Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Melissa Taylor3 said:So, by some twist of fate, I end up getting surgery at the Synthesis Medical Center. Everything—from my initial consultation to the prep work—was handled by Professor Klapan. Right off the bat, an old acquaintance mentioned that while Klapan is decent, they actually know someone even better and suggested I look into a second opinion just to be safe. When you first walk into the clinic, it’s actually quite impressive compared to other places; the staff is incredibly polite and welcoming right from the start. So, I figured, why not? I decided to go through with them... and then things went south. The surgery lasted about two and a half hours, but shortly after, I came down with a fever. I ended up on a twenty-day course of Augmentin. Once that cleared up, it became physically obvious that my left nostril was significantly wider and swollen. Breathing at night became an absolute nightmare; the moment I lie down, the left nasal passage just slams shut. After my follow-up exam about 25 or 30 days later, the doctor actually told me he had accidentally implanted something in my left nostril! We were all absolutely floored. I had no choice but to hunt for second opinions, especially since he kept insisting this was all "psychosomatic" and that everything was perfectly fine. When I saw Dr. Glušac, he couldn't believe the guy was claiming this was normal; my septum is shifted to the right, and there is a pea-sized implant lodged in my left nostril that you can see with the naked eye. Now, Glušac has a bit of a quirky bedside manner, but you can tell the man truly knows his craft. Still wanting to be 100% certain, I drove over to Cleveland to see Dr. Zambeli. Naturally, he did a thorough exam and his findings were almost identical, if not worse. He told me I’ll need a revision surgery, but I have to wait eight to ten months because the cartilage is damaged and needs time to heal before they can touch it again. He basically told me I don't even know what true breathing feels like. It is honestly pathetic and heartbreaking how Dr. Gjurić and his SYNTHESIS CLINIC handle this. To suggest that needing corrective surgery for a physical error is just "all in my head" is disgraceful. I would much rather they just say, "I'm sorry, we didn't get the result we aimed for." I am definitely moving forward with a lawsuit after such a disgusting display of arrogance.

Oh my goodness, I honestly cannot believe this... I feel so incredibly sorry for you. How can people even call themselves doctors? Honestly, people like that shouldn't be allowed to practice medicine! You really should tell everyone who you can so they don't fall into the same trap, and you absolutely have to sue. If I were in your shoes, I'd do the exact same thing.

Margarine on my face? Wait, is that actually safe to get near my eyes? Honestly, my skin is doing fine, but my eyes have been a total disaster lately—one eye almost shut completely because my nose kept shifting just a few millimeters toward the center. It’s finally starting to improve, though. To be fair, I currently look like I’ve gone overboard with makeup, except it's just this weirdly colorful eyeshadow 😍
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So, what exactly is the recipe here? Are we talking melted margarine? Sliced margarine? Cubed margarine? And is it the salted kind or the stuff you'd use for baking cream? 😍

And oh my god, my nose is itching so much I'm about to lose my mind!!!! I feel like I could rip off the mold and the bandages just to scratch it and blow my nose out! Ugh. Only 45 hours to go... ☕

Sophia Booth35 said:Margarine on the face? Wait, can you actually get that near your eyes? My skin feels fine, but my eyes are a total mess right now—one of them is practically swollen shut because my nose was shifting just a few millimeters toward the center during the procedure. It’s starting to improve now, though. Honestly, I look like I went overboard with some colorful eyeshadow or something 😍

So, what's the actual recipe here? Are we talking melted margarine? Sliced? Cubed? Is it the standard stuff or the kind used for baking creams? 😍

And oh my god, my nose is itching so much I could lose my mind!!!! I feel like ripping off the cast and all the bandages just to scratch it and blow my nose! Ugh. Only 45 hours to go ☕

Haha 😁 it works... just take regular margarine or butter, spread it over your eyelids and around the area where the bruising is 🙂 .. it helps things heal faster, at least that's what my sister told me back home..
For me, the swelling clears up incredibly fast, and I actually look pretty decent considering it's only been five days since the surgery.. and man, I totally feel you on the nose itching, it's absolutely maddening.. haha.. are you getting your cast removed this Monday too? 🙂 Gosh, I am so excited, but honestly, I'm a little terrified at the same time..

