Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

rowdyfalcon35 · 2012-03-20T00:29:40+00:00

Brenda Green10 said: please help me out here 😢 I'm planning to have my surgery with Glusac... basically, look at this timeline.. today is March 19th, tomorrow …

Jesse Sanchez90 Active Member

66 messages
joined Feb 2013

#721 · Sep 16, 2012

slydriver56 said:I’ve got surgery scheduled in just under a month, but I haven't even started on the pre-op tests I need to get done yet. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get all those screenings completed? Will there be a massive wait to schedule them, and do you think I can realistically get everything wrapped up within a month?
Like the post says, the results shouldn't be older than a month, but I'm starting to get a little anxious that I should have scheduled these appointments sooner...

Anything finished within a 7 to 14-day window is perfectly fine, so please don't panic.
Of course, that’s assuming nothing unexpected pops up, like an infection or a sudden outbreak of shingles.

slydriver56 Member

44 messages
joined Oct 2012

#722 · Sep 16, 2012

Thanks!!
So, my doctor mentioned he’s going to work on the cartilage too—basically trimming down the tip of my nose. He told me he can only take out a tiny amount of cartilage, so now I’m wondering... will it actually even be noticeable that the tip was reduced?
And is that really the limit? Like, am I only allowed to have such a tiny bit of cartilage removed? Because honestly, I’m dreaming of a much smaller nose, and if we're talking about such a small amount, I feel like I won't see any difference at all 😢

Jesse Sanchez90 Active Member

66 messages
joined Feb 2013

#723 · Sep 16, 2012

slydriver56 said:Thanks!!
I'm also wondering about the cartilage work—the surgeon mentioned he’ll be reshaping the tip by reducing some cartilage. He said he can only take out a very small amount, so I'm curious if it will actually be noticeable that the tip was adjusted?
And is it standard practice to only remove such a tiny bit of cartilage? I really want a significantly smaller nose, and I'm worried that with such a minor adjustment, I won't see any real difference at all.😢

Before you get ahead of yourself: your surgeon is actually playing it safe from the jump—it's much better to do too little than to overdo it.

The second thing—which is actually the most important point—is that the nasal tip, specifically the alar cartilage, defines what we call the nasal valve. This term basically refers to your breathing capacity. If you perform uncontrolled or reckless cutting on the structure that creates that support (the alar cartilage), you risk causing a paradoxical collapse during breathing.
How much of that cartilage can be trimmed depends entirely on how much you have to begin with, which varies from person to person.
Sometimes, narrowing the area can even be achieved through sutures without needing to cut anything away at all. Usually, there are plenty of different combinations doctors can use.

slydriver56 Member

44 messages
joined Oct 2012

#724 · Sep 16, 2012

Betty Edwards22 said:Look, before you go off on a rant: your surgeon actually has a point right out of the gate—less is usually better than doing way too much.

Second thing, and this is the big one—the tip of your nose, specifically that alar cartilage, creates what’s called the nasal valve. That term basically defines how much air you can actually breathe in. If they go overboard and cut through the structure that defines it without thinking, you risk a paradoxical collapse.
How much of that cartilage can be trimmed? Honestly, it’s totally up to the individual based on how much they have to work with.
They can also tighten things up using sutures instead of cutting. There are tons of different ways to mix and match techniques.

I don't get why people respond like this. Not just to me right now, but generally whenever anyone asks a question, people jump in with this super arrogant attitude like we're all being stupid. We didn't all go to med school, you know?
Also, I wasn't "rambling," and I wasn't complaining. If I were actually whining, I would've just canceled my surgery with him and gone to someone else who'd actually agree to take off as much as possible, so I don't see what's not clear.
Thirdly, I was just asking if removing a tiny bit of cartilage would actually make a visible difference in making the tip look smaller. That was it. Just a simple question about whether that much is typically removed, and I got an answer that makes zero sense because, again, I'm not a doctor and I'm not interested in medical jargon.
So, I really don't see why you felt the need to drop those unnecessary comments.

