Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Look, you need to rinse it thoroughly with saline. Fill up the syringe, tilt your head gently to one side, flush it out, and then just let it drain.
Expect all sorts of debris coming out during the process 🙂
It won't hurt you. In fact, it’s necessary to clear away those crusts so the doctor doesn't have to scrape them off later.
outside.

darkgardener9 said:It’s not just that—that's only one part of it—but still, how would you even show up with such a swollen nose?

🤣 🤣

Look, your nose hasn't been swollen for ten whole months. 🤔
If you had your surgery on April 1st, you could totally be back at college by October 1st without any issues... I don't know who told you otherwise. I think I was already taking exams about ten days after mine and nobody even noticed—not that I was wearing any makeup or anything. 🤷
Anyway, I've seriously never heard of anyone skipping out on life or staying trapped inside because their face was swollen from surgery... especially not this much time after the procedure.

electricangler32 said:Basically, you just need to rinse everything out thoroughly using saline—fill up a syringe, tilt your head gently to one side, spray it in, and then let it all drain out.
There’s going to be all sorts of debris coming out when you do that. 🙂
It won't hurt you at all, and honestly, it's pretty necessary if you want to wash away those scabs so the doctor doesn't have to scrape them off manually
later on.

thank you 🙂
I actually gave the department a call today—the nurse told me to use saline, and she suggested that if my nose gets too stuffed up, I should use some Operil just to help me breathe a little easier. 😉

darkgardener9 said:That’s not the only reason, though it’s part of it. Regardless, how would you even manage going out with a nose that swollen?

I was out of commission for two weeks following my surgery.

darkgardener9 said:It’s not just about that—that's definitely one reason—but honestly, how would you even plan on going anywhere if your nose was all swollen up anyway?

Oh, come on! You'll be feeling like a whole new person in just two weeks 🙂 so there's really nothing to worry about

I’d suggest following the physiological approach: for the first seven days after removing the Maxitrol, use three drops on both sides three times a day. After those seven days are up, you can switch over to a nasal spray like Nasonex or something similar.

briskorca352 said:You're very welcome! I'm ready to get to work whenever you have the content ready. Just send over the posts, and I'll handle the rest. 🙂

So, I gave the clinic a call earlier today to check in. The nurse told me that what I'm dealing with is just physiological congestion. She suggested that if my nose gets too stuffed up to breathe properly, I should try using some Operil just to get some relief. 😉

I wouldn't recommend using Operil—you really don't want to risk damaging your nasal mucosa.

Betty Edwards22 said:First, try rinsing with some saline solution—and then for the first seven days after removing the Maxitrol packing, you can use three drops in each eye, three times a day. After that week is up, maybe switch over to a Nasonex spray or something similar.

Thanks so much for the help, dear! 🙂🙂🙂
I actually used those same drops on my dog about two weeks ago when they had conjunctivitis. 🤣

These drops are basically a multi-purpose powerhouse for your nose. Think of them as the WD-40 😉 of nasal care. I’d definitely recommend using an Inks spray right after, since those really help kickstart the mucosal healing while calming down all that hyperreactivity.

Betty Edwards22 said:. Use an isotonic spray afterward. They actually encourage mucosal recovery while simultaneously calming down that hyperreactivity.

What kind of spray are we talking about here? (Even Google isn't giving me anything useful)

Do you think it’s doable if I schedule my procedure for the morning and then catch a bus out of NYC around 10:00 PM? It’s not like I’m going to do massive damage by sitting up for a few hours instead of lying flat—I mean, it's just a little discomfort, right? Plus, it’s about a four-hour ride back to my hometown.
It’s honestly the easiest way for me since the bus is free (I’ve got a pass!), and I don't really have anyone in NYC I can crash with for the night...:/

The lodging near the clinic is $133/night, which—let's be real—is a total killer on my student budget!

analogbison15 said:Is it doable if I have the procedure in the morning and then catch a bus out of NYC at 10:00 PM? It’s not like I’ll ruin myself by sitting up for a few hours instead of lying down. It’s about a 4-hour drive back to my hometown.
It’s just easier this way since I have a pass for the bus and don't have to pay, plus I don't have anyone in NYC to stay with. :/

The clinic accommodation is $133/night which is honestly a bit much for a student like me!

So where exactly are you going to be from the morning until 10:00 PM? Usually, you're discharged from the clinic maybe 2 or 3 hours after the surgery, and then you head home or wherever. They aren't going to keep you there until 10:00 PM, and you really need somewhere to lie down and rest. You never know how you're going to feel post-op. Some people feel fine, but others are exhausted, totally "out of it," or dealing with intense headaches and stuff like that. A long drive isn't exactly a walk in the park. Between the turns and the potholes, you'll be bouncing around constantly—I think your head might actually explode. If you managed to scrape together 11 thousand dollars, then honestly, just shell out the extra 400 so you don't have to worry. Look out for yourself.

