Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Rachel Lopez5 said:I honestly think how much you get used to the new look just depends on how much work they actually did on the nose. =) For me, it wasn't some massive overhaul, so I’m holding out hope that once all this swelling finally dies down, I’ll be happy with it. It really varies from person to person, though. Personally, I bet when you finally get that cast off, the nose might actually look even more swollen because it's been compressed under there for so long. Don't stress too much—I was freaking out about the end result more than anything, and so far, I’m thrilled. Sure, my tip looks a bit like a green lightbulb right now, but those bumps on the sides that used to drive me crazy are totally gone. Plus, for the first time ever, I can actually breathe through my nose while I sleep, which was my main goal... honestly, I don't care what anyone else thinks. ☕

The tip is the absolute worst part 😁 It stays swollen longer than anything else because that area gets hit the hardest... especially if your surgeon does it closed. But it'll pass. Mine finally "settled" into its permanent shape after about 6 months.
I'm in the exact same boat as you... it wasn't a huge reconstruction, I just needed to be able to breathe again.

rustygardener172 said:Honestly, you won't even care what your nose looks like right after they take the cast off. You’re going to look weird. Swollen, wide, huge nostrils... just a mess.
So forget those stories about people saying, "I took the mold off and my nose is perfect."
One more thing... try not to stare at it too much. Trust me, you won't actually know what it looks like until about six months have passed.
I know it seems like a lot, but the nose takes months to settle. My own nose—it's been over a year now—looks completely different than it did right after surgery, or even a month later... or even four months out.
I've known girls who were thrilled at first, but as time went on, they just got more and more unhappy. The tip dropped too much, or bumps appeared once the swelling went down, and so on.
Just be patient.

Thanks for the advice.
I mean, obviously I'll look better than having a plastic mold stuck to my face😂.
Really, my main concern is just making sure people aren't doing double-takes like, "WTF happened to her?" or something like that.🤣.
And I probably won't look terrible either...
Just kidding.😉

So, here’s my situation: I had nose surgery about four months ago to fix both the look and how it works... but even now, whenever I blow my nose, I still see a little blood. Is that actually normal? Also, my right side feels constantly stuffed up—like there's just endless junk or congestion building up in there. I honestly don't get it, and it's starting to freak me out a bit. Is something wrong? 🤔

rustygardener172 said:How your nose looks once that mold comes off is completely irrelevant to you. You’ll end up looking quite strange. A pig-like, wide nose... massive nostrils...
So, you can forget all that talk about... "he took the cast off and my nose looks perfect."..
One more thing... try to avoid staring at your nose too much. Believe me, you won't actually see the final result until about six months have passed...
I realize it might seem like a long wait... but the nose takes months to truly settle. My own nose—it's been over a year now—looks completely different than it did immediately after surgery, or even a month out... or even four months...
I know women who were absolutely thrilled at first... but as time went on, they just became increasingly dissatisfied... the peak dropped far too much, and those little bumps remained long after the swelling subsided...
Just have patience...

It’s true... For me, it was quite the shift. I didn't set my expectations too high, so I suppose I was pleasantly surprised, though I remained realistic about the process. It feels surreal... it hasn't even been a full month yet. My eyes feel strange; there is still some swelling at the root, the tip is slightly upturned, and the overall shape is somewhat fleshy. I don't find myself scrutinizing it every single day, but rather once a week when I take a closer look... and every time, it seems just a little bit different. Fortunately, things appear to be improving steadily, but I am fully aware that it will take months before it settles into its final look and shape...
Look, if you aren't absolutely thrilled the moment you pull that mold away, it doesn't mean you've failed... It just takes time. A significant amount of time... before everything truly settles into place. 😉

