Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

wanderingnomad13 said:Maybe things will start working once I begin the rinsing process (I'm planning to start tomorrow).
My doctor told me that any saline solution would work—Aquamaris, Sterimar... which one has actually proven to be the best for you all??
Thanks again

Well, why on earth don't you just use standard saline solution?

It's much healthier and significantly cheaper.

Joseph Ward7 said:Gonna drop my own experience here. Had surgery on Feb 28th at Rijeka Hospital, performed by Dr. Komljenovic.
I needed to fix my deviated septum and straighten out my nose because it’s been crooked forever.
The surgery itself went fine, but man, the anesthesia wrecked me—I was puking all day (looked kind of like black coffee), and it didn't stop until like 1 AM.
Had the packing pulled out after 4 days. There was some bleeding, and breathing through my nose felt impossible right after, but things are slowly getting better thanks to saline and Gelositin.
Went in for a checkup today to get the cast off. My nose is straight now, but it looks super long and weird (guessing that'll settle down eventually). Mostly, my nose just feels numb, and it's especially annoying whenever I yawn.😁

So you did that through insurance? And did you actually have trouble breathing, or did you just decide to go through with it anyway?

wanderingnomad13 said:Thanks so much!! I was seriously freaking out—not exactly a fun time.🙂
Just gotta get that right nostril working... Left one’s breathing perfectly fine, but the right side is still being stubborn.🤷
Maybe things will start working once I get started with the flushing—planning to do that tomorrow.
My doctor told me any saline solution works—Aquamaris, Sterimar, whatever—but I want the real scoop. Which one actually does the job for you guys?
Thanks again.

I used Sterimar, but honestly, only because I already had some sitting around at home. If I didn't, I would've just grabbed some saline solution—it's cheaper and works just fine. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter.

As for that right nostril—you should be getting it soon, just hang in there. 🙂

Nicole Ortiz34 said:my advice for private patients 🙂 I ended up in the hospital and everything went south 🙂 now I'm just waiting 6 months so I can get corrective surgery, and time is dragging so slow 🙂
Bagatin and Zgaljardic usually go with open techniques, which honestly terrifies me. Davor Đepina is a good deal at 1800 bucks, same with Toncic, so I'm torn between Glusac and Đepina. Glusac didn't give me a quote yet so I'm not sure, but I know it's somewhere between 11000-$5000 depending on how complicated the surgery gets

Nicole Ortiz34 thanks so much 🙂

Which hospital were you at? I'm almost ready to go for my rib... but I totally panicked when I heard you might agree to one doctor but then some intern or trainee ends up doing the actual surgery... or something like that. Good for them, they gotta learn somewhere I guess, but if it weren't for my face, maybe I'd let them try, but not like this..🤦

As for the technique, I don't really know... all I care about is that it turns out right, regardless of the pain. So here's the thing... is there a specific technique that's easier for them? How much does it depend on the patient's nose shape, and how much does the recovery time change based on the technique used?????!🤷 And also so ma😕ny questions

...

Hello everyone! 🙂>
It’s currently day five since my surgery. I’ve got some swelling (though it's already starting to subside) and my hematomas are changing colors by the day. Breathing is fine through one nostril, but a bit tougher through the other... all in all, it's the typical recovery process I prepared myself for after reading through this forum.
Now, the tip of my nose is visible beneath the cast, and honestly, it looks completely different from what I started with since day one. I think I'm making the same mistake many others do—constantly researching everything—but what else is there to do when you're stuck at home all day? (Where else would you go with a swollen face and a cast on your nose?)
I was wondering if anyone could share their experience: how much longer will the tip continue to drop, and how much will the overall nose settle down? If I hadn't been reading this forum, I wouldn't even know the tip settles further later on, because nobody ever told me that! I'm actually a little nervous that it won't drop much more, because the way it looks right now is quite lovely—slightly lifted—and I really hope it stays this way. 🤷>
One more thing: does anyone know of a good cream or anything else effective for scars?
Thanks!

