Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

stormycyclist9 said:heheh—I was actually thinking about the profile view :d I have some swelling too, though nothing crazy :d When I mentioned the tip of the nose, I meant it feels hard, woody, and almost swollen... I can't tell if it's going to shrink back down or if it’ll just stay like this. 😁

Oh man, tell me about it. It's been over five months for me now, and it still feels stiff. And yeah, it's drooping too.
(((😢

steelangler88 said:oh man, it's been over 5 months for me now, and honestly, things still feel totally numb. And it keeps dropping too.😢(((

you've actually got me a little freaked out now😢 hopefully it’s not like that for everyone!

Don't sweat it—everything is going to be just fine! If you're feeling satisfied with the results right now (just ignore the swelling for a bit), things are only going to look even better soon. I noticed immediately that it looks more relaxed than before the procedure, so this isn't a surprise to me at all.

brightotter21 said:How long after surgery should I actually start doing nose massages?? And how many months did it take before my nose stopped being sore to the touch?

Did any of you feel little "lumps" under your fingers while massaging? I’ve noticed one right between my eyebrows—I don't know how else to describe it—basically way up high at the top of the bridge. It feels like subcutaneous tissue, but I'm honestly terrified it might be some kind of bone regrowth or something?🤔 🤔 🤔 🤔

I started massaging mine about two weeks after the surgery, even though my surgeon never explicitly told me to do it...
For me, only the tip was super sensitive to the touch; the rest of the nose felt fine. A gentle, light massage shouldn't do any harm—I still do it even now, a full year after the procedure, just because I notice my nose looks a little puffy in the mornings, haha.
A few times a day, I’ll just give it a light squeeze from the front, and it’s incredible how much of a difference it makes.🙂
As for those "lumps," I never ran into anything like that, but I'm pretty sure it's just totally normal when the swelling is still settling in... It's not bone, don't worry. It's likely just a small hematoma or localized swelling.

Can I get a quick, urgent answer on this: am I allowed to go to a tanning salon after nose surgery?

Megan Flores42 said:Could I get a quick, urgent answer on this: am I allowed to go tanning after nose surgery?

Absolutely not.

I need to ask those of you who have been through this: how bad is the swelling once they take the mold out and pull the packing? Does it stay swollen for weeks? How much are we talking about here? Can I actually walk to my office without looking like a freak, or am I going to scare people off the street? Is the swelling "normal," or am I going to end up looking like this lady:

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Thanks in advance for the input.

hahahaha it’s not even that swollen 😂

Honestly, once they pull the cast off, that's when the swelling hits its peak—it looks totally gnarly, like the tip is all puffed up and crazy, but it only lasts a few days. People talk about the lingering swelling later on, but most folks don't really get it, especially if they haven't been through the ringer themselves.
Even you won't realize how much it actually swelled until you compare the "just after" photos with how things look 5 or 6 months down the line. That initial swelling? It’s honestly nothing to lose sleep over.

So, one side of my nose feels a little bit like it's curving toward a "C" shape—I don't even know how to describe it! It’s not super obvious or anything, but I definitely noticed it, while the other side still feels totally straight and normal... Does it just stay like this, or will it straighten out eventually?? It’s been about 3 weeks since my surgery

brightotter21 said:One side of my nose feels slightly curved—sort of a "C" shape? I don't know how to describe it. It's not super obvious, but I noticed it. The other side looks totally normal and straight... will it stay like this or change? It's been 3 weeks since my surgery.

Well, you think just one side? My whole nose has that "C" curve—it’s actually pretty noticeable when looking straight at me. I had surgery for a deviated septum, but it didn't work, so I'm heading back in because the septum shifted again... definitely mention this to your surgeon at your follow-up. Mine told me if it doesn't straighten out within 6 months, we'll figure out the next steps—which means I'm going back under the knife...😬😬

Lisa Edwards said:What do you mean "one side"? My whole nose basically curves into a "C" shape! It’s actually super obvious when you look at me straight on. I actually had surgery for a deviated septum before, but it didn't stick—it curved right back—so I'm prepping for round two. 😬When you go for your follow-up, definitely bring this up with your surgeon. Mine told me if it hasn't straightened out in 6 months, we'll figure out the next steps, which means I'm headed back under the knife. 😬

So, my right side feels just a tiny bit higher than the left, and looking from the bridge upward, my nose kind of curves into a "C"—but like, just a teeny bit. I finally noticed it though! Not sure if it'll change over time or what. 🤔 🤔
The left side looks totally normal. I already had surgery for both the deviation and breathing issues, but I can't go back to my original doctor for a checkup because they live way too far away in 311 miles... maybe I should try finding someone else nearby?

