Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

I’ve been messing around with this every single day for a year and a half now, and honestly? It just won't budge!
It’s definitely scaled back since I first started dealing with it, but you can still see those leftover
crunchy bits.
See, I didn't even have this issue at the beginning—it just kind of developed over time.
I have no clue how it even happens out of nowhere, but man, I just want it gone!
Deep down, I totally saw this coming... I just knew it would happen to me!
I always end up screwing things up! It’s like the universe is specifically picking on me—I am such a magnet for bad luck!!!😠😢😢

Samuel Reyes26 said:I’ve been working at it every single day for a year and a half, and nothing—absolutely nothing!
It’s shrunk a bit compared to when I started, but you can still see those little leftover
crunchy bits.
I didn't even have this issue at first; it just developed over time.
I have no clue where it came from, but I just want it gone!
I knew this would happen to me—I just knew it!
I always mess things up. It’s like the universe is out to get me; I’m such a magnet for bad luck!!!😠😢😢

OH MAN!!!
Can you actually see that when looking from the profile view or straight on?
I’ve heard stories about how, when viewed from the side, bones that were broken don't heal quite right, leaving some kind of protrusion or a divot. But I’ve never heard of anyone having issues where that cartilage part gets flattened out or looks like a tiny slide or a saddle...

Samuel Reyes26...look, you can't just sit there on the couch and expect this to fix itself. Give them a call, send over some photos, get the full scoop... go in for an actual consultation. Honestly, I'd try being a bit more assertive with the doctor who did your surgery—tell them you need this sorted out, period. You paid good money for this, and we all know those medical bills aren't exactly cheap.

George Ramos11 said:Samuel Reyes26... look, sitting in an armchair isn't going to fix anything. Just pick up the phone, send over some photos, get some actual info. Go in for a consultation. Maybe try this—take the bill, go back to the doctor who did the surgery, and tell them to make it right, regardless of the circumstances. You paid for a service, and we all know those medical bills aren't cheap...

Did you actually have nose surgery?
Are you happy with it?!

So, I had my surgery this past Tuesday. They did the swabs yesterday... I'm getting the cast off in three days, so we'll see how things are looking then...
-=iG=surgery=-

George Ramos11 said:I had my surgery this past Tuesday... they took out the tampons yesterday... I get the mold removed in three days, then we'll see how things look...
-=iG=surgery=-

Haha
I actually had mine done on Tuesday—took the tampons out on Friday, and by next Friday the bandages come off.
I seriously can't wait!!!!!
Right now, I just feel like a little purple-and-yellow habanero pepper.😉)
Hopefully we won't have any issues when we finally see what we look like after all this stuff is gone.🙂)

I only went in for a purely cosmetic procedure. I don't have any bruising or swelling under my eyes, though the tip of my nose was pretty swollen at first—but honestly, the progress I’m seeing every single day is huge. It's still a total mystery how he actually shaped the bridge area... but seriously, I'm really hoping he did a top-tier job, and I have zero doubts about his professionalism. Anyway, I just want you to be super happy with your new nose! : )

George Ramos11 said:Look, I went in strictly for the cosmetic side of things—my under-eye area isn't even affected and there's zero swelling there. The tip of my nose was pretty puffy at first, but honestly, you can see progress every single day. It’s still a bit of a mystery how he managed to shape the upper bridge like that... but hey, I’m really crossing my fingers that he did a top-tier job because I definitely trust his professionalism. Anyway, I truly hope you end up loving your new nose! : )

So, who did you go to for the surgery?

Toncicev

I went under the knife for a deviated septum (as lame as that sounds 😬) at the local clinic run by Mladina about 13 years ago. Honestly? It was a total nightmare. Compared to what I went through, having a newborn baby seems like a walk in the park. When I think back to those packing tampons they stuffed inside my head for ten days straight—not to mention the pounding headaches from the pressure... and don't even get me started on those hooks they used to pull meters of gauze out of every single sinus cavity a human head possesses... I just have to wonder who actually has the guts to do that multiple times just for cosmetic reasons 😱 brrr. And the absolute kicker? It didn't even work. I wouldn't let them touch me with a scalpel ever again. A complete waste of time

Does anyone know how long cartilage swelling usually lasts? Maybe around 4 months?

