Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Donna Johnson16 said:http://www.barbel-plasticsurgery.com/index.php/operator

As far as I can tell, you can only see the photos if you go to his clinic in person; I don't think they have them posted on the website.

...

Thanks a ton. I actually found that yesterday—looked up the pictures and where he's located, and realized he's right by my local community health center, basically just a stone's throw away from where I go for everything. 😁

boldgardener14 said:I didn't really get it either until I actually visited his clinic. It's called Barbel..
I'm taking off my last four patches tomorrow and I honestly feel like a whole new person 🙂 🙂 🙂 Looking back, I was terrified after reading all those threads on Reddit—some people had amazing results and others had total nightmares, so I just couldn't trust anything I read. That is, until I went in and talked to him. He truly gives you enough time, listens to everything you have to say, and everyone there is just super chill 🙂

I really hope you get the exact result you're looking for. Honestly, seeing how many negative comments are out there about him, I think I'd be pretty nervous to make the call myself 🙄

Rachel Vaughn85 said:I really hope you get the outcome you’re looking for. Honestly, after scrolling through this mountain of comments—most of them pretty brutal—I’d be terrified to make a move myself if I were in your shoes. 🙄

I was skeptical at first too... I actually posted on Reddit while I was stuck deciding between him and Boric. Now? I'm glad things turned out this way. I ended up finding him through a friend... 🙂 Good luck, whoever you end up choosing. 😍

boldgardener14 said:I was honestly a little skeptical at first too... I actually posted on Reddit while I was still trying to decide between him and Boric. Now, I'm really glad things turned out this way. I ended up finding out about him through a friend. 🙂 Good luck with whichever one you end up choosing! 😍

I’ve still got plenty of time before I make a final call. First, I need to save up enough cash and dig up some more info, but thanks. 😁

Hey everyone, I’m curious—has anyone here actually gone through with turbinate reduction (that procedure where they burn off the nasal lining)?

I just got back from an appointment, and my doctor recommended seeing Dr. Grgić over at the Mayo Clinic... so now I'm wondering how the surgery actually went for people. Specifically, if you had it done maybe 2 or 3 years ago, how is your breathing holding up lately? Like, did it actually stick?

Honestly, any info you guys can throw my way would be huge.

Thanks!

Hey everyone, just thought I’d check in and give you an update :-).
I went under the knife with Dr. Tončić to fix my nose, which used to have this nasty bump on it (I got a deformity from a fall when I was a kid that really messed up my profile).
So, let me give you the lowdown on how it all went down.
Here’s the deal:
I went in for a consultation the day before surgery and sat down with Mr. Tončić. He walked me through the whole procedure—explained exactly what could be done and gave me a realistic idea of what to expect. It was a super chill conversation, and my mom came along for the ride too (even though I'm an adult, she’s basically my emotional support system😁—and just a heads-up for anyone else wondering, since I saw someone earlier asking if minors can get surgery without parental consent: the answer is NO. Parents have to sign off because they're legally responsible for you, since minors aren't considered fully independent yet.
Anyway, enough rambling...
The next day—D-day—time for surgery...🙂 ..I was freaking out, honestly...
They put me under and I didn't feel a thing, everything went smoothly. The only issue was that I got my period right then, so I felt pretty nauseous and actually blacked out two or three times because I tend to pass out easily. I didn't have any major bleeding or anything; there was just a little swelling here and there, but nothing crazy.
Regarding the packing and breathing—man, I couldn't sleep! I'm one of those people who can't sleep on my back (I have to roll over :P), and since I couldn't breathe through my nose, it was pretty rough—but you just gotta suck it up and power through those first three days.
When the nurse took the packing out, it didn't hurt at all. Seriously, that part isn't painful.
The actual procedure doesn't hurt; it's just the nose itself that aches afterward—but it's that "good" kind of pain, you know? Like that soreness you feel when something is healing. Also, my nose was itching like crazy, haha. But all in all, it was great. Having my family there meant the world, and even they can see the difference—even my grandma, haha—and she says it looks AMAZING.
The entire surgical team, the nurses, and the staff were all right there with me; everyone was so kind and approachable. By the way, their clinic has rooms where you can stay if you don't have a place to crash nearby.

So, fast forward to now: I finally had the cast removed at my follow-up appointment, and my nose looks brand new. I seriously can't believe it. He straightened that bump right out, which actually made my nose look smaller, too.
I am beyond happy, and I can honestly say I'd go through the whole thing all over again just for this result.

