Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

rowdyfalcon35 said:That’s exactly my goal... if he actually decides to operate again, I just want him to be more careful with his patients. He needs to calm down that nervous energy you can see in him—all those constant outbursts and how he talks trash about other doctors while he's working. He even admitted himself that a surgeon needs a steady hand, because if a perforation happens, it’s game over for your nose. After all the complications following my surgery—from heavy bleeding for three days straight to dealing with a cyst—I was asking him every single day why this was happening. My gut was telling me something was seriously wrong, but I eventually let him convince me otherwise. He told me I was just being "sensitive," that I fell into that 5% of people who are extra reactive after surgery, and insisted everything was fine. Even when that cyst appeared, he acted like it was totally expected and told me I was just panicking for no reason. I tried to stay positive, really, thinking things would turn out okay... but unfortunately, things just kept getting worse every single day, both aesthetically and functionally. He told me I was draining way too much physiological fluid and said if I absolutely had to blow my nose, I should do it super gently so I wouldn't mess anything else up. When I asked him what exactly I could "mess up" and if maybe a perforation had occurred, he flat-out denied it. So, after a month, I tried to get back to my normal life, but it just kept spiraling. That area where the hole in my septum is started dropping drastically, and the tingling started... I sent him a photo to get his opinion because, honestly, you could see from a profile view that something was wrong. He didn't respond for several days, then when I finally called him, he just brushed it off, saying it would be fine, that he'd add some fat graft from my knee and it would work out, claiming the indentation was just because the nose dropped after he removed the cyst. I talked to some other people who’ve had this surgery, and they thought everything happening to me sounded bizarre... they told me I needed to go see someone else immediately. Everyone else breathed better after their procedures, but I? I was breathing worse than before, even after he cleaned everything out. One side felt okay, but the other was weak and had been tingling since day one of the surgery, during the cleaning and everything. I went to the hospital, and once the doctors there saw the septal defect, the fistulas, and all that... well, he just claimed it was nothing and that the doctors I saw didn't have a clue. Let me tell you, those doctors were practically crossing themselves when they saw what he had done. To go from a minor deviation to these kinds of disasters... regardless of whether he used to sell coffee or whatever he does in his spare time, that's his business. I just want justice. I want him to take responsibility for his actions and finally admit he messed up, even if it's just a "mistakes happen to the best of us" kind of thing. Just admit it! Stop lying to me, because I am just so exhausted by all of this. It’s enough that I’m breathing through my throat and hearing this whistling sound every time I inhale. The doctors told me it’s going to get worse because the hole is going to expand and the nose will sink even further, and they had to give me emergency treatment. I have to mention that after the surgery, neither the first nor the second time did I receive any antibiotics, even though I was running high fevers, feeling nauseous, and constantly needing to sneeze. He told me it was normal and that I didn't need them. Because the inflammation wasn't treated, it got even worse, and pus started forming in the healthy, operated sinuses. I have the proof... I have the receipts. And since I have to live with this until my next surgery—which is a huge question mark because my case is so difficult—I just want accountability. I want him to face the consequences. I want to provide a lesson to all surgeons to be more careful, because one "innocent" little mistake can turn into a catastrophe like this that is almost impossible to fix...

So, just let me know whenever you think you might be ready for the surgery...

restlesssurfer11 said:I honestly have no idea why you jumped to the conclusion that someone is a subpar doctor just because they were selling coffee! I’m not saying he’s either good or bad based on that; rather, I find it baffling why anyone would even bother nitpicking what someone does outside of their primary profession. If anything, I think he’s a highly capable entrepreneur, and I certainly never claimed his medical skills were lacking.

Oh, so *you're* the one who's confused? Since when do you need to be more enlightened about someone else's private business than they are themselves? Give me a break.
I still don't see any issue with the fact that a doctor might take on side gigs—whether that's writing a column for Playboy, selling coffee, or whatever else. That is entirely his business.

I work at a school, and I have other interests and ventures on the side too. Does that somehow make me a worse teacher? Of course not. It's the exact same thing.

