Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Ugh... so I thought that was how it worked...
Basically, I have the chance to get it done through my insurance or whatever since I’ve got a deviated septum that makes breathing a total nightmare.
Got that deviation from falling on my head way back when I was a kid, and then this little bump popped up 😕 (nobody else in my family has a nose like this—everyone else has totally normal, cute noses, so it's definitely not genetic).
I'm wondering, if I actually agreed to go through with this surgery—which would be free, right?—does the government actually foot the bill, and how much effort do the doctors actually put into the nose and the procedure itself?
Also, is that bump made of bone or just cartilage? And once they fix that crooked septum, does the nose actually look different? Like, does it look better or does it stay exactly the same?

wiredwalker86 said:Ugh... I thought so...
Basically, I have the chance to get surgery through insurance—or whatever you call it—since I have a deviated septum that makes breathing a nightmare.
That deviation happened from falling on my head way back when I was a kid, and then this little bump formed 😕 (nobody else in my family has a nose like this; everyone has a perfectly normal one, so it's definitely not genetic).
What I want to know is, if I agree to go through with this free surgery, does the government actually foot the bill? And how much effort do the doctors actually put into the actual shape of the nose versus just the medical side of things?
Is that bump made of bone or cartilage? And once they fix the crooked septum, does the look of the nose change at all? Does it look better, or stays exactly the same?

Look, if you find a decent doctor and tell them you want them to smooth out that bump while they're at it, they’ll almost certainly do it.
For them, it's really just an add-on—kind of like going to the dentist to fix a cavity and asking them to polish the tooth while they're in there.
Now, if you were looking to slim the nose down, shorten it, lift it, or reshape the bridge, that would be a whole different story because that's a massive, complicated job. But getting rid of a bump during a septum repair? That's BASICALLY A SIDE QUEST. It's right there!
Just a heads-up though: even if they do it, you might not be thrilled. If they shave off the bump but don't touch anything else regarding the aesthetics, your nose might end up looking weirdly long—maybe even wider than it did before.

Thanks for getting back to me 🙏
The only issue is that little bump. Everything else is great, I'm totally happy with how things turned out...
I was wondering, how willing is the doctor to fix that? Would it be weird if I brought it up, since I didn't go to him privately and pay full price...?
One more thing—is 15 days of recovery at home enough to hide the fact that you had nose surgery? Like, is that enough time for the bruising and swelling to go down so I can get back to work without anyone noticing?

rustygardener172 said:That’s exactly what Carol Parker57 wrote. She made it clear she would never dream of going under the knife for a nose job with a plastic surgeon who isn't also an ENT specialist.

She mentioned that she would never consider undergoing nose surgery with Dr. Glusca. DR. It’s perfectly fine that they aren't ENT specialists; that isn't a requirement. My point was simply that being an ENT doesn't automatically make someone a plastic surgeon. There are plenty of ENTs who focus solely on their specialty without crossing over into aesthetics. Ideally, you want to find someone who holds both credentials—a doctor who is both an ENT and a plastic surgeon.

briskseal99 said:She mentioned she’d never dream of getting nose surgery from a DR. who isn't an ENT, which honestly makes total sense. What I was trying to get at is that not every ENT is automatically a plastic surgeon, too. There are tons of ENTs out there who just stick to ears, nose, and throat stuff and don't touch plastic surgery. If you want the best results, you really want someone who is both an ENT and a plastic surgeon.

I mean, obviously she was talking about a cosmetic surgeon... we were already discussing getting a nose job with Dr. Zambelli, and he's definitely a cosmetic surgeon...

wiredwalker86 said:Oh, thanks for getting back to me! 🙏
The only thing bothering me is that little bump; everything else turned out amazing, and I’m honestly thrilled with how it looks overall....
I was wondering, though—how willing is the doctor to touch that up? Would it be awkward to bring it up, considering I didn't go to him privately and pay full price for a solo consultation?...
And one more thing: is two weeks of recovery at home enough time for people not to notice you had nose surgery? Like, is that enough time for any bruising or swelling to clear up so I can just head back to work like nothing happened?

Look, any decent surgeon will fix that if you just ask them straight up.
And yeah... two weeks should be plenty of time.

rustygardener172 said:It’s safe to assume she was referring to a plastic surgeon... after all, the discussion was about rhinoplasty performed by Dr. Zambelli, and he is indeed a plastic surgeon...

Zambelli specialized in general surgery, and you won't find a specific specialization for plastic surgery at any American medical schools. Most of them just pick up their expertise through hospital rotations, but honestly—if you're looking for an attractive nose, Zambelli will deliver regardless of him not being an ENT. In my opinion, he's gained plenty of experience in that area, unlike those ENTs who try to play plastic surgeon and end up ruining people's noses and faces, much like what happened to me.... 😢

wearyotter112 said:Zambelli actually specialized in general surgery. See, the medical schools here in the States don't really offer a specific residency for plastic surgery... most of them just pick up their experience working their way through different hospitals. But look, what I'm trying to get at is this—if you're dead set on getting a better nose, Zambelli is going to nail it for you. Even though he isn't an ENT, I'm pretty sure he's gained a massive amount of experience in that area. It's a hell of a lot better than those ENT specialists who try to play plastic surgeon and end up totally wrecking people's noses and faces, myself included.... 😢

That's exactly why most of them head overseas to finish their specialization...

