Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Hey everyone,

So, I'm gearing up to get my deviated septum fixed pretty soon. I've got an appointment with the doctor next week, and I was wondering—how long am I actually supposed to stay cooped up inside after the surgery?

I'm trying to do my homework on this so I can plan everything out... you know, minimize the time I'm missing from work/school... though I'm guessing it’s probably smart to just stay home for a week or two, maybe longer? 😁

Also, quick question for those of you who've already been through the whole deviated septum thing: what was breathing like for you before the procedure? For me, it's this annoying cycle where one nostril is totally blocked while the other works fine, then they just swap—so I'm constantly fighting for air through one side or the other. 🤣 I'd love to hear how things felt for you both before and after.

Thanks. 🙂

redranger82 said:Hey everyone,

I’m planning on getting my deviated septum fixed soon. I have an appointment with the doctor next week, so I wanted to ask—how long after surgery should I stay cooped up at home?

I'm still finishing up some training, so I really want to schedule this right to minimize time off work. Is it safe to assume I shouldn't go anywhere for a week or two, maybe longer? 😁

Also, one more thing for those of you who've already had the surgery: how was your breathing before? For me, it’s constant struggle—one nostril is totally blocked while the other works, and then they just swap. It’s relentless.🤣 Just curious what it was like for you guys, both before and after.

Thanks. 🙂

Your breathing will be way better. Before my surgery, I could barely breathe through half of one nostril. I had a deviation, hypertrophied turbinates, and a crooked bone blocking my sinus entrance. They even had to fix the aesthetics because the bone was basically shattered during the procedure. After the surgery? Total disaster. I felt like a broken diesel engine, my mucosa was trashed... I just constantly felt like something was wrong. Air wasn't reaching my sinuses and the pain was brutal. I kept telling myself, "It'll pass." Four weeks later, nothing had changed, and the pain actually got worse. I went back for a check-up, and the doctor said he had to reopen me to look because the swelling was so weird and massive. Back on that infamous operating table I did. Turns out it was a cyst at the sinus entrance. Since he cleared it out yesterday, I’m breathing like I’m standing on top of the Alps. No more pain.🙂
Recovery is different for everyone, but plan for a week or two. After that, you'll feel like a new person.🙂

Team, how long after surgery should I avoid wearing sunglasses? I completely forgot to ask the doctor during my follow-up, and he didn't mention anything at all...

Susan Foster45 said:Hey everyone, how long after surgery should I avoid wearing sunglasses? I totally forgot to ask my doctor during my follow-up, and he didn't bring it up at all...

It’s been about eight and a half months since my procedure, and even now, I rarely wear them. Even with really lightweight frames, the sides of my nose still get swollen if I wear them for too long. I think rustygardener172 mentioned she was back in them by the second week, so I suppose there isn't a strict rule. It seems more like you just have to listen to your own body and wait until it feels comfortable enough to handle the pressure without irritation.

My healing process has been a bit slower than average, too. My nasal tip only really settled into shape in the last two weeks. I am finally completely happy with the result, though I'll admit I had almost lost all hope at one point. 🙂

Just wanted to check in and let you guys know how everything went... I have to say, I’m really happy with the progress. There’s already such a huge difference, though it's probably too early to talk final results since it’s only been about a month and a half. I still feel a little bit of soreness when I'm washing my face or just touching it, hehehe
Btw, I never had a massive nose to begin with, but it was basically just a tiny line and a little bump. It wasn't a disaster or anything, but I could barely even see it properly...
Honestly, I am so pleased with Dr. Smith and the whole crew. They are just wonderful. I truly think he’s the kind of doctor who doesn't need to shout about himself through ads—he's old school like that. On the flip side, I wasn't impressed by Dr. Jones at all. I mean, why pay that kind of money only to deal with someone so arrogant? Not a chance for me😁

Megan Moore76 said:Easy on the excitement for now. We really need to see how the nose settles in the end—that’s the real test, right?

Why isn't anyone talking about Zambelli?

