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Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Started by Kate Taylor59 · · 👁 10 views · 1.2K replies

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Participants Kate Taylor59Kimberly Baker13Maria Hall92stormyharbor2Andrew Murphy11steelangler88Andrew Watson59Donna Watson80Carol Diaz31rustygardener172Sophia Booth35Carol Reed64Gregory Barnes5Benjamin Wood5jadedriver0Linda Wilson82Jeremy Barrett7driftingmoose47Elizabeth Collins5Rachel Fisher97velvetrider18Emily Martinez12Elizabeth Wells10Nathan Stewart72 …
Laura Booth56 Laura Booth56 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Aug 2011
#1121 ·
I had my surgery with an unknown surgeon about seven months ago, and I still feel like everything hasn't quite settled into place. My nose looks slightly crooked and there's still this little bump on the tip that hasn't gone down yet 🙄

Has anyone else dealt with something similar? I'm just wondering when things might finally start looking normal 😕
darkhawk10 darkhawk10 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Aug 2010
#1122 ·
northernmaker84 said:Aha, thanks! That’s exactly what I figured—that his prices were headed in that direction. :-)

I can only use installment plans for certain credit cards, which I don't happen to have, so I wasn't able to complete the purchase online. 😢
Hey there.
Ashley Wells16 Ashley Wells16 Member
18 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1123 ·
Hey everyone! I’ve been lurking on this forum for a while now, but I finally decided to actually dig a little deeper. I’ve been seriously considering rhinoplasty for some time, and now comes the hard part: picking a surgeon. My first thought was to go with unknown, but lately, I’ve been seeing ads for Bagatin Clinic all over the local cable channels. It’s weird—they’re everywhere on TV, yet there’s almost zero discussion about them here on the boards. If anyone has actually gone through it with them, please reach out. Thanks! 🙂)
Sam Kim12 Sam Kim12 Active Member
156 messages
joined Apr 2018
#1124 ·
Laura Booth56 said:I had my surgery seven months ago with an unknown surgeon, and frankly, nothing feels right—my bones haven't settled, my nose looks crooked, and I still have this prominent bump at the bridge that just won't go away. 🙄

Has anyone else dealt with this? I’m dying to know when things actually start looking normal.😕

Shouldn't everything have settled by now? Typically, you'd expect the nose to return to its baseline shape in about six months.😕
ruggedpuma11 ruggedpuma11 Member
11 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1125 ·
Hey everyone!
I’ve been lurking on this thread for a bit now, but I’m starting to spiral again because honestly, I can't keep track of who said what, who was happy, or why—and since my surgery is creeping up on me, I’m low-key losing my mind... 🙂
In a couple of weeks, I’m heading in for septoplasty and RF submucous mucotomy at the Mayo Clinic with Dr. Baudouin, so I could really use some intel from anyone who’s been through it—either with him specifically or just at that facility.
Full disclosure: I have zero experience with hospitals. I’ve never had surgery, never even broken a bone—I’m a total wimp (or a "panic artist," if you want to be mean 😁), and I'm terrified of pain.

I have to check in on Monday, but it looks like I won't actually be on the operating table until Tuesday—will I still get a chance to chat with the doctor then? He only saw me once last year, so we're basically strangers.
Also, am I looking at an overnight stay, or can I realistically head home by Friday?
And how am I going to feel once I'm discharged? Since I don't live in New York City, I'm worried about whether I'll be able to drive myself home alone 31 miles.
Should I bring my own painkillers, or will they just give me whatever I need once the time comes? And will the nurses notice if I'm, you know, vomiting blood or something... or are my roommates just going to go crazy hitting the call button? 😁

What do I actually need to pack for a hospital stay? 🤷

Thanks!
Sam Kim12 Sam Kim12 Active Member
156 messages
joined Apr 2018
#1126 ·
ruggedpuma11 — strictly speaking, you really ought to have a consultation with the surgeon performing the procedure before you even step foot in the OR.
Now, since I’m currently prepping for my own septoplasty, I’ve done a fair amount of digging—and last week, I actually stayed in the hospital next to a girl who was getting her nose done. Honestly? She was in much better shape than I was after my tonsillectomy (plus, a close friend of mine had her rhinoplasty just two weeks ago).
Both of those women had their procedures at the Oakland hospital on Thursday and were discharged by Monday. They had the tubes and packing removed from their noses on the second day, and once they left the hospital, all they had left was that little reinforcing tape on the bridge of their nose. Both reported absolutely zero pain—the only real downside was having to breathe through your mouth. Neither one showed any swelling or bruising whatsoever.😁
>
For your hospital stay, you just need the basics for hygiene: pajamas, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, shower gel, etc.—basically everything you normally use. (I personally hauled a mountain of facial creams and serums with me)🤣 Some people mention bringing toilet paper🤷, but I couldn't tell you how things stand at the local community clinic because I've never stayed in that specific ward, though at Rib or the Oakland facility, they provide everything you could possibly need.