Look, okay, the surgery failed; his nose is messed up. But digging up what he was doing back in the 90s is absolutely absurd. What’s next? Are we going to investigate who he sleeps with or what he eats for lunch?

restlesssurfer11 said:Look, sure, he’s a doctor with plenty of successful surgeries under his belt. But I’ll say it again: my issue isn't that he's messing around, rowdyfalcon35. My problem is how he stubbornly insists everything is fine. Even now, despite all her issues and the findings from other doctors, he’s still acting like he’s the only one who knows what he's talking about and everyone else is clueless. In my book, that's why he isn't a great man or a quality doctor. Everyone messes up sometimes, but you have to own the mistake. Plus, this whole habit of him trashing his colleagues? It's honestly ridiculous and just pointless.

That’s what gets to me the most. If he had just owned up to it—you know, acted like a decent human being and said, "Hey, I messed up, I'm sorry"—that would be one thing. But no. Instead, he's trying to gaslight me, insisting I'm just imagining things and that everything is perfectly fine. It’s infuriating. Look, credit where credit is due, the guy has had successful surgeries, and I’m not questioning his medical expertise at all. But just be a man and admit when you're wrong. And seriously, stop trashing all his other colleagues. It's unprofessional, tacky, and honestly just low. Everyone makes mistakes. The whole point is to minimize those errors and actually care about the work you do, instead of just rushing through a massive schedule of back-to-back surgeries just so you can brag about how busy you are later. That's not how this works. We're talking about people's health here. A doctor needs to take responsibility for their actions.

restlesssurfer11 said:So, just tell me—when do you think the surgery might actually happen?

I'd go sooner if I could, but honestly, I can't risk it. It might actually make things worse since my nose is still fresh from surgery. I’ll have to hang in there for at least six months—ideally a full year—but if the bleeding gets out of control or it starts spreading fast, I'll have to jump back in immediately. My nose already looks completely different, and the nostrils are starting to close up.

hiddenseal14 said:So you're confused? You think we need to understand someone's private life better than they do themselves? Seriously...
I still don't see why there's an issue with the fact that a doctor might have side hustles—like writing a column for a lifestyle magazine or selling coffee or whatever else. That's his business.

I work at a school. And on top of that, I do other things too. It doesn't make me any less of a teacher. It's the exact same thing.

Look, he messed up. His nose is a wreck. But digging into what he was doing back in the 90s is just getting ridiculous. What's next? Are we going to audit who he's sleeping with and what he eats for lunch?

I feel like I covered everything in my last post, and honestly, I'm not even going to waste my breath talking about his coffee business anymore.
The only thing that actually matters here is that he botched the surgery, and he's refusing to admit it!

restlesssurfer11 said:I believe I made myself perfectly clear in my previous post, and frankly, I have absolutely no intention of wasting any more of my precious energy debating his little coffee sales pitch.
The only thing that actually matters here is that he is an utter failure who simply refuses to admit it!

Oh, please! So, you just don't feel like wasting your energy now that you've already fixated on his coffee? How incredibly convenient—as if that somehow negates the massive, glaring issue of pointing out the doctor's sheer incompetence and tearing him to shreds. Give me a break.

"I'd do it sooner if I could, but unfortunately, that's out of the question because it might actually make things worse since my nose is still so fresh from surgery. I’ll have to hold out for at least six months—though ideally, I should wait a full year—but if the swelling starts spreading aggressively or the bleeding gets out of hand, then I’ll have to go back in immediately. Even now, the shape of my nose has shifted drastically, and as it settles, the nasal passages are starting to close up."

Oh man, I am so incredibly sorry to hear that... you have the receipt right there, so just let the grief wash over you and mourn the loss...
Good for you for actually grabbing the receipt, though..
Honestly, all these people whining about not getting a receipt just really get on my nerves...
If someone is too incompetent to secure a receipt at the moment of service, they have absolutely no business demanding one later...
Paying 2,000 bucks and walking away without a single scrap of paper to show for it...🙂 Absolute lunatics.
Good grief, and all this nonsense about coffee? What does a latte have to do with the surgeon? Please, don't be ridiculous...

