Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

urbanwalker6 said:I was wondering if it’s actually possible to get a nose job (purely for cosmetic reasons) done at a hospital? And specifically, for free? I saw on the website for Merkur Hospital that they offer plastic surgery, but I’m assuming that comes with a hefty price tag, right?
Does anyone have any insight on this?

Well, I've been there myself using a referral... and nobody ever mentions the cost because they just classify it as a deviated septum procedure. But honestly? The results were a total disaster. Now I'm stuck looking for someone who can actually fix it—everything from a drooping tip to these weird bumps that showed up. And it wasn't just me; others had issues too. To make matters worse, the doctor just turns a deaf ear when you bring it up. He actually had the nerve to call me ungrateful just because I asked if it could be covered under insurance.🙂

Unfortunately, those bumps are just a normal side effect when you're dealing with a more aggressive procedure—you know, the kind where they narrow the nasal passage and have to reshape the bone structure... it’s common for little irregularities to pop up like that because things haven't quite settled back into their original positions yet.

First off, this forum actually helped me pick the surgeon for my Kcerka’s nose job, and eventually, I decided to get a little work done on my own nose too while we were waiting for her in Makarska.🙂
So, I spent the entire year reading every single thing available about rhinoplasty; I feel like I know everything there is to know about every doctor out there. I live abroad in a country where plastic surgery is way more common than it is back home. After doing consultations at some really high-end clinics in Scandinavia, I just didn't feel like anyone truly earned my trust enough to handle my little girl. So, I moved my search to Belgrade and had consultations with plenty of people—and you have to understand, since my little one is asthmatic, I had to be incredibly thorough. And still, nothing. Everyone talks about aesthetics, but nobody mentions function. They act like it's such an easy fix... but for my daughter, it wasn't just about having a pretty nose; how she breathes was the priority. For me, it was the exact opposite. That’s when I happened to read about Dr. Glusac right here on this forum.
He's an ORL specialist and an aesthetician, and honestly, after the sheer volume of phone calls I made, I probably had to climb him like a tree just to get attention! But, miraculously, he had so much patience, and I never once felt like any of my questions were trivial or silly.

We arrived in Makarska on March 25th. The doctor was running a tiny bit late, though we were a bit late too, so it worked out perfectly. We had one last consultation before the surgery, and then the procedures started: my daughter went in around 6:00 PM, and then I went in around 8:00.
What can I say? He drove us to our apartment after we woke up, and he even called neighbors during the night just to make sure everything was okay—that’s pretty unusual for doctors these days. Anyway, I’ve heard girls say that getting surgery at big international clinics feels like being on an assembly line—you see the doctor during the operation and then just nurses at the follow-ups—but I suppose everyone has their own way of doing things.
Waking up with nasal tampons is definitely not a pleasant experience, believe me. At 5:00 PM the next day, we had our check-up with the doctor, who removed the tampons for us. Both of us completely agreed that we could have easily pulled them out ourselves just one day later. It's hard to wrap my head around how some people have those tampons in for three or four days, or even longer.🙂
We stayed in Makarska for seven days, with daily check-ups and nasal cleaning—not just for us, but for a girl from Belgrade and another girl from Zadar (I won't mention names because I don't know if they want their surgeries discussed publicly), and everyone else we saw in the office every day, even though I didn't personally meet them.

We are back home now, about 8 or 9 days post-op. My Kcerka is already out hanging with friends, acting like she hasn't even had surgery, except for the fact that she finally has the nose she always dreamed of. She's so cheerful and bubbly. As for me, I didn't go for anything drastic, so no one will really notice the subtle change, which was exactly my goal. But it means so much to me that the tip of my nose, which used to droop, is lifted; I look at least five years younger. I don't know what else to say. I feel terrible if anyone has had complications with Dr. Glusac, because we truly feel we couldn't have chosen a better doctor. This turned into quite the novel, coming from someone like me who has never written a single word on a forum and only ever used it for my own research. Now, I feel a sense of obligation to share our experience because this community truly helped me find a doctor who met all our expectations.

I'll post Kcerka's before and after photos tomorrow; she has to help me with it, as I'm not quite sure how to do that part. Greetings to everyone, and I hope you all end up just as happy and satisfied with your results as we are!🙂

Kyle Wood94 said:...Basically, I've heard that girls who get surgery at clinics around the world end up feeling like they're just on an assembly line...

