Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

I just had surgery two weeks ago. All I can say is that I highly recommend Tom Savic at Mayo Clinic.
He’s a top-tier specialist, someone I’d suggest to anyone. I actually needed nose surgery ten years ago but backed out because of fear and all those horror stories you read on forums. If I could go back, I’d head right back into that same procedure in my second week without a single worry.
I looked into all the private cosmetic surgeons in New York City, but I still couldn't shake it. Sure, those fancy boutique clinics look great, but I kept wondering—mostly because I'm such a worrier—what if something actually goes wrong? After a looooong period of thinking it over, I decided on the hospital route. These doctors perform so many procedures every single day, and they attend seminars way more often than the private guys, who seem mostly driven by the bottom line. So, after vetting everyone—the patients, the doctors, the whole works—I settled on Dr. Carić.
He’s a young doctor, and honestly, he inspires confidence from the very first meeting. I should mention I had a pretty severe deviation, yet the surgery took less than 40 minutes. I arrived at the hospital on Wednesday and was already home by Friday. There was no pain... even having the packing removed didn't hurt at all. I did book a private suite for two days, mostly because I didn't want to be around other patients talking about their illnesses; I was terrified I might chicken out at the last minute. I'm a huge scaredy-cat.
Huge kudos once again to Dr. Carić and the nurses on the 7th floor. Thank you.🙂

Terry Smith9 said:Has anyone here actually had surgery on a bulbous nasal tip? Does anyone have before and after photos?)))

I actually just went through this myself. I’m only two weeks post-op, so things haven't fully settled yet, but I can definitely see a difference already.

Terry Smith9 said:Hey everyone :P I’m really torn between Bastaic and Toncic. I’ve heard some mixed things about Toncic—some negative feedback, sure, but plenty of good stuff too. As for Bastaic, I've mostly just heard positive things, though maybe not a huge amount. I actually went in for consultations with both, and I guess Bastaic just felt like a better fit for me... I’m looking to do a minor correction, nothing extreme, but I definitely want it done! IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCE WITH EITHER OF THEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. IT WOULD HELP A TON!!!! THANKS EVERYONE 🙂)
NAPIŠITEEEEE 🙂))))

If I were you, since I've actually been seen by both doctors you mentioned, I’d suggest heading over to the Forest to see Dr. Carić. His office hours are 9-2 on Mondays and Thursdays. There’s a massive difference there. You’ll see why I’m suggesting that...

Michelle Collins said:If I were in your shoes, having dealt with both doctors you mentioned, I’d suggest heading over to the Forest to see Dr. Carić. He’s in the clinic on Mondays from 9 to 2 and Thursdays from 9 to 2. There is a massive difference between them, and once you go, you’ll understand exactly why I’m telling you this..

Carić or Savic?

Since you brought up both names, it's a bit hard to tell which one you're actually asking about...

Does anyone have a recommendation for a plastic surgeon at Mayo Clinic or Mount Sinai who specializes in aesthetic procedures?

Look, I need someone who actually gives a damn about the final look of a nose—someone who ensures it’s actually in balance with the rest of the face.

Hey, checking in at the last minute as usual. All in all, I've got surgery scheduled this Friday at Mount Sinai with Dr. Bilic, and now the panic is starting to set in—just wondering about the whole process. I've been lurking on this Forum for a long time reading everyone's experiences, so I was hoping to get some insight into how it actually goes, how long the hospital stay usually is, what the pain levels are like, and all that stuff. 🙂
Best, 🙂

Michelle Collins said:I just had my surgery two weeks ago. All I can say is I highly recommend Dr. Tom Savic at Mayo Clinic.
He’s a top-tier expert I’d recommend to anyone. I actually needed nose surgery ten years ago but let fear and all the horror stories on forums stop me. If I could go back, I'd sign up again the very next week without a second thought.
I checked out all the private plastic surgeons in New York City, but I still couldn't shake it. Those fancy private clinics look great, but because of my anxiety, I kept wondering—what if something goes wrong? After thinking about it for a long, long time, I decided on the hospital instead. These doctors perform so many procedures every single day, and they attend seminars way more often than the private guys, who seem mostly driven by profit. After vetting all the doctors and patients, I settled on Dr. Carić.
He’s a young doctor who earns your trust immediately. Just so you know, I had a severe case of deviation, and the whole thing took less than 40 minutes. I arrived at the hospital on Wednesday and was already home by Friday. There was zero pain... even removing the packing didn't hurt at all. I booked a private suite for two days just so I wouldn't have to deal with other patients talking about their illnesses; I was terrified I might chicken out at the last minute. I'm such a coward when it comes to this stuff.
Huge thanks once again to Dr. Carić and the nurses on the 7th floor. Thank you.🙂