The only thing that truly matters here is that the doctor caused the mess, and he needs to take full responsibility for it.

rowdyfalcon35 said:That’s exactly what gets under my skin the most—that he won't even own up to it. If he had just acted like a decent human being and said, "Look, I messed up, I'm sorry, mistakes happen," then we'd be talking. But no, instead he’s trying to gaslight me into believing I'm just imagining things and that everything is perfectly fine. It’s infuriating. Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against his technical skill; he’s clearly had successful surgeries in the past, and I'm not questioning his medical expertise, but for heaven's sake, just be a person and admit when you're wrong. And honestly, stop dragging all his other colleagues through the mud; it’s unprofessional, tacky, and frankly quite primitive. Everyone makes mistakes, but the whole point is to minimize them and perform your job with intention, not just rushing through a dozen procedures in a single day just so you can brag about your volume later. That isn't how this works. We are talking about someone's health here, and a doctor needs to take actual responsibility for their actions.

I need to address this as soon as possible, but unfortunately, I can't because the nose is still too fresh from the surgery; any intervention right now could make matters significantly worse. I’ll have to wait at least six months, though an entire year would be ideal. However, if the bleeding becomes excessive or if things start spreading rapidly, I'll have no choice but to move sooner. Even as we speak, the shape of my nose has changed drastically, and the nasal passages are already starting to close up.

Ask your doctor for a referral to go get checked out at a standard hospital, gather every single lab result and piece of paperwork you can find, hire a lawyer, and sue him...

hiddenseal14 said:rowdyfalcon35, just stand up for yourself. Threaten to go public with all these 👍

comments—it’s obvious he’s a bad doctor if he used to spend his time selling coffee. Honestly, I can't even bring myself to comment on how stupid and tasteless people can be.

You are honestly being ridiculous with a comment like that... we all know what doctors make—especially plastic surgeons in private practice. It wasn't like he had to spend his afternoon mastering the art of serving coffee or whatever.
I respect every profession out there, but finishing med school, completing a residency, and then spending 10 years selling coffee instead of practicing? You have to ask yourself what kind of doctor—what kind of expert—that actually is. Look, I work a second job on the side for the extra cash, but it’s not even in the same league as this. If I tried to present myself as the greatest architect in the universe just because I have a degree and a nice office—when in reality I spent a decade selling popcorn at a movie theater—well, give me a break!!!!

Rebecca Gomez37 said:You’re honestly being ridiculous with a comment like that... we all know how much doctors make—especially plastic surgeons, particularly those running private practices. He probably just needed an afternoon off to grab a coffee and unwind.
I respect every profession, really, but finishing med school, grinding through a residency, and then spending ten years selling coffee instead of practicing? You have to wonder what kind of doctor—what kind of expert—that actually makes. I work a second job alongside my main one to help with the finances, but let's not even compare the two. And please, don't try to present yourself as some top-tier architect just because you have a degree and a fancy new office when you spent a decade selling popcorn at a movie theater... give me a break!!!!

One more thing—I finally settled on a specialist, an ENT who's also a professor at the university. He’s been in the field his whole life, keeping up with every single advancement in the specialty—Dr. Racic. Right now, I can barely breathe, whether it's from allergies or these new polyps. Every time I go in for an exam, the doctor treats me like I'm made of glass, even though he isn't the one at fault here.

Rebecca Gomez37 said:You are honestly being ridiculous with a comment like that... we all know exactly how much doctors make—especially plastic surgeons, particularly those running private practices. It wasn't as if he desperately needed to spend a little afternoon masterfully sipping coffee and relaxing.

Those ninety-dollar amounts were from the war years and the immediate aftermath. Have you completely forgotten that?

And even then, things weren't exactly booming in Makarska. Everyone was just doing whatever they could to survive. Honestly, I can't believe I even have to explain this to you. 🤦

Yes, your comment is incredibly stupid and frankly tasteless. It’s so egregious that I feel compelled to reiterate once again that I am practically being left out in the cold here. Dr. Glusac, specifically. 😁

It is an absolute catastrophe how certain things are constantly being dragged out against specific individuals. Like I said before, what's next on the agenda?

