Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

wanderingmason86 said:Since nail color acts as an indicator of oxygen levels—meaning the color will shift if oxygen concentration in your body drops—it’s actually a great thing to keep an eye on.

Man, if only medicine were handled as casually as buying salad at a farmer's market...
If you actually hit a drop like that, you'd be in serious trouble...

Basically, the sensor just clips right onto your fingertip. Though, technically, you're introducing microbes into the mix when you handle the components—which isn't ideal, theoretically speaking.

Betty Thompson45 said:I know I can't get a super narrow nose, but honestly, even the width isn't the main issue—it's more about the tip being way too large and my nasal bone looking uneven, where one side is flat while the other is just this bumpy, pitted mess. Since I have a pretty narrow face, I feel like my nose basically takes up half of it right now. 😁
Plus, if the light hits that bumpy side a certain way, it looks like my nose was snapped in two! 😲

Do you happen to know roughly what the prices are at Zambell's practice?

It sounds like you need to reduce the alar cartilages—an open septorhinoplasty would be the way to go.

coppertrucker13 said:To be totally honest, I don't mind paying more—I'll find a way to scrape the money together—but my real worry is whether everything will go smoothly. I just want to know there won't be complications and that the results will actually be what I'm hoping for.

Wait, seriously?!?!?!

P.S. The hump on my nose is actually from a fall I had when I was a kid, so maybe I could just head over to my primary care Doctor and tell her I'm struggling with mental health issues (like constant worrying, depression, feeling dissatisfied with myself, etc.). Maybe then she could give me a referral... I'm not sure if surgeries can be covered by Medicare or if there's any way to lower the cost.

So, if someone says money isn't an issue, they just "somehow" manage to save up??? That doesn't quite add up to me.

If those breaks are post-traumatic, you have every right to deal with breathing difficulties, and those should be covered by Medicare.

Betty Edwards22 said:Man, if medicine worked like buying lettuce at a farmer's market...
If prices dropped that fast—you’d be in huge trouble...

Anyway, the indicator is placed like a little checkmark on your fingertip. But sure, you could technically bring microbes into the salad bowl too—which isn't exactly ideal.

Thanks for the correction.

As for everything else, I actually have quite a bit to say on that. I have several specialist doctors in my family, so I know a thing or two about our medical system that isn't just a "farmer's market." The market definitely exists here, just like it does everywhere else in this country. It's just hidden from view—maybe that's why it seems like a myth to you. You'll see. 😉

Anyway, I wanted to write this earlier, but the timing wasn't right... I was reading through your previous replies and, since I'm older than you and—according to my psych tests—pretty sharp, I’m going to take the liberty of giving you some friendly advice (I really don't mean to be rude):

A great doctor isn't someone who acts like a walking medical encyclopedia, occasionally dropping knowledge just to pull off a sarcastic ego trip. Medicine is more than—or at least should be more than—your idea of a "market," where it's just a simple transaction between a buyer and a seller (or a doctor and a patient). You're young, but you're already acting like a retired professor who’s seen it all and knows everything, thinking that gives you the right to look down on ordinary, "unimportant" mortals. Come back down to earth! Anyone who has ever studied anything for even a second gets burned by that illusion of omnipotence—that feeling that their knowledge lifts them above the "herd" of average people. Slowly, the honeymoon phase will fade, and that cloud of idealism will burst. Don't let yourself get fooled: there will come a day when you're processing patients like items on an assembly line, and you'll be dying of boredom. What I'm trying to say is—don't be arrogant. Try to delay that day for as long as possible because, believe me, it'll be better for both you and your patients.

Now, back to the topic...

Here is a specific challenge for you:
How can I get in touch with a doctor from the ENT department at the Mayo Clinic (I'll tell you the name if you're feeling helpful)? Sounds like a silly question, right? It's not!

During my two-minute appointment, I didn't have time to discuss a very vital issue—one that determines whether or not I go through with surgery. Specifically, if I have the operation, there's a chance I might end up with an iatrogenic case of atrophic rhinitis (I assume you've studied secondary atrophic rhinitis). On the other hand, if I skip the surgery, I'm certain I'll be breathing through my throat for the rest of my life (that's a joke, I know people don't actually breathe through their throats 😉).

So... to make sure I don't end up cursing my nose or the surgery later, I'd really like to chat for a few minutes with the surgeon performing the procedure. I want to talk man-to-man, not like a pilgrim talking to God.
How do I pull this off without needing a new referral for an appointment I've already had, and without waiting another few months? They won't give me a phone number, I don't have an email, and I'm not about to barge into the clinic like I own the place.

