Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Kate Taylor59 said:So you don't have those sinus issues or throat infections anymore?? Man, I seriously need that!!! I've been struggling with this since I was a kid... I get a fever out of nowhere and everything just goes south because of it... it all just drains right down my throat.👎

That’s exactly how it went for me. Had my nose fixed (deviated septum surgery) a little over a year ago and honestly, it's a night and day difference compared to before. I wouldn't say it's perfect—I did catch a bug once this winter—but considering my sinuses used to be a constant nightmare, the improvement is huge.
In my opinion, you really gotta keep rinsing your nose with saline solution for quite a while after the surgery (at least that's what I did), and you'll feel way better...
And as for the pain? Look, it hurts, but nothing was ever *that* bad, especially since I just went under local anesthesia. Those first 3 or 4 days after the procedure are the absolute worst, but after that, you're golden..

Sandra Nelson14 said:I had my rhinoplasty back in March with Glumičić, and honestly, I am just beyond disappointed. My nose looks pretty much the same as it did before the surgery; the only noticeable change is that he lifted it slightly, which actually made things worse since I already have a bulbous, potato-shaped nose—now it just stands out even more. It’s awful. Spending $14,000 feels like I just threw money straight into the trash. I have a follow-up appointment next week, and I’m planning to tell him I want a refund because he didn't deliver what he promised. None of my friends even realized I’d had surgery. Every morning when I wake up and see how swollen my nose is, I just sink further into depression; I can't even stand to look at myself in the mirror. My appearance—specifically my nose—is seriously impacting my life, but in a negative way. I dread talking to people because they literally just stare at my nose. I thought this surgery would finally lift this burden off my shoulders, but instead, it’s been a total shock—nothing changed, and it feels like all that struggle was for nothing since there's no actual result. He didn't even give me a receipt, which I find incredibly strange. Anyway, how much time needs to pass before I can go in for a revision? I just can't accept looking at this flaw for the rest of my life. This isn't just a physical issue anymore; it’s becoming psychological. Has anyone else here had surgery for a bulbous nose? Who did you go to, and were you actually happy with the outcome?

I am so incredibly sorry you went through such a bad experience.👎 but maybe, just as a little bit of encouragement... try not to despair just yet or rush into thinking about a revision surgery immediately. Give it a few more months; who knows, maybe things will settle and change somehow.

The part that really baffles me is that he didn't provide you with a receipt. 😕
I mean, without documentation, I'm not sure what basis you'd even have to demand a refund... unless you paid by credit card, in which case you might have some kind of "proof."

Carol Diaz31 said:I’m truly sorry you had such a bad experience👎 but here’s a little encouragement... try not to lose hope or jump straight to thinking about another surgery just yet. Give it a few months; things might still settle or change.

The part that baffles me most is that he didn't give you a receipt. 😕
Without one, I'm not sure how you can even attempt to ask for a refund... unless you paid by credit card, in which case you at least have some kind of "proof."

I had the exact same issue. Glumicic didn't provide me with a receipt either (this was two and a half years ago). Ultimately, my nose looks decent enough, but it isn't quite what I wanted, and I honestly feel it suited my face much better before the procedure. So, it’s a step backward for me, because Glumicic clearly works with off-the-shelf results—with rare exceptions, of course. My advice to women is to insist on a receipt every single time. In my opinion, it should be illegal for a doctor to withhold a receipt from a patient for services rendered.

Elizabeth Collins5 said:I think you mentioned they charged you 100.

My nose gets really swollen right when I wake up, then it subsides during the day, and it just keeps cycling like that. I'm wondering how long this might actually last?

Also, does anyone else notice their nose color looks different from the rest of their face? I don't mean that part where the skin meets the bone. My nose just looks... burnt? Or like I scrubbed it too hard or something. It definitely wasn't like this before.

