Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

steelangler88 said:Yeah, I’ve got grafts everywhere and my incision is wide open. Regardless, it looks bizarre to me, and I wouldn't bet on it being "subdued" enough to flatten out! It’s been a month already and it still looks MASSIVE. I'm at a loss.😢

Hang in there...🙂 Just let time take its course. From everything I've read about similar procedures, the whole recovery process is long, and you can't judge the final result after only a month. You'll see; there's still plenty of time.
It's tough when we don't have surgeons who specialize exclusively in rhinoplasty.👎
I honestly don't know what the smartest move is when dealing with aesthetic issues, especially during a revision. Sigh...

Cure... I honestly have no idea which specific bumps or irregularities you guys are referring to, but ever since my primary surgery, I’ve also ended up with this little bump right on the tip of my nose. It usually happens because the cartilage was trimmed back a bit too aggressively during the procedure; if your skin is on the thinner side, that underlying cartilage can practically poke through, creating that little nub.
The standard fix is using cartilage grafts, but you really need a surgeon who is incredibly experienced and comfortable with those specific types of reconstructions.🤦

Hmm... so, regarding that bump on the tip of my nose—it hasn't actually shortened my nose at all. To be perfectly honest, I haven't the slightest clue what that little thing is actually doing to the shape of my tip; I just know it definitely wasn't there after my accident. It’s like it messed something up. My nose is still the same overall size, but my nasal bridge looks much flatter than it used to be (and let's be real, it's still not quite straight, ugh 😢).

Maria Hall92 said:I honestly have no clue what she actually did to the tip of my nose; I just know it didn't look like this after the accident. Basically, she messed something up. My nose is the same size, but the bridge is flatter than before (and it’s still not even, unfortunately 😢).

It’s obvious she was working on the tip itself if the shape changed following the surgery.
You should seek out multiple consultations and compare your pre-op and post-op photos, because I doubt you'll be able to get your surgical records easily now. You need to be able to identify exactly what changed.
On the bright side, if the goal is simply to reduce the size and you don't think you'll need any structural augmentation, it shouldn't be overly complicated.
However, if the nose is deviating to one side, things get trickier—especially if you require cartilage grafts or if too much tissue was removed, which is unfortunately common after primary rhinoplasties.🙄

Rachel Barnes5 said:Well, if things look different after the surgery, she clearly touched more than just the tip of your nose.
I’d suggest getting a few more consultations under your belt. Try to compare your pre-op and post-op photos side-by-side, because honestly, trying to track down your official surgical records right now might be a massive headache. I'm assuming you can already spot the differences and see exactly what changed.
On the bright side, if you're just looking to reduce the size and don't feel like you need a full "upgrade," that should hopefully keep things relatively straightforward.
It gets a bit trickier if the nose is tilting to one side—especially if you end up needing cartilage grafts or if too much tissue was removed, which, unfortunately, is a pretty common hurdle after a primary rhinoplasty.🙄

I'm actually heading to see Tončić soon, so I'll see what his take is on the whole situation... Isla really just wants to slim it down a bit, that's all. And honestly, it isn't even crooked or leaning to one side. It's straight, but there's this weird slope on the left side. I don't even know how to put it into words! Because of that slant, it looks like it's pointing upward when it's actually not...
Thanks so much for the advice! 🙂

Quick question for anyone who dealt with function issues. Did things actually start working right after surgery, or did nothing change? Also, were you dealing with snoring and sleep apnea before the procedure? ☕

steelangler88 said:Yeah, I have plenty of grafts and my incision is wide open. But still, it looks really strange to me, and I wouldn't say it’s going to "settle" enough to actually flatten out. It’s been a month already and it still looks huge. I honestly don't know anymore.😢

steelangler88, if I remember correctly... you had your surgery done by Ostojić?

Maria Hall92 said:he’s flat, but on the left side there's this weird slant. I don't even know how to explain it. Because of that tilt, he looks crooked, but he isn't actually...

