Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Elizabeth Collins5 said:I actually envy how fast you're recovering 😉. It sounds grim, but I could barely manage to wash my hair until a week had passed, and even then, I needed help from my mother 😁. I was terrified of messing up the flaps and having them peel off... God forbid. I couldn't even bend over because of the blood pressure and this strange sensation in my head.

Same here. Every time I lean forward, I get hit with nausea and this freakish, stabbing sensation right up in my nose. It's unsettling...😲 😢 😂

Elizabeth Collins5 said:I suppose it’s my turn to share my experience. I spent about ten years debating whether to go through with surgery. Now that it's behind me, I actually regret waiting so long. It finally freed me from a massive complex...
Unlike some people on this forum, I genuinely needed the procedure (not that anyone else's need isn't valid)
.
It wasn't until the consultation that I realized I needed more than just a cosmetic fix. I had a deviated septum and cartilage that had shifted to the right, making my right nostril significantly smaller. I just assumed that was normal 😂.
My only real fear before the surgery was the idea of waking up mid-procedure—a fear I picked up from reading this thread, haha
. The surgery itself was a bit tougher than expected, but otherwise went smoothly. Aside from the IV puncture
, there wasn't much pain. However, recovery wasn't exactly a walk in the park for me like it was for some of you. I struggled with the anesthesia and vomited blood twice, though I managed to eat some ground beef patties immediately after😂. My bruising lasted longer than average—about 20 days. Even now, there's a hint of yellowing where the bruises were. I dealt with low blood pressure and a dizzy sensation that lingered for about 15 days. Around day 20, one stitch became inflamed, and my face—especially my forehead—swelled up. Usually, I don't have issues with swelling. And the tampon removal? I didn't have much luck there. It was incredibly sharp, intense pain, though thankfully brief. Breathing through my mouth wasn't an issue. The hardest part of the whole recovery was sleeping on my back, as that's just not how I sleep
. As for the results, I'd say I'm about 80% satisfied. I'm hoping that remaining 20% comes with time. Even though it's been over a month, my nose is still quite swollen, and I feel like I'm healing slower than most. I asked the surgeon for three specific things: that the nose wouldn't look too small (like B. Vlašić's), that it wouldn't be overly upturned (again, like B. Vlašić), and that it wouldn't look too "saddle-shaped." I think the doctor respected those wishes
. Regarding the surgical team, I have nothing but praise, so they get my full recommendation 👍. Oh, and I almost forgot—I had the procedure done by Dr. Glušac in Makarska
. All in all, considering the minor setbacks during recovery, if you ask me if I'd do it again, the answer is an absolute yes 😁.

I'll send photos via private message. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask 😉.

Pretty much the same for me, except the bruising made it look like I'd been in a two-day brawl.😢😲😂I can laugh about it now, but it wasn't funny at the time. Well, it's over and done with. Thank God.🙂🙂

Elizabeth Collins5 said:Man, I am seriously jealous of how fast you bounce back. 😉

Honestly, I’ve always been one of those people who heals at lightning speed—I guess my body is just built differently. Like, every single piercing I’ve ever gotten looked totally settled from day one, like it had been there for years... I remember one time during a piercing session, the guy actually asked me if I even had blood in my veins. 😁 So, naturally, I was expecting to be a little less bruised after this... but nope, not even a little bit. 😁 Still, even though I looked like absolute hell, I actually felt pretty great right after the surgery. 😁

Elizabeth Collins5 — honestly, what you’re going through with your recovery sounds absolutely brutal 😲

I’ve actually gone through surgery twice myself, and both times the actual procedure was painless (though, I have to admit, the first one was botched quite badly 🙄), aside from that tiny bit of discomfort when they remove the packing, which really only lasts about thirty seconds

But looking at what you described, I completely agree—it could definitely be worse. If it were me, I’d jump back under the knife in a heartbeat because having a straight, healthy, fully functional nose is a lifelong benefit, and it's worth enduring a few days of pure misery for that outcome.

I mean, when I think back to how many tissues I went through because my deviated septum caused chronic rhinitis... it is just so incredibly awkward when you get hit with a sneezing fit right in the middle of a big meeting at work. It’s just awful 😲 and dealing with that day in and day out for the rest of your life? No way, absolutely not!