Basically, Dr. Tončić is a top-tier surgeon. His clinic is packed every single day, even with patients flying in from out of state...
I saw on his website that he’s worked on celebrities like Danijela Dvornik, Nina Badrić, and Alka Vujica. This guy has been doing this for 25 years (they actually just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the clinic opening), and he’s even done work for famous models—like that blonde lady from the lottery commercials who says, "You play too!"... plus some other big names I don't recognize.
Long story short, he has a stellar reputation, and it's definitely worth going in to chat with them.
I felt so comfortable, which is huge for me. They truly looked out for me. Even though people think doctors only care about money and prestige, these guys were absolutely fantastic.
My recommendation is Dr. Tončić because I experienced firsthand that he is genuinely experienced, professional, and kind. He didn't try to push anything on me; he just told me what other surgeons might do versus what he thought would actually look good for me. I loved that he was straight with me, no sugarcoating, so I knew exactly what I was signing up for. And that's exactly what happened.
My nose is straight and small. Perfect. Exactly what I wanted.
I actually considered going to Dr. Zambellia, Ostojić, or even Bagatin, but when I emailed them for info, their responses were a total disaster. Dr. Tončić was the only one who actually took the time to send a proper, helpful reply, which gave me hope that he was the one to save my look—and he did. You have to do your homework on everyone. If you don't like a surgeon's vibe, don't go to them; find someone else. And yeah, I heard a lot of bad things about Glumičić, so I steered clear of him. I never heard a single bad thing about Dr. Tončić, which made choosing him a lot easier.
Anyway, if anyone has questions, just shoot me a DM.
Also, just so you know, with Dr. Tončić, you can handle the payment however works best for you.

Best wishes to everyone—stay brave and hang in there!!
Listen to everyone else's experiences, compare those doctors, and just go make that life-changing move for yourself!

(Hope I wasn't being too much 🙄^^, I just got a little carried away 😁)

ps: I actually found out one of my mom's coworkers went to him specifically to get her nose fixed, and he did an incredible job, so yeah, just another success story for the books :-D

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

* I had my bloodwork done at a local clinic (forgot to mention that)

* My doctor warned me that some surgeons mess up by removing way too much cartilage, which leaves the nose without enough support to hold its shape, so definitely watch out for that (think Michael Jackson vibes)

* Make sure you eat something light in the morning before the surgery

* Just have patience and keep the faith and hope alive

* AND BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT YOUR ACTUAL COMPLEX IS
<3

coppertrucker13 said:Just wanted to check in and give you guys an update! :-).
I just had surgery with Dr. Tončić, and he basically performed a miracle on my nose. I’d had this bump from a fall when I was a kid that really messed up my profile.
Let me give you the quick rundown of how it all went down.
Here's the deal:
I went in for a consultation the day before the procedure and sat down with Mr. Tončić. He walked me through the whole process—exactly what can be done and what I should realistically expect from the results. The conversation was actually really pleasant. My mom came along with me too (I'm an adult, obviously, but she was there for moral support)😁 — and just to address someone asking about Dr. Tončić earlier: No, minors cannot get surgery without parental consent. Parents have to sign off because they're legally responsible for you since a minor isn't considered fully independent yet.

"Let me give you the quick rundown of how it all went down." 😁
Thanks so much for taking the time to share all those details with us.
I'm curious, how much did the surgery end up costing you? And do you happen to know what the rates are for staying at their clinic if someone decides to stay overnight?
Man, I've heard all sorts of rumors about him, which honestly scares me a bit. But I guess nobody is perfect and everyone has their flaws; I just really don't want to be the next cautionary tale, and that's my biggest fear right now.🙄

Rachel Vaughn85 said: "Let me give you guys a quick rundown of how everything went down." 😁
Seriously, thank you so much for taking the time to walk us through all those details.
I'm curious, though—how much did the surgery end up costing you, and do you happen to know what they charge for staying at the Mayo Clinic if someone decides to stick around there?
Man, I've heard all sorts of things about him, and honestly, it's a little intimidating. But then again, nobody's perfect, right? Everyone’s got their baggage, unfortunately; I just really don't want to be his next cautionary tale, and that's the only thing bugging me. 🙄

Hehe, what have you heard? I haven't heard anything bad about him myself.
The surgery was $3667, and for lodging, I think it's about $50 a night, though I actually stayed in a private rental. 🙂
Good luck with the search, fingers crossed for you!=)

coppertrucker13 said:Haha, what did you hear? I didn't hear anything bad about him.
I paid $3667, the accommodation seems to be around $50 a night, but I stayed in a private rental. 🙂
Good luck with the search, fingers crossed!=)