I’ll be honest, I was absolutely terrified the moment I made the final call to go through with surgery. But then I realized that constantly scrolling through forums, questioning everyone I know, and listening to all that neighborhood gossip wasn't helping anyone. Instead, I just focused on the memory of my surgeon's firm, reassuring handshake and those specific words: "I am going to do everything in my power to create a nose that perfectly complements your face," and just let that carry me into the operating room.
just go with the flow...
I’m really crossing my fingers that there won't be any need for a revision down the road.
Either way, I'll check back in with everyone this Monday.
Thanks for the "recipe" advice! I'm going to go indulge myself a little bit, and if I'm not too full, maybe I'll even whip up some cookies. 😍

Sophia Harris96 said:We could honestly just make a bet right now—I'm positive yours is even worse than mine... seriously, let's put money on it. 😁

Haha. Alright, you want to make a bet? 🙂 🙂 I don't really have many photos of my nose to show—well, besides a few I sent to Glušac, but he told me it looks way better in person anyway... 😬I used to avoid taking profile pictures because, honestly, from the front, my nose looked decent enough to pass for normal. Before the surgery, we spent so much time staring at noses on his computer screen—just analyzing them... and let me tell you, the only ones that looked worse than mine were the people with broken noses or those who desperately needed a revision surgery...

Melissa Taylor3Whatever, man. You can think whatever you want about me... 😢

Sophia Booth35 said:So, what’s the actual recipe here? Are we talking melted margarine? The stick kind? Cubed up? Or is it that spreadable stuff meant for frosting... 😍

🤣🤣🤣

To all the ladies out there facing surgery: don't let my situation scare you off. Honestly, my case isn't even that extreme. My surgeon is a total specialist when it comes to ears, cochlear implants, and throat stuff—he even operated on Nadan Vidošević—but look, nose jobs aren't actually his main thing! And please, don't get distracted by fancy clinics or pretty waiting rooms. At the end of the day, you aren't being operated on by a designer chair, you're being operated on by a doctor! Stick to the pros, the ones you’ve personally seen work or heard glowing reviews about. Good luck to everyone; it's totally worth pushing through ten days of downtime to get your life back. I'm really hoping this fixes everything for me once and for all!

Dzepina is actually great.. they didn't try to push any unnecessary stuff on me at all. Honestly? They just said: "Hey, please take a moment to think this over.. I don't think your current stance is quite right... just give me a shout once you've had some time to weigh your options."

jadedriver0 said:Basically, Glumičić is a great listener and a true gentleman. In my experience, he hasn't messed anything up once—thank God. The real issue is that women don't listen to him; they just demand what they have in their heads, even when it’s physically impossible given their facial structure...

From my own experience, I can tell you that the consultations are far too short. He promises the nose will look more graceful and refined, yet he does so without any computer simulations or digital modeling. In this day and age, I find it unacceptable for any surgeon to operate without such tools. Just saying, "We'll lower it a bit, lift it a bit, and you'll be happier"...🙄
That isn't enough. You can't even get a rough idea of the final result. From what I can gather, many patients end up dissatisfied because he lifts the nose too much, creating a "cookie-cutter" look that lacks sufficient cartilage—much like what happened with Blanka. While some might actually like that style, I personally find that approach completely lacking. 👎
My advice to anyone considering this is simple: do not let a doctor design your nose based solely on his own whims. You know what you want better than anyone, and if it's realistic, a competent surgeon should be able to deliver it.
Otherwise, you run the risk of massive disappointment. Many of our "celebrity" doctors base their aesthetic standards on media hype, while the actual results remain mediocre or simply underwhelming.

Rachel Barnes5 said:From what I’ve seen, consultations are way too short. He just claims the nose will look more graceful and refined without using any computer simulations or digital modeling. In this day and age, it’s unacceptable for any surgeon to operate without that kind of tech. It’s always the same line: "We'll lower it slightly, lift it a bit, and you'll be happier"...🙄
That isn't enough because you can't even get a rough idea of the final result. From what I can tell, plenty of patients end up unhappy with him because he over-lifts the nose, giving everyone that same cookie-cutter look that lacks structural integrity—just look at what happened to Blanka. Some people might love that look, but personally, I can't stand that approach. 👎
My advice to anyone considering this? Don't let a doctor play guessing games with your face. You know what you want, and if it’s realistic, a competent surgeon should be able to deliver it.
Otherwise, you're just gambling with disappointment. A lot of these high-profile "celebrity" doctors in America base their aesthetic standards on media hype, while the actual results for average patients are mediocre at best.