Anyway, I had my follow-up appointment yesterday, and the doctor is thrilled with how everything healed up, and honestly, so am I 😍. My breathing isn't quite at a hundred percent yet, but the doc says that’s totally normal for this stage
.
And my nose is looking better every single day 😁

A few days ago, I started sleeping slightly on my side; obviously, I’m being careful not to lean on my nose at all 😬

Eda, it seems like my lymphatic drainage and skin are doing great, because from overhearing the nurse and the doctor talking, I realized they usually recommend nasal massages to their patients, but they said my nose is behaving perfectly and I don't even need them 😁

rustygardener172 — wait, you still have to massage yours after four months? How much longer is that going to last, and what is the actual point of it?

I had no idea that could prevent irregularities later on 🤷. Honestly, the whole concept of nasal reconstruction and surgery—especially closed rhinoplasty—is just total science fiction to me

It takes about a year for your nose to fully bounce back after surgery (and if you’re talking about sinus issues, you're looking at closer to two years... assuming you aren't constantly blasting your face with nasal sprays)... so honestly, why wouldn't you keep up with the massages? 😁 It’s not going to hurt anything; if anything, it should actually help things along. 😁 The whole point of massaging the nose is to make sure the skin doesn't get stuck or adhere to the underlying structure—you know, because of all that extra skin movement from reshaping and resizing the nose—plus, the massage helps move the swelling out faster so you don't look like a balloon forever. That’s my take on it, anyway... though I'm sure jadedriver0 knows more than I do since she actually went through those lymphatic drainage sessions... personally, I'm just winging it here. She asked, but we’re still waiting on an answer... come on, jadedriver0... it's time. 😁

Mentally speaking, I think I was pretty much braced for the postoperative recovery process. I even prepared myself for the possibility of pain—which, looking back, turned out to be almost nothing. I went into this knowing full well that I wasn't just getting a hair upgrade; I was undergoing an actual surgery. Because of that mindset, I didn't view the whole ordeal as something particularly negative.

I felt compelled to write this up just so anyone else heading into this knows what kind of discomfort to anticipate. To be honest, after scrolling through everyone else's stories on the forums, I had this idea in my head that I’d be fully recovered within two weeks. Being thrown off by the reality of how slow things actually move was... well, it was a bit of a mess.
While we're at it, for those of you still waiting for your procedure: please, do not compare yourselves to anyone else. We all have different bone structures, different skin, and let's face it, no two surgeries are identical.
For instance, personally, immediately after my surgery, I felt like I’d been run over by an M1 Abrams tank. But then, when I showed up for my checkup a week later, there was this guy lying on the table who had finished his surgery only thirty minutes prior, and he looked like he hadn't even broken a sweat. Some people just get luckier than others.

Sam Kim12 said:If you don't mind me asking, who performed the surgery?

Dr. Janjanin

Elizabeth Collins5 said:Personally, after my surgery, I felt like I’d been run over by a tank. But then, when I went back for my follow-up a week later, there was this guy sitting right there on the exam table—he’d finished his procedure just thirty minutes prior—and he looked like nothing had even happened to him. I guess some people just have better luck than others.

As if I have any luck... I’ll probably be recovering way longer than you will. 😂
I had blood drawn yesterday for the pre-op workup, and my arm is already bruised, so I can only imagine what I'm going to look like once the actual surgery is over. 😲 😲 😲

Carol Diaz31 said:As if I have any luck—I’ll probably be recovering way longer than you will. 😂
I had blood drawn yesterday for my upcoming surgery, and my arm is already bruised like crazy. If this is what a simple blood draw does, I can only imagine what I'm going to look like after the actual operation. 😲😲😲

Seriously, my arms bruise up every single time too. Either you got stuck by a nurse who needs more practice, or you just have those stubborn, tricky veins... whatever it is. But honestly, how fast you bounce back from surgery doesn't really have much to do with how easy your veins are to hit. 😁 Just hang in there!

Just a heads-up here... my advice is simple... IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH YOUR NOSE OR THINK A NEW LOOK WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER, JUST DO IT. GET THE SURGERY ASAP THROUGH A HOSPITAL (IF YOU HAVE A DEVIATED SEPTUM) OR JUST BOOK A PRIVATE CLINIC AND CALL IT A DAY... FIRST, YOU'LL CLEAR UP THE psychological bit, AND THEN YOU'LL HANDLE THE physical side of things....

p.s. The surgery itself doesn't hurt at all because you're completely out cold, and the recovery period isn't much either... the only real issue is some minor bruising that clears up fast... MOSTLY... don't sweat it, spending that time in the hospital with a packed nose was quite the experience , and in the end, I am satisfied with the whole outcome,.. 👍.

quietwolf182 said:Just a little heads-up here... if you aren't happy with your nose—if you genuinely believe a new profile would make you feel more confident—my advice is to just go for it. Get it done through a hospital if you’re dealing with a deviated septum, or just book a private surgeon and call it a day. You'll solve both the psychological side and the physical issues at once.

