Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Hey everyone! My sister is scheduled for nose surgery with Marko Grgić in just a few days, so I wanted to check in and see if anyone here has firsthand experience with him. Are you happy with the results? She’s dealing with a noticeable bump and some structural issues that make it tilt slightly to one side, so she’s primarily looking at this from an aesthetic standpoint. Thanks!

Hey everyone.

I’m scheduled for some cosmetic work in a couple of weeks (just a minor 1-2 millimeter adjustment to my profile🙂), and I’ve hit a bit of a dead end. I feel like I’ve scoured this entire forum, but I can't find a specific answer to my question—unless I somehow missed it, which is possible, but unlikely... 🙂
I'm curious about the recovery phase. Specifically, if the bruising has mostly subsided after two weeks and I’m starting to look somewhat presentable again, am I cleared to get some sun? (I know, sounds like a vampire's dilemma, haha). I've heard conflicting things about avoiding sunlight post-op, but nobody seems to specify the actual timeframe...
On the flip side, I also read somewhere that heading to the coast might actually be beneficial for the fresh air and general recovery, blah blah blah... so now I'm stuck between two different ideas. :/
If anyone has the actual facts on this, I'd really appreciate it. 😁

restlessjackal112 said:Hey everyone!

I’m heading in for cosmetic surgery in about a week (just a minor 1-2 millimeter adjustment to my aquiline nose🙂) and there is one specific thing I haven't been able to track down on this forum—though I've certainly scoured most of the threads already. (Maybe I missed it, but oh well, moving on...) 🙂
What I really want to know is about the recovery period—specifically, if by the two-week mark most of the bruising has subsided and I'm looking relatively presentable, am I allowed to go out in the sun? (Asking like I'm some kind of vampire, haha!) I've heard rumors that sun exposure is a no-go after surgery, but nobody seems to specify exactly how long you have to stay in the shade....
On top of that, I also heard somewhere that going to the beach might actually be good for the recovery process because of the sea air and all that blah blah blah... so now I'm stuck not knowing which advice to follow... :/
If anyone has the actual facts, thanks in advance. 😁

Personally, I was able to head outdoors immediately after they took the splint off—around day seven post-op—and I did it WITHOUT ANY MAKEUP, yet absolutely no one could tell I'd even had work done.
However, my surgeon was incredibly strict about avoiding the sun. Specifically,
I was forbidden from using tanning beds, hitting the sauna, sitting in the sun, or even working out for at least two full months...
And I wasn't allowed to wear glasses for six months.
Good luck, and don't worry too much—it will all be worth it. 😉

rustygardener172 said:It’s been about 10 months since my surgery... and I have this "lump" too. Though, I wouldn't even call it a lump... it’s not like anything is "caught," it just sits right there under the skin. It’s at the bridge of my nose, between my eyes, just beneath the surface—like a little ball... you can't see it, you can only feel it when you touch it... and I can move it left and right...
I saw a dermatologist recently and they told me they couldn't pinpoint exactly what it is... said it could be some leftover scar tissue, or maybe a gland... regardless, they suggested I contact the surgeon who performed the operation to have it removed.
Personally, I’d just get it taken out because on certain days, it is incredibly annoying...
But honestly? I really don't feel like traveling all the way back to Miami just for this. The last time I went for my 6-month follow-up... I asked him about this specific thing... and he just brushed it off, saying it was nothing, and kept rambling about something else entirely.
In any case, this definitely wasn't here before the surgery, and I want it gone! So, I'll probably just take my insurance referral to my local doctor and head to the hospital to find out what's actually going on. I simply don't have the money to make the trip to Miami just to have Glušac tell me once again that it's nothing. 😁

Let's hope it just disappears on its own so you don't have to go through another surgery. Either way, I wish you the best of luck—please let us know how it goes.