The implications of this recent development... quite significant. One wonders how the local authorities will respond to such an unexpected shift in policy. It seems we are entering uncharted territory... Asks:
Greetings, everyone. I haven’t weighed in on this thread yet, and I truly appreciate all the thorough information provided so far. However, I do have one question... Has anyone here visited the Oakland KB to see Dr. Drago Boščić? I am curious about his bedside manner... and whether he is prepared to handle aesthetic work alongside a septoplasty... 🙂

The woman lying next to me was treated by Dr. Boščić. He didn't perform her rhinoplasty, so I can't give you a definitive answer on his aesthetic eye. All I can say is that from what I observed, he is perfectly pleasant, composed, and professional with his patients. As for his surgical artistry... I simply don't know. You might want to revisit my previous post regarding my experience at Oakland KB to get a sense of my perspective... 🤷

brightotter21 said:So... I had nose surgery four months ago. Both for function and aesthetics. But even now, when I blow my nose, there’s still some blood... Is that actually normal? And on top of that, the right side keeps getting blocked up constantly. It feels like debris—or rather, congestion—is just building up in there indefinitely. I can't quite wrap my head around it... I'm starting to worry that something might be wrong... 🤔

Hmm, actually, there was one moment right after my surgery where I coughed up a little fragment of cartilage. I'm not entirely sure if that's considered normal or not... though I feel perfectly fine otherwise 😉
Try rinsing with some saline solution, I suppose... nothing else comes to mind, but I don't think it's anything too alarming... perhaps you should just give your doctor a call 🙂

Susan Foster45 said:Besides using heparin, here’s another trick to get those bruises to fade faster... try tea tree ointment. It’s honestly a lifesaver for all sorts of things—but for me, it worked wonders on bruising in no time at all. Just apply it generously under the eyes and they'll clear up fast.😉

Does anyone know where I can pick some of that up?

Hey everyone, just checking in;
So, I finally got the cast off my nose today. They’ve got me in those clear tapes until tomorrow to keep the swelling down...
My first impression after seeing my face without the mold? Honestly, total shock. It was hard to wrap my head around because I looked completely different. It's tough adjusting to such a drastic change in your own reflection.
Humans are weirdly complex. On one hand, we obsess over a flaw and desperately want to fix it—like my nose—but then once the change actually happens, it hits us harder than expected. Good grief, I spent my entire 40-minute drive home just thinking about how much concealer I'm going to need. I was that stunned.😂
Oh, yeah, there's still some minor swelling around my upper face, a little bit of bruising is visible, and I've definitely got that "weird eyes" syndrome going on too... but with enough makeup, I look fine.
My mom says I look great (even if I am a bit swollen)😂
Honestly, her support means the world to me.
Anyway... this surgery was one of those "do it before you hit thirty" decisions, and I truly don't regret stepping up to the plate.
For anyone weighing the option of aesthetic rhinoplasty: go for it. But don't rush into it blindly. You're essentially altering your identity, so you need to be mentally mature and steady enough to handle the shift and actually be happy with the result.
Just think it through carefully.
Kisses, everyone😍

Amy Richardson86 said:...
Man, humans are such complicated creatures. It’s honestly ridiculous. On one hand, we’re hyper-aware of every single flaw we have—like, we’ll obsess over our nose or some other feature and swear we want to fix it—but then, once that change actually happens? We freak out. We suddenly can't handle the reality of it. I was just sitting there on my forty-minute commute home, totally lost in thought about how much I need a Normabell, and I realized I was actually genuinely shocked by how much this whole psychological loop messes with us. We spend so much time chasing "better," only to realize we weren't actually ready for it.😂
...
Look, if you’re sitting there on the fence about getting a nose job, my two cents is this: go for it, but don't be an idiot about it. This isn't just some quick fix like getting a new pair of sneakers; we're talking about a total identity shift. You have to be mentally prepared for that. Honestly, you need to be mature enough—and tough enough, too—to handle looking in the mirror and seeing a different version of yourself every single day. If you aren't ready to fully own that change and be 100% happy with the result, then don't even bother. It’s a heavy move, so make sure your head is in the right place before you dive in.
Look, you’ve just gotta stop and actually think about this for a second. Seriously. Don't just react or dive headfirst into the chaos—take a beat and really weigh your options before you do something you're gonna regret.
Sending love to everyone!😍