P.S. The surgery itself isn't painful because you're completely under. Honestly, the recovery isn't much either; the only real issue is some minor bruising that clears up pretty fast. No need to worry. For me, spending that time in the hospital with my nose all packed up was quite the experience, but in the end, I am very satisfied with the results...👍.

And why are you getting so worked up? 😕

rustygardener172 said:It always turns blue for me too. Honestly, either you had your blood drawn by a nurse who doesn't quite have the touch, or you just have stubborn veins... I don't know... but I suppose recovery from surgery doesn't really have much to do with how good your veins are. 😁Just stay brave!

Well, what I actually meant was that whenever someone even pinches me, I bruise up immediately 😁 because I just have this tendency toward bruising 🙂

jadedriver0 said:It’s pretty much the same thing, though my chin feels like I’ve been getting punched for two days straight.😢 😲 😂I can laugh about it now, but honestly, it wasn't funny at the time. Well, it's over and done with, thank God.🙂 🙂

As long as you're happy with the results, that's all that matters... 🙂
Is there any way I could get some photos via private message?? 😉
Thanks in advance.

Elizabeth Collins5 said:I had mentally prepared myself for the postoperative recovery process. I even braced myself for potential pain, though it ended up being negligible. My mindset was focused on the surgery itself rather than just an aesthetic upgrade. Because of that preparation, I didn't view the whole experience through a negative lens.

I wanted to share my experience simply so those heading into this know what kind of discomfort to expect. To be honest, after reading everyone else's stories on this forum, I fully expected to be back to normal within two weeks, so it was a bit of a reality check when things didn't go that smoothly.
Also, for anyone currently waiting for their procedure: please don't compare yourself to others. We all have different bone structures and skin types, and no two surgeries are identical.
For instance, right after my operation, I felt like I’d been run over by a tank. Yet, when I went in for my follow-up a week later, there was a guy who had finished his surgery only thirty minutes prior, and he looked like he hadn't even been touched. Some people just get luckier than others.

My apologies, I sent that prematurely; the most important thing is that you're happy with the results now.🙂
Could someone please send me some photos via private message? 😉Thanks in advance.

rustygardener172 said:It takes about a year for the nose to fully recover from surgery (mucosa takes closer to two years... provided you aren't constantly blasting it with nasal sprays)... so why not continue with massages? 😁 It won't hurt anything; if anything, it helps. 😁 You massage the nose to prevent the skin from sticking to the structure—due to excess skin from the reduction and reshaping—and to help the swelling subside faster... At least, that’s my understanding. But jadeddriver0 probably knows more since she was there for the lymphatic drainage... honestly, I'm no expert. She asked, but still no answer... come on, jadeddriver0... it's time... 😁

Hey honey, I must have missed the question earlier, sorry. 🙂 😉 Basically, drainage helps prevent those bumps that often show up in the lower part of the nose. You know what I mean, when someone ends up with a flat bridge but then a bulge near the tip... I don't even know how to describe it. 🤣 And of course, for a faster recovery and better sensation, I highly recommend it. We can't exactly replicate what a specialist shows us after surgery. Just go to a decent esthetician, ask around, and call it a day. 👍 🙏

Carol Diaz31 said:I was actually thinking about how whenever someone even barely pinches me, I immediately turn blue. 😁 It’s just my tendency toward bruising. 🙂
With my luck, I’ll probably be bruising longer than you will.
Yesterday, I had blood drawn for some upcoming surgery, and my arm turned bruised and purple instantly. I can only imagine what I'll look like after the actual procedure.

It doesn't necessarily mean 😉. Right before my surgery, I had labs done twice in two days—thanks to a mistake by a young doctor who couldn't get the referral right. One arm bruised up, the other didn't. And when the anesthesiologist stuck the needle in my vein right before the operation, I fully expected my entire arm to turn purple, but nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. 😁 It was like I wasn't even poked. So, there really aren't any rules here.
How do you usually heal from things like bumps or cuts? I recently had a tiny little nick on my finger, and it took ten whole days just to close up.
Maybe it's because I have sensitive skin and a pale complexion. 🤷
Anyway, just stay positive and everything will turn out better than you expect. 😉

Elizabeth Collins5 said:So, how do you all usually handle it when you get a bump, a cut, or something similar? I mean, what’s your go-to routine? Personally, I had this tiny little nick on my finger recently—nothing major, really—but it took forever to heal. It feels like it was ten whole days before the wound finally closed up. I guess I'm just wondering if I'm being overly dramatic or if that's actually normal. Maybe I should be more proactive with the bandages or something.