Exactly. I read these posts and wonder why surgeons here don't use software to show a preview of the final look first. Without it, you have no clue if the surgeon actually understood your vision or just did whatever they felt like. It's a massive risk.

Have you ever stopped to wonder what could actually go wrong? Imagine this: your surgeon promises you a perfect, "computer-designed" nose, and you’re absolutely thrilled. Then, they put you under, start the procedure, and suddenly realize the anatomy just won't allow for the look you both envisioned. You wake up with a completely different nose than the one you dreamed of, fall into a deep depression, and end up suing the doctor for fraud.
I actually remember reading an article about a situation just like that once.
The truth is, until the surgeon actually makes the first incision, there is no way to know what they’ll be facing.
As for my own personal preferences, I always wanted a nose like Beyoncé’s—something long and straight. But honestly, on my rounder, fuller face, especially without prominent cheekbones or a defined jawline, that look just wouldn't work. My doctor could have pushed for that style if I had insisted, but then he wouldn't be responsible for me looking like a total caricature afterward.
In the end, I placed my trust in my surgeon; I believe he’s a true aesthetic expert, and I understand that what looks beautiful to him might differ from my own vision, but let's be real—if the result wasn't good, I would have gone back to get it fixed.
If we all approached these decisions with such intense negativity right from the start, nobody would ever go under the knife.

Sophia Booth35 said:Here’s how it actually goes down: the surgeon designs a "computerized" nose, you get excited, they put you under, they cut you open, realize they can't actually build what you dreamed up with the anatomy you have, and then you wake up with a different nose entirely. You fall into a depression and sue the doctor for fraud.
I read an article about this once.
Until the doctor actually makes the incision, nobody knows what’s coming.
As for personal preferences, I’d love a nose like Beyoncé’s—long and straight. But on my round, fleshy face with no defined cheekbones or jawline, that just won't work. He could have gone that route if I had insisted, but then the doctor isn't responsible for me looking like a caricature afterward.
I trusted my surgeon. I believe he’s an expert. I know what looks good to him might not be what I want, but damn it, I’d go back to fix it if it turned out bad.
If we all thought this negatively from the jump, nobody would ever get surgery.

Look, if they can't use a computer to show me a realistic preview of how the nose will look after the procedure, then there's no point in talking. I'm not asking for Nicole Kidman's nose or anything crazy; I'm talking about what can realistically be done with my actual nose. There is a massive difference between seeing how a change looks on your own face versus having someone try to describe it to you with words.

Is it actually considered standard practice to undergo surgery during your period, or have any of you had to reschedule an appointment because of it?
I’m asking because I just did the math, and my cycle happens to line up exactly with my scheduled procedure.

Karen Grant80 said:Look, if they can't sit down at a computer and show me a digital preview of what my nose would actually look like after surgery, then we're just wasting our time. I’m not out here asking for a nose like Nicole Kidman’s; I’m talking about what’s realistically possible for my own face. There is a massive difference between having a visual of how a change will actually sit on your features versus some doctor just trying to describe it to you with words.

That's exactly why I decided to go see a specialist over in Germany instead, because they all use computer simulations! I totally get that it won't be a 100% perfect match for the final result, but it gives the doctor and the patient a way to actually communicate. I spend a lot of time on German forums, so I've seen plenty of these simulations compared to the actual final outcomes. Americans tend to be more private, but people in Germany are much more open—they share their before-and-after shots so everyone can see the results! Who knows, maybe once I talk to a doctor there, I'll just have the procedure done in Germany, because honestly, the more I read about things here in the States, the more I start to panic. Either way, I'm heading over to see Glušac this summer for a consultation, and I'm bringing a simulation along to see what his take is.

Jeremy Barrett7 said:Is it actually okay to go through with surgery while you're on your period, or have any of you had to push your appointment back because of it?
I'm asking because I just did the math, and it looks like my period is going to hit right during my scheduled surgery date.

It’s perfectly fine. For me, it was the second to last day of my cycle, and I simply let the nurse know so they were aware I had been using a tampon that morning in case anything came up.