What you're talking about is just the tip cartilage being larger on one side than the other.
A tip job is a whole different beast entirely. It’s tough work. The tip is basically made up of two pieces of cartilage that look like two golf clubs... try to picture that in your head... they lean against each other like sticks, and those flared ends at the bottom point in opposite directions.
Nobody is perfectly symmetrical. For some people, one sits higher and the other lower, or they're spaced way too far apart... In my case, that "impact zone" is bigger on one side, which makes it look like I have this little bump on the left, making my nose look slightly off-center. So yeah, I totally get what you mean.
Unfortunately, I didn't realize this until after my surgery, so I couldn't tell the doctor to fix that part too. He didn't touch it because he thought I had a narrow tip and considered it part of my "character."
The fix involves shaving down the cartilage on one side or the other until they’re roughly equal. If you’re saying you didn't have this before the surgery, but they were already touching your nose tip... then they probably trimmed more on one side than the other. You might not even notice it on someone with thick skin, but on me, with my thin, soft skin, it's pretty obvious.
So, ladies... just a heads-up for the future.
I'm honestly gutted that nobody told me this before my procedure so I could have asked the surgeon to smooth it out... I just kind of assumed they'd handle everything since I was already going under the knife. But that's not how it works. Doctors and patients are on completely different wavelengths. He’s only going to do exactly what you specifically asked for and what he agreed to do.
I can't really complain about Dr. Glušac, though, because he did exactly what he said he would do.
I can't bring myself to go back for a third surgery just for that... I've learned to live with it, and when I stop overthinking it, my nose is gorgeous and I breathe like a total gentleman, which was my main goal anyway. 😍

Kate Taylor59 said:Where are you headed? Don't let it get to you... this will all pass eventually 😉

Rebro- Dr. Jurlina.
I'm not upset... honestly, I'm pretty level-headed... it just breaks me out in a sweat whenever I think back to those nasal tampons... 🤣

brightcanyon45 said:I have a question for those who dealt with functional issues. Did things improve after your surgery, or did you stay at the same level? Did you struggle with snoring or sleep apnea before the procedure? ☕

Here is a little bit of firsthand information...
My partner is quite the snorer. Even though he has a deviated septum, several top-tier specialists actually refused to perform septum surgery because they insisted it wouldn't solve his snoring or sleep apnea issues. Instead, they referred him to Dr. Krmoptić at a specialized sleep disorder center in Chicago. He used a sleep study device to monitor his breathing overnight, and the results showed frequent episodes of apnea and heavy snoring. He’s currently waiting on a date for a laser procedure on his soft palate and mucosa. Apparently, it's a very complex surgery, and there are only a handful of skilled surgeons in the entire US who perform it effectively.
From what we've been told, this is the only way to address snoring and apnea—and even then, it might not be a total fix. The septum just isn't the culprit here... at least according to the doctors.
I hope this helps.

I am writing this because I feel compelled to address certain observations that have been weighing on my mind lately. It is often difficult to find the right words when one feels a sense of profound uncertainty regarding the direction we are all heading, isn't it? Sometimes, I find myself sitting quietly, perhaps watching a single sparrow land on a windowsill in New York City, wondering if the small, quiet moments are all we truly have left to hold onto. There is a certain gravity to the things we discuss here, a weight that shouldn't be taken lightly. One must ask oneself: are we truly listening to one another, or are we merely waiting for our turn to speak? I believe sincerity is a rare commodity these days, yet I find myself searching for it in every corner of our discourse. It is my hope that we can maintain a level of decorum and genuine inquiry, even when the subject matter becomes complex or unsettling. Does anyone else feel this pull toward a more contemplative way of existing? kaže:
Greetings to everyone!
It has been eight days since my nose surgery. While the bruising has finally subsided, I am currently dealing with some rather bothersome issues regarding small clumps forming inside my nasal passages. They seem to have become firmly attached to the sutures, and they simply will not budge. It is quite distressing, as it makes breathing feel significantly more difficult than it should be. I have attempted to clear them using cotton swabs and even tried a pair of tweezers, but to no avail. Has anyone else encountered this? If you have found an effective way to manage this, would you please let me know? 🙂 Regarding the overall shape of my nose—I previously had a somewhat fleshy tip and a wider bridge cartilage—and now, just eight days following my surgery, my nose looks virtually identical to how it did before, albeit with a slightly more rounded tip. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation? I find myself wondering if this specific area will eventually decrease in size, and if so, when might that occur? I am fully aware that healing requires patience, but I have heard discussions suggesting that with certain nasal structures... I find myself quite concerned lately. Despite my most dedicated efforts at the peak of my training regimen, I am simply unable to achieve any meaningful changes regarding my physical size. Is it possible that I have reached a plateau? Why does progress seem to stall just when one expects it to yield results? 😢