In reality, there is no such thing as an "aesthetic specialist" or an "aesthetic surgeon," whether you are looking here in the States or anywhere else abroad. There are simply plastic surgeons who have completed their residency, focusing either on the head and neck or other areas of the body. What we perform on noses—or what we aim to achieve when aesthetics are the goal—is fundamentally just rhinoplasty.

rustygardener172 said:I mean, it’s pretty much implied she was talking about a plastic surgeon... since we were all discussing nose surgery with Dr. Zambelli, and he is indeed a plastic surgeon...

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant!

wearyotter112 said:I guess Zambelli actually specialized in general surgery, and since you can't really find specific aesthetic surgery residencies at the medical schools here in the States, most doctors end up picking up their expertise while working in various hospitals. But honestly, what I’m trying to say is—if you're looking to get a beautiful nose, Zambelli can definitely make that happen for you! Even though he isn't an ENT specialist, I truly believe he’s gained a ton of experience in that area too. It feels like a huge relief compared to those ENT specialists who try to jump into aesthetic surgery and end up totally ruining people's noses and faces, just like what happened to me... 😢

From what I’ve gathered, it seems like aesthetic surgery isn't really its own standalone specialty. If I had to choose, I think I would always go to an ENT specialist for an aesthetic rhinoplasty, mostly because that’s the only way to ensure the procedure actually improves how you breathe too. It doesn't seem like much of a challenge to just use silicone fillers or fat grafting, but working on a nose requires so much more precision. Because of that, I don't think I would ever consider having my nose done by a plastic surgeon who isn't also an ENT.

I was just looking at that nose job someone had done—you know, the one Glumicic did—and honestly, I think it’s a total disaster. It looks way too narrow and pinched, and it's been lifted so much that it just feels unnatural. Plus, if you look at the whole face, it doesn't fit the facial features at all; it just seems completely out of proportion.
I mean, I honestly have my doubts about whether you could even breathe normally through a nose like that, you know? I guess it’s just a thought, but isn't that the exact same nose shape Blanki Vlasic had? And if you ask me, her look was a total disaster.

Alright, everything there still holds up... it’s definitely an added bonus if they specialize in ENT... but it doesn't necessarily mean an aesthetic surgeon like Zambelli is just going to mess up your nose like that. It's not like he's some butcher...
How long ago was the surgery performed... but honestly, Glumicic... what a disaster... I mean, can you even breathe through a nose like that?

Dear forum members, I returned from my surgery two days ago, so I wanted to share my experience with you all...

I underwent a septoplasty and rhinoplasty through my insurance at the Rijeka Hospital. My doctor provided a referral to the ENT department there, where I was examined by Professor Manestar, who is widely considered a top specialist in this field. He scheduled me for the procedure in about three weeks. He suggested that if I wanted to pursue the aesthetic portion as well, we should proceed, as I had a small bump caused by a basketball hitting my nose in the past.
Now, before the actual surgery, you have a mountain of tests to complete—blood work, an EKG, consultations with the anesthesiologist, and so on. I arrived at the ward on the 12th, and they told me to return on the 17th.
Once they finally admitted me to the hospital, after dealing with all the paperwork, feeling completely exhausted, having a consultation with an intern regarding my medical history, and meeting the anesthesiologist, I was told I was on the schedule for the next day. They instructed me not to eat anything after midnight and gave me an injection in my abdomen to prevent blood clotting. Throughout that entire period, no one actually explained exactly what they were going to do to me. Then, in the morning, I found out that the professor wouldn't be performing the surgery himself, but rather someone chosen during a staff meeting. At 11:30, they came to get me, started an IV, and I lay in the hallway outside the operating room. The anesthesiologist gave me something intravenously that made me feel wonderful; I would have died laughing if I hadn't been feeling so uneasy. Finally, they wheeled me inside. I didn't even make it to the table before I fell asleep. The next thing I remember is being woken up, but I was so tired! I simply could not keep my eyes open. Afterward, a nurse told me that the first thing I asked while still groggy was when I could eat.😁 I spent the rest of the day sleeping intermittently. My throat was quite sore from the intubation, but they loaded me up with antibiotics, so it wasn't too bad and passed quickly. My biggest issue was a headache that started in the evening. I went to ask a nurse for a painkiller, but she was nowhere to be found. I barely made it until morning, when I managed to walk to the clinic and take some Voltaren. During my stay, nobody really checks in on you; the nurses just hand out pain medication like it's some kind of recession economy. It was quite unpleasant. On the fourth day, I had my nasal packing removed. The doctor performing the task seemed to forget to remove one side because he was clearly in a rush (it was a Saturday, so the weekend rush). When I asked who had performed my surgery, no one could tell me; they were all just guessing. I spent the whole day complaining about the packing in my nose, but they kept insisting it was just a stitch or a scab. Finally, in the morning, the professor arrived and removed the device. Generally speaking, it doesn't hurt much because everything is soaked in saliva and blood. Today, they removed the cast, and I must admit, that was painful. My nose is swollen, and while the bruising was minimal, my eye is quite swollen, though it should subside soon. It is still tender to the touch, and the stitches are visible. I will check back in a few days with more updates...☕