Sophia Ross73 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Sep 2012

#725 · Sep 16, 2012

Hey, does anyone here actually have first-hand experience with Dr. Miller or Dr. Sterling? I’ve heard their names floating around through some recommendations lately... thanks.😉

Scott Allen10 Regular

315 messages
joined Jun 2005

#726 · Sep 16, 2012

@Betty Edwards22/">@@Betty Edwards22

Look, you really need to drop the attitude and all that constant snark you keep throwing at everyone on this Reddit thread. It’s one thing to give us a technical breakdown—nobody's arguing with your expertise—but in a community like this, especially with the standards the mod team is trying to set, there just isn't any room for your kind of sarcasm. Personally, if I've said too much on this topic, I can take it, but since the mods have been pointing out these exact little "bits" of yours for a while now, I don't have any doubt that you're being a bit much.

Bottom line: cut out the weird commentary and we won't have an issue. Once you stop playing games, your actual knowledge will finally be able to shine. But if you keep stirring the pot or just being stubborn for the sake of it, we're going to have to look at some more serious disciplinary actions.

Now, if you think I'm overreacting and you're feeling a bit defensive about it... please don't start venting about it here or blowing up the mods' private messages... there's a specific section on the site where you can leave feedback regarding how the mods handle things.

Scott Allen10 Regular

315 messages
joined Jun 2005

#727 · Sep 16, 2012

Sophia Ross73 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone here has actually been in to see Dr. Miller or Dr. Thompson? I’ve heard some pretty glowing things about them from a few people lately, so I figured I'd check in and see if you guys had any firsthand experiences to share. Thanks!😉

I’d honestly suggest moving this over to the pinned thread where everyone goes to swap recommendations, because it probably doesn't belong here.

Sophia Ross73 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Sep 2012

#728 · Sep 16, 2012

So, where am I even supposed to ask this? Looking around here, everyone seems to be talking about this surgery and everything sounds 🙂totally amazing... I'm just wondering if anyone actually has firsthand experience with them. There are way too many names being tossed around in these threads for me to keep track of everyone. I’m actually getting ready to book my own consultation soon, and since I'm out in Chicago, I've heard through the grapevine that they're basically the gold standard...

Elizabeth Wells10 Member

21 messages
joined May 2011

#729 · Sep 16, 2012

slydriver56, which doctor are you seeing?
Please, could you let me know how you feel after the surgery? The tip of my nose is also my biggest concern; from what I understand, that’s the hardest part to get right, and you really need someone with a specific "touch" for it.
Have you happened to find out about any doctors who are actually good at this?
I’m planning on having surgery myself very soon, and Dave Džepina is still my top choice, but I am absolutely terrified that I won't end up with the results I actually want.
Basically, the tip is what needs the most reduction for me—it's large and fleshy. Ugh.

Jesse Sanchez90 Active Member

66 messages
joined Feb 2013

#730 · Sep 17, 2012

slydriver56 said:I honestly don't get why people react this way. It's not just about my post right now, but generally whenever someone asks a question, you jump in with such an attitude, acting like we asked something ridiculous. Not everyone here is a medical student or an expert in everything.
Secondly, I wasn't whining or complaining. If I were actually just venting, I would have simply canceled the surgery with him and gone to someone else who was willing to lower their fees as much as possible, so I'm not sure what part of that isn't clear.
Thirdly, all I wanted to know was whether removing that tiny amount of cartilage could lead to changes in my nose shape—specifically if the tip would look smaller. That was my only question. I also asked if that much cartilage is typically removed, but instead, I got a "of course" response that makes no sense to me because, again, I didn't study medicine and I'm not interested in the science behind it.
So, I really don't see the point of these unnecessary comments.