And don't bother bringing any medication; you'll receive every single thing you're allowed to take right there at the hospital. The only exception is if you're already on a specific prescription regimen—in that case, you bring your own meds, and you absolutely must disclose this to both your doctor and the anesthesiologist during your pre-op interview.😉

I might be wrong here, but I don't think it's wise to drive yourself home after being discharged.😉 You're going to be feeling pretty weak—generally speaking, there's no walking around on day one, and day three isn't much better.
Hope this helps.
stormycyclist9 stormycyclist9 Member
26 messages
joined Oct 2011
#1127 ·
Look, I’m telling you this from my own experience—I had my surgery around 9 AM, got discharged around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, and man, I felt absolutely trashed. I was so dizzy and lightheaded that it’s honestly better if someone is there with you, because you’ll be fine sitting there the afternoon before, but then comes the evening, then the next day when the surgery actually hits your system... it's just pure exhaustion. While you're lying down, you might feel okay, but the second you try to walk, the room starts spinning. When I was in the car, I had to recline the seat and just close my eyes because the fatigue was hitting me so hard; I don't even know, honestly, I'm just lucky someone was there to drive me home, haha 😁 It was about a 6-mile drive from the Mayo Clinic
My advice? Don't go alone... God forbid anything happens to you
stormyfalcon6 stormyfalcon6 Newcomer
5 messages
joined May 2007
#1128 ·
Don't sweat it, the nurses there are great. Whether you actually get to see a doctor depends entirely on the guy on duty. You can bring your own pills, but they'll give you whatever meds you need once you're settled. Just make sure to pack some toilet paper and hand soap. 😁
Susan Foster45 Susan Foster45 Member
13 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1129 ·
Hello everyone, I thought I might share my own experience...
I underwent septorhinoplasty at the ENT department at the Oakland Warriors less than three weeks ago. In my search for advice and recovery experiences, I pored over nearly 300 pages of this thread. Looking back, I am profoundly relieved that I did so after the procedure rather than before... Having seen that the ratio of satisfaction to dissatisfaction sits at roughly fifty-fifty, I find the prospect somewhat uninspiring...

In any case, the entire procedure was covered by my health insurance and supplemental plan, so there was absolutely no out-of-pocket cost. The day before the surgery, I was admitted for all the standard prep—blood work, urine tests, an EKG... then a meeting with the anesthesiologist and a consultation with the surgeon to hammer out the final details. My primary motivation for going under the knife was a severe breathing issue; my septum was essentially fractured into several pieces, leaving my right nostril completely blocked. Once that was settled, I figured I might as well have the aesthetic side corrected too... By the way, from what I gathered, the ENT specialists at the Oakland Warriors medical center don't typically perform cosmetic corrections. I only managed to arrange it because of a significant personal connection. The surgeon doesn't accept private cash for these things, and he only agreed to handle the aesthetics as a favor to my aunt, who works closely with him. Honestly, if I had gone through the standard channels, I'm not even sure I could have asked him to tweak the appearance on the fly...

Had surgery on Tuesday, discharged on Friday. They removed the tampons—or "sponges," according to my discharge papers—on Friday. It wasn't exactly painless, though since the extraction only lasts a second or two, one can endure it... but that one second was quite something. I was genuinely impressed by the nursing staff; there were so many of them, and I couldn't find a single thing to complain about. They went above and beyond, hovering over everyone with such care... truly a pleasant surprise. As for the pain, nothing too severe, aside from some discomfort in my upper jaw and teeth. I managed with just four painkillers. My biggest struggle, however, was breathing through my mouth and the chronic lack of sleep. Between the roommates snoring and my own dry mouth—which meant constant sipping of water and frequent trips to the restroom—it was just a cycle. In those five days at the hospital, I think I managed ten hours of sleep total. I had a bit of diarrhea, but very little, and today there isn't even a trace left. On the eighth day post-op, I went in for my follow-up. The doctor removed the bandages—I didn't have a cast or any plastic nose immobilization, just a stack of firm small strips—and took off the plastic films. Honestly, more than the actual removal, it hurt when he pulled a bunch of tiny hairs while trying to peel the film away from the mucosa... but the removal itself wasn't bad. I was given drops and an ointment to apply to the incisions. The day after that, I actually swelled up the most. I looked quite bruised and puffy; perhaps once the immobilization was removed, the tissue finally reacted... or perhaps it was just psychological...