Glad everything went smoothly. Wishing you a quick recovery. 🙂

If you don't mind me asking, how long did you wait for the consultation and the actual surgery?

I have septum surgery scheduled for January. Since my period is irregular, I’m wondering what happens if it hits on the actual day of the procedure. I don't have the exact date yet, but it should fall between January 10th and 13th. Will they actually go through with the surgery, or will they just send me home?😕

Amanda Fowler4 As if I haven't heard this all before.
Hey, I’m checking in at the very last minute, which is pretty much my standard operating procedure. All things considered, I’ve got surgery scheduled this Friday at Mount Sinai with Dr. Bilic, and now that the reality is setting in, I’m starting to feel that familiar wave of panic about the logistics and the unknowns. I’ve been lurking here on the Forum for quite a while, absorbing everyone else's experiences, so I was hoping to get some insight into what the actual process looks like—how long they typically keep you in the hospital, what the pain management is really like, and all those other nagging questions that tend to pile up right before you go under. 🙂
Hey there. 🙂

Don't go spiraling just yet; everything is going to turn out fine. 🙂
Are you actually scheduled for surgery this Friday, or are you just heading into the hospital for observation? If you're only checking in and aren't officially on the surgical schedule for Friday—meaning you don't have to deal with the whole pre-op routine like fasting from food and water at a certain hour or taking that specific pill the anesthesiologist prescribed—then they’ll likely push the actual procedure to next week. It's much more probable they'll let you head home for the weekend, especially if you're coming in from somewhere like Chicago.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the forums lately, you probably already know the whole story. 🙂 So, here’s how it typically plays out: you show up at the hospital on the morning they scheduled you for admission. You head to the administrative office where the clerk gets all your paperwork squared away—though, if I can offer a bit of practical advice, having supplemental insurance is a lifesaver because it ensures you aren't left footing the entire bill yourself. Once the paperwork is settled, they check you into the ward, the medical staff performs their initial assessment, and they assign you a bed. From there, it’s just a matter of settling in, catching some TV, and trying to get some rest while you wait. 😉 You find yourself asking the nurses on the ward when you’ll actually be added to the surgical schedule or exactly when they plan to roll you into the OR—since they usually have tomorrow's itinerary set by today anyway—and in response, they just give you the standard rundown of when you need to stop eating and drinking the night before the procedure.
The protocol is pretty straightforward: you don't eat or drink a single thing on the morning of your surgery. If you happen to be on any mandatory daily medication, you can't just wing it; you have to get the green light from your anesthesiologist first. They’ll tell you exactly whether you can take that pill with a tiny sip of water or if you need to wait. Once you've cleared that hurdle, you just check in with the nursing staff to see when they're planning to call your name, and then you settle in to wait for them to come fetch you.
In the lead-up to the procedure—specifically the evening before and then again the morning of the surgery—you'll need to shower and wash your hair using that specific cleanser they provide.
When you finally come out of surgery, you’ll likely spend most of your time drifting in and out of sleep while you wait for that anesthesia haze to lift. You can't touch any food or water until the medical staff gives you the green light. Once they do, don't be shy—ask them for a pitcher of tea and drink as much as you can. It really helps because breathing through your mouth all day tends to leave your throat feeling like a desert. Just focus on sleeping, eating, and staying hydrated so you can get back on your feet; if you follow the routine, you'll be heading home before you know it. I'd suggest bringing some straws and a label maker with you to the hospital—take another look at what we discussed earlier regarding the essentials, as it's still worth having those on hand.
Once you’re through with surgery, it’s usually a good idea to stick to something soft, like a little pudding, to settle things down. If you find you're experiencing any bleeding, they’ll likely give you some ice cubes to hold against the roof of your mouth to help steady everything.
If you're constantly blowing your nose all day long, just go ahead and ask your doctor directly; they’ll be the ones providing you with the specific discharge instructions on what to do once you're out of the hospital. One thing is certain: you aren't supposed to blow your nose at all. That's how you end up back there for a follow-up appointment. 😉