Well, I remember reading about some girl having a bad experience—I think it was actually right here on this forum—something about the area being sketchy, and that’s really the only thing that stuck with me regarding him. Most of the other comments were mostly just about those initial meetings or conversations before the surgery, so people gave him varying ratings, some pros and some cons. Honestly, I won't know for sure until I take the risk and go by myself. 😁
PS. Will anyone "post" any before-and-after photos for comparison? 🙂

Elizabeth Wells10 said:Alanda, who’s your doctor?
Please, let me know how you feel after surgery. The tip of my nose is my biggest issue too, and from what I understand, it's the hardest part to fix—you need someone with real "touch" for that.
Have you found any good doctors who specialize in this?
I'm planning on surgery soon myself, and Dr. Davor Džepina is still my top choice, but I'm terrified I won't actually get the look I want.
Basically, I mostly need the tip reduced because it's big and fleshy. Ugh.

If you're looking for a cute little button nose, you'll probably be disappointed... I doubt you'll get that from Dr. Davor Džepina. 🙂 At least, that was my experience. He doesn't really care about what the patient wants; he just does his own thing, even if I'm practically screaming at him right up until the operating room to do things a certain way. Did the doctor even show you photos or results from his previous work?

Has anyone here actually gone through a nose surgery with Kincl? I'm thinking about booking something there myself—just trying to see what the experience is like.

electrictiger89 said:Has anyone here actually gone to Kincl for nose surgery? Thinking about booking him...

Seriously, just go back and read the previous page, darling... there's a whole thread about him on there...

stormymoose792 said:If you're hoping for a tiny, cute nose, you'll probably end up disappointed because I seriously doubt you'll get that from Dr. Davor Džepina.. 🙂 At least, that was my experience. Essentially, he doesn't respect what the patient actually wants; he just does things his way, even if I spend the final minutes before surgery practically screaming at him about what we agreed upon. Did the doctor even show you any photos or results from his previous surgeries?

Hmm, my goal is to have a nose that complements my facial features and fits perfectly. If that means having a small, cute nose, then that is exactly what I want—but if such a nose would look ridiculous on me, I’d much rather the doctor create something that actually suits my face.
That is precisely why I would never dream of seeing Glumičić; he seems to work from a single template, producing noses that don't suit everyone.

I haven't had my consultation with the doctor yet (I'm still waiting to scrape together the last bit of cash), but I've been reading about him here and looking through some of his articles online. He comes across as someone who truly knows his craft and doesn't make empty promises. In fact, he emphasizes that every face is unique and points out that patients often request noses that wouldn't look good on them at all.
Of course, my opinion might change once I actually sit down and talk with him. I simply don't want to wake up after surgery with a nose that looks identical to everyone else's or suffers from the same issue—a terrible tip.

I am truly sorry you aren't happy with the result; I completely understand where you're coming from. I don't know what your communication was like with the doctor, but if he promised you one thing and delivered something entirely different, I can certainly empathize with your bitterness. I would feel exactly the same way. 😢
I really hope that, as time passes, your nose settles into the shape you were hoping for. Is it possible there is still significant swelling?
What did the doctor tell you during your post-op follow-up? Why do you think he didn't honor your wishes?

What did you think of the photos he showed you? What was the deciding factor that led you to choose him specifically?