I wouldn't want to cause anyone unnecessary alarm or suggest they head straight to the hospital, but I feel it might be helpful to share my own experience. I have actually undergone surgery on that fleshy tip of my nose twice now. Even after the second procedure, there is still some fleshiness there, though I am generally satisfied because the hump itself is gone. However, I must admit that the first surgery didn't result in the dramatic changes I had anticipated. My surgeon explained that it is quite common for significant scar tissue to develop at the tip of the nose during the healing process. In fact, following my second operation, I had to spend a good amount of time at home applying bandages and applying constant pressure to the area just to prevent that excessive scar tissue from forming. Has anyone else dealt with similar recovery requirements?

rustygardener172 said:Basically, you have this tip cartilage where one side ends up larger than the other.
Rhinoplasty is really its own specialized beast. It’s quite complex. Think of the nasal tip as being made of two pieces of cartilage that look a bit like two golf clubs... just try to visualize that in your head. They lean against each other like they're propped up by tees, but the flared ends at the bottom point in different directions—one left, one right.
Total symmetry is a myth for almost everyone. For some, one sits higher while the other sits lower; for others, they’re widely spaced apart. In my case, that "impact zone" on one side is bigger than the other, which makes it look like I have a little bump on the left side, making my nose look slightly crooked. So, I totally get what you're describing.
Unfortunately, I didn't realize this until after my surgery, so I couldn't ask the doctor to fix that specific part. He ended up leaving it because he felt my tip was narrow enough and considered it part of my unique character.
The way they fix it is by shaving down those cartilages on either side until they’re more or less even. If you’re saying you didn't have this issue before the procedure, but they were touching the tip... then they likely trimmed more on one side than the other. You might not even notice it on someone with thicker skin, but since my skin is quite soft and thin, it’s pretty noticeable to me.
So there you go, ladies... just something to keep in mind for the future.
I honestly wish someone had told me before the operation so I could have asked the surgeon to address it... I just assumed it would be handled as part of the overall process. But that's not how it works. Doctors and patients often operate on completely different wavelengths. A surgeon is going to give you exactly what you asked for and what was agreed upon.
I can't complain about Dr. Glušac, though, because he delivered exactly what we discussed.
I can't imagine going back for a third surgery just for that... I've learned to live with it, and when I stop overthinking it, my nose looks gorgeous and I can breathe like a total gentleman, which was my main goal anyway. 😍

Thanks for the info! I had no idea about the cartilage situation in the tip... mine has one piece sitting almost right in the middle, so it sounds like they definitely messed that part up for me.
And that slope I mentioned earlier? That was actually referring to the bridge of my nose on the left side. I don't know how to explain it properly—it's like that side looks a bit "puffy."
My nose doesn't look terrible, but there are enough tiny details bothering me that I'm worried I'll come across as having too many demands that he won't be able to meet... I really hope I'm wrong.

