Edit: I forgot one more thing—my recommendation is to focus on boosting your immune system before the surgery, so try to avoid crowded places like public transit and things like that. I know when you're doing your tests, you'll be surrounded by plenty of sick people, so stay as safe as you can. Also, watch out for medications you shouldn't take before surgery—I think it's listed in your paperwork (like oral contraceptives needing to be stopped a month prior to prevent bleeding, etc.). It should also tell you how to prepare for the surgery itself—like no nail polish, etc.—so make sure to look over everything and follow the rules.

If I hadn't, I wouldn't even have thought to take half of that stuff 🙂...
As for the tests, I think I'll manage to get them all done in time..
And thanks for the heads-up about the waiting; I honestly thought since my arrival was scheduled for the 19th, the surgery would happen that same day..
I'll definitely pack a few books to bring along, so regardless of what happens, at least I won't be bored, and I'll have them for after the surgery too..

I'm so sorry your first experience was such a mess..

But, on average, if I understood correctly, you don't stay longer than a week?

Anyway, I've been being really careful with my immune system for the last month 😁. It really wouldn't be ideal to catch a cold right now..

Regarding "medications," I'm not taking anything currently, though I am taking supplements..
I know you have to stop taking Omega with about two weeks' notice before surgery, so I'll probably drop that tomorrow
. But I'm not sure if I can still take vitamins.. Right now, I'm taking a bit extra Vitamin C just to ward off any colds..
And looking at everything I need to do, I completely forgot to ask the doctor about this specific detail 😛..
And I know nothing is entirely harmless—for example, Vitamin K affects blood clotting..
I'll definitely have to double-check that in the next couple of days..

Thank you so much for all this information 😉..

Michelle Scott19 said:You’re right, I wouldn't have even thought to grab half of that stuff 🙂..
As for the prep work, I think I can manage to get everything done in time..
And thanks for the heads-up about the wait; I honestly assumed that if my admission was set for the 19th, the surgery would happen that very same day..
I'll pack a few books to bring along; whatever happens, at least I won't be bored, and they'll be good for the recovery period too..

I'm so sorry your first experience ended up being such a mess..

But generally speaking, if I understood correctly, you don't end up staying longer than a week, right?

I've actually been obsessively watching my immune system for the last month 😁. It really wouldn't be ideal to catch a cold right now..

Regarding 'medications,' I'm not taking anything currently, though I am taking some supplements..
I know you need to stop Omega-3 about two weeks before surgery, so I'll probably drop that starting tomorrow..
However, I'm not sure if vitamins are okay. Right now, I'm taking extra Vitamin C just to ward off any bugs..
And looking at my whole to-do list, I realized I completely forgot to ask the doctor about that specific detail 😛..
I know nothing is entirely risk-free—for instance, Vitamin K affects blood clotting..
I'll definitely need to double-check that in the next few days..

Thanks so much for all this information 😉..

If you're admitted on the 19th, there's really little to no chance they'll operate on Friday the 20th. That means you'd likely be free for the weekend, and since he runs his clinic on Mondays, they won't be operating then either. At that point, we're getting close to Christmas and the holiday season kicks in... but I honestly don't know when they might finally fit you in 😕 Plus, if he gets stuck on an overnight call, he won't be performing surgeries the following day...
Honestly, you should just ask them.
Are you heading to Mount Sinai to see the anesthesiologist before you're admitted? If you go there, make sure to check in with the department (it's in the new building above the ER) so you actually know what the plan is.
The thing is, if they do decide to operate on the 20th, you'll have to fast on the 19th. I can't quite recall the exact rules for when you can last eat or drink...

You probably won't feel like reading much right after the procedure because your eyes will be blurry, and frankly, you won't be in the mood for it, believe me. Once it's over, the most important thing is to rest, sleep, and eat so you can recover quickly—nothing else matters. If you can't handle solid food immediately, they'll give you blended meals (in my case, the tube scratched my throat so bad I couldn't touch solid food, only blends, and even that stung where the scratch was). Make sure you eat as soon as you're allowed after the anesthesia wears off, because that fuel is vital for healing.

It might actually be a wise move to just stop all supplements, vitamins, or any kind of chemical intervention before the surgery; it all plays a role.

I don't think there's any way you'll be stuck there for more than a couple of days after the operation if everything goes smoothly 🙂