Rebecca Gomez37 said:You are honestly being ridiculous with a comment like that... we all know how much doctors make—plastic surgeons especially, particularly those running their own private practices. It’s not like he actually needed to spend his afternoon playing barista and sipping coffee or whatever.
I have nothing but respect for every profession, but to go through medical school, finish a residency, and then spend ten years not practicing medicine at all, but instead selling coffee? You really have to ask yourself what kind of doctor or specialist that actually is. Now, I personally work a second job alongside my main career just to stay financially afloat, but let's be clear: that isn't even in the same universe as this situation. If I were to walk around claiming I'm the greatest architect in the entire cosmos just because I have a degree and a fancy new office, when in reality I spent a decade selling popcorn at the local AMC, well... please, give me a break!!!!

The man finished med school... he does what he does... and in the meantime, he deals with coffee, and I'm sure he has people working for him. It's not like he's running out right after surgery to sell a latte....
He owns apartments and rents them out too... so what? The guy makes money and he has every right to. He has his set working hours, and the only thing that matters is that he's present during those times; what he decides to do later is absolutely nobody's business but his own...
I've read quite a few comments, and most people have actually been praising him...
It wasn't fair of him to do that to that girl with the sinus issues.... and he needs to answer for it...
Since he already messed up and compromised her health, she has every single right to tear him to pieces, and he should take responsibility.
At the end of the day, the girl has a valid grievance.
The mere opinion that Glusac caused her problems is enough...

swiftheron55 said:...
Honestly, listening to people whining about not getting a receipt just pisses me off.
If you’re so incompetent that someone doesn't hand you a slip of paper right then and there, why on earth are you demanding one later?....
Imagine dropping 2,000 bucks and just walking out without a receipt 🙂what a total moron.
...

... oh, so I'm the moron now? 🙈

...but if I'm being totally real with you... before surgery, you're too terrified to even think about stuff like that, and once it's over, you're just completely wiped out. The next day when I went back in to have my Tampon removed, my mom paid for it, and as far as I can remember, he didn't give her a receipt. I should probably ask her... He didn't even count the cash; he just tossed the envelope into a drawer along with some scraps of paper and kept on talking. 😁 It actually crossed my mind then how "cool" it was—like, he just doesn't care about the money and trusts us implicitly... It's such a shame it didn't occur to Tuki at the time that it was weird he didn't give us a receipt, especially since he clearly cares way more about the cash than his little persona suggests. 😁

It’s always easy to brag about your wins. Everyone screws up eventually, but it takes some serious backbone to actually step up and own your mistakes.

Honestly, I’m really hoping John Smith finds that nerve...

hiddenseal14 said:The 90s were war years and the aftermath. Did you forget that?

And those weren't exactly "golden era" years in Miami, either. Everyone was just scraping by, doing whatever they could. I honestly don't even know why I'm bothering to explain this. 🤦

Yeah, your comment is incredibly stupid and just plain tasteless. It’s so bad I actually have to reiterate—I'm basically begging for a single drop of common sense here. John Smith is working on it right now. 😁

It’s a total disaster how everything seems to hinge on specific individuals. Like I said before—what comes next?

Hahaha, so he's probably just some war profiteer who decided to open a private practice instead of a retail chain. Unfortunately, doctors were more in demand than ever during the war, but hey, everyone chooses their own path.
This is my final word on the "coffee" topic!

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Hahaha, then they were probably just some war profiteer who wasn't busy running retail chains, but instead was managing a private medical practice. Sadly, doctors were more essential than ever during the war, but hey, I guess everyone chooses their own path.
This is officially my final word on the "coffee" thread!

Good grief, 🤦
she was actually in the service during the war. Just Google it. Though honestly, it doesn't even matter.

It is absolutely appalling how some people allow themselves to behave this way.

It isn’t just about John Smith—it’s more of a systemic issue where private surgeons in general just refuse to own up to their mistakes.

It’s pretty much the same script everywhere you go—they take your money, perform the procedure, and if things go sideways, they usually won't admit they messed up; instead, they just figure out how to get rid of you as fast as possible.

They’ll "generously" offer to fix the problem using fillers like Aquamir or Restylane—and hey, they might even suggest grabbing some fat from your knee! 🙂 And don't even get me started on how they try to gaslight dissatisfied patients (basically acting like: "You're imagining things, your nose looks stunning. Oh, and you're breathing perfectly fine, it's not true that you're struggling to breathe.")

