Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Megan Wright39 said:Guys, please help! I need some comfort right now... T_T
It's been about 4 or 5 months since my surgery, and I really expected my nose to have shrunk by now—you know, just settling back into its natural shape.
But honestly, it feels like the exact opposite is happening; it actually looks worse than ever. Just for context, I went to a junior surgeon, and he truly did everything he could—removing the hump, lifting the tip, slimming things down. When I first saw myself after the splints came off, my nose looked so much smaller. The tip was tight and compact, but then this "swelling" at the tip started. Now, it literally looks like a potato—all puffy and swollen, which makes it look like it’s drooping. When will this go away??? It's been almost half a year. During my check-up last month, the doctor mentioned I have thicker skin, and that's why... what does that even mean? Does it mean my tip will never settle? I just want it to look the way it did immediately after the procedure!!! I'm feeling pretty discouraged because even though I massage it and follow all the advice, nothing seems to be improving... Has anyone else dealt with this kind of puffy, swollen tip caused by thick skin?!

Honestly, I feel like I'm dealing with something similar... it's been six months for me too, and it feels like it's not even the tip that's swollen, but the middle part of my nose. Or, well, I *hope* it's just swelling and won't stay this big. It also looks like it's drooping downwards😕 though I have thin skin... I don't know, I'm just praying it settles. Looking back, my nose actually changed quite a bit during those three years between my first and second procedures, so I guess that's my only consolation—it should settle eventually...🙂 ...... 🙂

Has anyone else ever felt like the tip of their nose is drifting to one side?? Is it just gonna fix itself eventually or am I stuck like this?

Anyone know how long you have to wait to wear glasses after surgery? I’m seeing conflicting info everywhere—some places say six months, others say two...

Karen Grant80 said:Does anyone know how long you have to wait before wearing glasses again after surgery? I’ve been reading conflicting things—some places say six months, others say two...

I suppose it really depends on what your surgeon tells you, but honestly, you’ll probably just know when it feels right. It’s been nearly five months since my procedure, and even now, I only wear my glasses for short bursts because, frankly, it just doesn't feel quite right when I put them on.

I still get this sensation in my nose sometimes—kind of a pulling feeling or a little clicking—and I'm not entirely sure how long that lingering sensation will last, though I guess the end result is worth it since it looks great.😍

Also, if anyone wouldn't mind sending me some recent photos via DM, I would be so incredibly grateful!

I am seriously not in the mood for this local anesthesia...!!! 😱

🙂

Please—just tell me I won’t see, hear, or feel a single thing. Tell me I won't even know where I am or what they're doing to me. Lie to me if you have to 🙂

steelangler88 said:I am seriously dreading getting surgery under local anesthesia...!!! 😱

🙂

Can someone please just lie to me and tell me I won't see, hear, or feel a single thing? Like, convince me I won't even know where I am or what they're doing to me. Just lie to me if you have to 🙂

Look, I actually had my surgery done by Tony while I was under local anesthesia, and it was exactly like that last sentence you wrote... and I'm not even kidding.. 😁
I went into detail about the whole procedure in some of my older posts if you want to check them out... honestly, it's not as bad as it sounds! 🙂

Hey everyone, I have a question. I recently went under the knife for nose surgery, and now my nostrils are constantly running—it’s a mess. Honestly, I’m not happy with the results at all; even the shape looks off, and frankly, it's a disaster. Since I’m already facing a second procedure, I want to know: is it actually possible to widen and reshape those nostrils? Everywhere I look online, people talk about narrowing them, but I can't find anything about widening. Is that even an option?

wanderingcrane21 said:I had my surgery with Tony under local anesthesia, and honestly, it was exactly how you described it in that last sentence... I’m not even kidding. 😁
I actually went into detail about the procedure in some earlier posts, so feel free to check those out... nothing to worry about! 🙂

Thanks—my favorite part has to be the "I'm not even kidding" bit. 😁

Hey, can anyone help me out here? I had nose surgery two weeks ago, and now there are three little lumps appearing right at the bridge. They’re slightly visible and feel hard when I touch them—honestly, it feels like bone, but they definitely weren't there before. Any idea what this could be? My surgeon told me over the phone that everything is fine, but I’m not buying it. Has anyone else dealt with something like this?

rustygardener172 said:Where bones were broken, ossification happens... it feels like bone when you touch it, but it isn't. That swelling eventually recedes. I have those bumps everywhere, and my doctor told me my nose will actually look narrower once they subside.
I'm not actually that swollen... you misunderstood me... honestly, I don't even feel swollen myself—I thought everything had already gone down. But my doctor said the tip of my nose and the "bone" on the sides will still slim down a bit more. He definitely knows better than I do. Recovering from rhinoplasty takes a full year before you see the final result... especially if it's your second surgery... it can take even longer because the tissue is inevitably weaker after the first one and needs more time to heal.

Reading this and hoping it's the same for me... hoping it all settles down. Right now, my nose looks visibly crooked, almost like it was snapped in half... there’s this obvious transition from straight to a raised, bumpy area, and if you touch it—not to mention the sides—the "bones" feel slightly swollen too... man... please, does anyone else deal with this??? Thanks a lot... I'm feeling pretty desperate and have no one else to ask.

restlessrider14, I’m afraid I can’t really offer much advice here since I haven't gone through my own surgery yet... though, if you don't mind me asking, which hospital did you end up going to for the procedure?

Hey restlessrider14, hang in there! You just had surgery, so give it some time. I went through the exact same thing—I had this little bump right between my eyes at the bridge of my nose that you could totally feel when you touched it. Now? It’s completely gone. Once the swelling goes down and everything heals up, that extra bumpiness just vanishes...