I'm dealing with the exact same thing with my nose. Literally identical. I had my surgery on April 8th. The profile looks great, but honestly, my face still feels puffy. It’s pretty bad, especially in the mornings. I find myself constantly angling myself so people only see me from the side.
What are we supposed to do about this? Is there actually a solution out there?

I’m seriously considering undergoing surgery at a major hospital in Los Angeles. It’s been this long, drawn-out saga involving my nose, but I finally managed to talk my brother—who works there—into looking into things for me. He eventually tracked down a specialist who handles both ENT issues and facial/neck aesthetics. Honestly, I was actually quite hopeful, praying to God that I might have a deviated septum 😁 (my breathing has always felt off, and whenever I yawn, my ears feel like they’re popping because they're constantly congested). Sure enough, it turns out I do have a deviation, which had me feeling optimistic, but then the doctor just prescribed some medication for my inflamed nasal lining and told me to come back in a month. It was a complete letdown ☕
I had the consultation on June 16th, but now I’m stuck wondering how to push for the actual surgery. The doctor framed it as a last resort, even though my brother had previously mentioned to him that I just wanted to straighten my nose, and he seemed fine with that idea at the time. Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this? 😕

Richard Palmer90 said:That was my experience too. I had surgery on my nose—septoplasty to fix a deviated septum—just over a year ago, and things are definitely better than they used to be. I wouldn't say it’s absolutely perfect (I did catch a bug once this past winter), but considering how much my sinuses used to torture me, the difference is night and day.
I think it's pretty crucial to keep rinsing your nose with saline solution for quite a while after the procedure (at least, that's what I did), and you'll feel much better...
As for the pain, yeah, it hurts, but nothing compared to what I've dealt with before, especially since I opted for local anesthesia. Those first three or four days after the surgery are the absolute worst; after that, it's manageable.

Where did you go for the surgery?? How was the local anesthesia experience? Did you actually feel anything?

Ivo Dzepina... does he have any photos of his "handiwork"?

Hey ladies, I just registered on the forum specifically because of this thread about nose surgery. After reading through the posts, I think I’m leaning toward Glumičić, though I was originally torn between him and Tončić.
In any case, I've been catching up on all the posts from the beginning, and from what I gather, Glumičić only took cash about two years ago. So, I was wondering if any of you have had surgery with him this year, and if he might be accepting credit cards now?🙂
Thanks so much for the help! :-*

Susan Diaz91 said:There’s one thing nobody ever asks about when they're looking into cosmetic surgery: the recovery!!

With basically any procedure, recovery takes a while—but with cosmetic stuff, it drags out even longer.

If you're getting a nose job, you're looking at at least two months because of the bruising... (assuming there's bone work involved). If it's just a deviated septum, the recovery is usually around two weeks.

I need to get my septum fixed, so I've been asking around.

You'll be stuck in the hospital for 5 to 7 days, and they don't pull the tampons out until about day 10.
I had my surgery for medical reasons, and it was pretty complicated due to a severe deviation—full recovery took me over three months.

Bruising is different for everyone. I didn't deal with much, but two girls in the room next to me at the Mayo Clinic had massive bruises. They weren't painful, just looked terrible.
We all bounced back together. It wasn't nearly as bad as what you read online, and even when it hurts during those first 4 or 5 days, the doctors prescribe painkillers every four hours, so it's manageable.

I'm dealing with sinus issues myself... does that fall under the category of a deviated septum surgery?

I've been scrolling through some of the older posts here... and I noticed a few of the surgeons you all have been raving about, specifically Gorazd poj and Dr. Ostojic. Has anyone here actually worked with them recently? From what I can tell, Tončić seems to be the crowd favorite, but I’m not totally sold on his style. I really want to lift my nasal tip, and from what I've gathered, he doesn't typically touch the tips.

By the way, how did people around you react to your transformation?

Amanda Morris76 said:I’ve been scrolling through this forum from the very beginning... and I noticed some of the surgeons you guys have been praising are Gorazd poj and Dr. Ostojic. Has anyone here actually worked with them lately? From what I can tell, Tončić seems to be the crowd favorite, but I’m not crazy about the nose shape he produces. I’d want to lift my tip, and it looks like he doesn't really touch the tips much.