electricangler32 said:I have a septum surgery scheduled for January. Since my cycle is pretty irregular, I’m starting to wonder what happens if my period actually hits on the day of the procedure. I don't have an exact date yet, but everything points to sometime between January 10th and 13th. Does the hospital typically go through with the surgery under those circumstances, or would they just send me straight back home?😕

I wouldn't say there's any real connection to this specific surgery—they're working on your septum, which is all up in your head, not down somewhere else 😉 If you were heading in for some kind of gynecological procedure, then I might see the logic in that. Just pack your basic toiletries for the hospital stay and call it a day 🙂
The only thing to watch out for is birth control; you can't be taking those pills right before the surgery, meaning you have to stop using them about a month in advance. You should probably double-check the discharge instructions you received from the hospital—specifically regarding which medications you need to discontinue a certain amount of time before the procedure—because that's usually tied to things like blood clotting and similar issues.

Alex Moore62 said:Honestly, just head to a hospital and find a doctor you can actually trust. When they go in to fix your function—you know, dealing with that deviated septum—they should also take care of the breathing issues caused by that old injury from the pillar, since that definitely messed with your nasal function too. You shouldn't have to pay extra for the fixes because everything gets handled as one package deal; just make sure to hash that out beforehand with whichever surgeon you end up seeing.

Seriously, don't even think about going private if you aren't prepared to gamble with your health, your life, and your bank account. I haven't been following this thread closely lately since I had my own surgery a few years back over at Mount Sinai, but looking back in now, it still blows my mind how people are so willing to throw their lives on the line for cosmetic procedures. They go to these random private clinics that don't even have a proper anesthesiologist on staff, paying a fortune for horrific, amateur surgeries that end up being total disasters—not just for how the nose looks, but for how you actually breathe.

Thank you so, so, so much! I honestly don't trust those private places anyway... I’ll just head to one of our wonderful major hospitals and see what happens. 😁 So, is Mount Sinai any good? I live near the Vineyard area, so I was wondering if there’s somewhere else better... and which doctor in Chicago is actually reliable? I really hope I don't have to slip someone 5,000 bucks under the table just to get the hump straightened out... I feel like I might have to sell a kidney just to afford it.

But yeah... any recommendations for a specific doctor or hospital? Mount Sinai?

Michelle Collins said:I just did exactly that! It's only been two weeks since my surgery, so the nose hasn't fully settled yet, but I can already see a difference.

Would you mind sending some before and after photos via DM? 🙂These two look amazing...

Sandra Johnson78 said:Thanks a million! Honestly, I’ve always been a bit skeptical about those private clinics... I think I’ll stick to one of our wonderful major public hospitals and see how it goes 😁 So, you're saying Mount Sinai is the way to go? I live right near the Vineyard hospital, so I was wondering if there's somewhere else that actually performs better... And which doctor in Chicago is worth seeing? I really want to avoid having to slide someone five thousand dollars under the table just to get my spine straightened out. At this rate, I might have to sell a kidney just to afford the consultation.

But yeah... Any specific recommendations for a doctor or a hospital? Mount Sinai?

Mount Sinai, Dr. Martin Jurlina 👍

As long as you have supplemental insurance, you won't have to pay a dime once you're at the hospital. 😉

Good luck 🙂

electricangler32 said:I have septum surgery scheduled for January. Since my periods are irregular, I’m wondering what happens if it falls on the same day as the procedure? I don't have the exact date yet, but it should be sometime between the 10th and the 13th. Will they actually go through with it, or just send me home?😕

A relative of mine had her thyroid removed under general anesthesia while on her period and it wasn't an issue, so I assume you shouldn't have any problems either...