Come on, please, be a pal and help me out—turns out I'm actually better at navigating the local farmer's market after all. 🙄

Elizabeth Fox57 said:Rachel Fisher97 — I ended up removing my piercing just ten minutes before the surgery... Apparently, you aren't even allowed to have nail polish on. They wouldn't tell me why, though. I guess it's just one of those things. 😉

Thanks for the info, Elizabeth Fox57. 🙂

I don't know who's behind this site, but honestly? It looks like one of those sketchy corners of the internet you only stumble upon at 3 AM when you're too tired to make good decisions. If you're looking for actual medical advice or reliable products, I'd steer clear. There's nothing about that link that screams "trustworthy" to me—it feels more like a digital trap than anything useful. Just be careful out there; the web is full of junk that promises the world and delivers absolutely nothing. LMAO, give me a break! 😂 😂 😂

So, here’s a bit of a heavy question for the group... does anyone actually know the deal with non-surgical nose jobs? I was doing some deep diving on Google and stumbled across this article about using Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers to tweak things out. Anyone here actually tried it? )
So, who’s actually doing this stuff in America, what kind of damage am I looking at for my wallet, and is it even worth the hassle?

rustygardener172 - would you go ahead and edit that again?

I’m not really looking to go under the knife for a full rhinoplasty, but honestly, I’d kill for a profile that doesn't involve looking at my nose from the side and feeling like it's way too prominent.
I was just wondering if this specific procedure could actually fix that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing out to book a surgeon tomorrow, but I am definitely weighing my options 😁

Man, I'm slowly getting ready to go under the knife before college starts. I think Zambell is my best bet, though—word on the street is he even operated on Taylor Swift. :/
I don't know....
😲😲😲😲😲😲

I mean, yeah, he did perform surgery on Taylor Swift—though she isn't the only celebrity on his list—but you shouldn't let that be the sole factor in choosing a surgeon... For me, what I really appreciated about his work was how he creates such incredibly natural noses. But look, finals week is coming up fast, and you still need to actually coordinate a date for the procedure, right?

Hey everyone!! Has anyone here ever had surgery at the Mayo Clinic with Doctor Vagić? I haven't been able to find much on the forums, so I figured I'd just ask here if anyone knows anything 😉 My septum surgery is scheduled for October 17th, so I'd love to hear some experiences or stories 😉 thanks 🙂

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Hey everyone 🙂

I've been scrolling through some posts, but honestly, trying to digest 350 pages of info—remembering every single experience, tracking which surgeons have pros and cons, and keeping all those little details straight—is just overwhelming 😕
So, I'm asking for your direct input regarding the surgeons at the Mayo Clinic. In your opinion, who is the absolute best, and who should I definitely avoid?
(In my case, it would strictly be cosmetic—if I can manage that. I have a notch, and it becomes way more noticeable when I smile, so I’d really love to smooth that out).

THANKS so much to anyone willing to help me out with their thoughts and experiences, whether they were good or bad 🙂

Has nobody here actually dealt with the Mayo Clinic? 😕
Can someone suggest at least one private specialist in Chicago?
Thanks!

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with Rib before? 😕
Can anyone recommend a good private practitioner in Washington, D.C.?
Thanks!

I’m heading to Rib in about a month, so I'll let you know how it goes. 🙂)

Hey everyone, I could really use some guidance and a bit of advice here...
So, I’ve finally decided that I want to go through with nose surgery next summer. I broke it when I was a kid, and it healed all wrong—I ended up with this prominent bump that looks like an eagle's beak. Back then, the doctors refused to reset it because I was too young, so the issue just sat there and festered. For the last five years, it's become more than just a cosmetic issue; breathing has become increasingly difficult, and I find myself wheezing quite often. I also get winded easily because I feel like I can't get enough oxygen. Because of that, I'm looking for recommendations for a solid surgeon in Washington, D.C. who can handle both the functional and aesthetic side of things, ideally through a procedure partially covered by Medicare. Where do I even start with gathering medical records and getting referrals?
I've been browsing the threads on this topic and saw someone mentioning dr. Stanec over at Mayo Clinic...
Thanks in advance... 😉

rustyjackal26 said:Hey ladies, I could really use some help and maybe a little advice...
So, I've finally decided I want to go through with Operation Nose next summer. I broke it when I was a kid and it healed all crooked (now I've got this bump like an eagle nose thing going on). Back then, doctors wouldn't touch it because I was too young, so it just stayed like that... And over the last 5 years, I've noticed breathing is getting harder and harder, and I'm constantly wheezing. Plus, I get winded so easily because I feel like I'm running out of oxygen... So, can anyone recommend a good doctor in Washington, D.C. who could fix the aesthetic side of things while also being covered by Medicare? Where do I even start with gathering medical records and referrals?
I was browsing this thread and saw someone mention dr. Stanec at Mayo Clinic...
Thanks in advance... 😉

Whereabouts do you live normally (as in, would you actually travel to have the surgery done in your own area)? What kind of support do you get from your primary care doctor? Once you're dealing with serious breathing issues, all those necessary tests and referrals will be handled through Medicare, and honestly, your GP usually works closely with specific specialists or clinics—it wouldn't hurt to consult them directly... that's where you really have to start.