PS. Try looking for hostels or cheap stays near the Mill where the clinic is located. That area is only about an 8-10 minute drive from downtown Chicago near Times Square, so there should be plenty of hostels in that stretch where you can find a room for maybe 100 bucks. Just Google hostels/apartments, use Google Maps, and you're set! Once you leave the clinic, grab a taxi, give them the address, and you're good to go.

I’ll probably just hop on a bus or catch an auto-shuttle—nothing via those old backroads, thank goodness—so it should be a pretty smooth ride... plus, I actually find traveling easier at night since I can just zone out, pop some headphones on, and chill.

EDIT: Does anyone know roughly how much a cheap taxi would run to get there? And are there any buses running out of the Mill area?

analogbison15 said:The bus takes the interstate instead of the old backroads, so it should be a smooth ride... plus, I find it way easier to travel at night so I can just zone out, pop some headphones on, and relax.

EDIT: Any idea what the cheapest taxi would run to get there? And are there any buses running out of Milltown?

I actually just looked up some taxi rates for you. I'll shoot everything over in a DM so we don't clutter the thread.

Alright, sounds like a plan! 🙂

It feels a bit strange to me that these "top-tier clinics" try to kick patients out immediately after surgery. In my opinion, once you've already paid the $3.75, they should at least let you sleep through the first night—just sleeping, no extra services or meals required. Instead, they push you to pay an additional $133 just for one night's stay. It didn't used to be this way. When you go to Glumičić or others, you get full service and accommodations. Sure, they might be the most expensive option, but at least everything is included.

How long does this procedure actually take?
To be honest, this feels more like they just want to grab your money, rush the surgery, and then wash their hands of any further responsibility. I really don't care for this cutthroat capitalist approach taken by Tončić and a few other clinics.

driftingheron34 said:It feels weird to me that these supposedly "serious clinics" push you out immediately after surgery. I mean, it’s not enough that you already paid them $3.75; can't they at least let you sleep through the first night? Just sleeping in the clinic, no other service, food, or anything. And then they still try to force you to pay $133 for a single night. I don't think it used to be like this. With Glumičić and others, you actually get full service and accommodation. Sure, they're the most expensive, but at least you get the stay and everything included.

How long does the operation take?
Honestly, this looks more like they just grab your money, rush you through surgery, and then they're done with you—no further obligations or responsibilities. I really don't like this capitalist approach from Tončić and a handful of other clinics.

Yeah, well, it's better to pay someone else a few thousand dollars more if you'll get a free overnight stay. If you ended up paying a few hundred dollars extra elsewhere to include it, it would probably end up being cheaper overall anyway. And who's to say they'll care about you any more than the guy who lets you rest at home if he thinks you're up for it?
In all likelihood, it won't even be him watching over you all night; it'll be nurses or medical techs. A higher price tag definitely isn't a measure of quality of service or surgical success. Plenty of people have gone for the premium option only to end up deeply disappointed. You have to go with your gut, and of course, gather as much info as possible about the surgeon you're eyeing. Look at whether successful surgeries outweigh the failures in his career. That's how you'll eventually find the best one for you. 🙂

I’ve been trying to clear things out with some saline spray pretty much constantly, but honestly—hardly anything ever comes out besides just a bit of mucus. 🙄
This morning I tried blowing a little harder, and yeah, I actually saw a tiny bit of blood, but other than that, 🤷

And oh my gosh, the itching inside my nose is driving me absolutely crazy! Haha 😲😲😲

Maybe it isn't the sharpest move to go rinsing with saline every single time. Personally, I stick to three times a day, and I supplement that with an Aquamaris spray my doctor suggested.

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Exactly. It’s actually smarter to pay a few extra thousand dollars elsewhere if it includes a free night of recovery. You might end up paying a few hundred more for a different place just to stay overnight, and even then, you'd likely come out ahead. Besides, who's to say one doctor will care more about you than someone who just lets you rest at home if they think you're up for it?
Most likely, it won't even be him watching over you all night; it'll be the nurses or medical techs. A higher price tag isn't a guarantee of better service or a successful surgery. Plenty of people chase the prestige only to be disappointed. Trust your gut—that's really all you can do—and gather as much intel on the surgeon as possible. Look at whether his track record is mostly wins or if there are too many setbacks. That's how you find the right fit. 🙂

The difference of a thousand dollars doesn't matter here. Both options are expensive for the average American income. Back when Glumičić was charging 10k, maybe five or six years ago, he used to include the first night's stay in the package for rhinoplasty.

He can command those prices because he built a brand and a reputation; he has the clientele. In my opinion, he also produces the best results. Even though people complain because he can't satisfy every single whim, he's still top-tier. If I were choosing a private surgeon, I'd probably pick him, though I'm not dismissing other clinics entirely. He seems to be the best option available right now. You shouldn't obsess over saving a couple thousand dollars, because you only do this once. There's no warranty like when you buy a toaster from Target and can just take it back the next day.

That's why you need to do your homework on the surgeon. There are honest accounts on this forum, and it's pretty easy to spot when someone is just running an ad. If I were in your shoes, analogbison15, I wouldn't go to Tončić. There are quite a few people on this forum who say his results didn't match what he promised during the consultation.