All that pain will pass, like it never even happened... 🙂
Anyway, what do you think of the new nose? Did they nail it?
Did you get the surgery through insurance or what?

northernwalker45 said:Does anyone here have actual experience dealing with piercings during surgery? I’m trying to figure out if I’ll be forced to take them all out—specifically my tongue piercing—and if there’s even a window to put them back in afterward. I’ve also heard rumors about some kind of replacement piercings specifically designed for X-rays or scans; does anyone know if that’s actually a thing? Also, regarding Dr. Glusca—what does his surgery cost look like, and is it possible to set up a payment plan?🙂

I had to take out my navel piercing—basically, you can't have any metal on you during resuscitation efforts. And tongue piercings? Absolutely not, purely because of the intubation tube. They even asked me if I was wearing any dental braces or anything similar; the rule is simple: if you’re wearing it, it has to come out. You just put everything back in normally after the surgery is over. It's not like the hole is going to close up in those few hours.

Laura Castillo7 said:I've got a belly button piercing and they actually made me take it out. Basically, you can't have any metal on you just in case they need to shock you back to life during resuscitation. And tongue piercings? Forget about it—they need space for the intubation tube. They even asked if I had any dental braces or anything like that, so yeah, if you've got stuff in your mouth, get it out. You can obviously put everything back once the surgery is over. Your piercing hole isn't going to close up in a few hours, right?

In my case, they told me to ditch all my earrings, but they said the navel piercing was totally fine to leave in.

Betty Gonzalez41 said:Hey guys, I'm coming to you with what might be a bit of a panic question. 😕
On the right side of my nose—not at the tip, but more like the bridge, or maybe that area where the nose meets the cheek? I don't really know the technical term, lol... anyway, I can feel this kind of bump there.
I can't really see it, and that's not even the main issue, but it still scares me a little. It isn't exactly small, and I can definitely feel it when I run my fingers over that part of my nose.
What could that be?😲

Hey, don't worry about it too much. It’s basically bliss, honestly—I feel the exact same way, just on both sides. At first, I actually thought I had some kind of lumps because it felt incredibly firm, but now that two weeks have passed, things are starting to shrink. For what it's worth, my right side is actually more swollen than my left. Anyway, it'll pass. 😁

So, I finally got my packing removed today and I can actually breathe again—honestly, I feel like I’m breathing like a dragon right now! 😁
I’m feeling so much better already 🙂 though I was feeling pretty woozy and out of it yesterday

The doctors warned me that my nose is going to stay congested for the next couple of weeks because of all the mucus and scabbing, so they gave me some nasal drops to use at night.

Taking the packing out was a little awkward, if I'm being honest, but it wasn't exactly terrifying. However, I just read some stories about people who found removing their molds incredibly painful, and since mine comes out this Monday, I’m feeling a little bit anxious about it.

My nose is definitely swollen, and I look a bit like a little piglet—though from what I can tell, most of that isn't even from the mold itself. It seems totally normal, though, because the swelling on the tip of my nose is so intense that it feels like it's pulling my whole nose upward.

Like rustygardener172 said, honestly, the best thing you can do is just stay away from the mirror entirely 🤣

^ Taking the mold off doesn't hurt at all, honestly—everything that feels "painful" is mostly just in your head. I mean, I seriously looked like a total pig, or better yet, like some heavyweight boxer for a few months there hahah .... but man, it was totally worth it! Good luck with your recovery! 😉

Elizabeth Baker50 said:Honestly, having the mold removed doesn't hurt at all; everything that feels "painful" is really just a matter of your own mindset. I mean, there were a few months where I looked like a total wreck—or if I’m being completely honest, more like a heavyweight boxer than a human being, hahah... but looking back, every single bit of it was absolutely worth it! Wishing you nothing but the best with your recovery! 😉

So, he's a boxer now, huh? 🤣🤣🤣

Thanks so much, Elizabeth Baker50! 😁 You really were there for me when I was stressing out about the mold situation. 😘

P.S. Did you ever actually ask me about those glasses? I was just wondering—how long did it take before you finally started wearing them again?