Laura Booth6 said:Does anyone know how long cartilage swelling lasts? Maybe around 4 months?

Honestly, I think it’s different for everyone... we don't all react to the same stuff in the same way, obviously.
I know girls who were back to normal almost instantly, while for others, the stretching and healing took a full year. The irony is that some of them actually recovered faster even after more complicated procedures:🤷🤷
but that's just how life works, right?
Maybe try to remember how you usually bounce back from, say, a basic bump or a fall—just to get a sense of what kind of person you're dealing with here.🙂
Some people just need a little extra time, but at the end of the day, it's the final result that matters.😉))
Hopefully yours turns out beautiful (just like mine—ha, ha, ha).

goldentinker79 said:I had surgery for a deviated septum (as lame as that sounds 😬) at the clinic near Mladina about 13 years ago. Honestly? It was terrifying. Giving birth is a walk in the park compared to that. When I think back to having those tampons stuffed in my head for 10 days—the headaches from the pressure... and those hooks they used to pull meters of gauze out of every single sinus cavity a human skull possesses—I just wonder who actually has the guts to go through that multiple times just for aesthetics 😱 yikes. And the worst part? It didn't even work. You won't catch me on an operating table ever again. A total waste of time

I’ve had sinus surgery twice for polyps and, honestly, it wasn't that bad... my bigger fear is always general anesthesia and the potential complications.
Of course, it hurts afterward, but you can get by with some basic over-the-counter meds...
For instance, I find getting a sinus scan way more uncomfortable when they shove that probe with the camera deep into your sinuses and down your throat...
Also, I've had three kids, and that's a different kind of brutal pain—though you tend to forget it once you see your little angel.
Truthfully, I think every bit of pain serves a purpose in the end 😉)))

Laura Booth6....how's the recovery going?? you haven't replied to my email yet..is everything okay?*???

I know this isn't really the topic here, but I’ve got a quick question about my nose. Not looking for surgery talk or anything, so please bear with me and don't yell at me for not starting a whole new thread for no reason... 😛

I think I’ve got some kind of inflammation going on. Everything inside is just dried up and crusty, and I can't breathe through my nose at all. I'm literally having to dig it out with a Q-tip just to get some air... 🤷
The outside of my nose actually looks swollen too, and it hurts even when I just touch it. 😢 It's been going on for a few days now and it's just getting worse and worse. 🙄

I can't make it to a doctor immediately, so does anyone have any advice? Like, can this be fixed with some ointments or maybe some Afrin? 🤷
But honestly, it feels like I'll end up needing to see a doctor anyway...
tnx

So, I finally took the mold off this morning (day 7 post-op) and honestly? The results are better than I ever dared to hope. I was peeking just under the edge of the tape from my incision, and man, I wasn't expecting it to look this good. Maybe the nurse's "magic touch" played a part too, but seriously—wow! My nose looks absolutely perfect, even considering the swelling and those slight dark circles under my eyes. To sum it all up: the whole experience has been incredibly smooth and way beyond my expectations. As for Dr. Toncic, he and his entire team are the real deal—super professional, easy to talk to, and they radiate this calm confidence and expertise. They’re humble, too, and have a very grounded way of looking at things. Honestly, my vision for what I wanted was basically realized through his skill without me having to micromanage anything. It was actually pretty smart of me not to push my own specific whims too hard; instead, I just listened to his expert opinion, and this result proves he’s a true master of his craft. If you're hunting for an aesthetic surgeon, he should be your absolute first choice. Plus, his pricing is the most reasonable out there. I don't think anyone wants to just throw money away when you could save that for a rainy day, right? So, why not? I'm still kind of reeling from the shock. Realistically, I wasn't expecting miracles since nobody had really checked in on me after the procedure to give me feedback (clearly, setting high standards is just routine for them now!), so I actually spent a little time worrying they might have messed something up. Turns out, not at all. For anyone out there who's paralyzed by fear or anxiety about looking better, I can't recommend this doctor enough. The procedure itself was totally painless, and I've already said plenty about how great the clinic staff is.