In my case, Robert Downey Jr. really botched my nose, but the guy wouldn't admit it even once. It’s been a month since my corrective surgery, and while I'm actually happy with those results so far, I haven't given up on Robert Downey Jr. yet. I plan on going back to him to demand a refund, or else I'm taking it further... there are courts and media outlets for a reason. I have all my medical records showing my nasal condition both before and after his surgery, along with everything that was done during my second procedure to fix his blunders.

Look, mistakes happen to everyone, but doctors have a profession where there simply isn't room for major errors. You need to be focused and dedicated—not just looking for ways to rush through a surgery so you can crank through more patients in a single day and head home happily counting your cash.

You really have to speak up when a surgeon screws up, because by doing that, you're essentially forcing them to be more careful with the next person, and at the same time, you're warning others to be extremely cautious when choosing their doctor.

rustygardener172 said:... me, a total degenerate 🙈

...but if I'm being totally honest... before the surgery, you aren't even thinking about it because you're too terrified, and after it's done, you're just too wiped out... The next day when I went in to get everything removed, my mom paid him, and as far as I can remember, he didn't even give her a receipt. I should probably ask her... He didn't even bother counting the cash, he just tossed the envelope in a drawer next to some scrap paper and kept talking 😁 I remember thinking at the time how "cool" it was—that he clearly didn't care about the money and just trusted us... It’s a shame it didn't occur to me then that it was weird he didn't provide a receipt, and that he obviously cares way more about the cash than his "reputation" suggests 😁

Me too 🙈

Like you said, I was just sitting there in a knot of pure nerves while my mom was arguing with him—I don't recall him giving her a receipt, though maybe he did 🤔

Anyway, I agree with both the criticisms and the praise thrown his way.

stormyharbor2 said:And I 🙈

As you said, I was literally shaking with nerves while the old lady was arguing with him—I can't recall if he actually handed her the receipt, though he might have 🤔

Regardless, I agree with both the criticisms and the praise directed toward him.

The real issue here is that once you've had Plastic Surgery, the last thing on your mind is asking for a receipt... but that's exactly why this forum exists! We learn from these mistakes so that maybe next time you'll tell your boyfriend, your mom, or your dad—whoever is paying—to make sure they demand that receipt.

And now, returning to our main topic, here is the link regarding the procedure🙂
Plastic Surgery—specifically rhinoplasty—can be performed for purely aesthetic reasons or for functional ones. However, these two concepts are deeply intertwined; during any cosmetic procedure, surgeons must ensure the nose can still perform its most vital function: breathing. A significant number of people suffer from a deviated septum to varying degrees without even realizing it, which leads to chronic breathing difficulties. In these cases, the priority is correcting the deviation first, then focusing on the aesthetic aspect—ensuring the new shape blends perfectly with the rest of the facial features.
The Pre-Op Period

During the pre-operative phase, it is essential to bolster your immune system to avoid falling ill right before the surgery, which would lead to a postponement. Even a simple bout of cold sores can cause you to miss the operation you’ve been waiting months for. Your blood work needs to be in top shape because your body must be as strong as possible. Also, be extremely careful not to bump your nose before the surgery; if you do, the procedure will likely be pushed back by six months to allow the bones to fully heal and regain their definitive structure. If the surgery were attempted despite a recent impact, the results might be compromised because the trauma would remain visible.

Required results for this type of surgery typically include standard blood work, a urinalysis, and an EKG. With these results in hand, you visit your primary care physician and an internist, who will give you medical clearance provided everything looks satisfactory. If the results aren't up to par, the surgery is postponed until your body is strong enough.
Hospital Admission

Hospital admission takes place the day before the scheduled surgery. You need to check into the hospital at the appointed time and wait for a doctor to take your medical history, followed by a consultation with the anesthesiologist; after that, you can head home. From that exact moment until you have fully recovered, smokers must completely avoid cigarettes. You return to the hospital on the day of the procedure, usually around 8 PM, and you will spend the night there. Throughout the night and early morning, a nurse will visit to check your blood pressure and temperature. Once the morning rounds are finished, the surgeries begin.