Now, for the part everyone is undoubtedly waiting for... the results. To be honest, I am absolutely thrilled. I didn't go in with particularly high expectations because I was genuinely terrified, but I couldn't be more satisfied. My breathing feels almost perfect now; I just hope this stays consistent over time. As for the aesthetics, that is an entirely different matter... He reduced the size, straightened everything, shaved down the hump, and corrected my nasal bridge... Essentially, my nose looks nearly half its original size. It still feels like "my" nose, just in a smaller, more symmetrical form. It sounds ridiculous because the old one was quite unsightly, whereas this new one is actually lovely, but that is the impression I get... There is still some swelling, especially at the root between the eyes—it looks a bit bulbous from the front—and the tip is still slightly upturned, but I am looking forward to seeing the final result with such anticipation...

I saw someone asking what essentials to pack for a hospital stay. Aside from basic hygiene products, you absolutely need straws, a roll of paper towels—which were a lifesaver for me since I was constantly coughing up blood after surgery—soap, and toilet paper... And I definitely wouldn't recommend driving yourself. I wasn't exactly feeling like myself, and I wouldn't have dared to get behind the wheel. I spent the first week after my procedure just resting at home, but now, I've been back at work all week as if nothing even happened...
Best of luck to all the ladies heading in for their braces adjustments soon :-)
Greetings to everyone...
rustygardener172 rustygardener172 Regular
455 messages
joined Feb 2010
#1130 ·
Laura Booth56 said:I had my surgery with Dr. Glušac back in July, and honestly, I’m still waiting for things to actually settle down. It’s been months, and it feels like my bones haven't even fully found their place yet. My nose still looks crooked from certain angles, and that little bump right on the tip? It hasn't flattened out at all. Just feels like I'm stuck in this weird middle ground where nothing is quite right. 🙄

Anyone else going through this right now? Honestly, I'm just trying to figure out when the hell things are actually going to get back to normal. 😕

Man, my nasal tip was swollen for what felt like an eternity... honestly, I don't think the swelling finally died down until about six months post-op. And the whole nose area in general? Just... ugh. It was a mess. Now, looking back, it’s been a year and four months since the surgery, and I’m finally feeling like, "Okay, this is it. This is the final result." I am genuinely so much happier with how everything turned out now.
ruggedpuma11 ruggedpuma11 Member
11 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1131 ·
Thanks guys, you’ve been such a huge help!

I’ve officially given up on driving myself—I’m a total klutz whenever I’m dealing with a cold or sinus congestion, and this could honestly be even worse than that.

And I’m thinking about grabbing some Advil somewhere, though I know I probably shouldn't...

The tips about things like soap and toilet paper really mean a lot—basically, I'm bringing everything I need with me, except food 😉—but even that straw helps. I just assumed the cups wouldn't be an issue, otherwise I'd be soaked through the whole time 😁. I was also hoping that bottle with the cap would be okay too...

I'm starting the testing phase on Monday. I got my list of tests ready, so I'll handle the consultations with the internist and the anesthesiologist at home first, then head to the hospital with all the paperwork in hand.
I'd love to try and bring up cosmetic stuff while I'm already on the table—the doctor was pretty blunt about not wanting to touch anything aesthetic, but obviously, it looks way too big to me 🙄. If I can pull that off, great; if not, still fine, because at least I'll finally be able to breathe again.

Right now, I'm a little worried about whether I'll be nauseous when I wake up, either from the anesthesia or from swallowing all that blood and those little clots 😢

You mentioned that sleep is pretty much hit-or-miss anyway, between being a miserable wreck yourself and the whole snoring environment 😁—so, does it even make sense to bother bringing something to read, a laptop, or some other kind of entertainment? Am I actually going to be in any state to focus on words or a screen, let alone process them? 😉
stormycyclist9 stormycyclist9 Member
26 messages
joined Oct 2011
#1132 ·
ruggedpuma11 said:thanks guys, you’re seriously helping me out so much!