It feels like I said just one single word that was enough for you to dismiss everything else I wrote—honestly, I'm not even sure how to respond to that. There's no way to quantify "too much," because everyone is different, and there’s no definitive answer other than what your specific surgeon tells you after seeing you in person.
The rest of my post was just meant to show that there isn't just one single way to solve a problem; there are many paths, and your choice depends entirely on which surgeon you pick. That’s exactly why there isn't one "perfect" or "only correct" method.
As for my reaction to your post—I tend to be very direct and skip the fluff. I focus on the technical details rather than being overly expressive because that’s what matters to me. It isn't about being rude; it's just about where my focus lies. If my priority were different, my responses would probably sound like "nobody knows anything" all the time. At least, that's how it seems to me.

rapidraven10 Newcomer

1 message
joined Sep 2012

#731 · Sep 17, 2012

I figured it was about time I weighed in on this discussion.
I’m an 18-year-old guy, and I’ve been turning the idea of rhinoplasty over in my mind for quite some time now. From a profile view, my nose actually looks fine, but when you look at it head-on, the tip comes across as far too bulbous. It has this sort of rounded, ball-like shape to it. Since the rest of my nose is relatively narrow, the tip stands out in a way that feels disproportionate and, frankly, a bit off. My thought is that it needs some narrowing and perhaps a slight downward adjustment to give the whole thing a sharper, more defined silhouette. I was wondering if anyone here has gone through a similar procedure—has anyone had firsthand experience with this, or perhaps could suggest a reputable surgeon worth looking into?

Rachel Vaughn85 Active Member

80 messages
joined Jan 2014

#732 · Sep 17, 2012

coppertrucker13 said:Thanks for all the support, everyone! I just finished my surgery and everything went great. Now I'm just waiting on the results after my follow-up appointment! 😁

Woohoo! 🙂
We're all rooting for you and can't wait to hear how it turned out! 😁
Where did you go, which doctor specifically, and what was the final outcome?
Wishing you a speedy recovery! 😍

Rachel Vaughn85 Active Member

80 messages
joined Jan 2014

#733 · Sep 17, 2012

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Hey! 🙂
We're all waiting on those results and hearing how everything went! 😁
Where did you go exactly, who was the doctor, and what was the final outcome?
Wishing you a super fast recovery! 😍

Oh yeah, you already mentioned you were seeing Dr. Tony😛
So now we just wait for the rest. How long did the whole thing take, and how long are you going to have to deal with those nasal tampons or gauze and stuff? 😁

William Martinez18 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Aug 2013

#734 · Sep 17, 2012

Hey 🙂

Can someone tell me what the payment options are at Tony's? Also, has anyone here actually gone in for surgery while under 18? Like, do you need a parent to sign off on everything? 🙂

boldgardener14 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Sep 2012

#735 · Sep 18, 2012

Hey Reddit,
I’ve been lurking here for months, reading through every single thread and watching all the drama unfold. Now that my surgery is finally behind me, I figured I’d jump in and share how it went—maybe it’ll help someone else out there...
For a while, I was torn between Dr. Boric and Dr. Kincl, but in the end, I went with Kincl.
I did all my homework, gathered all the tests, and had everything scheduled for last Monday at 9 AM. Honestly, my main motivation was purely aesthetic (my nasal bridge was too long, a bit hooked, had this barely noticeable bump, and worst of all, a drooping tip—whenever I laughed, my profile looked like an eagle!). Then I found out I also had a deviated septum... so, two birds, one stone. 🙂
The whole thing took maybe two or three hours. When I woke up, I was in my room feeling zero pain. I can't quite remember the trip from the OR to the bed, but all I cared about was that it was over and done with. Naturally, the first thing I reached for was a mirror. Between the plastic, the tape, and the gauze, I couldn't see anything except a tiny little nub where my nose used to be. I didn't even get bruises until day three; then it was just two little spots on my cheekbones and some faint discoloration under my eyes. My only real annoyance? The packing. They pulled it out four days later, and it wasn't bad. Took about 15 minutes, and the doctor seemed thrilled because the sponges were totally clear—just transparent mucus, no blood at all. Oh man, that first breath! Pure bliss. Of course, that feeling didn't last forever; by that evening, my nose felt full again, so it was back to rinsing and stuff. Today marks eight days since the surgery, and I finally took off the plastic to actually *see* it... It is the cutest little nose! 🙂 I am absolutely over the moon. The bridge is shorter, the tip is lifted, and the length is perfectly straight—exactly like the photos! And most importantly... it actually fits my face! My biggest fear was ending up with some tiny, pig-like nose that looked ridiculous on me, but it turned out perfect! 🙂 I am beyond happy. Everyone at the clinic was just incredible. Right after the procedure, the nurse and the doctor gave me their direct contact info so I could reach them any time of the day or night. I seriously can't praise them enough. I'm so glad I made the right call with him; if I hadn't, I’d probably be crying right now 🙂. I wanted to share this while I’m still riding this high, hoping it helps at least one of you. 🙂 🙂 🙂

analogbison15 Member

10 messages
joined Mar 2020

#736 · Sep 19, 2012

So, just curious—how much did you end up paying for it?

boldgardener14 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Sep 2012

#737 · Sep 19, 2012

analogbison15 said:So, what did it set you back?