Karen Long35 said:As for the technique, I honestly don't know... My main concern is just getting a great result, regardless of how much it hurts. But here’s the thing: is one specific method easier for them? Does it depend on the patient's nose shape? And how much does the recovery time actually change based on the technique used?????!🤷 Plus, those are my main😕 questions
.
...

The technique your surgeon chooses depends entirely on your specific needs—at least, that's how it should work. Nowadays, most corrections are done using the closed technique, which is super !! because it leaves no visible scarring. However, if you have issues with the tip of your nose, an open technique might be better since it gives the doctor full control over all the nasal structures. As for recovery, I think it's more or less the same... though it might actually take a little longer with the closed technique because the internal structures can get more "traumatized," meaning they need a bit more time to bring the swelling down.

Kimberly Hughes17 said:Also, does anyone know of a good cream or anything else for scars?

Dear Kimberly Hughes17, one of the better options for scars is Contractubex—it's a scar gel. It’s generally recommended for all types of post-op scarring and stuff like that. I used it myself after having a mole removed and for a pretty deep scratch on my face, and honestly, you can't even see them anymore. It costs about $30 (at least that was the price back then), but you just have to wait until a bit of time has passed since the stitches came out, once everything has healed up properly.
Is it the absolute best? I guess I don't know... but it has a solid reputation.

Thanks for the advice regarding physiological saline; I ended up using it. 😉

Karen Long35 said:I don't know much about the technical side of things. My main concern is just making sure the end result looks good, regardless of how much it hurts. But here's what I'm wondering... does one specific technique make it easier for them? How much does it depend on the patient's nose structure, and does the choice of technique actually change the recovery time?🤷 And also ST😕Just some questions.

...

There aren't really any set rules when it comes to deciding between public or private facilities. It's a bit hit or miss. You have plenty of public hospitals that do an incredible job, and if you coordinate with them beforehand, they can even handle the aesthetic side of things. On the flip side, you have those private clinics where they might perform work that even a butcher wouldn't touch—and then charge you a premium for the privilege. I have several examples nearby that prove exactly what I mean.
Personally, I wouldn't consider having surgery at a hospital unless the doctor could actually convince me that they’ll deliver exactly what I'm looking for. I'd also need to see a portfolio of successful cases involving patients with similar features, and I'd want to be sure they have an exceptional eye for aesthetics. Otherwise, I just wouldn't do it. Since my reasons for seeking this are purely aesthetic, it's not really the primary focus for most doctors working in a hospital setting.
In Chicago, from what I can see, there are a few solid doctors working in the hospitals who handle the aesthetic side of things very successfully as well. I guess you should do some digging before making a call. The most important thing is picking the right doctor without obsessing over travel time, distance, or money. Once you've made that choice, everything is in their hands. If you aren't in a position to do this right now, or if certain factors are holding you back, maybe it's better to just wait rather than creating a problem for yourself. Nobody needs a revision in their life, and unfortunately, they happen quite often.

The technique really depends on your specific nose shape and what you actually need, so it’s ultimately up to the doctor to decide which approach fits best. I suppose "less is more" applies here too, though some people swear by the open technique because it gives the surgeon full access to everything, making those tricky tip adjustments much easier. To be honest, I used to be terrified of the open method because I was so worried about scarring, but in the end, nobody can even see it. Regardless of which way they go, I wouldn't stress too much—as long as the work is done well, it should be fine.

Nicole Ortiz34 said:I have a bit of a hunch too, hmm... but yeah, super !! 🙂 I mean, Miami is actually a pretty great place if you're looking to get nose surgery. But honestly, I guess if someone actually wants a crooked nose, they should just go for it—it’s not like it's easy to achieve that look on purpose anyway, haha. 🙂

So, did you end up having that surgery with Račić after all??

Kimberly Hughes17 said:The specific technique the surgeon chooses will depend entirely on your unique situation—at least, that’s how it should work. These days, most rhinoplasties are done using the closed method, which is actually super !! because you don't end up with visible scarring. However, if you're dealing with issues specifically around the tip of the nose, the open technique might be your best bet since it gives the doctor full visibility and control over all the nasal structures. As for recovery, I think it's more or less the same... though it might feel slightly longer with the closed method just because those internal structures can get a bit more "traumatized," so it takes a little extra time for that internal swelling to settle down..