It is important to note—and medical staff often forget to mention this—that during the surgery, you cannot have any metal items on you (like piercings or rings), and you absolutely must remove all nail polish.
The Surgery

The duration of this procedure depends on the severity and number of deviations in the nose. On average, the surgery lasts between an hour and a half to two hours. It is generally performed under general anesthesia, though local anesthesia is sometimes an option. Incisions are mostly made on the inside to ensure they aren't visible, followed by the reshaping of the bone and cartilage. Afterward, the wounds are sutured, the nose is packed with tampons, and a protective splint is applied.
The Post-Op Period

Immediately following the surgery, you will feel weak and groggy from the anesthesia. You’ll need to stay in bed since you won't have much strength to move around. After a few days, your energy levels will return, and you'll find yourself able to move more easily each day.

During the first day and night after the operation, it is crucial to have someone by your side to hold ice against your face to prevent excessive bruising and swelling.

Severe throat pain is possible, resulting from tissue irritation during intubation and anesthesia during the procedure. This discomfort usually subsides after a couple of days.

You will be prescribed several medications, ranging from antibiotics to prevent infection to treatments to help reduce swelling faster. For all follow-up appointments, you will coordinate with the surgeon who performed the procedure. During these check-ups, the doctor will adjust your treatment plan based on your specific stage of recovery.

The absolute worst part of the recovery process? It’s the sheer agony of dealing with the pressure from those nasal packing stuffs they shove up there. They pack your nose just to stop the bleeding, and you’re stuck wearing a chin strap tied around your head to catch all the blood dripping down. You'll be dealing with nosebleeds for about five or six days straight. And listen to me: do NOT blow your nose during this time, even if you catch a cold! The doctors usually pull the packing out within three to six days, depending on when your first follow-up at the Mayo Clinic is scheduled. Then, ten days after the surgery—usually at your second check-up—they take out the stitches. A few days after that, at the third appointment, they finally remove the protective cast, and that is when you get your very first glimpse of your new nose.

But don't go celebrating just yet, because that is still not your final look; the true result might not show up until six months later! What most people don't realize is that the surgery itself is only half the battle. The other half—the part that actually determines the final shape—is the massage. You have to massage it to get rid of the lingering swelling that medications couldn't handle in those first few days. That swelling looks hideous and makes your nose look way thicker than it actually is, so please, do not get depressed when you see how bulky it looks. It is a total paradox of modern medicine that we don't have drugs to reduce this swelling, because anything you take works just like ice—it only helps for the first couple of days. Your only real option is to be incredibly persistent with nasal massages, even though they are excruciatingly painful. You have to use three specific movements to ensure the swelling is worked out evenly from all sides. You need to do these massages as often as possible and use as much pressure as you can stand. If you aren't disciplined about this, you will almost certainly end up with permanent swelling, a wide nose, or even a bump. Even if you fall behind, it’s never too late to start back up again to clear out what’s left.
Recovery pains

As for the actual pain in the nose, it’s honestly negligible; in most cases, popping an Advil or something similar is enough to make it vanish quickly. The discomfort tends to flare up more at night, though much of that is caused by the packing itself, which also makes you feel incredibly restless. Until they pull that packing out, you won't be able to smell or taste a thing, and you'll basically have to drink everything through a straw because any other way is going to hurt. You can eat whatever you want, but I highly recommend sticking to soft foods so you aren't straining those sore areas. Oh, and smiling? Expect that to be pretty painful for the next ten days or so.

It also needs to be noted that it takes a full six months for the bones to fuse completely, so you better protect that nose from any kind of impact during that window.

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Yeah, the price is absolutely insane; he quoted me 23 $0.00. Apparently, he’s an expert who spent years working at some shady clinic in Switzerland before deciding to move back to the States.
I actually told a girl once—I think it was stormyharbor2—that John Smith spent about ten years just flipping coffee beans back in the 90s. For me, that was enough to cross him off my list. It feels pretty unprofessional for a doctor.

I assume that's just the cost for aesthetics or corrective work. Do you happen to know what it costs to remove polyps, and how long the hospital stay is for both options?
Supposedly, he knows before the exam if he's going to say "Fixing this mess" won't be part of his job. If that's the case, it's a waste of cash.

thanks again