I’m sorry, but I have to step in here because that just isn't the case! Honestly—if you look at top-tier surgeons abroad—they go absolutely above and beyond for their patients. It’s not just about the technical side of the procedure (though they are masters at that), but the way they actually care for people is wonderful. (I mean, sure, there are bad doctors and difficult people everywhere—it's a universal truth, right?—but when you're talking about the vast majority of professionals, they are incredibly dedicated).

Kyle Wood94 said:...Hey everyone, I just hope you all end up feeling just as happy and satisfied after your surgery as we did 🙂

Man, it is so incredibly refreshing to read such a beautiful experience... It really makes my heart glad to hear you're so happy with everything.🙂

Susan Cooper23 said:I've mostly heard that girls who get surgery at clinics abroad end up feeling like they're just on an assembly line...
I’m sorry, but I really don't think that's true. Surgeons out there truly go above and beyond for their patients. They put so much effort into the actual procedures, but they also treat people with such kindness. (Of course, there are bad surgeons and difficult people everywhere, but I'm talking about the majority).

Unfortunately, my own experience was quite different, and I'd rather not dive too deep into all the details. Plus, many of my friends have had negative experiences as well. I'm speaking specifically about Scandinavia—I'm not sure how things are in Germany, the USA, or elsewhere. I'm certain there are wonderful, attentive surgeons outside our region, but it's widely known that surgeons from our part of the world, including Russia and most Eastern European countries, are top-tier experts who take immense pride in their work. In the West, it felt somewhat impersonal; I honestly felt like I was just a number.
I should reiterate—my own experience After a relatively simple vein procedure where so many things went wrong, I couldn't even see the doctor who performed the surgery again. My postoperative care was handled entirely by nurses because the doctor was constantly tied up in other surgeries, even though my complications were actually quite significant. Not to mention, my veins actually look larger now than they did before the operation. When I compare that postoperative period to the care we received in Makarska... well, there's just no comparison. So, if I ever decide to undergo a vein procedure again—which I might have to for both health and aesthetic reasons—I'd prefer a doctor from our neck of the woods. I've heard Lastric in Chicago is excellent, so if anyone has any insight, please let me know. This forum is such a perfect place for us to share experiences and help one another out.

Have a lovely day, everyone! I've actually already started working, just 10 days after surgery. The tip of my nose is still a little swollen, but I can breathe perfectly fine, and the blue bruising is almost gone (though I am wearing quite a bit of foundation...). All in all, I'm incredibly happy with the results.🙂
PS: The little one just woke up—I'll be sending photos of my nose later today.🙂

Kyle Wood94 said:Everyone’s obsessed with looks, nobody cares about how it actually works.

Waking up with nasal packing in your nose is no joke, trust me. My follow-up appointment wasn't until 5:00 PM the next day when the doctor finally pulled them out. Both of us were totally in agreement—we would have much rather just pulled those things out ourselves after one day. We don't get why anyone is expected to sit there with packing in their nose for 3 or 4 days, or even longer for some people.🙂

I have to jump in here, especially regarding that last point. Packing serves a purpose. Beyond just stopping the bleeding, it keeps everything immobilized. It's absolutely functional. For someone whose nose structure is being rebuilt during a major surgery—where they end up doing extra stuff beyond what was even agreed upon—it's insane to pull those packs out the very next day, especially when the mucous membrane is already trashed. And then, after the bleeding stops only to start right back up again, trying to do the exact same thing the next day? It's ridiculous. Plus, not providing antibiotics after all that, along with the other complications during and after the surgery, just doesn't make sense to me.
I thought long and hard about which surgeon to choose based on function. Aesthetics were secondary. I would never undergo surgery just for looks, even if my nose was huge. There were actual issues I needed fixed. Since I could fix both at once, why not? Unfortunately, neither went well. They did a lot of things I didn't even ask for regarding the look—there was zero mention of such drastic changes or removing that much bone and cartilage. But the biggest issue, the massive functional failure they glossed over, was from a routine procedure. Even when I had doubts—and looking at it from an airplane, you could see every single day that something was wrong—I was told everything was fine. Not until I sought a second opinion did I get the truth. Only then did he admit I had a perforated septum, claiming it wouldn't be a problem. During our first talk, he warned that the surgeon needs a steady hand because if a perforation happens, you can kiss your nose goodbye. Over time, my nose has dropped into a caricature shape, and it's still drooping. I'm glad some of you had good experiences. Mistakes happen to anyone, but you have to be a decent human being and own up to them. Most importantly, you shouldn't hide a patient's condition. Patients have a right to know their health status. If there's a hole in the septum, say it. Especially for someone who doesn't just use their nose for breathing, but relies on it for their professional career, which is why they chose surgery in the first place. Instead of fixing the problem, things got worse, and now I'm dealing with physical and mental pain until I can get a cartilage graft—which can't happen too soon because the tissue needs time to heal. Of course, "nobody is to blame." This is my final word on the matter. Please, if anyone knows a good doctor who specializes in septum reconstruction, DM me. Ideally, someone working within a hospital system, because I don't have the cash for another private procedure. I paid a premium for a private specialist (you expect better service, that you won't just be a number), and in the end, I just ended up worse off in every possible way. Thanks a lot.