Well, it's been about a month and a half since my surgery, and honestly, the nose looks perfect—totally natural. I'm beyond happy with Dr. Smith!😁

Hey everyone! 🙂

So, I had my revision surgery with Zambelli last week. It was a bit of an ordeal—the whole thing took about three and a half hours because, as it turns out, I didn't have any cartilage left in my nose at all! Because of that, Dr. Smith actually had to harvest some cartilage from my ear to make it work.

Recovery is going pretty smoothly so far! The only weird part is that I still can't smell anything yet, but the swelling and bruising are clearing up way faster than I expected. Honestly, compared to my first surgery, this one felt like a walk in the park—even though I was swollen for ages back then, so this quick progress is a really pleasant surprise. (My ear feels a little tight, but nothing to worry about).

Dr. Smith was absolutely wonderful—he walked me through everything right before the procedure and was super thorough about explaining all the potential side effects too.

The main goal was to widen the cartilaginous part of my nose, which was way too narrow compared to the bony structure. I also had these visible bumps on the tip, a bit of a split, and it had this sort of "plank" shape (though that split made it look more upturned than it actually was), plus my nasal bones were unevenly shaped—which, fun fact, I didn't even realize until now! We had to get all of that straightened out.

My nose is still in a splint, but since I've already had the packing removed, I can see the tip, and it looks like he did a great job! Of course, it’ll take months to see the true final result. I'm keeping my expectations realistic—I just hope everything looks more natural and, most importantly, that I can finally breathe better.

That’s wonderful news! I am so glad you managed to get that sorted out, Susan Cooper23. Once you’ve had some time to fully recover, I'll be sure to reach out and pick your brain about a few things regarding Zambelli. 🙂

Kimberly Thompson75, please let me know how much you paid for the braces. And what makes you say Dr. Jones is arrogant? p.s. I was actually thinking about booking an appointment with him, but honestly, seeing all these negative reviews lately has me feeling pretty conflicted. 😢

stormycyclist9 said:Hehehe, I got the same vibe from Dr. Jones, like he just didn't care. But honestly, I had already lined up the surgery via email, so I figured nothing would come of it anyway. Still, since I was already in NYC, there was no turning back! Anyway, thank God, everything turned out amazing—better than I even expected. 🙂
How on earth do you think he was trying to play you for your money????

Well, it was because he quoted one price initially, but then once I mentioned my dad was paying, the cost suddenly jumped by $833. Honestly, it wasn't even about the cash for me; it was the principle. I was looking for some reassurance from my doctor, someone to instill a little confidence in me, and I just didn't get that from him. I mean, it’s kind of a big deal when someone basically digs up your entire face and then tells you they're just going to do whatever they want, haha... But truly, I am so happy with Dr. Smith. It's been almost two months now and everything is looking great.🙂))

Ashley Wells16 said:Kimberly Thompson75, please, can you tell me how much you paid for your nose job? And why do you think Dr. Jones is so arrogant? p.s. I was actually thinking about seeing Dr. Jones, but seeing all these negative comments lately has me feeling pretty confused. 😢

That’s exactly how it went down... I showed up for my consultation and just sat there chatting with him for maybe 10 minutes. No exam, no nothing... just talking. Then, as soon as I started explaining what I wanted, he just cuts me off and goes, "That's impossible." That's when things felt weird, because I wasn't even looking to change my bone structure—I just wanted him to smooth out the bump and the tip. But fine, I asked him what he'd suggest and he just gave me some Tralalal... nonsense. Finally, I ask about the price and he says $3.75. We kept talking, and I mentioned that my dad knows him—not to get a discount, obviously, but just to let him know we expect top-tier work. He walks out, says "just one second," comes back, and tells me it's $14,000. Aaaaaaaaaaaaa, I honestly couldn't believe my ears. Then he starts making excuses about tax laws and business systems and whatnot... look, sales tax has nothing to do with my personal payment, and that's when I realized how pathetic he really is. So, yeah, sweetie, 🙂.
Btw😈it's been almost two months since my surgery with Dr. Smith and I am so, so happy with the results. He's old school, too. Good luck wherever you decide to go, and I really hope you end up being super happy with your choice!😁