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Elizabeth Fox57 said:Excuse me???

It’s because—obviously—they work in healthcare, and just like most of our medical professionals out there, they act like they’re some kind of deity who lacks even the slightest grasp of basic communication—snarky remarks, "take it off" attitudes, whatever—but hey, as long as they get to say something and their post count goes up, right? Even if they aren't providing a single concrete answer.😬

UglyKidJoe
Hit the nail on the head?😁

Actually, the reason is that the indicator being used is a pulse oximeter—you know, the device that measures blood oxygen saturation via the fingernail—and nail polish is an issue because it can throw off the readings. But honestly, the worst part is that even with painted nails, it wouldn't provide falsely *good* results at a patient's expense during treatment.

Look, when you try to act smart around people, you actually have to explain the what, the how, and the why.

Women wearing clear gel nails are allowed to keep them, but they really ought to mention it to the anesthesiologist—though the standard recommendation is to remove any neon or fluorescent gel that glows under light, because that’s what prevents the oximeter from giving accurate data.

Donna Johnson16 said:Where are you located, though? I mean, would you even consider having the surgery in your own backyard? What kind of support can you expect from your primary care physician? If you're dealing with serious breathing issues, all those necessary tests and referrals will be handled through Medicare, and GPs often have established lines of communication with specific specialists or major hospitals—like the Mayo Clinic. It wouldn't hurt to consult them directly; that’s where you really have to start.

...

I'm based out of Indianapolis. My primary doctor is actually great, and we always manage to work things out regarding referrals and whatnot... but the thing is, I don't really want to do this here in Indianapolis. I haven't heard of anyone getting this done locally, and frankly, I have no desire to be some kind of guinea pig...
So, since my main priority is fixing these breathing problems, I could probably run everything through insurance, and then maybe just pay out of pocket for the cosmetic side of things?

rustyjackal26 said:So since my main goal is fixing those breathing issues, could I just run everything through insurance and maybe just pay out of pocket for the cosmetic side of things if needed?

Exactly. Getting your breathing back to normal is the priority here (🙂 sometimes they'll even list psychological distress on a referral if it helps justify the aesthetics—but honestly, you probably won't need that). Just have a real talk with your doctor. If you look further up this thread, I’ve listed all the tests and scans you'll need to get done before any surgery, so just pick a place and book an appointment with a specialist. Once you're actually there, you'll get the full rundown... because let's face it, every clinic operates differently.

You were asking about Mayo Clinic—I've had good experiences there personally, but that's just one person's take, so don't base your whole decision on me...

I’ve been scrolling through this forum and, honestly, I’m just floored... 😲 Every time I think I’ve finally found a doctor worth mentioning, the next page is just a wall of people tearing them apart. It’s exhausting. From what I can gather, it seems like people were actually much more satisfied with these specialists, even if they didn't get nearly as much hate:
1) dr. Ivan Raguž (St. Jude)
2) dr. Borić Vladimir (private practice)
3) dr. Ante Munitić (specialty clinic)
4) dr. Stanec (Mayo Clinic)
Donna Johnson16, which doctor did you see over at Mayo Clinic? Also, does anyone know if there's any chance these private practitioners will start accepting supplemental insurance coverage? 😢

On another note, could someone please DM me some of your before and after photos? I’d really appreciate it...🙂

@rustyjackal26/">@@rustyjackal26 - look, I’m telling you: don't go making big decisions based on just one person's story. You gotta remember that unhappy patients are way more motivated to go out and complain about their crappy experiences. Honestly, that goes for pretty much everything, not just healthcare—the urge to hop on a forum to publicly praise someone anonymously is way, way weaker...

As for some private doctor agreeing to be covered by supplemental insurance, I haven't heard of that happening, at least not in cosmetic surgery. But hey, who knows, maybe there's a loophole somewhere 🤷 it feels more like an add-on to a basic service provided at a hospital, kind of like what you mentioned earlier. (Or is that just a fancy way of saying the exact same thing? 🙂)

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