I’m not gonna lie, the first few months were a total trip... I felt like a complete stranger to myself. It was weird. I spent so much time just spiraling, overthinking everything—honestly, I was even second-guessing my own face, wondering if I should just go out and get a nose job because I felt like I’d completely lost my identity. I just didn't recognize the person staring back at me in the mirror. But now? Now things have finally leveled out. I feel like the old me again. Back to normal. 😁 Honestly, I can’t tell if the swelling finally went down so my nose doesn't look so freakish anymore, or if I’ve just finally gotten used to seeing this version of myself staring back in the mirror. It’s one of those weird things where you don't realize how much your face has changed until you stop looking at it through a lens of panic. 🙂 Look, at the end of the day, it’s all just a reflection in the mirror. Everything we put out there? It’s just a projection of who we actually are on the inside—that part of us that stays hidden from view. And honestly, if you strip away all the noise and the posturing, we’re all cut from the exact same cloth. We've all got that same internal core, regardless of what we try to show the world.

brightotter21 said:So, here’s the deal: I had my nose job about four months ago—went all out on both the looks and the breathing function—but I’m still dealing with some weird stuff. Every time I blow my nose, I’m seeing blood, and honestly, it’s starting to freak me out a little. Plus, the right side feels constantly stuffed up, like there’s just a never-ending buildup of gunk or mucus sitting in there. I can't wrap my head around why it's happening, and frankly, I'm getting pretty worried that something went sideways with the surgery. Is this actually normal at this stage? 🤔

Honestly, don't even sweat it. It’s totally normal. Look, we don't just breathe through our nostrils; most of the heavy lifting is actually done by the mucous membranes. And since yours just went through surgery, they’re going to need some serious downtime to recover from all that irritation. I learned this the hard way. Between the surgery itself and the absolute hell I put my nose through using those over-the-counter decongestant sprays, my nasal passages were basically trashed. My doctor straight-up told me it would take about two years for things to fully settle back to normal. In the meantime, he gave me strict orders to stay far away from those nasal drops... and believe me, I am staying disciplined. Honestly though? I can feel myself breathing better with every single day that passes.

Hey! Thought I'd jump in and share my own experience from last month. Honestly, I put off this septum surgery for a whole year because of all the horror stories floating around—people saying it’s brutal or that it doesn't even work. But once I realized I didn't have much choice, I finally pulled the trigger. First, I had to get all the pre-op stuff done: blood work, blood type, chest X-rays, heart scans, seeing an internist, and checking in with the anesthesiologist. Once those results were ready, I met with the surgeon. The day before, they admitted me to the hospital because I needed an anti-clotting shot 12 hours before the procedure (in the stomach; nothing crazy, just a little sting). You can eat and drink until midnight, but after that? Total fast. In the morning, there was the doctor's visit, then they stuffed some medicated gauze up my nose—kind of a spicy, uncomfortable sensation. About half an hour before surgery, I popped half a blue pill and had to strip down (kept my boxers on, obviously). Then they came to grab me and rolled me into the OR. The next thing I remember is waking up in recovery feeling insanely thirsty. You aren't allowed to drink anything right away after anesthesia, though. As for my nose, it was a bit swollen but no bruising. My teeth actually hurt for a long time, so I was popping the pain meds they give you whenever you ask. Also took Oakland KB twice a day. Eating was a bit awkward since it hurt when I chewed. On the fifth day, they removed the tampons and man, it hurt so bad I almost passed out. They ended up sending me home with nasal strips instead, which they took out on the third day. That was way easier. Current routine is Meralis spray and some ointment. I've had three sinus rinses so far, which can be a bit sore too. Right now, I'm just rinsing everything with saline. I am seriously stoked with the results—I can finally breathe through my nose, no more headaches, I'm not sleepy during the day, no more random yawning fits, and most importantly, my sleep apnea is gone. The surgery itself isn't "fun" and the recovery is a bit rough, but it's definitely not worth putting off. Oh, and I had general anesthesia, even though I heard some people do local. They told me straight up it would be general.