I have a question... If rustygardener172 is still hanging around here, please chime in 😁 Has anyone else who's had surgery actually broken their nose? How bad does it hurt, and what kind of pain are we talking about? 😳 I’ve got a pretty high pain tolerance, but honestly—after the whole surgery thing, specifically having those tampons pulled out and getting cleaned up (which was absolutely revolting)—if anyone even thinks about touching my nose, I might just lose it and snap at them right in the face. *sigh*

Kimberly Thompson75, thanks for getting back to me! I have a quick follow-up: do you happen to know what Dr. Smith's rates look like? Also, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the info on Dr. Jones. Until recently, everyone on here was saying his price was around $3.25 since he uses local anesthesia. Sure, it depends on the specifics—like if there's a deviated septum involved making it pricier—but when the cost jumps that drastically and contradicts what we were told before based on "financial standing" (if that's how we're calling it), I don't know how to build any trust. It makes me hesitate to go through with the surgery. Totally confused right now.

Ashley Wells16 said:Kimberly Thompson75, thanks so much for getting back to me! I was also wondering if you could tell me what the rates are like with Dr. Smith? Honestly, I can't quite wrap my head around the info for Dr. Jones. Up until recently, people on here were saying his price was around $3.25 since he uses local anesthesia. I get that it varies depending on the case—like if there's a deviated septum involved, which makes things more expensive—but when the price jumps that suddenly and doesn't match what was said before, especially after discussing "financial status" (if we want to call it that), I just don't know how to build that kind of trust. It's enough to make anyone feel totally lost...

The cost with Dr. Smith is $3333 and that includes everything, no extra tax added🙂. Personally, though, I don't think the price should be the deciding factor for someone ready to take this leap. If the doctor is top-tier and delivers amazing results, that's what matters. Just so you know, Dr. Smith doesn't even bother with advertising because he doesn't need to—his experience speaks for itself, and I am beyond happy with my results... Btw, consultations are freeeeeeeeee🙂))
Oh, and I almost forgot—you're completely out of it while under, and the nurses are just so sweet and kind that you won't feel a thing. You wake up feeling genuinely happy and, honestly, nothing hurts at all. I actually wanted my husband to pick me up right away, but the nurses were so lovely they made me a coffee and a little snack. It was just wonderful🙂)))

hey🙂))

Look, price isn't the main thing—it's the approach and the experience that matter. But when you see someone is clearly just chasing a paycheck, you lose trust immediately. Anyway, sorry if I'm being a pest, but I have a few more questions:

1. I was checking out Dr. Smith’s website, but I couldn't find any photos of the braces. I really wanted to see what his work actually looks like.
2. Where in Washington, D.C. can I get the necessary pre-op testing done? Looking for private clinics and pricing info.
3. Can you pick up heparin over the counter at a pharmacy, or do you definitely need a prescription?

Ashley Wells16 said:Hey there!🙂))

Look, price isn't really the point here. It’s all about the approach and the level of experience someone brings to the table. But honestly, when you can tell someone is just laser-focused on the paycheck, the trust just isn't there for me. Anyway, sorry if I'm being a total bore, but I actually have a few more questions:

I was scrolling through Dr. Smith’s website earlier, but I couldn't find any photos of the braces. I really wanted to get a better look at what his work actually looks like.
Where can I go in Washington, D.C. to get all those pre-op tests done? I'm looking at private clinics—does anyone know what kind of pricing I should expect?
Can you just pick up heparin cream at the pharmacy without a prescription, or do you actually need one?