Ashley Gomez said:NO

Hold on a second... is that actually verified, or are you pulling my leg?
Does anyone else have an opinion on this? Is it even safe to go to a tanning salon?

wanderingjackal said:Yeah—and I look like a rabbit right now! No, it's definitely not staying this way—at least that wasn't the deal I made with my doctor!! I'm heading in tomorrow to get the mold removed, then I'll let you know how it goes... the swelling under my eyes has finally gone down, though things have turned a bit yellow... plus, I still have these two irregular purple-black spots on my cheeks... hopefully those fade too... oh, and my eyelids are purple as well, but honestly, if you didn't know better, you'd just think I was wearing makeup😉

Hey, you haven't said anything—how did the mold removal go? 😁

Megan Flores42 said:Hold on a second... is that actually verified, or are you pulling my leg?
Can anyone else weigh in here? Is tanning allowed?

NO

steelangler88 said:NO

Are you guys actually certain about this? I can't find a single mention of it anywhere, and honestly, I don't see why it would even be an issue.

Megan Flores42 said:Are you guys actually serious? I haven't seen a single thing written about that anywhere, and honestly, I don't see why it would even be an issue??

Nope, you definitely can't. People have been talking about this for ages. Look, I don't really follow this stuff closely since I'm not planning on going myself, so I don't care that much, but I know for a fact every doctor out there tells you to stay away from the sun for a few months.
You shouldn't even let a tiny bit of direct sunlight hit your skin during those first couple of weeks. You'll end up looking like a total ghost or just totally washed out. 😁 Your skin ends up looking ghostly white 😁

haha, rustygardener172... this totally reminds me of my "summer vacation" just a week after surgery... I was slathering on SPF 50 like crazy, looking like a total snowman—my nose was so swollen it felt two sizes too big for the heat. Then you dive into the water and suddenly forget you aren't supposed to get your nose plugged... ahhh, those were the days.😍I seriously can't wait for them to patch up this damn indentation so I can finally move on from this whole ordeal. Honestly, you guys have become such dear friends to me.🙂

The day is fast approaching when I’ll finally have to pick up the phone and call my doctor. I honestly can't decide if I should schedule it before or after Christmas, but the anticipation is already making me a bit jittery. 😱
I was wondering if any women—specifically those who don't live right here in the local area—could share where you stayed? Did you opt for a hotel or an apartment? Also, how many nights did you end up staying until they actually removed the mold? 🙂
I am really torn on whether it makes sense to drive back home immediately after the mold is taken out, or if it's better to just stay put until the procedure is done. 🤷
Please help a girl out; I’m trying to crunch the numbers on all these travel costs. I already have to make a trip out here for consultations beforehand, so it’s going to be quite an exhausting stretch of days regardless...

darkhawk10 said:The day is coming when I’ll finally have to pick up the phone and call that dummy! I can't decide if I'll do it before or after Christmas, but honestly, I'm already getting the jitters. 😱
I'm curious where you ladies (who aren't from the local area) stayed? Like, was it a hotel or an apartment? And how long did you stay put before they took the mold out? 🙂
I'm debating if it's even worth driving back home right after the mold comes off, or if I should just hang out until it's removed. 🤷
Please help! I'm trying to figure out my budget since I have to travel for consultations beforehand anyway, and it's going to be such a long, exhausting day...

I actually stayed in an apartment right across the street! I could've headed home immediately, but I decided to stick around for three days just to treat myself. I ended up taking the mold out myself at home after a week.

Cure, how long after the surgery were you guys unable to wash your hair normally?