Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

hollowrider12 said:Hi there, I have a question.

I don't know much about the specifics of this type of surgery, but I'm scheduled for sinus surgery this October due to some health issues.
What I'm wondering is—is it actually possible to smooth out a hump just a little bit "while they're at it," even if the procedure is being done for medical reasons rather than purely cosmetic ones?
Thanks

It’s possible—just make sure you sit down and have a real conversation with your doctor about it.

wiredpuma97, I really want you to be happy with how everything turns out. Where did you end up going for your surgery?

My dear friends, all of you,
First off, I want to extend a massive thank you to everyone here—this forum has been an absolute lifesaver for me. I’ve spent countless hours scrolling through every single thread from top to bottom, meticulously noting down both the glowing reviews and the horror stories. My goal is to leave this kind of roadmap behind for anyone else out there weighing the decision to go under the knife; I want to make your search for that perfect surgeon just a little bit less agonizing. Believe me, I know exactly how overwhelming and draining this process feels—though, granted, I didn't have to deal with the stress of crossing borders to find care since I'm based right here in the States.
Look, let's be clear about one thing—anyone posting here claiming to be a surgeon is more than welcome to praise or tear down whoever they like. But don't think for a second that people can hide behind anonymity to stir up trouble; we’ll be able to track everything back via IP Addresses if necessary. This space needs to remain focused on one thing and one thing only: actual, lived experiences.
The brackets indicate the specific page where you can find either the positive or negative comments, followed by the username of the person who wrote them. It is entirely possible that I may have skipped over a comment or perhaps made a typo—so please, if you notice anything, just head over to those pages to verify. And please, don't come after me or start an argument—I truly put a lot of effort into this! :-)
And if you happen to have some sort of complex regarding your nose—honestly, just deal with it for your own sake. Pray to God and everything will turn out fine.

From page 1 through page 268.
Negative comments:
In Opatija. Too young to be living this life because of my sister.
On the Salad. (3) minotaurus (51) .narnja. (96) Sandra October
Zajčevoj (3) A little something about someone...
Kinčl (2) hoze; (155) Billie Jean; (155) Billie Jean about her friend
Žgaljardić Rac00n Borić
Borić (16) lollatutu – she started getting those lumps later on; (17) febles; (98) unfortunate souls; (142) vuvuzelas
Ostojić (6) enen; (9) steelangler88; (80) bubica bubi – a lump has appeared; (100) bubica bubi; (115) selba; (135) kiki11; (156) LegeA; (175) Khally; (211) Angor regarding someone
I don't know what to tell you—sometimes names just stick in your head like a stubborn stain on a white shirt. Ignatovski. It’s one of those names that carries a certain weight, isn't it? Almost sounds like something you'd see on a legal brief or a high-end architectural firm in Chicago. I was sitting here thinking about how much impact a single word can have on a conversation—it's funny, really—but then again, maybe I'm just overthinking things again. Typical me. Anyway, back to the point... or lack thereof. (8) rokoxy; (14) venerana2008; (142) vuvuzele- Reoperation; (189) Ashley Gomez regarding someone
Klapan (9) siam; Klapan /Sinteza Medical Center (245) du13
Tončić (18) pink-malina; (67) EllaVanSaar – she had a terrible experience with mole removal; (66) pepi svjetlić - ended up with a larger nose; (252) Nar18 Glumičić
Glumičić (20) Jassmine (49) Noela11, (104) maca28; (110) dddd31; (135) Noela; (355) Noela o nekome; (209) Dalia23; (233) angie11111
Račić (47) jadro keks; (179) Lana ST; (222) justterrored
Kovačić (48) regarding the Bum rak
Cancer. (48) Bum Rak - first surgery.
Glušac (48) sunyday o nekome; (66) Aubrey; Glusac (94) MALENA ST o prijateljici; Glusac (179) Lana ST o nekome; (208) Dotty; (221) Mala Plava o prijateljici
Lajtman (48) FIŽA Bilić
Bilić (55) tinolina
Regarding the rebro— (61) mmari
Zambelli (92) katjaa
Bedeković Vinogradska (95) Bifidus Nturali; Bedeković (164) intention; (165) bum rak.
Šubarić (105) slatkostvorenje
Gudelj (139) snjezana7
Džepina (140) ironkid
Karabeg (156) samchi
Kurtović Lana ST
Stanec Edumed (Tatjana 80) — they refused to perform the surgery; Stanec / Edumed (231) *alaja*
Aljinović Mayo Clinic (236) Maria Hall92
Hidd3n Uglešić (248) steelangler88 – Reoperation