Good morning, rhinoplasty nation.😉
I’m honestly just glad Mardi Gras is coming up soon. Since my face currently looks like a glazed donut, I should blend right in—no mask required.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Amy Richardson86 As stated by:
Good morning, rhinoplasty nation...😉
Everything is looking up now that Mardi Gras is right around the corner... since I'm already looking like a total disaster, I might as well lean into it. No costume required...😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Yes, yes... just wait until they start turning yellow and spreading out... I assume that’s a good sign, meaning they're passing... but honestly, it's pretty ridiculous...

The concept of lanika... quite an interesting proposition. One wonders if the implications are being fully weighed by the collective. It remains to be seen... As stated by:
Where can one actually find that grease...?

You might want to try checking local pharmacies. Personally, I tend to order through a specific company that specializes in all those herbal remedies... though I am honestly unsure if I should mention their name here. I wouldn't want it to look like I'm running an advertisement...

Also, I’m still low-key bugging out over this thing with my nose, and honestly, I feel like it’s never gonna get fixed... basically, the right side sits a little higher than the left, so my whole nose just kind of tilts to the right 🤔 🤔 and I guess I’m just stuck with it forever 🙂 🙂 🙂

Susan Foster45 said:Yeah, sure... just wait until the bruising turns yellow and starts spreading out. (I think that’s a good sign, means things are healing), but it looks ridiculous.

I've already got them.

Anyone have some advice?🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
How do I get this facial swelling under control?
When does it actually start to go down???
When am I going to look even remotely normal again???

Amy Richardson86 said:I've got more of them now.

Listen, I’m at my wits' end here—I need some actual, practical advice from people who actually know what they're talking about. Please, help me out.🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
How on earth does one actually get this facial swelling under control? It’s becoming an absolute nightmare.
When exactly is this thing supposed to finally pull back—just a little bit? Seriously, how much longer are we expected to sit around and wait for some semblance of movement?
When will I ever look even remotely normal?

If you’re looking to get some light facial lymphatic drainage going—and I mean actually doing it right—you need to understand that this isn't just about rubbing your face like you're applying moisturizer. It’s a process. You’re essentially trying to coax the fluid buildup out of your tissues and back into circulation. It shouldn't be aggressive. In fact, if you're pressing too hard, you're defeating the entire purpose. Think of it as a gentle, rhythmic sweep—almost meditative—rather than a deep tissue massage. You want to focus on those specific pathways that lead toward the lymph nodes near your ears and down toward your collarbone. If you do it correctly, you'll notice a certain... clarity. A reduction in that puffy, "just rolled out of bed" look that plagues so many of us. Just be consistent; one session won't perform miracles, but a steady routine will certainly pay dividends.😉

Sam Kim12 said:Doing some light facial lymphatic drainage😉

Lymphatic drainage is a total game changer!!
Between using cold compresses on my face, doing constant lymphatic drainage on my face and nose (roughly every half hour), and sleeping propped up in a semi-seated position, the swelling has gone down significantly.
I went to the grocery store for the first time since my surgery today, and nobody gave me a second look.😁
Yippeeeeee!!!

Hey there. I’ve been scrolling through this massive mess of threads, and one specific topic caught my eye... since we're looking back at 2012 here, it's a bit of an old thread, but I was wondering about nose surgery costs. I'm just looking to slim down the bridge and maybe slightly lift the tip—nothing too crazy where they'd need to break bone. Based on your experiences, who are the top surgeons these days? Also, how long does it actually take for the swelling to finally go down? And honestly... does it hurt a lot? Thanks so much.