I’ve basically given up on driving myself; I’m a total disaster whenever I’ve got a cold or sinus issues, and this could easily be way worse than that.

And honestly, I'll probably end up grabbing some Advil somewhere—hopefully it won't mess anything up...

Those tips about bringing my own soap and toilet paper mean a lot (basically I'm packing everything except food 😉) but the thing about the straw was huge too—I figured the cups would just be disposable, otherwise I'd be soaked the whole time 😁 and I was hoping that bottle with the cap would be fine too...

I'm starting all the testing on Monday; I got the list of labs, so I'll get those done, have my chats with the specialist and the anesthesiologist at home, and then head to the hospital with all the paperwork.
I'd love to try and talk about some cosmetic stuff while I'm already under the knife, since the doctor already gave me a look like he wouldn't touch it for aesthetic reasons, even though to me it looks way too big 🙄 if I can pull that off too—awesome, but if not, it's still a win because I'll finally be able to breathe again.

Right now, I'm mostly worried about whether I'll be puking when I wake up, either from the anesthesia or from swallowing blood and bits of it 😢

You say sleep is a toss-up anyway, partly because I'll feel like crap and partly because the whole place is going to be snoring and noisy 😁 - is there any point in bringing something to read, like a laptop or some other way to kill time? Am I even going to be in a state to actually focus on words or a screen?😉

you'll be totally fine to watch stuff, nothing's gonna hurt except maybe when you eat something after the surgery, haha, once you start feeling like yourself again 😁 to help your body recover. I used to drink those Herbalife shakes so I think I've got decent strength, but you'll just have to lie there for the first day or two and keep cold compresses on your neck—supposedly helps with the bleeding, I don't know, but basically you shouldn't have any issues.😁
Sam Kim12 Sam Kim12 Active Member
156 messages
joined Apr 2018
#1133 ·
Susan Foster45 said:I noticed someone asking what you actually need to bring to the hospital—well, aside from basic hygiene supplies, you absolutely must pack some straws, a roll of paper towels (which was a lifesaver for me since I was constantly coughing up blood after surgery), soap, and toilet paper... And for heaven's sake, don't try to drive yourself home; I certainly wasn't feeling 100% and wouldn't have dared get behind the wheel. I spent the week following my procedure just resting at home, and now, here I am, back at work all week as if nothing even happened :-)
Good luck to all the patients heading in for their corrections soon :-)
Best to everyone...

It’s as if the two of us weren't lying in the exact same hospital ward🤣—I was at the Oakland Warriors medical center just ten days ago, and they didn't bother asking me for toilet paper or paper towels once, because everything was provided in abundance🤷

As for the aesthetic side of things, that really just comes down to the surgeon—I asked my doctor if he could take out the bump while he's already working on my sinuses and septum, and he said it shouldn't be an issue😁 though he warned me that if we go that route, I should expect some bruising. But then again, we clearly aren't talking about the same doctor, since mine doesn't perform surgeries on Tuesdays.
Apparently, there is one certain surgeon (whose last name escapes me) who flat-out refuses to perform any cosmetic work whatsoever.🤷
John Bailey John Bailey Newcomer
8 messages
joined Apr 2015
#1134 ·
Hey everyone! 😁

New here, but I know how the forum etiquette works 🙂

There’s a massive amount of content on here. I’ve scrolled through about 70% of it already, and it seems like people opt for surgery year-round. I wanted to ask if the season actually matters at all? Like, is there any real advantage to doing it in the winter versus the summer?

I’m still struggling to pull the trigger, and honestly, the only thing holding me back is the recovery time. I’m active every single day, and the thought of being sidelined for two months is a tough pill to swallow...

p.s. I'll post some photos of this disaster later 😠
Larry Thompson78 Larry Thompson78 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2011
#1135 ·
John Bailey said:Hey everyone! 😁

I'm new here, but I know how to act on a forum 🙂

There are tons of posts here—I've scrolled through like 70% of them and noticed people pick surgery any time of year. I wanted to ask if the season actually matters? Like, is winter better than summer or what?

