Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

It’s painful, but since I’ve been through it, I wouldn't recommend scheduling surgery for the summer. The heat just makes everything drag, and when you factor in the initial recovery—the throbbing, the tightness, the crusting in your nose—it's a nightmare. Dealing with that kind of discomfort in sweltering heat is just asking for trouble.

steelwalker26 said:Based on the guidelines they handed out at my local credit union a few weeks back, you aren't supposed to take those specific medications for three days leading up to the procedure. Plus, nothing should be eaten or drunk after midnight if the surgery is scheduled for the morning. It seems like they aren't following the most modern protocols 🤷

Just one day after the procedure, they told me I could take Advil or Motrin for the pain.

As for that sensation in the mouth—that’s really just the patient's subjective experience. It's that feeling of discomfort, soreness, sensitivity, or tightness you get on that first day post-op. Everyone experiences it differently, but if there's something that can help ease it, why wouldn't you take it?

According to the protocols used over at Mayo Clinic—they don't withhold anything.
As for how many people actually undergo this surgery and who might have more accurate statistical insight—I'll leave that up to the readers to decide.

So, it isn't universal. The only possible reason would be the intubation process itself, which requires opening the mouth, but even then, that should be the exception rather than the rule; not everyone has a small mouth.

Betty Edwards22 said:According to the protocols they follow at Mayo Clinic—they don't hold anything back.
As for who is actually performing the surgeries and whose stats carry more weight—well, I’ll leave that judgment to the readers.

Bottom line: it isn't universal. The only possible reason would be the intubation process where the mouth is opened, but even then, that should be the exception, not the rule. Not everyone has a tiny mouth.

Dawn Davenport offered some general advice, which clearly isn't something anyone is obligated to follow blindly.

Then you claim that doesn't align with modern guidelines.

Then I mention that I had a completely different experience very recently at a major hospital in Chicago.

Then you argue that your Chicago hospital is BIGGER than my Chicago hospital.

🤣

And this business about mouths? That discomfort in the first 24 hours after surgery while your whole face is sensitive? But some people just don't have small mouths? I think we are genuinely talking past each other here. But honestly—it doesn't matter. Hopefully, everyone will just pick through the advice here and combine it with what their own doctors tell them.

steelwalker26 said:Dawn Davenport just shared some general advice, which obviously isn't something anyone has to follow blindly.

Then you jump in to say that doesn't align with modern guidelines.

Then I chime in to mention that I actually had a totally different experience just recently at a major hospital in Chicago.

And then you claim your Chicago hospital is BIGGER than my Chicago hospital.

🤣

And what about the mouth situation? That feeling of discomfort during the first 24 hours after surgery while your whole face is still sensitive? But wait, some people don't have small mouths, right? I honestly feel like we're talking past each other here. But—it really doesn't matter. I hope everyone can just pick and choose their own advice from this thread along with whatever their doctors recommend.

First you bring up official guidelines, and now suddenly we're talking about "advice"—do you even know the difference? It doesn't seem like you do.

It's like saying "my dad is bigger than your dad." Your perspective is based on that, but mine is based on the fact that the more you do something statistically, the more statistically significant your results become.

The inability to open your mouth that was described is a completely different issue from the pain and discomfort mentioned earlier. From a clinical standpoint, the cause simply isn't the same.

@Betty Edwards22/">@@Betty Edwards22

Do you honestly not grasp my point? If I need to spell it out for you, I can.

I was referring to the printed pre-op instruction sheet handed to me by a nurse at the oral and maxillofacial department. I assume similar instructions are handed out everywhere, drafted according to established medical protocols. My conclusion? It seems our local hospitals aren't following the same playbook. Which means Dawn Davenport’s fourth piece of advice isn't entirely off base—it just depends on which facility is performing the surgery.

And as for the mouth thing—I'm over it 😉. Some people undergoing the procedure will understand the context; others won't. There's no use making a scene. If you bring a straw, fine. If you don't, nothing catastrophic happens.

Anyway, I have a question. Did I catch you correctly when you said that at the local credit union's affiliated clinic, patients are actually allowed to eat breakfast the morning of their procedure? Are you saying they don't restrict anything there?

steelwalker26 said:@Betty Edwards22

Are you really missing my point here? I’m more than happy to clear things up if I wasn't being clear enough.

I was referring specifically to the printed pre-op instruction sheet that a nurse handed me at the oral and maxillofacial department. I assume similar instructions are handed out everywhere else, following established medical guidelines. My point was that if our local hospitals aren't following those exact same protocols, then Dawn Davenport's fourth tip isn't necessarily wrong—it just depends on where you're actually having the procedure done.

As for the whole thing about using a straw—look, I don't want to get bogged into it 😉. Some people who go through this themselves will totally get why it matters, while others won't. There's no need for the drama. If you bring a straw, great; if you don't, it's not the end of the world.

On another note, I have a question. Did I catch you correctly when you said that over at the local credit union hospital, patients are actually allowed to eat breakfast the morning of their surgery? Are you saying they don't restrict anything at all?