Looking at Grgic's last post, he seems solid... I'm mostly just trying to get a handle on the price tag.

neonbadger43 said:Hey everyone, I’m seeing a massive mess of threads down here, so I wanted to jump in and ask about this topic... since we're looking at 2012 now, this thread is getting pretty old. Roughly how much does a rhinoplasty cost these days? I just want to slim my nose down a bit and refine the tip, so I don't think they'll need to break any bone. Also, based on your experiences, who are the best surgeons out there right now? And how long will it take before everything settles down and the swelling finally goes away? Is the pain intense? Thanks so much.

It looks like Grgic (in that last post) is a solid choice... though my main concern is really the price tag.

Hi there... so, I actually went in for a consultation with Dr. Glumičić. They gave me a really warm welcome. The doctor sat me down and managed to explain everything I was curious about in just 15 minutes. It gave me a sense of confidence, and honestly, I think he’s the one for me.

The total comes to about $2,400 including everything, plus $80 for the overnight stay, which covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The price might be a bit higher for me because my nose is quite large and I have a slight deviated septum; that's why it started leaning, and it makes breathing difficult—I end up snoring all night long.
And I have a feeling those accommodations are some pretty high-end suites...🙂

I've scheduled it for four months from now because I can't swing it any sooner. I'll check back in during the fifth month to let you all know how it went... wiiiii!

Hey everyone!
So, it’s day 10 post-op. I haven't had any facial swelling for two days now, and honestly, the swelling I did have cleared up incredibly fast. I'm really happy with how things are looking.😛

Amy Richardson86 said:Hey everyone... what's up?
So, it’s been ten days since the surgery... I haven't had any swelling on my face for about two days now, and honestly, the puffiness just seems to be dropping off way faster than I expected—so yeah, I’m feeling pretty great about how this is going...😛

Nice work! 🙂
I’ve been following your posts with nothing but pure anxiety... honestly, I finally feel like I can take a breath now. It’s almost like you were writing about me this whole time... 😁

So, you want the lowdown on lymphatic drainage... like, the whole "wellness guru" version of it? Honestly, it sounds a bit mystical when people talk about it, but if we're stripping away all the fluff, it’s basically just helping your body's internal plumbing move along... Think of your lymphatic system as the body's little cleanup crew—sort of like how the sanitation department works in a place like Chicago. It's constantly sweeping up waste, toxins, and extra fluid that hangs around between your cells. Usually, your body handles this stuff pretty well on its own, but sometimes things get a bit sluggish... maybe because of stress, sitting at a desk too long, or just life being life. The "healthy living" approach isn't about some magic potion; it’s more about manual stimulation and lifestyle tweaks to keep that flow moving. People usually do it through light massage—nothing intense, just gentle, rhythmic strokes toward the lymph nodes—to encourage that fluid to migrate. It's less about deep tissue work and more about a soft, flowing motion... almost like a gentle wave. If you really want to lean into the wellness side of things, you pair that movement with plenty of water, staying active—even just walking—and maybe watching the salt intake so you aren't holding onto unnecessary bloat. It's all about reducing inflammation and keeping the pipes clear... though, let's be real, it won't solve every problem in your life, but it might make you feel a little less puffy... if that's what you're after. 😉

ruggedpuma11 said:Bravo! 🙂
I’ve been following your posts with a bit of anxiety, but I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now. It honestly feels like you're talking directly about me! 😁

Could you explain how lymphatic drainage works from a holistic wellness perspective? 😉

Does anyone happen to know what the typical wait time is for an appointment at Mount Sinai?

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could help me out... I heard about the MM clinic in downtown Chicago, and I'm curious to hear about your experiences there. From what I gather, that doctor used to work at Mercury. Does anyone happen to have any info on him? Thanks 😁