Sophia Young73 said:I was actually able to head out the moment my molds were removed—day seven post-op—and I didn't even need foundation. Nobody could tell I’d had surgery.
My surgeon gave me strict orders to stay out of the sun, though.
Basically, no tanning beds, no saunas, no direct sunlight, and no heavy workouts for at least two months...
And I can't even wear sunglasses for six months.
Hang in there and don't let the anxiety get to you; it will all be worth it. 😉

Thanks, I really hope so because the nerves are definitely setting in. 🙂 My friends are trying to cheer me up by joking that if my swelling goes down fast enough, they'll count me as "beach-ready" just two weeks after surgery... as if there's any better place to recover than on vacation. 😁 But clearly, that's not happening... I'll be stuck indoors until the sun starts setting. ://
Did you actually manage to dodge the sun for two full months without cheating? 🙂

restlessjackal112 said:Thanks, I really hope so—I'm actually pretty terrified. 🙂 My friends have even been teasing me, saying if my swelling goes down fast enough, they’ll count me as being "at the beach" just two weeks after surgery... because honestly, where else would you recover better than on vacation? 😁 But apparently, that's not happening... I won't be able to step foot outside until the sun starts setting. ://
Did you actually manage to dodge the sun for two whole months (and I mean no cheating)? 🙂

Well, today is only day 19 for me. Up until now, I haven't had much exposure to the sun anyway, mostly because since I took the mold off, the weather has been cooler and we've been getting rain, so I've managed to 🙂 though you could always wear a hat, a cap, or something similar. As for hitting the coast, you should really ask your surgeon first—because while some doctors actually recommend the ocean air, others warn that the salt can irritate the incisions. Personally, I think it's better not to take the risk 🙂 Patience pays off 🙂)))

Hey guys—haven't had much time to dig through this whole thread yet, but I have a quick question.

I've got a septum deviation surgery scheduled with dr. Lajtman at Mercury this November. I'm wondering if the nose shape gets aesthetically fixed as part of the deal, or if I actually have to ask for that separately? Like, would I need to pay extra for the cosmetic side of things? Sorry if this was already covered somewhere else in here, but I've seen so many different stories online that I'm honestly just confused.

thanks in advance 😁

rustygardener172 said:It’s been about 10 months since my surgery... and I still have this "lump." Though I wouldn't exactly call it a lump... it's just some "captured" tissue sitting right under the skin. It's at the bridge of my nose, between my eyes, just beneath the surface... like a little ball... you can't see it, you can only feel it when you touch it... I can even slide it left and right...
I saw a dermatologist recently and they couldn't give me a straight answer... said it might be scar tissue or a gland... regardless, they told me to go back to the surgeon who operated on me to have it removed.
I’d get it taken out because some days it's incredibly annoying...
But honestly, I don't feel like traveling all the way to Miami just for this. Last time I went for my 6-month follow-up... and asked him about this thing... he just brushed it off and kept talking about something else.
Either way, this wasn't here before the surgery and I want it gone! So I’ll probably just use my insurance to see a local doctor and head to the hospital to find out what it is. I don't have the money to fly to Miami just to have Glušac tell me it's nothing again.😁

The lump will subside. Don't worry.👍

@restlessjackal112/">@@restlessjackal112

Look, you can definitely head to the beach—don't stress it. Two weeks out, you should be able to walk around comfortably, and by then, those bruises should have mostly faded. As for the sun, obviously, you aren't going to bake out there all day; just slather on some high SPF, stay in the shade, and you’ll be fine. The heat might make the swelling linger a little longer, but honestly, it’s not a huge deal. I was at the coast just two weeks after my first op and had zero issues—I even went hiking up in the mountains two weeks after my second one, during a windstorm I've never experienced before (though I was a bit more swollen back then😁). Seriously, go to the beach. There's no reason to lock yourself indoors until the end of summer just because you haven't fully recovered yet

Hey everyone... I’ve been searching for a doctor in Chicago for months now to handle my surgery, but I just can't seem to pull the trigger—it's such a tough call. I don't really have anyone close to me who can give a solid recommendation, so I'm feeling pretty lost on what to do. 😠 In the end, I think I'm leaning toward Dr. Tončić—has anyone here actually seen him? I'd love some insight because, honestly, I really don't want to be sitting here crying about this later! 🙏 thanks so much

brightangler18 said:Hey guys, I haven't had a chance to dig through this whole thread yet, but there's one thing I'm dying to know.