By the way, how did people around you react to your change?

Hey, maybe take a look at the photos on Glumičić's website. He usually does adjust the tip—lifting it or shortening it depending on what’s needed.
best, 🙂

Rachel Fisher97 said:Hey, take a look at the photos on Glumičić's website. It seems like he’s always touching the tip of his nose—like he's constantly trying to lift it or shorten it depending on how he's feeling. Doesn't that seem a bit odd?
Hey! How's everything going? 🙂

Thanks. From what I can gather from the discussions here, Glumičić doesn't seem particularly reliable. Honestly, I want to solve this issue once and for all, so I’m thinking it might be smarter to find a different surgeon altogether. I just can't wait to finally be able to take photos and live my life feeling relaxed and free. -.-'

Honestly, this specific design is just perfect for me. And those shapes Glumicic creates look absolutely incredible—so, why on earth is he blacklisted on this forum?

Amanda Morris76 said:Honestly, this shape is just perfect to me. Besides, the results Glumičić produces look great, so why is he blacklisted on this forum?

I wouldn't go so far as to say Glumičić (or anyone else) is specifically on a "blacklist," but... there are plenty of women here sharing their experiences after rhinoplasty who ended up dissatisfied—or conversely, thrilled with the outcome.
As for taste... everyone is different.
My personal take is that I don't care for that "universal tip shape"—you know, those recognizable patterns certain surgeons seem to favor. To me, it feels like they're just mass-producing noses. Personally, I'm not a fan of forcing a nose to be strictly upturned or "Barbie-style." That specific aesthetic, like what you see on characters like Ejšan from Ezel😁, doesn't suit every face.😉
That would be my main critique regarding this particular surgeon, and I doubt I'm the first person to raise similar concerns about him or many others.
For me, a nose shouldn't be a standout ornament on the face; it should integrate harmoniously and subtly with all other features to create a cohesive whole. 🙂

Honestly, guys, I feel like I’m going to lose my mind because of this nose shape.😁
I mean, seriously! After the first surgery, I was left with a lump on the left side, and then after the second one, there's a lump on the right! So now what? I wanted to ask if there's any chance these lumps aren't actually lumps but just swelling that might go down—but based on my experience, I already know they won't!😢

AAAAA!!!!
The bottom line: don't get nose surgery.🙏

Here’s another one. lol..

I’ve booked a consultation with Dr. Tončić. From what I can gather, he has an excellent reputation, and his patients' results look incredibly natural.

My nose actually suffered quite a bit about seven years ago due to a glass injury. It was pretty significant, and about a year after the accident, I ended up at a different hospital for surgery—partly to fix breathing issues and partly for aesthetic correction. Even now, my nose tilts slightly to the left, and the tip has this sort of slant toward the left side too. On top of that, even after the last surgery, there's this little bump on the tip; you might not notice it immediately, but it's definitely there. My nose isn't huge—it's actually pretty average—but all those proportions being off makes it feel much larger than it is.
I’ve already been through all the "charms" of surgical recovery, so I know exactly what kind of ride I'm in for. I’m really hoping for a positive outcome this time, because honestly, the surgeon who handled my previous procedure didn't exactly do wonders—in fact, she didn't help at all. To be clear, everything I just described is how my nose looks *after* her work.🙂.
I still remember the feeling of drifting off and waking up, dealing with that intense swelling, the bruising, and such a long recovery period. I suspect that was largely due to the type of anesthesia used. I’m assuming Dr. Tončić uses a different approach, which, while maybe not sounding "pleasant," might actually be much better for the body and the overall healing process.