From page 1 through page 268.
Positive comments:
The doctor in Opatija.I (3) IvaIva999
The doctor in Rijeka—well, I suppose if you're looking for medical expertise in that part of the country, you've got your options, though I have my thoughts on the matter. It really comes down to whether you want someone who follows the book or someone who actually listens to what you're saying. Anyway, just some food for thought. (3) Too young for this life
I can't even begin to deal with this right now—it's just too much. Honestly, I'm at my wit's end. (5) Greek Cypriot
Ostojić (5) British Shorthairs; (5) Mayabela; (61) Abrego12; (75) Abrego – though she’s started developing these lumps; (102) Shela; (115) Ash; (154) Khally talking about someone; (118) Heartburn; (128) Nika37; (140) Elica :-)
Borić (6) lollatutu – but man, those lumps have really started showing up for her; (29) Lunasana Bilić
Lunasana Bilić (95) Ignoramus; (130) maricezg; (148) mima393
Klapan (9) londoneyel is on the way; (16) Katty—but honestly, she’s only functional at this point.
Tončić (11) AnaB; (11) gia; (72) drammagirl; (76) Nephele Melia; (80) sunce malo; (86) suzuki750; (88) slavd23; (90) amandiCcc; (92) fire123; (97) ketamine;(97) titan mind; (123) Marija Mia; (174) dejna0911; (174) mikr269; (56) Nensi3; (67) tesaa20; (72) sash a20; (203) La Diosa; (247) Hidd3n; (254) jabra14; (268) dubois
Gjurić (12) Cerebrus regarding an acquaintance
Zambelli (14) sunnyday o nekome; (20) slatka22; (72) mašnica; (110) dddd31; (179) lanchyl
Lajtman (19) bossnup
Žgaljardić (24) marry11
Džepina Ivo (27) Leona18 – though she had to go to a different clinic; (264) Sarah Myers21
Vagić / near the downtown hospital in Chicago (32) damjan00
Munitić (33) leptiric3; (137) leptiric3 – moderately satisfied
Ozegovic Mayo Clinic (46) partyanna
Lukić / near the downtown hospital (47) andjelina
Ignjatovski (54) sue6; (137) Tasha272; (145) nat
Baštaić (59) Amalteja regarding her son; (68) dianazd; (103) dianazd; (103) tina sch; (125) rustygardener172 regarding someone; (128) miumiu; (174) kejtmen; (183) larlar; (215) Felicita9; (253) Ashley Gomez; (222) mother of Carol Diaz31
Račić (61) inka1104
Bedeković (79) corny
Gudelj / St. Jude (66) ultrauna
Glušac (10) sunnyday; (20) miseducata; (22) jelena vuco; (41) *missy*; (48) morska vila 😁; (48) morska vila 😁 about someone; (67) ivancii – but her skin is practically fused to the bone; (67) Oblica; (95) komadić; (117) markez; (145)angelina; (146) Darth Weeder; (150) rustygardener172; (151) presika; (160) greneyesZg; (164) ex kljukica; (197) vještina;(205) JasminK; (207) Musja; (217) malachy; (232) funny; (232) marš
Glumičić (8) kriskros99; (14) Maya; (18) check it chok; (19) Giovanna 26 – not exactly thrilled; (21) *strawbery*; (39) dinote; (39) tamic; (49) ambra85; (49) tinchyy about someone; (54) lina1706; (64) Klelia; (77) Lana ST about someone; (104) Lee.loo; (110) Rocks; (115) kroketica; (118) Gjura 007; (143) suza68; (189) KiaraKim; (194) angor; (196) rustygardener172 about someone; (218) dobrica mala; (231) *alaja* - Reoperation; (247) WhiteWidow; (248) Angor about someone
Gulić (79) pretty in pink; (176) brunca
Downtown Hospital (88) TheThe
Injury at the ribs (99) tweetee; (146) nitram
Kinčl (101) Kirraa21; (139) spagirl; (140) ivy2206
Kurtović (106) Lana ST
Carić (108) su1try
Karabeg (115) selba
Maleš (129) iva
near the downtown area (136) pantera0207
Kalogjer (191) volim matematiku
Džepina Davor (226) shorty about his friend; (255) lanchyl about someone
Zajčeva (201) Sharlize26
Miličić (249) Legica