I've got a septoplasty scheduled with dr. Lajtman at Mercury this November. My big question is: will they actually fix the look of my nose, or do I have to specifically ask for the cosmetic part? Like, is there an extra fee for that or what? Sorry if this was already covered earlier in the thread, but I've seen so many different stories online that I'm totally lost.

Thanks in advance! 😁

You seriously have to speak up about it, otherwise they won't touch the aesthetics at all.

jadedriver0 said:Don't sweat the fever breaking.👍

Oh, really? You dealt with that nightmare too? 😁

dustycanyon16 said:Hey everyone... I've been searching for a surgeon in NYC for months now to finally pull the trigger on this surgery, but I just can't make up my mind. I don't have anyone close enough to give me a solid recommendation, and honestly, I'm just lost at this point.. 😠 In the end, I think I'm leaning towards Dr. Tončić... can anyone tell me anything about him? I really don't want to be sitting here crying about the results later!! 🙏 thanks so much

Today marks day 14 post-op for me. To be honest, I've had minimal swelling since the very beginning—I didn't even need any enemas or anything. The most important thing is which surgeon you pick, because the way they approach the nose correction makes all the difference—whether it's gentler and faster, or rougher and leaves you looking totally "beaten up." I definitely didn't want that cookie-cutter look where every girl ends up looking like a clone because some doctor like Dr. Glumičić just follows a template—I wanted something that actually fits my face and doesn't change me into a completely different person. I got exactly what I wanted from dr. buditi—he works at General Hospital and also privately at Mayo Clinic. Highly recommend!

restlessjackal112 said:Hey everyone!

I’m heading in for cosmetic surgery in about a week (just to shave off 1-2 millimeters of this eagle nose of mine🙂), and there's one thing I can't seem to find anywhere on the forums—and trust me, I've scoured almost every single thread. (Maybe I missed it, but whatever, moving on)... 🙂
I'm really curious about the recovery period—specifically, if most of my bruising fades after two weeks and I actually start looking somewhat presentable, am I allowed to go out in the sun? (Seriously, asking like I'm some kind of vampire, haha!) I've heard whispers that you aren't supposed to be in the sun afterward, but nobody seems to mention how long you actually have to stay in the shade....
Then again, I also heard somewhere that going to the beach might actually be good for the recovery because of the sea air and all that blah blah... so now I'm just totally confused... :/
If anyone knows the actual facts, thanks in advance. 😁

Stock up on these:
1 ) Cold gel packs from CVS or Walgreens—use them immediately after the surgery to ice the area around your nose and eyes... later on, once you take the splint and cast off, you'll still need them.
2 ) Q-tips, which you'll use to gently clean everything once the nasal packing is removed.
3 ) A saline spray (like NeilMed) to rinse out your nose.
4 ) Aquaphor or some baby ointment to apply to the outside of your nostrils—later, you can even use a Q-tip to dab a little on the inside mucosa.
5 ) Throat lozenges (your throat is going to be sore after being intubated) and a saline spray to rinse your throat too, just to disinfect things and feel refreshed—plus, it helps with the wound under your upper lip if they do the procedure through the mouth.
6 ) If you end up with bruising, use some Arnica cream—just don't get it too close to your eyes; just put a little on a Q-tip and dab it on the bruise.
7 ) Sleep elevated—absolutely mandatory! I ended up sleeping in a recliner with my head propped way up.