boldgardener14 said:Hey everyone,
since I've been lurking on this forum for months and have read through just about everything, I wanted to wait until my surgery was finally over to share how it went. Maybe it’ll help someone else out here...
I spent quite a while debating between Dr. borić and Dr. Kinčl, but in the end, I went with Kinčl..
I did all the prep work, obviously—got all my tests done and brought the results—and the surgery was scheduled for last Monday at 9 AM. My main motivation was aesthetic (my nasal bridge was too long, a bit bulbous, had this barely noticeable bump, and worst of all, a drooping tip so when I laughed, my profile looked like an eagle!), and along the way, I found out I also had a deviated septum, so... two birds, one stone. 🙂
The procedure took about 2 or 3 hours, and I woke up in my room feeling zero pain.. I don't really remember getting to the bed, but at that moment, all I cared about was 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 bruising until day 3. Then I just got these two little spots on my cheekbones and some faint discoloration under my eyes.. The only real nuisance was the packing. I had that removed 4 days later and it was fine.. It took maybe 15 minutes, and the doctor was actually really pleased because there wasn't any blood on the sponges, just clear mucus.. Oh man, that first breath! Pure bliss.. Of course, that didn't last forever.. By that evening, my nose was already "full," so I started the rinsing and all that.. Today, 8 days post-op, I finally took off the plastic and saw it... It is the cutest little nose! 🙂 I was absolutely beaming.. The bridge is shorter, the tip is lifted, and the whole length is straight... just like the photos! And most importantly.. it fits my face perfectly! My biggest fear was ending up with some tiny, pig-like nose that looked totally out of place, but it turned out great! 🙂 I am beyond happy.. Everyone at the clinic was just incredible. Right after the surgery, the nurse and the doctor gave me their direct contact info so I could reach them any time of the day or night, and I honestly can't praise them enough. I'm so glad I made the right call with him; if I hadn't, I might be crying right now 🙂 .I wanted to share this while I'm still riding this high, and I hope it helps at least one person.. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Thanks for sharing this 🙂
I ended up choosing Kinčl, too. People were saying all sorts of things online, but I've actually had two breast augmentations with him already, and he did a fantastic job. I'm dying to know what your nose looks like. Any chance you could post a photo?

So, I went through with this surgery recommended by an ENT specialist, and honestly, the procedure itself was fine. They knocked me out in a heartbeat, and before I knew it, I was waking up in a recovery room about two or three hours later.
But man, the postoperative recovery and having to wear this mask... it’s absolutely brutal!!! I have to wear it for ten days, and the discomfort is just overwhelming. Between being unable to breathe through my nose, struggling to swallow, and the constant battle of trying to sleep on my back—it's a nightmare. I really don't know how I'm going to make it through another six days!!

neonpuma2 said:So, I had this surgery with an ENT specialist who gave me a whole list of "must-dos." The actual procedure was fine, I guess—they knocked me out in a heartbeat and next thing I know, I'm waking up in a recovery room about two or three hours later.
But man, the recovery process and having to wear this mask is absolutely brutal!!! You have to wear it for ten days straight, and the discomfort is just unreal. Not being able to breathe through my nose, struggling to swallow, not being able to sleep on my back... I honestly don't know how I'm gonna make it through the next six days!!

Look, call your doctor and see if they can pull those tampons out early. I mean, unless there’s some specific medical reason why you’re stuck with them for ten full days? That sounds way longer than usual.

The mask itself—whether it's a splint or heavy-duty bandages, I'm not sure what you've got in there after your procedure—won't be such a huge pain if you can actually breathe through your nose.

...

neonpuma2 said:Uh, I had surgery with an ENT specialist who gave me a ton of advice. The actual procedure went fine—they knocked me out in a second, and I woke up in a recovery room about 2 or 3 hours later.
But the postoperative recovery and having to wear this mask is absolutely brutal!!! You have to wear it for 10 days, and the discomfort is the worst part. Between not being able to breathe through my nose, the difficulty swallowing, and not being able to sleep on my back... I honestly don't know how I'm going to make it through the next 6 days!!

The nasal packing should be out in 5 days at most.
Regarding the mask, if they worked on your septum as well, wearing it shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Try sleeping with your head elevated (just don't prop it up so high that you hurt your neck), and maybe use a damp cloth on your lips frequently. Also, keep applying some Labelo so they don't get dehydrated and crack. Since you're breathing through your mouth so much right now, there's way more surface area for evaporation, which means there's a huge chance your mucous membranes will dry out really fast, leading to cracking, dryness, and soreness.

I notice there are several of you here who have been following this thread for quite some time now. If I may, I would be very grateful if you could share any advice, personal opinions, or experiences you might have regarding the following physicians:
- Dr. Davor Džepina
- Dr. Zhgaljardic
- Dr. Munitic

?

And honestly, why isn't anyone posting photos here? It would be so much easier for those of us actively searching to get a first-hand look at what things actually look like with different doctors. I mean, I’m genuinely terrified that I might end up facing something like this:

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/967...5713555100.jpg

Sandra Green81 said:Why on earth aren't you people posting photos? I guess it would be helpful for those of us actually searching to see firsthand what the situation looks like at different doctors' offices. Honestly, I'm just terrified that I might end up facing something like this:

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/967...5713555100.jpg

I'd probably swap mine out for that one in a heartbeat... Yeah, things look pretty desperate.. 😢