Please, keep sharing your experiences with us—we truly appreciate it.

Today marks day 12 since my surgery.
Is it actually okay for me to be out and about, grabbing drinks, or hanging out in places filled with smoke...????
Am I allowed to push myself just a little bit? For instance, yesterday I spent the entire day walking around town with a friend, but by the time I finally got home, my nose started aching and throbbing—it was this weird, pulsing sensation. I honestly don't even know how to describe it properly 🙄
My doctor told me straight up: no working out for at least two months. Did any of you get the same instruction?
When did you all finally feel like you were back to your normal lives??

Here’s where I’m at heading into the weekend. On Monday, my doctor is coming in to pull the stitches. For now, I’m alive and kicking. I have one annoying little issue, though—they gave me some saline to rinse my nose, which involves tilting my head back and all that, but every time I try, the liquid runs straight down my throat. It makes me so nauseous I have to lie down for an hour just to recover.
As for everything else, the swelling is manageable. I’ve got those yellowish bruises on my cheeks, and my eyelids are still this gorgeous shade of purple (does anyone know if heparin cream actually helps with that? Any experiences?)....
Food-wise, I’m eating like a pig, though chewing is getting a bit difficult since I can’t really open my mouth wide without feeling a lot of tension...
The doctor did a checkup with the speculum today and said he’s happy with the progress. No real pain, just some tightness around the stitches...
Sleeping has been hit or miss; I’ve tried side, back, and stomach. My nose is still pretty stuffy.🙂
Reading through some of your comments, I realize I actually got off pretty easy compared to some of you...
And a quick tip regarding those tampons—just squeeze your eyes shut and breathe through your mouth. It passes quickly, though there might be a little sting. 🙂
Best,😁

Quick question for everyone: how long did it take for that little bump on the tip of your nose to finally settle down?
For me, right after my surgery, everything felt so sweet and perfect, but now that the swelling is shifting, it looks like the tip has sort of "drooped," and honestly, it feels way too large. 😢

I had my procedure back in March, and I’m just not happy with how the tip still looks today. The upper bone area—if you know what I mean—is still a bit swollen, but that doesn't bother me nearly as much as this tip. I really wish I could shrink it down and get it to lift back up to how it looked immediately after the operation. It’s such a frustrating tip. 😠

Betty Taylor2 said:Hey ladies, how long did it take for that little bulb at the tip of your nose to finally flatten out?
After my surgery, it was honestly so cute and rounded, but now that the swelling is shifting, it looks like it’s kind of "drooping," and honestly, the tip just looks massive to me right now. 😢

I had my procedure back in month three, and I am just not vibing with how the tip still looks. My nasal bones (if you know what I mean) are still a bit swollen, but they don't bother me nearly as much as this tip does. I seriously wish I could just shrink it down and lift it back to how it looked immediately after the surgery. It’s such a stupid, bulky tip. 😠

It won't lift up, but that "little ball" on the tip will eventually settle down. To be honest, I can't even remember exactly how long it took for me... maybe around 5 or 6 months before things leveled out.

rustygardener172 said:It won't exactly pop up, but that little "bump" at the top will eventually flatten out. Honestly, I can't even remember exactly how long it took me... I think it was about 5 or 6 months for my case...