To anyone out there who’s been planning a rhinoplasty but keeps putting it off... Honestly, I spent years coming up with every excuse in the book to avoid it. It was always "I can't afford it right now," or "I have finals coming up," or "Work is just too crazy," or even the classic "Ugh, it looks so painful." Plus, you get all those voices—some helpful, some totally useless—telling you, "You don't really need that, why bother stressing over it?"
And just like that, time slipped away. In the meantime, after doing a lot of soul-searching and finally learning to love myself, I decided it was high time I did something just for me. So, I went through with it, and I am beyond thrilled. I know this clinic doesn't need the free publicity, but since I don't know any other surgeons, I wanted to share where I went—I would absolutely recommend the Glumičić and Džepina Clinic. Not just because the results are stunning, but because the staff was incredibly kind and patient. Just so you know, you're under general anesthesia during the procedure, so you won't feel a thing. And honestly? The anesthesia itself isn't painful either. As for the recovery—sure, breathing through your mouth is annoying, but you get used to it and it passes in about five days. Does it hurt a little? Yeah, but you take a pill and the pain goes away. And that dreaded moment when they remove the packing? It takes maybe a minute; it's definitely uncomfortable, but it does NOT hurt!!! By day seven, I was already back at work. Long story short: if you're letting the fear of pain hold you back, just let it go. It's unnecessary. The post-op pain is minimal. Huge props to Dr. Glumičić and his entire team. They fixed a problem I've dealt with for years—something that seriously messed with my confidence—all in about an hour, and they did it in such a patient, kind, and fun way. And the result? A beautiful nose...

So, I’ve got this deviated septum situation going on—definitely need to get it sorted out at Merkur Hospital—but it got me thinking... could they maybe touch up the aesthetics while they're at it? Like, a little two-for-one deal? Does anyone here have any actual experience dealing with cosmetic procedures at a hospital like that?

Kyle Wood94 said:Unfortunately, my own experience was a bit different—I won't get into all the messy details, though! And honestly, so many of my girlfriends have had bad experiences too. I can only speak to what it’s like in Scandinavia; I’m not sure how things work in Germany or the USA, for instance. Of course, there are undoubtedly brilliant, meticulous surgeons outside our neck of the woods, but it’s widely known that surgeons from our region—along with Russia and most Eastern European countries—are top-tier experts who take immense pride in their work. In the West, it feels a bit more impersonal... I felt like I was just a number in a system.

I'm so happy to hear you're pleased with how your rhinoplasty turned out! But, if we're talking about the absolute gold standard for noses—the true masters of the craft—you really have to look toward the USA and the West. So many people from across Europe (anywhere from Turkey over to the United Kingdom) actually fly across the Atlantic for revision surgeries. There are specialists out there who focus specifically on secondary rhinoplasty, and I've seen some incredible cases where they worked miracles on noses that were basically ruined. Our local surgeons often head to the USA and other Western nations for advanced training, and we see it all the time—if someone needs a truly complex procedure, they have to go abroad. Sadly, when it comes to high-level medical prestige, we're still a long way from being "A-list."

Plus, doctors abroad tend to be incredibly attentive to their patients. If I had the budget for it, I definitely would have flown to the States for a revision. Since that wasn't an option, I had to find the best possible solution right here at home. After a mountain of questions, endless research, and several consultations, I decided to go with Dr. Zambelli. And looking back? I absolutely made the right call.

As for Scandinavia, someone very close to me is receiving cancer treatment there, so I can tell you firsthand that Scandinavia definitely has world-class specialists too.

Does anyone remember the name of Donna Bennett73's doctor?

Zachary Palmer56 said:Does anyone remember the name of Donna Bennett73's doctor?