George Ramos11 said:So, I finally took the mold off this morning (it’s been 7 days since the procedure) and honestly, the results are better than I ever imagined... I was peeking a little under the bandage near my eye, and if I’m being totally real, I wasn't expecting it to look this good (maybe those nurses have some kind of magic touch too... seriously, it looks wow!)... The nose is basically perfect, especially considering there's still some swelling and light bruising under my eyes.. I guess you could sum up the whole experience as just one really pleasant ride that's gone way beyond what I expected so far... As for Dr. Toncic, I’d describe him—and his whole team—as incredibly professional and easy to be around. They just radiate this confidence and expertise, but they stay humble and keep things grounded in reality... To be honest, my wishes (and then some) were just translated through his work without me even having to give much direction.. It was actually interesting because I didn't push my own specific ideas on him; I just listened closely to his professional opinion, and this result is just proof of who the real master of the craft is. In my book, he should be the first choice when picking a plastic surgeon.. Plus, his pricing is the most reasonable out there, and I don't think anyone wants to just throw money away when you could save it for a rainy day in the bank... so, fingers crossed it stays this way.. anyway, I'm still a bit stunned because, looking at it realistically, I wasn't expecting miracles, especially since nobody had checked in on how I was doing or how the outcome looked (I guess setting high standards has just become routine for them now) so I kind of convinced myself they might have messed something up.. yeah.. For anyone out there where fear and nerves are the only thing holding you back from a better look, I sincerely recommend this doctor. The procedure itself was absolutely painless, and I think I've said enough about him and the clinic staff already..

I'm backing everything George Ramos11 wrote. I just took my mold off at the clinic today and I can tell you all, this is probably the best day of my life. For anyone sitting on the fence about which surgeon to pick, my advice is Dr. Toncic and his medical team. I know, I try.👍👍

George Ramos11 said:In essence, you could sum up the entire procedure as one seamless, pleasant experience that has honestly exceeded all my expectations so far. I’d describe Dr. Johnson as an incredibly professional and easy-to-be-around individual—much like his entire team—who radiates confidence and expertise at every turn, yet maintains a certain level of humility and, most importantly, a grounded perspective on life. To be perfectly honest, my own desires (and then some) were translated through his work without me having to provide a roadmap. It was interesting to find myself not pushing my own agenda, but rather listening intently to his expert guidance; this result is simply proof of who the true master of the craft is. In my view, he should be the absolute first choice when selecting a plastic surgeon. On top of all that, his pricing is easily the most reasonable out there.

I'm reading this and just shaking my head. 🤮
Johnson's counter-intelligence has lost all sense of proportion in its sheer jealousy. 🙂

So, I went in for my follow-up and had a chat with the doc yesterday. He confirmed he can actually feel that little bump under his fingers too—so I wasn't just imagining things, and no, the surgeon didn't accidentally graft someone else's nose or a piece of floor debris onto me!! He mentioned it could still be some lingering swelling, but there's also a chance my tissue is just extra sensitive and left a bit of scar tissue behind while he was "smoothing" everything out, which caused the bump. Anyway, he told me not to stress and to swing back by in a month for another check-up. If things haven't leveled out by then, we'll look into a revision surgery to redo it. I have to say again, Tomljenovic is top-tier. Truly a phenomenal doctor and just a great guy to deal with!
Thanks for all the supportive comments, everyone. As for that one rude, arrogant comment? It’s completely irrelevant anyway.

Alex Moore62 said:I'm just sitting here reading through this and, honestly, I'm kind of in awe. 🤮
I guess Toncicev's counterintelligence has pretty much lost all sense of proportion in its jealousy, maybe. 🙂

I'll shoot you a DM with a scan of my receipt, so maybe you can take a look and decide for yourself if we're actually looking at satisfied patient revenues or something else entirely. Honestly, if you're really as sharp as you claim to be, you should probably just track the IP address to see where those comments are actually coming from. Good luck with your little investigation.☕