And here I was, really hoping it would turn out all bumpy and textured like that!😢

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like their nose is constantly assaulted by this stench? It’s honestly revolting—it hits you in waves, just relentless. I’m currently on my fourth day, and I’m still stuck dealing with the mold and these damn plasters.
And even the tip of my nose feels like it's made of wood.

slyjackal14 said:Does anyone else have that smell in their nose? Hahaha, seriously, it stinks—it just comes in waves. I’m on day 4 and still dealing with crusting and scabs.
And the tip of my nose feels totally numb.

Ugh, that’s probably just from the blood; for me, that was honestly the absolute worst part. That metallic scent was so intense it actually made me feel lightheaded quite often. It should clear up in a few days, though—just try rinsing your nose with some Aqua Maris spray to wash it all out sooner.

The healing process... I have this feeling that one nasal bridge is wider, or maybe just sitting higher than the other. They took the mold off today and honestly, I feel pretty miserable because my bridges look uneven now, even though they weren't before. Is it actually possible for things to level out once everything settles down and the sutures are removed? 😢

Jamie Kern8 said:So, ladies... I’ve been staring at this in the mirror all day and it’s driving me absolutely crazy. It looks like one of my nasal bridges is wider than the other—or maybe just sitting at a different angle? Honestly, it's hard to tell when you're spiraling. I had that mold removed today, and now I just feel completely miserable because my nasal bridges look totally uneven. They definitely weren't like this before! Is it actually possible that everything will balance out once the swelling finally subsides and those sutures are removed? I need some reassurance here, because right now, I'm just staring at my reflection feeling quite pathetic. 😢

Oh, don't even worry about it—I went through the exact same thing when I finally took my mold off, and now they've leveled out perfectly. Today marks my 14th day. Just be patient, seriously. Before my surgery, I didn't have that little bump on my nasal bone, but now it's there. I'm just crossing my fingers that it settles down soon. Did any of you guys deal with something similar?

Sophia Young73 said:Don't sweat it. I had the exact same thing happen when I took my mold off, and now they look identical. Today is my day 14. Just hang in there. Before my surgery, I didn't have a bump on my nasal bone, but now I do. I’m just hoping it settles down. Did any of you guys deal with something similar??

thanks....😉

[Before my surgery, I didn't have this little bump on my nasal bone, but now it's there. Hoping it just goes down. Anyone else dealing with something similar?]

It’s been 8 months since my surgery—most of the swelling has definitely subsided, but I'm still stuck with this lump near my nose. I’ve seen other people online mentioning a bump, though I can't be sure if they're talking about the exact same thing I am. Mine is right at the bridge of the nose (near the eye) on the right side. When I touch it, it feels rock hard—like actual bone thickening. It might not even be a huge deal aesthetically (even if it is visible), but it’s incredibly annoying when I wear glasses; they don't sit flat on my face anymore, they just hover awkwardly in mid-air. 😕

Is there any chance this bump could actually disappear?

I’ve actually noticed a little bump right on the side of my nasal bridge myself. It was pretty obvious at first, but now it’s mostly just something I can feel if I press on it with my finger. I’m leaning towards thinking it might just settle down and disappear on its own over time.

Jamie Kern8, I’m dealing with some asymmetry too. My left side feels wider, and the tip is definitely thicker on that side, though it’s already looking much better than it did immediately after I had the cast removed. It’s been about six weeks since my surgery, and before the procedure, my nose was completely straight.

Thanks, everyone... I'm already starting to lose my cool. I’ve been overanalyzing this thing too much. I'm taking a week off from looking at it. 🙂 Plus, there aren't any bumps on my nose yet, which is what I'm praying for. 😉

Oh, and those end pieces... when are they actually going to be released?
Also, did anyone else notice my lip looked a bit weird? I don't even know how to put it into words. It’s like the middle part of my lip just went limp, sort of collapsed 🤣... I'm not sure if it's just the swelling. 🤷

Taylor Chase3 said:[Before my surgery, I didn't have this bump on my nasal bone, but now I do. I'm really hoping it just subsides. Has anyone else dealt with something similar??