Dr. Raguž, thank God. He did an amazing job with her.

thanks 😁

Zachary Palmer56 said:thanks 😁

No problem at all. Good luck! I'm totally sure you found an amazing doctor. He’s already proven himself—he predicted some things would leak that weren't even on my radar. It was similar for me, except my nose ended up a bit messy during surgery while hers stayed perfect. That's just what a great doctor does.

rowdyfalcon35 said:Don't mention it. Good luck—I’m really hopeful you found a great doctor. This one already proved himself by predicting things wouldn't go quite like my experience; back then, my nose basically fell apart during surgery while hers stayed perfectly intact. That's just what a solid doctor does.

Yeah, I know. I've actually been following your posts for a little while now. Keep us posted on how everything turns out—and hey, if you can sue them, you might walk away with some decent cash.🙂

Zachary Palmer56 said:Yeah, I know. I've been following your posts for a while now. Let me know how this all turns out—try suing them, you might actually land a huge settlement.🙂

Look, there isn't enough money in the world to compensate me for my career—a profession I've worked my life for, which is now totally uncertain because of failed gigs this summer and having to take a break from college because I can't clear the classes I need to graduate. They can't pay me back for my peace of mind, my breathing, or all those sleepless nights... but people definitely need to be held accountable for what they've done. At least now I know that the rattling sound I’ve had since surgery—sounding like a diesel engine—isn't just some issue with my mucous membranes. It's because my dorm room is way too cramped and poorly ventilated. Take care, ladies, and trust your gut. I kick myself every single day for not listening when I saw how nervous that doctor was on the day of my surgery. It's too late for regrets now, though. We move on. Just gotta find a specialist who can fix this and pray they can patch me up so everything goes back to normal.

Since I’m already here, I might as well share my own story. 🙂
I’ve had my septum repaired twice—not for looks, but because I actually needed to breathe.
The first time happened back in first grade after a skiing accident where I slammed face-first into a friend's back.
The procedure took place at a local hospital. They gave me general anesthesia, but honestly, they overdid it; it slowed my breathing down and made the whole surgery way more complicated than it should have been. Everything turned out fine eventually, but the whole ordeal dragged on for four hours.
I spent a week recovering in the hospital. There was no lying down allowed, so I just sat there trying to nap, which was nearly impossible in such an awkward position.
Then came two weeks of recovery at home. Getting those nasal tampons removed was absolutely mortifying. Being a kid, I was being difficult, but it felt like they were pulling my actual brain out through my nose... and the nurse just kept pulling and pulling. It wouldn't stop. 🙂
Between the swelling and the bruising, my face went through every color of the rainbow. I looked significantly worse than a beaten-up Rihanna.
It took a full two months before the swelling finally subsided.
My skin is quite pale—very porcelain—so the bruises and swelling stood out even more, which doesn't help when you're a little kid.
The second surgery happened when I was 17.
The septum hadn't healed straight, and my left nostril was so narrow I could barely breathe. I used to literally feel like I was suffocating in my sleep.
This time, they used local anesthesia. Never again. I could hear and see everything... the drill, the hammer, the rasp they used to grind the septum.
It was incredibly traumatic, made even worse by the fact that the anesthesiologist gave me such a low dose this time. I actually screamed when the scalpel made the incision. I could have sued them, but who thinks about lawsuits in a moment like that?
Recovery was a bit shorter this time, but even now at 24, my nose isn't in great shape. The septum is still growing unevenly toward the left, closing off the nostril, so I might end up needing a third surgery.
On the bright side, all this drama made me develop a massive craving for baby food—purees, fruit pouches, grits, chocolate shakes... anything I could consume through a straw or a spoon. It wasn't an exaggeration; I genuinely needed it.
I hope I haven't scared you all too much.
It’s just my bad luck; I seem to be overly sensitive when it comes to medical procedures. Just last year, I had my wisdom teeth pulled and ended up with an abscess that required surgery.
My dentist told me the odds of that happening were 1 in 1,000, so I guess I should just learn to take it on the chin.

Greeting, I had surgery on my nose and chin about two weeks ago, and my skin is an absolute disaster right now; these strange little bumps have popped up all over my face, and the peeling is just horrendous. Has anyone else dealt with issues like this? Honestly, I’m at a total loss as to what to do...

Kate Nguyen40 said:Hey, I had my nose and chin done two weeks ago, and my skin is a total disaster. These weird little bumps popped up all over my face, and the peeling is just awful. Has anyone else dealt with this? I honestly have no clue what to do...

That’s totally normal. Just grab some Bepanthen cream at the drugstore, it works wonders for this.

Kate Nguyen40, where did you go for your chin surgery? If you don't mind sharing... I'm actually planning to get my nose and chin done myself. My nose sticks out way too much and has this weird ridge down the middle that makes it look like a butt, haha!!