You definitely misunderstood me, because I never mentioned eating anywhere.

I'm not going to argue with you about the specific piece of paper you were handed. The info I'm sharing here represents professional standards, not patient handouts—which are often written with double the caution because, frankly, experience shows that patients often don't follow the warnings. So, what's listed there isn't always a clinical necessity; sometimes it's just a legal safeguard.
So, withholding pain medication before a procedure might not be a clinical requirement, but it's done for other reasons.

At the end of the day, every doctor has the right to decide based on their own professional judgment, and I think we can agree on that. One point of contention, though?

Betty Edwards22 said:4. According to current medical guidelines, that’s just unnecessary.

6. You're having nose surgery—how does that even relate to the mouth?

I actually had my rhinoplasty just a few days ago, and if I could offer one piece of advice to anyone currently waiting for their procedure—please, for the love of everything, pack a straw.

Drinking becomes such a chore, and honestly, even swallowing food is a struggle when you're forced to breathe exclusively through your mouth. Plus, those first five nights dealing with nasal packing is absolute torture... you'll find yourself waking up constantly because your mouth feels bone-dry and your tongue feels like a literal stone. A straw was an absolute lifesaver for me..🙂

I figured I’d get a few comments on this 😁
Regarding those medications—well, I did some reading, but obviously I'm not exactly a medical expert or anything, so you'll definitely want to get the real scoop from your doctor or nurse.
And about the straws... look, I don't have tiny little lips or anything, but after hearing what some people went through, apparently trying to chew right after surgery isn't exactly a walk in the park. It sounds pretty uncomfortable, so it’s probably worth being prepared—and hey, at least carrying a straw around shouldn't be too much trouble, right? 🤷

silentridge9 said:I just had my nose surgery a few days ago, and if you're facing this too, my biggest tip is to pack plenty of straws.

It’s honestly such a struggle to drink anything, and even swallowing food becomes a chore when you're forced to breathe through your mouth. Plus, those first five nights with nasal packing are absolute torture—you'll be waking up constantly because your mouth feels bone-dry and your tongue feels like a rock. A straw was a total lifesaver for me..🙂

I second that! That is a much more accurate description of what it's actually like.

1. Seriously, everyone needs to dial back the testosterone-estrogen nonsense right now—enough with the constant bickering.
2. If you want to talk about private providers or their rates, please stick to the dedicated thread or just shoot me a DM.
thanks

Someone send me a DM regarding Dr. Glušac’s rates in Makarska and his payment options—cash or installments? This is urgent. Thanks. 🙂

Hi everyone, I’ve got nose surgery scheduled in about six weeks. Has anyone here actually gone through with this under local anesthesia, or is general anesthesia pretty much the only way to go?

Nicole Castillo3 said:Thanks, let me know how it goes. I'm dying to hear about it. 😉

Alright, surgery went great. 👍 No pain at all afterward—just those first two days dealing with the nasal packing was a total drag, but after that, it's smooth sailing. Even the bruising is basically gone. My Nosic looks incredible, honestly better than I ever expected, and I couldn't be happier with the results. 😍
If you have any questions about the procedure or recovery, just ask. 😉

Megan Harris35 said:So, the surgery went totally awesome 👍 zero pain afterwards, just those first two days were a massive pain in the ass with the nasal packing, but after that? Smooth sailing. Even the bruising is basically gone. My Nosic looks incredible—seriously, couldn't be better, and I am beyond happy with the results. 😍
If you want the lowdown on them, the procedure, or the recovery, just ask. 😉

Who'd you go to for the surgery?

wearymaker16 said:Who did your surgery?

Glumicic 🙂

Casey Kelly2 said:Hey everyone, I've got nose surgery scheduled in about a month and a half. Has anyone here gone through with the procedure under local anesthesia, or is general anesthesia absolutely mandatory?

Can anyone weigh in on this? 😢

Casey Kelly2 said:Anyone got anything? I need some help here. 😢

They told me all surgeries are done under general anesthesia, unless it's just some tiny little procedure. 🤷

Elizabeth Hall6 said:Can someone DM me the pricing for Dr. Glušac in Makarska and how they handle payments (cash, installments...?). This is urgent. Thanks much. 🙂

Anyone? Please. 🙂

I was actually told the same thing regarding general anesthesia at Mount Sinai Hospital. Since the procedure being done a bit further down involves an open incision and the surgeon has quite a lot of ground to cover, they don't really recommend local anesthesia for more intensive requirements; it's just not practical. Usually, those private clinics are the ones where everything is handled with just local numbing...

Megan Harris35 said:They informed me that surgeries are performed exclusively under general anesthesia, unless it's an extremely minor procedure.🤷

Elizabeth Hall6 said:Wait, seriously??? Come on, guys, give me a break 🙂

Honestly, Google is your best friend here, and your phone works just fine too... you really could have looked all this up at least a billion times by now...☕....

I'd even suggest just using this line:

"Hi there, could you give me a ballpark estimate for this specific procedure... and let me know what my payment options look like?"

☕