As for your nose, the most important thing is that you're happy with it. I'm assuming these minor details are negligible in the grand scheme of things. This will be my second surgery, and I highly doubt I'd ever go for a third. Honestly, you're smart if you aren't even considering a third one. 🙂.. you shouldn't mess around with your health.

At least now I know that I need to emphasize every single tiny detail I want changed based on all your experiences.

How long did you wait for your surgery after the initial consultation?
Has anyone here seen Dr. Tončić? How long was the wait for the actual procedure?

So, what exactly are we talking about when we mention cartilage grafts?

Honestly, I’m pretty happy with how my nose turned out. Of course, there are always those tiny little things that bug you... but hey, we’re human... actually, let's be real—we're women, and we are *never* truly satisfied. 😂

I only shared my experience so people could learn from what I went through; I don't want anyone else making the same rookie mistakes I did.

In my case, I was waiting less than two weeks for the actual surgery.
I also went to see Tončić for the initial consultations... back then, you'd usually be looking at a few weeks of waiting. It all really depends on the season and how slammed they are. Things tend to slow down during the summer, so you might get seen sooner, unless you happen to hit someone's vacation time. When I went in, I ended up seeing one of the younger doctors because the senior one was out on vacation. 😁 I'm pretty sure they don't perform surgeries over the weekend either, which definitely adds to the wait time...

rustygardener172 said:Honestly, I’m quite happy with my nose. Of course, there are always those tiny little things that bother us... we're human, after all... or rather, women—we are never truly satisfied! 😂

I only wrote that so people would know something I didn't realize back then, just so they don't make the same mistake I did.

In my case, I was waiting for my surgery for less than two weeks.
I actually went to see Tončić for a consultation... and even then, you might find yourself waiting a few weeks. It really all depends on the time of year and how busy the clinic is. Things tend to slow down during the summer, so you might get in sooner, unless you happen to hit someone's vacation time. When I went, I was seen by one of the associates because the senior surgeon was away on leave. 😁 I assume they don't perform surgeries over the weekend either, which probably adds to the wait time...

And let's be real, ladies 🙂... that's why I'm nervous. Honestly, I'm more afraid of myself and what I'll do than I am of how the actual results will turn out! 😛

I've already got my consultation scheduled with Tončić for tomorrow... and hopefully, I won't be stuck waiting three whole weeks. 😁.

Had you been to Tončić's consultations before? How is it that you didn't go to him originally? What was it that put you off?

Maria Hall92 said:And what exactly are cartilage grafts?

Since I was the one who brought up grafts, let me clarify 😉.
Essentially, these are small pieces of cartilage—sourced from the ear, rib, or septum—that are precisely cut and used during revision surgeries, though sometimes even primary ones.
The purpose is to "rebuild" or add volume to specific areas of the nose, such as the tip, the bridge, or the nostrils. Naturally, the cartilage must come from the patient undergoing the procedure 😁, otherwise the body would reject it.
Synthetic implants are an alternative, but they carry a significantly higher risk of infection.
I hope you won't end up needing them.

Maria Hall92 said:Oh, honey, don't even get me started... 🙂 that’s exactly why I’m freaking out. Honestly, I’m more scared of my own impulses than anything else regarding how this is gonna turn out. 😛

I actually managed to snag an appointment for a check-up with Tončić tomorrow... because there was absolutely no way in hell I was waiting three whole weeks. 😁.

Had you seen Tončić for a consultation before? How come you didn't go with him? What was the dealbreaker?