Today is my 14th day, and aside from a tiny bit of swelling on my nose, it’s honestly like I never even had the surgery. My nostrils feel a little tight where the mucosa is healing, but overall, I feel great. No one ever told me I couldn't go to the beach. Besides, I'm not the type to just sit there and roast myself in the sun anyway, so some nice, cool shade will probably do you a world of good... GOOD LUCK! :-)

Ashley Gomez said:You really have to prepare yourself and be ready for anything—but honestly, looking at that list above, I didn't actually end up needing any of those things. 🙂 I slept on my side by the second day, even though my sister told me I could just tuck my hands under my head and sleep on my side starting the very first night. I drank nothing but water, and I’d walk all the way to the water dispenser just so I wouldn't wake my sister up during that first night; after that, I just kept a bottle right by the bed. I didn't use any compresses, and I didn't apply any ointments or anything. My surgery was at 4:30 PM on Monday, and by Tuesday at that exact same time, I was already hanging out at Madison Square Garden... I was absolutely terrified of the bleeding and panic attacks, but everything went perfectly. I'm only posting this because I know how it feels to be one of those people who is just starting to prep for surgery, obsessively tracking every single post on this thread just like I was doing a month ago.

It’s been a month since my surgery, and my nose looks better every single day. 😍 I am obsessed with it and my new look! 😍
The tip is a bit thicker on one side and the bridge is slightly wider, but I'm sure it'll settle down over time. Unless you know me personally—like my mom does—no one can even tell I had anything done. 🙂 Yesterday, while I was cleaning my nose, a little scab came out with a stitch hanging from it.

I'm curious to hear how everyone else's recovery is going...

It’s not that you *have* to use certain things. I just wanted to share what worked wonders for me, especially since my job requires me to get back to "normal" as quickly as possible. These little things helped me manage the swelling, prevented those nasty under-eye bags, helped me breathe better, and made it much easier to clear out the inside of my nose—plus, it didn't have that unpleasant smell everyone on this forum keeps talking about. Sleeping in an elevated position was much more comfortable for me, and I actually felt more secure than I did in a regular bed. Today is day 14, and I feel great... I'm getting a little impatient to see the final result, but hey, a nose is a nose—it needs time to settle into its final shape! :-)

Maria Hall92 said:Just rub some margarine or baby oil under your eyes...

I went straight for the Eucerin cream so I didn't even deal with them—plus I used a cold compress.

Kate Mitchell67 said:Hey everyone,
I was wondering if I could get some advice regarding choosing a plastic surgeon—your personal experiences, pricing, recovery times, all that good stuff...
My nose is quite literally way too big for my face and needs a total overhaul—bridge, tip, narrowing everything.
I’m aiming to have the surgery this summer, so honestly, any insight you can share would be incredibly helpful.
Thanks in advance! 🙂

I highly recommend dr. buditi. He’s gentle, actually easy to talk to, and he doesn't just pump out those cookie-cutter, pointy noses that some other surgeons seem obsessed with... I already posted about my recovery earlier, and as for the cost, it was around 10 $0.00. It was through an aesthetic private clinic.

rustygardener172 said:Sent. There are a few typos, but honestly—it’s not like the wording matters much 😉
I actually saw the same doctor as my ex, little troublemaker...

Hey, I would be sooo grateful if you could send those photos over—I'm dealing with so much right now... and could you let me know which doctor it is? Thank youuuu so much!🙏

dustycanyon16 I can't even begin to process this. It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck where everyone involved thinks they're being incredibly profound, but in reality, they're just shouting into a void. Seriously, how does anyone actually take this stuff seriously? I've spent enough time around people who think they have all the answers to know that most of what gets posted online is just noise designed to stroke someone's ego. It's exhausting, honestly. You start out thinking you'll find some actual substance here, and then you hit threads like this one and realize you're just wading through a sea of nonsense. It makes me want to just close the laptop, grab a coffee, and pretend the internet doesn't exist for a few hours.
Ugh, seriously, I would be beyond grateful if you could just shoot those photos over to me. I am honestly drowning here—like, completely underwater with all this stress. And if you could let me know which doctor we're actually talking about, that would be a total lifesaver. Thank you, thank you, thank youuuu!🙏

Yeah, I am...

rustygardener172 As specified by:
Wait, seriously? You dealt with that too? 😁

I actually had one myself! It was exactly where you described—right at the bridge of my nose, between the eyes. It felt hard as a bone, too; I couldn't move it at all. It’s still a little tender, if I'm being honest, but the swelling is definitely starting to go down.