$4167

Rachel Vaughn85 Active Member

80 messages
joined Jan 2014

#738 · Sep 19, 2012

boldgardener14 said:Hey Reddit users,
since I've been lurking on this subreddit for months and have read through basically everything here, I just wanted to write a quick update after my surgery. Maybe this will help someone out...
I was torn between Dr. Boric and Dr. Kincl for a while, but I finally pulled the trigger on Kincl..
I did all the standard tests and brought in all the paperwork, and my surgery was scheduled for last Monday at 9 AM. I mainly went through with it for aesthetic reasons (my bridge was too long, a bit hooked, had a barely noticeable bump, and worst of all, a drooping tip—so whenever I laughed, I looked like an eagle in profile!), and I found out along the way that I had a deviated septum too, so... two birds with one stone. 🙂
The procedure lasted about 2 or 3 hours, and I woke up in my room feeling zero pain.. I don't really remember getting to my bed, but at that moment, I just cared that everything went smoothly.. Naturally, the first thing I reached for was a mirror.. Between the plastic, the tape, and the gauze, I couldn't see anything except a tiny little tip of a nose.. I didn't even have bruises until day 3. Then I just got two little spots on my cheekbones and some light discoloration under my eyes.. The only thing that actually bothered me was the packing. I had that removed 4 days later and it went fine.. It took maybe 15 minutes, and the doctor was actually really happy because there wasn't any blood on the sponges, just clear mucus.. Man, that first breath! Pure bliss.. Of course, that didn't last long.. By that evening, my nose was already fully functional, so I started the rinsing and stuff.. Today, 8 days post-op, I finally took off the plastic and saw it... It is the cutest little nose! 🙂 I am absolutely over the moon.. My bridge is shorter, the tip is lifted, and the whole length is straight... just like in the photos! And most importantly.. it fits perfectly with the rest of my face! My biggest fear was ending up with some tiny pig nose that wouldn't match my features, but it turned out amazing! 🙂 I'm beyond satisfied.. Everyone at the clinic was just incredible; the nurse and the doctor gave me their contact info right after the surgery so I could reach them anytime, day or night, and I seriously can't praise them enough. I'm so glad I went with him; if I hadn't, I might be crying right now 🙂 .I wanted to share this with you all while I'm still riding this high, and I hope it helps someone.. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Man, I couldn't ask for anything better to hear than such a positive experience and a great result 🙂
Do you happen to know where I could find more info about him or look at some of his before-and-after photos?

Tyler James5 Active Member

142 messages
joined Jul 2012

#739 · Sep 19, 2012

Rachel Vaughn85 said:

Do you happen to know where I could find more info on him or maybe even some before-and-after shots from his surgeries?

http://www.barbel-plasticsurgery.us/index.php/operator

As far as I know, you can only really see the photos if you go in person to his clinic... pretty sure they don't put them online.

...

boldgardener14 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Sep 2012

#740 · Sep 19, 2012

Rachel Vaughn85 said:Honestly, nothing beats hearing about such amazing experiences with positive outcomes and actual results. 🙂
Do you happen to know where I could find more info on him or maybe see some before-and-after photos from his surgeries?

I didn't really know much either until I actually went to his clinic. It's called Barbel..
Tomorrow I'm finally taking off the last four bandages and I'm going to feel like a whole new person. 🙂 🙂 🙂 God, looking back at how terrified I was while scrolling through Reddit... reading one horror story followed by a success story, I just couldn't trust anything anymore. Not until I sat down and talked to him in person. Seriously, take the time to go. He actually listens to you. Everyone there is great. 🙂

Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

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