Jeremy Barrett7 said:Is it actually standard procedure to go in for surgery while on your period, or has anyone here had their surgery pushed back because of it?
I'm asking because I just did the math, and it looks like my cycle will hit right during my scheduled date.

I’m in a similar boat—it looks like I’ll be starting my period right before the surgery, too. I actually started taking birth control pills to try and shift the timing, and my doctor mentioned that it should be fine; they suggested I stay on them a bit longer so I don't end up getting it immediately following the procedure.

I suppose I'm also a little worried about whether I can even proceed if it happens earlier than expected...

stormyharbor2 said:LOL. You're on? 🙂 🙂 Honestly, I barely have any old pics of my nose (aside from some I sent Glušac, though he always insisted I looked way better in person 😬), mostly because I spent my whole life avoiding side profiles. From the front, you could pretty much pass my nose off as totally normal. Before the surgery, we’d spend ages staring at noses on his computer screen—nothing was worse than mine except for the busted ones or people who needed major reconstructive work.

Melissa Taylor3, oh man, I can only imagine what you're going through. 😢

🤣🤣🤣

I still lowkey think yours wasn't even worse than mine 😁 can't wait to see 😍

rustygardener172 said:The tip will drop just a little more, which should help slim down the whole nose. If you feel like it’s too big right now, don't panic... but if you honestly feel like it’s massive—like, taking up half your face—then maybe worry. Because that's how it stays. That kind of "size" is usually obvious immediately after surgery.
But you already know that... and this is your second procedure, after all. 😉 One month is way too soon to be panicking... you're going to have to be patient. Honestly, I think the waiting is the hardest part of the whole process. 😂

Ugh, it's awful—it looks different every single day.🙄 Yeah, it is pretty big, but hey, if even just the tip and the middle section slim down, it'll be fine. Honestly, after everything I've been through, it turned out great... I'm just praying my doctor doesn't tell me I need another revision.😱
I'm worried about how the skin is sticking (if that's even what's happening) and it feels like one of the grafts is "poking out." But whatever, at least this time I was properly patched up 🙄 before things went crazy.

amberbadger81 said:Well, I think I might just head over to Glušac's place this summer to have a real chat, and maybe I'll bring along one of those simulations just to see how he reacts to it.

Yeah, you should totally bring that simulation, because I honestly think he'd just die laughing! 🙏

I mean, Glušac is super against those kinds of simulations, and he really feels like they're basically just highway robbery for patients. Personally, I kind of agree with him, since you end up paying $100 for absolutely nothing at all. 😁

Maria Hall92 said:That’s some solid thinking🙂—exactly how it should be. If only everyone approached things this way... honestly, though? I’d happily trade those genes away in a heartbeat. 🤣I really wouldn't miss them at all.😁 hahaha

Ugh, me too!😁 No matter how much work he needed—and let’s face it, he probably still does—I’m just relieved that potato is an ex now!! 😂As for the new one, I'll figure out a solution eventually.

Look, getting surgery isn't the issue.
The real challenge is finding a surgeon with actual integrity😢—someone who will assess the situation and REFUSE to operate if they don't think they can deliver, rather than just taking your money and "winging it" because they aren't sure what they're doing. They'll tell you your nose is a "unique case," then claim the result is "perfect" when, in reality, it’s a total disaster—all because they used the exact same technique that worked for everyone else.🙄 Respect to the exceptions, though; they seem to be getting harder to find these days.

Sophia Booth35 said:Here’s how it plays out: the doctor builds you a "computerized" nose, you get excited, they knock you out, start digging around, and then realize there isn't enough material to actually build what you both imagined. You wake up with a completely different nose, fall into a deep depression, and sue the doctor for fraud.
I read an article about this once.

In the US, nobody performs these procedures without computer simulations. Of course, the final result won't match the digital model down to the last milimetar, but the simulation exists to bridge the gap between surgeon and patient and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding aesthetics.
The patient's desires have to come first, which requires careful, detailed consultation.

What does it accomplish for a surgeon to simply tell a patient they'll make their nose smaller or more graceful? Communication is everything. You can't effectively communicate about facial structure if you don't have a visual framework for what "slightly lowering the tip" actually looks like. When we're talking about the face, milimetar matters immensely.