My procedure was eight months ago—I think most of the swelling has finally gone down—but I’m still left with this lump near my nose. I've read other girls mentioning lumps, though I can't be sure if they mean the exact same thing I'm experiencing. Mine is right at the bridge of the nose (near the eye) on the right side. When you touch it, it feels incredibly hard, almost like a thickening of the bone itself. It might not even be a massive aesthetic issue (even if it is visible), but it’s honestly so frustrating when I wear glasses because they won't sit flush on my nose; they just kind of hover there in mid-air😕

Is there any chance this lump could just disappear?

What does your surgeon say about that specific lump?
For some people, that lump never actually goes away, forcing them back under the knife for a revision—whereas others had their doctors drain it with a needle (check page 69 for details), though you aren't supposed to do that too early because of the risk of infection.
It’s been a recurring topic on the forums, for instance:
pepi svetlic (page 78) had her lumps disappear
bubica bubi (page 79) seems to still have them, if I recall correctly
mmari (page 60) had to go back for surgery because of a lump
dinote; tessa20 (page 67) abrego12 (page 78)
It would be great if one of them could jump in here and share how it turned out for them.
Maletić claims those lumps happen when the surgery isn't performed quite right—basically, pieces of bone or cartilage are left inside, and when combined with blood and connective tissue, they create a protrusion.

As for me, I don't have that lump yet (thank God!) and I'm praying I never do. However, I *do* have a bit of a bump at the bridge of my nose. My profile isn't perfectly straight. I honestly can't tell if it's just lingering swelling or something permanent. I'm still not even allowed to touch my own nose! :-)

Jamie Kern8 said:Thanks, everyone... honestly, I was starting to lose my mind—I’ve been overanalyzing this far too much... I'm going to take a break from looking at myself for at least a week...🙂 plus, I don't see any bumps on my nose yet, which is a huge relief if they stay away... 😉

Oh, and those stitches... when will they finally come out?
Also, did anyone else find their lip looking a bit weird? I don't even know how to describe it—it's like the middle part of my lip just looks... deflated? Or sleepy?🤣... I wonder if that's just the swelling... 🤷

The stitches should be gone in a month or two.
My upper lip still feels completely stiff—I can't even give a full, ear-to-ear grin yet🙂 During that first week after surgery, if I tried to smile, I looked like a toothless old lady. That's all just the swelling talking. So, don't you worry one bit! :-)

Sophia Young73, thanks for the reply. I'm going to go back and re-read those pages you mentioned—but honestly, it would be great if some women could chime in here about how they actually dealt with that little bump.
I’ve got my follow-up next month, so I’ll just grill the doctor about it then.
Don't sweat that little lump too much—it hasn't even been a month since your surgery, so everything is still super fresh...

It’s been about 10 months since my surgery... and I still have this "lump." Though, calling it a lump feels a bit dramatic... it’s not like anything is actually "attached" or anything, it just sits right there under the skin. It's at the bridge of my nose, right between my eyes, tucked under the surface like a little bead... you can't see it, but you definitely feel it when you touch it... and I can even wiggle it left and right...
I went to see a dermatologist recently and they basically told me they had no clue what it was... said it could be some leftover cartilage or maybe a gland... whatever it is, they told me I should go back to my surgeon and have them just cut it out.
Honestly, I’d get it removed because some days it drives me absolutely crazy...
But let's be real, I am NOT traveling all the way down to Miami just for this. The last time I flew out to see him for a follow-up after 6 months... I asked him about this thing... and he just brushed it off, saying it was nothing, and kept rambling on about something else entirely.
Bottom line is, this wasn't here before the surgery and I want it gone! So, I’ll probably just use my insurance to see my local doctor and head to the hospital to figure out what’s going on. I don't have the cash to fly to Miami just to have Glušac tell me again that it's nothing 😁