Look, everyone’s built differently, and that goes for noses too. Does seeing my nose before and after actually mean anything to you?🙂I honestly feel like the most important thing is that he does whatever works best for you and aligns with what you actually want. Btw, when you head in for your consultation, his first move will be to just sit there and really listen to everything you’re looking for. After that, he'll give you his professional take—he might even grab a pen and sketch things out to make sure you're on the same page, which is exactly what he did for me. He'll also show you some before-and-after photos of noses he's done so you can see his style, though personally, I didn't find that super helpful. At the end of the day, everyone's face is different and what works for one person might not work for another. Also, once you have that consultation and decide to go through with the procedure, he'll hand you a list of all the tests you need to get done. It’s basically a full blood panel and an EKG. I ended up paying for all of mine out of pocket privately. $80I didn't bother with any fancy creams; I just stuck to the ointment. After the surgery, they actually offer you a place to crash if you need it. Since I live right in the heart of NYC, I didn't really need the extra room, but if you aren't local, it's honestly such a nice gesture when they offer something like that.🙂
If you have any other questions at all, just let me know—I'm right here!🙂P.S. Just a quick tip from me: try not to bounce around between too many different doctors. It honestly just gets confusing and messy. Oh, and I almost forgot—consultations with Dr. Smith are totally free, which is a huge plus in my book!

Hey everyone, just wanted to drop a quick note... I had my rhinoplasty with Dr. Smith back on January 27th, and honestly, my nose just keeps getting better every single day. I also wanted to mention that the "Miss Piggy" look is totally normal for the first month or so. After about 4 to 6 weeks, things start looking much more natural, so don't let the initial swelling freak you out like it did me😉
Stay safe out there!!!

Kimberly Thompson75 said:P.S.: MY ADVICE IS DON'T GO RUNNING FROM DOCTOR TO DOCTOR BECAUSE IT JUST GETS CONFUSING... AND DON'T FORGET THAT CONSULTATIONS WITH DR. SMITH ARE FREE, WHICH IS ANOTHER HUGE PLUS!

No offense intended... but honestly, that is probably the worst advice you could possibly give someone who is trying to pick a surgeon.
It’s actually the exact opposite. Any decent doctor will tell you straight up that it’s ideal to sit down for consultations with at least three different specialists before you pull the trigger. We aren't all built the same, and neither are the surgeons. Everyone is going to give you a slightly different take on things, and trust me... in this business, those tiny nuances make all the difference.

Even my guy, Glušac, didn't charge me for the consultations... so Ashley Wells16 there you go, you've already got two doctors on your shortlist. Just kidding... obviously. That couple hundred bucks isn't worth anything compared to finding a doctor you actually vibe with—someone who's going to craft a nose that actually looks right on you.
When I had my surgery about a year and a half ago, I didn't even need a prescription for the heparin... I don't know if the rules have changed since then.

stormyharbor2 I'm here 🙂 I might not be posting as much as I used to, but I still read everything. 🙂 What do you mean by "broke" a nose? Like a piercing? If that's what you mean... I've had mine pierced since way before my surgery... now I don't even bother wearing the earring anymore... just got bored of it. 🙂 It doesn't hurt one bit!

rustygardener172 said:stormyharbor2 I'm here 🙂 I might not be posting as much as I used to, but I still read everything 🙂 What do you mean, broke their nose? Like a piercing? If so... yeah, I've had mine since before my surgery... don't even wear the earring anymore... just got bored of it 🙂 It doesn't hurt at all!

Yeah, a piercing. Doesn't hurt? Everyone told me the exact opposite—that it hurts, especially this way (more than a tragus)—so I'm a little nervous because of my nose surgery 🤷

Hey ladies! Look, it’s not that I’m obsessing over free consultations or specific price tags—I know the costs are roughly in the same ballpark everywhere. It’s just that I want to be fully informed before I jump in. At the end of the day, it all comes down to trust. I’m a total worrier by nature, so since I’ve been building up the courage for this surgery for ages, I need to gather every bit of info possible to finally pull the trigger. Please don't judge me for double-checking everything and comparing notes; there's so much helpful info on this forum.

rustygardener172,
regarding the heparin cream, does that mean I'll need to get a prescription from my primary care doctor?🙂

Kimberly Thompson75,
could you let me know where you did your research? If you don't want to post it here, just shoot me a DM. Thanks!🙂