Yeah, he was actually my first stop. After lurking on these forums, I was pretty much set on him... I even flew into New York City specifically for a consultation just to hammer out the surgery details... BUT... look, even though he’s charming and easy to talk to, he just didn't give me that gut feeling of trust. This was going to be my second surgery, and I was dead set on making sure it didn't end up being my third. I had to listen to my intuition, so I decided to hit up a few more surgeons for second opinions. The next one was Glušac... and honestly? That was the winner. 😁
Tončić told me he could fix the deviation and try to straighten my nose, but he wouldn't promise it would end up perfectly straight... plus, since it's such a complicated mess, he said he shouldn't touch the actual shape of my nose because it's already fine.
But Glušac? He looked at everything and said, "Look, I'll fix your breathing, and I'll get your nose as straight as possible given your facial symmetry..." and then he actually suggested adding a little bit of a cute, slightly upturned tip because he thought it would suit me better... and I was totally on board. 😁

Maria Hall92 said:Thanks for the heads-up, I actually had no clue about those little bits of cartilage sitting right at the tip of the nose... I've got this one spot that's almost dead center. So yeah, they definitely messed with that during my last procedure..
And that slope I was talking about? It’s more like the bridge on the left side—I don't even know how to describe it properly. It just looks like that side is slightly "puffed up."

Maybe I didn't make sense using those sticks earlier... here, look at this picture... that "puffed up" area you're feeling is what's called the Lateral Cartilage. Honestly, yours is probably bigger on one side just like mine is. It's not right at the very tip for me, but more on the left side just above the tip... Hopefully, that makes more sense now.😁
http://www.stanprokopenko.com/blog/i...se/anatomy.jpg

Rachel Barnes5 said:Since I brought up the topic of grafts, I thought I’d jump in and clarify a bit 😉.
Basically, these are small pieces of cartilage—taken from places like the ear, the rib, or the septum—that are precisely shaped and used during secondary procedures, though sometimes they're needed during the initial surgery too.
The idea is to use them to "build up" or reshape parts of the nose, whether you're looking to adjust the tip, the bridge, the root, or even the nostrils. Of course, the cartilage has to come directly from the patient undergoing the procedure 😁, because if you used anything else, the body would simply reject it.
One alternative is using synthetic implants, but honestly, the risk of infection is much higher with those.
I really hope you won't end up needing one!

Thanks... and man, I really hope I don't end up needing one either! 😁 . Does anyone happen to know someone who had to go through this? Did everything turn out okay, or did anyone run into complications?

rustygardener172 said:Yeah, he was actually my first stop. Honestly, based on reading the forums, I was pretty much set on going with him... I even flew into New York City for the consultation just to get everything lined up for surgery... BUT... even though he was charming and had that smooth, likable personality, I just didn't feel that deep sense of trust. This was my second surgery, and I was absolutely terrified of ending up needing a third one. I decided to listen to my gut and seek out a few more opinions. The next doctor I saw was Glušac... and honestly? That was the moment everything clicked 😁
Tončić told me he could address the deviation and try to straighten the bridge, but he wouldn't promise a perfectly straight result because, let's face it, the actual shape of my nose was already quite good, and messing with it was risky.
But Glušac? He looked at the whole picture and said, "I’ll fix your breathing, and we’ll get the nose as straight as possible given your facial symmetry..." He even went a step further and suggested a slightly more upturned tip because he thought it would suit my features better... and I went for it! 😁

You really have a story with a happy ending 🙂. It’s such a relief that you didn't just settle and kept searching for answers... you're actually giving me a bit of inspiration here. If I get a similar vibe from my surgeon, I might just follow in your footsteps 🙂... hehehe

rustygardener172 said:I might have been a little confusing when I mentioned those little cartilage bits... here, let me show you with a picture... that "bulgy" part you're looking at is actually the Greater alar cartilage. It’s probably larger on one side for you, just like it is for me. It isn't right at the very tip, but rather on the left side just above the tip... hopefully, that makes more sense now! 😁
http://www.stanprokopenko.com/blog/i...se/anatomy.jpg

And yeah... I actually thought you were talking about the Greater alar cartilage, the part at the top of the nose. I definitely have a bit of that. But what I was actually referring to is my Lateral Cartilage 🙂. That's the part that looks a bit tilted. Honestly though, I absolutely love my nose—it's wonderful, really. Mmm, I'd give myself a big kiss if I could! Hahaha 😂