👍
Rating: 5.

I’m thinking about sitting down and actually writing out my whole experience dealing with multiple nose surgeries, but honestly, I need to vent about the second round first... What really gets to me—and it’s been weighing on my mind quite a bit—is how many of you who went through private procedures never even saw an actual invoice or receipt... Personally, myself and a few of my close friends have run into this exact same situation... We were expected to cough up the full amount for the procedure that very morning right before everything started, and then, when I later asked for a formal bill, I just didn't get one... It feels like I was ripped off right alongside the taxpayers, and don't even get me started on how the surgery itself turned out, oh boy...

Just report them. 🤷 As far as I know, you can even file a report anonymously.

I’m definitely planning on reporting my situation, because honestly, I need to know if anyone else out there has gone through this exact same thing??

Kimberly Hughes17 said:Hey everyone 🙂
I was wondering if anyone could share their experience—how much longer will that top part continue to drop, and how much will the whole nose flatten out? If I hadn't been scrolling through this forum, I wouldn't even know the tip could settle further because nobody ever mentioned it to me. Honestly, I'm a little nervous it won't drop much, since it looks pretty great right now—nice and slightly lifted. I really hope it stays like this.🤷
Also, does anyone have recommendations for a good scar cream or anything else that works?
Thanks

Hmhmm... don't want to burst your bubble, but mine dropped quite a bit. When I first took the cast off, it was super, super puffy—kind of gross (if you know what I mean)—but within a couple of weeks, it settled down (almost like it elongated), though it stayed a little fleshy. Not sure if that helps at all. 🤷

wiredwalker2 said:I definitely intend to report my case. I'm curious if anyone else has had a similar experience??

There are others, though not personally me. Some people paid slightly less for an operation that wasn't reported—maybe $1,000 or so less. $500As for myself, I already received the bill; if I hadn't, I would have been insisting on getting it.

Back again!
Could someone help me out regarding nasal cleaning? What’s your routine, or more specifically, what is the easiest and most effective way to do it?
I use saline solution and spray it in, but it seems to drain out so quickly that I feel like nothing actually gets rinsed... After that, I try to clean things up a bit with Q-tips.
I also tried another method where I tilt my head back and spray into one nostril, then it comes out the other side. I'm not entirely sure if that's a smart way to go about it...
Is there anyone smarter than me out there? 😁 Thanks.

p.s. I can breathe through both nostrils just fine! 😍

Every second or third day, I’d find myself extracting small amounts of dried blood from my nose. My routine was specific: first, I would drench the area completely with saline and let it sit for about half an hour to ensure everything was thoroughly soaked, moistened, and slightly loosened. Then, using a toothpick, I would carefully detach those clumps of dried matter from the nasal lining—especially if they were stubbornly stuck to the walls. Once detached, I’d finish the job by using eyebrow tweezers to gently grasp the piece and pull it out. I still do this occasionally, though much less frequently now that I've cleared most of the buildup; however, every so often, a blockage forms again, making breathing quite difficult.😁

Hannah Baker23 said:Every few days, I used to have to deal with small amounts of dried blood inside my nose. My routine was pretty specific: first, I’d soak the area thoroughly with saline solution and just let it sit for about half an hour. I figured that would soften everything up and loosen it from the nasal lining. Once it was sufficiently hydrated, I’d take a toothpick and very carefully pick away at those clumps of dried material if they were still stuck to the walls. Finally, I’d use eyebrow tweezers to gently grab the piece and pull it out. I still do this occasionally, though much less often now that most of the dried blood is gone. Sometimes a little blockage still builds up here and there, making it hard to breathe.😁

With Čačkalicom?? 😲 Man, that is honestly pretty scary.
How exactly were you pinching? Were you standing there with your head tilted back or something?

wanderingnomad13 said:Using a toothpick?? 😲 omg that sounds terrifying
how were you even doing that? standing there with your head tilted back or what?

Honestly, I did the exact same thing as Hannah Baker23—just skipped the toothpick part.

As for the enemas—it was way easier for me at first if I just laid down. Later on, I could manage while standing up too.