The main goal is to reduce the size and straighten everything out. I have so many expectations swirling in my head right now, and I'll admit, a bit of pessimism is creeping in, fearing it might not turn out exactly how I envision.
Does anyone here have experience working with Dr. Tončić? Also, once you finish the consultation, how long is the typical wait time before the actual surgery?

steelangler88 said:Honestly, I feel like I’m losing my mind over these lumps on my nose.😁
I am being completely serious! After the first surgery, I was left with a bump on the left side, and then after the second one, there's a bump on the right! What am I even supposed to do with this? I keep asking myself if there’s any chance these aren't actual permanent lumps but just some lingering swelling that might eventually subside, but if my experience is anything to go by, that isn't happening.😢

AAAAA!!!!
The moral of the story: stay far away from nose surgery.🙏

It’s like you knew exactly what I was talking about. I went through one procedure myself, and now I have this weird little lump right on the tip of my nose... what on earth is that? Did they tell you anything specific about it?
To me, it feels almost like a piece of cartilage, but goodness knows why they left it like that...

In case anyone is wondering, I saw Orange Aljinović at the new hospital. Just a heads-up: don't go there.

What new hospital??
Well, I was just over at Naranđin's department myself😁 and on that very same day, she performed surgery on some guy—and let me tell you, he turned out great!! Clearly, I'm just cursed. I've tried twice now, two different doctors, and absolutely nothing. To be fair, this second one was easily the best specialist I could find. But man, what a headache—he's so stubborn about doing things his own way! Just my luck.🙂

After my first surgery, I ended up with a lump on the left side. Now, after the second one, there’s a lump on the right. So, where does that leave me? I’d like to know if there is any actual chance this is just swelling that will eventually subside, though based on past experience, I’m not holding my breath.😢
AAAAA!!!!
Bottom line: don't get rhinoplasty.🙏

I’m still holding out hope that the final outcome of your surgery turns out to be both acceptable and satisfying for you.🙂
If they used grafts, he’ll likely need some time for everything to settle properly—especially if they performed an open procedure. Don't start panicking just yet.

My conclusion is simple: I have zero confidence in our surgeons.😢
They might be able to reduce the size of a nose, but I have my doubts about whether they can actually achieve a natural look using grafts.🤷
I’ve heard some women mention having positive experiences with surgeons like Zambelli, but honestly, it all feels like hearsay to me. Why on earth don't we have any specialists focused on secondary rhinoplasty? It's frustrating.
It looks like my only option is to wait for things to shift and hope I can make the move to the States. Over there, they actually perform audits on a daily basis.😢
I am fully aware of the cost involved, and I need to weigh all my options carefully. That said, I’m inclined to avoid taking excessive risks here. Unless, of course, someone feels strongly enough to talk sense into me. 😁

Look, I don’t know exactly which bumps or irregularities you’re all referring to, but I have a small bump on the tip of my nose following my primary surgery as well. This happens because the cartilage is sometimes shortened or removed too aggressively during the procedure; if your skin is thin, that underlying cartilage can actually poke through, creating that little bump.
This can be resolved by using morselized grafts, but the surgeon needs to be highly experienced with that specific procedure.🤦

Yeah, I’ve got grafts everywhere and my incision is wide open. But honestly? It still looks bizarre to me—I really don't think it's going to "settle down" enough to actually flatten out. It’s been a month already and it still looks MASSIVE! I’m just totally lost at this point.😢

steelangler88 said:Which new hospital are we talking about?
Honestly, I was just over at Naranđin's department, 😁 and the very same day, she performed surgery on this one guy, and you wouldn't believe it—he turned out absolutely fantastic! Meanwhile, I’m clearly just cursed. Seriously, two different doctors, twice, and nothing to show for it. And mind you, this second doctor was easily the best specialist I could find. But man, what a headache... he’s so incredibly stubborn about doing things his own way! It's just infuriating.🙂

The "new" hospital—basically the big municipal medical center in the city. It used to be known as the old Veterans Hospital, but now everyone calls it the "New Hospital."
Anyway, personally, Orange Aljinović really did a number on me regarding my appearance.

Who was the first doctor you saw, and who was the second? Also, how long has it been since that second surgery?