I just can't pull the trigger on surgery because the recovery time is killing me. I'm active basically every single day, and just thinking about being out for 2 months is enough to freak me out...

p.s. I'll post pics of my disaster later 😠

why would you be out for 2 months? don't scare me 🙂

I've got a date in September for a septum repair—purely functional, nothing aesthetic. The hospital told me it was such a breeze that I expected to be back to my normal routine by the next day 🤣
I hope you guys are talking about much more serious stuff, otherwise this seems... 🙂

Then again, my mom had a super similar procedure a year ago and she had bad swelling for quite a while. She couldn't even eat and looked pretty rough, but it was still only about 2 weeks before she was totally fine, including getting back into sports. 🤷

Anyway, anyone have experience with the Rib?
John Bailey John Bailey Newcomer
8 messages
joined Apr 2015
#1136 ·
Angela Murphy33 said:Why would I need two months of recovery? Don't scare me.🙂

I really hope you guys are talking about actual significant corrections, otherwise this feels... 🙂

Don't sweat it. If I went through with it, mine would be purely cosmetic. Given the size of my nose (that bump), I'm assuming it'd be a pretty major procedure...

As for your situation, I don't think you have anything to worry about! 😁
stormycyclist9 stormycyclist9 Member
26 messages
joined Oct 2011
#1137 ·
John Bailey said:Honestly, don't sweat it, my reasons would have been purely cosmetic, and given how big my nose bump is, I'm pretty sure it would've been a massive surgery...

Regarding what you're dealing with, I really don't think you have anything to worry about! 😁

I used to have a huge hump myself, but look, there's no such thing as a "small" surgery—they're all basically the same deal😁 As far as getting back into sports goes, maybe a month tops. Personally, I waited about six weeks before hitting the gym again, but it's not quite the same thing since the intensity is way higher; just thinking about pushing myself too hard makes me turn red, and I'm terrified my blood pressure will spike and mess things up, haha😁 Three to four weeks should definitely be enough, and honestly, when a doctor tells you to wait two months, they’re probably just covering their own backs, who knows
John Bailey John Bailey Newcomer
8 messages
joined Apr 2015
#1138 ·
stormycyclist9 said:I had a massive hernia myself, but honestly, there's no such thing as a "small" surgery—they’re all the same level of stress on the body.😁 As for getting back to sports, maybe give it a month max. I waited six weeks before hitting the gym again, and even then, it wasn't quite the same. The strain is intense; just thinking about heavy lifting makes my face turn red from the blood pressure spike, haha.😁 Three to four weeks should be plenty. When doctors tell you two months, they're probably just covering their bases legally.

Thanks for the input. Four weeks sounds way better than two months... 😁
Sam Kim12 Sam Kim12 Active Member
156 messages
joined Apr 2018
#1139 ·
Angela Murphy33 said:Why on earth would you think I’d need to be out of commission for two whole months? Don't try to scare me. 🙂

I have my septum correction scheduled for September—this isn't about aesthetics or anything fancy; it's purely functional. The hospital staff made it sound so incredibly trivial that I actually expected to just go right back to my normal routine the very next day. 🤣
I can only assume you all are talking about much more invasive procedures—otherwise, this seems... 🙂

On the flip side, my mother underwent a very similar procedure a year ago and dealt with significant bruising and swelling; she couldn't even eat and looked absolutely terrible for a bit. But even then, it was mostly just a two-week ordeal before she was back to her usual self, including getting back into sports. 🤷

Anyway, does anyone have actual experience dealing with the Rib?

Based on how you describe them treating it like a common cold, it sounds like we might have seen the same doctor—I’ve been waiting since April 2011 for my appointment with Dr. Poj in October, and they explained it to me as if I were just heading out for a quick coffee. However, I did hear a much more realistic version of the story over at the Oakland Warriors.
Larry Thompson78 Larry Thompson78 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2011
#1140 ·
Sam Kim12 said:The way you say they explained it to you like it was nothing? Totally feels like we saw the same doctor. I’ve got an appointment with Dr. Poj in October, but I’ve been waiting since April 2011. They treated me like we were just grabbing coffee, whereas at the Oakland Warriors clinic, I actually got some honest answers.

I ended up getting an appointment with him too.🙂

I don't know, when I asked about it, he compared it to getting tonsils out and said it’s basically just a routine procedure. 🤷

Anyway, all I ever hear about him is good stuff.

I'm not really a panicker or anything, but this downtime is killing me because I'm active every single day...

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