I don't know, I haven't exactly gone under the knife in the last hundred years, haha... but I suppose I lean toward bruises. Not that they really scare me, though. Honestly, the absolute worst part of any visible surgical aftermath I’ve ever seen is when the area around the eyes gets completely red and bloody looking. It's just unsettling. 😲 Look, I just really hope this doesn't end up being another massive disappointment for me too. Honestly, I've had enough.

Honestly, as the date for my surgery gets closer, I’m starting to realize just how much this is actually getting to me. I guess it's just setting in. Maybe it's the anticipation, or maybe it's just the reality of it all, but the fear is definitely becoming more palpable. 😁
And honestly, what really gets under my skin is how everyone is suddenly jumping down my throat telling me not to go. It’s exhausting. They’re all acting like they have some say in the matter, saying things like, "Don't do it," as if I haven't already made up my mind. Meanwhile, they're just standing there complimenting my nose, telling me how much they love it. It's such a bizarre contradiction, really. One minute they're trying to control my decisions, and the next, they're being sweet about my features. I guess people just love to meddle, don't they? It's just... it's frustrating, to say the least. 🙄
It feels like I’ve always been the target of some kind of joke when it comes to my nose. It’s like everyone just assumes they have a right to comment on it. 😳

Carol Diaz31 said:By the way, as the day of my surgery gets closer, I’m finding that the anxiety is really starting to set in. It’s one of those things where you think you've got a handle on it, but then the reality of it all just starts weighing on you more and more every single day. 😁
And honestly, what really gets under my skin right now is how everyone keeps trying to talk me out of it. It’s like every time I bring up my plans, I get hit with this wave of unsolicited advice telling me not to go, as if they know better than I do.I honestly just have to say, I absolutely adore your nose! 🙄
It feels like I’ve spent half my life being teased about my nose; it seems like people can’t help but make a joke out of it. 😳

Just spend some time thinking about what comes after... just sit with that thought for a moment. 😉

That part in bold? Yeah, I know that story all too well. It’s a situation I've seen play out more times than I care to admit. 🙄 It was right around the time I mentioned that I was heading in for surgery.
Is it about aesthetics or functionality? It’s funny how that question goes. You ask someone whether they prioritize looks or how something actually works, and you almost immediately get hit with those backhanded comments. I can already hear them now—people chiming in with things like, "Oh, but I actually think your nose gives your face so much character!" or "Okay, fine, but honestly, that's just your unique look." It’s such a classic way to sidestep the actual point, isn't it? Look, at the end of the day, it's really up to you. I’ve always believed that everyone has to navigate their own path and make their own calls, regardless of what anyone else thinks or suggests. It’s your life, your decision, and honestly, you're the only one who has to live with the consequences of whatever choice you make. I might have my own perspective—and I'll certainly share it if you ask—but ultimately, this is your call to make.To be honest, if I’m being completely candid, it wasn't actually any one specific comment that got under my skin—it was more about that overall condescending tone. You know that vibe? It’s that subtle, patronizing way some people speak to you, as if they're looking down their noses, and honestly, that particular attitude is what really gets under my skin more than anything else.

Well, at least there were a few people out there who went above and beyond to offer their full support and encouragement, and honestly, thank God for that. 😁

jadedriver0 said:Hey girl, I totally missed your question earlier, my bad.🙂 😉Basically, those drains are there to help prevent any weird bumps from forming—usually right in the lower part of the nose. You know what I mean, when someone gets surgery and ends up with a nose that looks flat on top but then just bulges out at the tip? I don't even know how to describe it properly...🤣

I’ve actually got that bulge right now. Is it just going to go away on its own without a drain? Like, does having the drain make it heal faster... or if I don't have one, am I just looking at a much longer wait?

rustygardener172 said:I've heard it clears up on its own. Will it just fade away without any drainage? I mean, things move faster with drainage... but if there isn't any, does it just take longer?

I hope it clears up🤷. Just get moving. Search for cosmetic clinics in your area and talk to the staff. I'm not sure if you should see an esthetician or a dermatologist🤷. Ask around. Call a few doctors, a few specialists. You have nothing to lose...😉