On another note, is anyone else dealing with their nose looking tilted to one side after surgery? Like, does it lean left or right? Does it eventually straighten itself out, or am I stuck with a crooked nose? 🤔 🤔 🤔

Hi everyone! I see there’s a massive discussion going on here... honestly, I haven't had the patience to read through every single post.
The thing is, I have to undergo surgery because of a deviated septum and some absolutely terrible sinus issues. My right side is completely blocked.
I went in for my consultation and was actually scheduled for surgery TODAY. I also requested an aesthetic "fix" because I have a bump on my nose (not a hook, but a bump on the side) and a fleshy, wide nasal structure.
During my initial consultation before the surgery, they told me those cosmetic issues could be somewhat improved. But when I showed up today, they claimed they were slammed with patients and told me if I want everything done—both functional and aesthetic—I should come back next week or even in a year for the cosmetic part, and just proceed with the mandatory functional surgery now. Of course, I refuse to go through having my nose broken twice, so I'm going in next week. I want to know: has anyone else had surgery at Tony's hospital, where I'll be going, and what was their experience? Also, when it comes to narrowing the nose, do I explicitly need to ask them to remove that fleshy tip, or will they see it themselves? I mean... if they just narrow my nostrils without addressing the tip, I’m going to look like a little piglet!!! Not to mention how terrified I am... ugh. I didn't sleep a wink last night and I've been thirsty as a desert, but you aren't allowed to drink anything. And the doctor (Christian) says they have to put a cast on my nose... Please, help me!!!!! Thanks.

restlessrider14...look, don't spiral. The swelling is definitely going to go down. It honestly takes about a year for things to actually settle into their final shape after surgery. I know that’s probably not what you want to hear right now, but there isn't much else to do besides sit tight and wait.

Taylor Miller10...make sure you tell them you want the tip worked on too. Narrowing the bridge is one thing, but sculpting the tip is a whole different beast. And seriously, don't stress about the procedure itself—it's a total breeze. 😁 Good luck!!

@Taylor Miller10/">@@Taylor Miller10
I went to Tony's clinic back in February for both a deviated septum repair and some cosmetic work—basically had a bump on my nose... fast forward six months to my follow-up, and I tell him the tip looks crooked. He takes one look and claims the septum just shifted back into place?? (Personally, I think my stitches gave out too early and it healed wonky) so now I’m headed back in next week for another surgery to fix this mess. Really hoping I can actually breathe this time 😬😬

Don't sweat the tip narrowing too much; if they're doing it for aesthetics, they'll make sure it fits your face so you don't end up looking like a pig, don't worry 😁 just make sure you tell the surgeon exactly what you're looking for. For example, I had one doctor do my initial work and now I've got a different one scheduled, so who knows if this guy will actually get it right hahahh. anyway, if you're there at the same time, maybe we'll run into each other 🎉

rustygardener172, thanks!

d. W. Girl, I'm scheduled for Wednesday, November 23rd. What about you? 🙂)

Emily Martinez12 said:restlessrider14, I can't really help you out since I haven't had my surgery yet—but just one thing: who did you go to for yours?

It feels a bit petty to trash someone when I'm still in recovery myself... not sure if that's even fair. I actually went to New York because everyone claims he's the top specialist for rhinoplasty, but after scrolling through this forum, it seems his reputation isn't quite what people say. ;(

brightotter21 said:restlessrider14, you just had surgery—give it some time. I went through the exact same thing; I had this little bump right between my eyes at the bridge of my nose. You could feel it under your fingers. Now? It’s gone. As the nose heals and settles, those little irregularities just vanish.

Anyway, nobody is answering my actual question: has anyone dealt with their nose shifting to one side—left or right—after the procedure? Does it straighten itself out eventually, or are you stuck with a crooked nose? 🤔 🤔 🤔

Thanks for the reply. When did you have yours done? I have several bumps, and honestly, I'm terrified I'll need another surgery. I'm not ready to go through that again, and paying for another procedure isn't exactly in my budget right now.
As for your situation, I really can't say—mine is relatively straight...

rustygardener172 said:restlessrider14...don't panic, the swelling will go down. It takes about a year for the contours to actually settle after surgery. I know you probably won't like hearing that, but there’s nothing to do but wait.

Taylor Miller10...make sure you mention they're working on the tip, too. Narrowing the bridge is one thing, but narrowing the tip is a separate procedure entirely. Don't sweat the surgery—it's no big deal 😁 Good luck!!

thanks for the reply😉...though I'm hoping it happens sooner because right now it looks pretty much the same. A little better, maybe, but the bone and those lumps are still visible. He claimed he narrowed the side bone, but clearly, he didn't. Who knows what they're actually doing while we're asleep... promises are easy to make.😉

It’s been nearly a year since my surgery, and honestly, the nose looks way better than it did before—I'm generally happy with the results.
Over this past year, I’ve been watching (well, trying *not* to watch) every little change—the bumps, the lumps, all of it—constantly expecting things to just keep getting smoother. And sometimes they actually do; for instance, that bump on the right side has almost completely vanished. But then, out of nowhere, a new 🙂 popped up right at the bridge of my nose!!!! And it happened just a few days ago!!!!
But here’s what’s really driving me crazy... when I tilt my head to either side, the tip of my nose shifts toward that direction too. It’s not massive, but I definitely notice it.
Has anyone else dealt with something like this? I’m wondering if this is just how it stays, or if there's any actual hope that it'll eventually "stay centered."

Good luck to everyone getting ready for their procedure!!!