Where are you having the surgery and which surgeon, if you don't mind me asking? My husband is waiting for the same procedure, so we're doing our research. He's been suffering for years and it's reached the point where he can barely breathe through his nose at all... 😢

Anyone here dealt with Kalogjera before, or at least know anything about him? I hear he’s a beast when it comes to the technical side, but what’s his eye for aesthetics like? I’ve been scouring the Forum and searching all over the web, but there's basically zero info out there. All I keep hearing is that he’s "great," but like, in what way specifically? He doesn't run a private practice...

For those of you who went in for nose surgery at the hospital, was it strictly for medical stuff—like a deviated septum—or did anyone go just for the looks?

Is there anyone here who went in purely for aesthetics, but obviously played it off as a deviated septum issue?

Robert Scott16 said:For those of you who’ve gone under the knife to fix your nose—was it strictly a medical necessity like a deviated septum, or did you do it purely for the aesthetics?

Anyone here go in strictly for the aesthetics, while using a deviated septum as a convenient excuse?

A deviated septum isn't something you can just fake or act out. Nobody walks into a hospital purely for vanity—unless, of course, you think people are getting reconstructive surgery covered by Medicare just for looks?

Here’s another question from my end. I took the mold off three days ago, and while my nose looks perfect from the profile and semi-profile views, the width is a total disaster. I look like a pig. Not to exaggerate, but it’s there.🙂I need to know if the tip is actually going to stay this wide or if it will eventually slim down. I realize it’s only been two weeks, but the panic is setting in regardless. It’s way too wide and just doesn't fit my face shape. My nose was actually narrower before the surgery.🙂Also, how long does it usually take for everything to settle so I can see the final result?

briskorca6 said:Does anyone have experience with Dr. Kalogjera, or at least know anything about him? I hear he’s fantastic when it comes to functionality, but I’m curious about his aesthetic work. I’ve searched through the forums and all over the web, but there isn't much mention of him. Everything I do hear, though, is that he’s great—I’m just wondering specifically how and in what ways he excels. He doesn't run a private practice...

That is spot on. Prof. Kalogjera is primarily a functional rhinoplasty specialist; he even published a specific technique regarding functional nasal reconstruction. Looking at your post, it seems you aren't strictly focused on those functional issues alone, so it makes me wonder why you would choose him specifically. He doesn't really need the hype like Dr. Jurlina does—or at least, that's how his patients seem to feel. His clinic is usually booked up two or three months in advance.

Ultimately, the call on whether to proceed with an outpatient procedure during your period rests with the anesthesiologist—as far as we're concerned, it shouldn't be an issue at all.

Betty Edwards22 said:That’s an accurate assessment. Prof. Kalogjera is primarily a functional rhinoplasty specialist; he even published a specific flap technique regarding functional nasal reconstruction. Looking at your post, it seems you aren't just focusing on one specific issue, so I have to wonder why you'd even suggest him—he doesn't need the publicity, much like Dr. Jurlina or his patients would attest. His clinics are fully booked two to three months in advance.

What is the motivation behind this dirty insinuation and planting of ideas? Is this an attempt to discredit the competition? This forum isn't meant for that, nor is it a place for advertising; here, we are all just trying to help one another by sharing our lived experiences as patients. If a doctor truly wants to be helpful by offering information, advice, or a recommendation, people will be grateful, but this kind of writing is simply beneath us.

Dr. Jurlina certainly doesn't need any marketing because his schedule is already overflowing; usually, by the time spring rolls around, they stop taking new patient appointments altogether. He handles the heavy-duty surgeries at Mount Sinai, and things like septal deviations are managed alongside those more demanding procedures.
As someone who has been a long-term patient of his and has undergone surgery twice under his care, I can say nothing but the best about his expertise, which is exactly why I'm recommending him here if anyone is looking for guidance.

Having struggled with sinus issues for most of my life and having cycled through countless ENT specialists before finding him, I can judge the difference in approach based on my own history. The way he handled my diagnosis and treatment was night and day compared to others who failed to provide even basic diagnostics, let alone actual treatment—including my time at the local hospital where the peak of their "therapy" was just prescribing nasal drops without bothering with a proper diagnostic workup. I can only hope the standards there have improved since then.

Furthermore, I am far from the only one here speaking up as his patient; others on this forum have shared positive experiences with him over the years, both before and after my own journey.