Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

rustygardener172 said:Honestly, even before my first surgery, I felt like my nose was subtly drifting in the wrong direction... but once the procedure was over, everything just went downhill from there. It wasn't just the look of it, either; my breathing became a total mess. I used to joke with myself that by the time they were done, the tip of my nose was going to end up touching my ear. 😁 My second surgery was done by a private specialist, and now my nose is almost completely flat—well, as flat as it can get, given how symmetrical my face is. Honestly, fifteen days? That is way too soon to know anything for sure... you’re going to have to be patient and just wait it out. I’m crossing my fingers for you, hoping you don't end up with the same result I did. 👍

stormyharbor2 said:Where are you rushing to?😳 It’s only been fifteen days... just fifteen. You have to remember that your nose is still going to shift and settle quite a few more times. There will be moments when you swear it’s leaning too far left or pulling to the right, or maybe it feels uneven or strangely textured. You might even feel little bumps or ridges under your skin. And honestly? Expect some swelling in the mornings or right after you wake up; that’s just part of the deal. Usually, they say you shouldn't judge the final result until about six months have passed since the surgery, though Smith mentioned it might be possible to tell a bit sooner than that.

@rustygardener172/">@@rustygardener172, I really hope things get sorted out soon. Even though there’s some swelling, you can tell it's starting to veer off in the wrong direction. Don't you just feel that when something isn't quite aligning? 😢So, I guess that means it’s perfectly normal for things to be a little off-kilter for a while? It feels like everything is just slightly skewed right now. I'm still relying on those drops to help me breathe, but I suppose it'll pass eventually. I can be patient... I really can. If things stay this way, though, then I'll just have to look into a second surgery. Thanks for the input. 😁

@stormyharbor2/">@@stormyharbor2, look, I’m not trying to rush anyone... it’s just that I’m genuinely terrified. It's strange, really. I wasn't scared of anything before—not even the surgery itself, or having the tampon removed—but this? This is different. And since they're inserting it again first thing tomorrow morning... I guess I just had to ask. Is it normal to feel this way? To already be dreading what these next six months are going to hold? Thanks.

silverlynx52 said:and then it’s being injected into me in the morning

Is your weather forecast predicting the same shift as mine?🤣>

Carol Diaz31 said:Some people will try to convince you that you haven't changed at all, or worse, claim you were actually prettier before—just as a way to downplay how much better you look now. 😉
I know we're talking about a friend here... but honestly, even people I expected to be my biggest cheerleaders when I decided to fix this flaw ended up making comments like that. It was pretty obvious there was nothing but pure envy behind them. ☕

Look, there are all sorts of personalities out there, but I really doubt she meant anything by it. She explained herself to me—she just thought my nose would end up looking much smaller or more upturned after the surgery. But, well, you can't satisfy everyone's expectations, right? At the end of the day, what matters is that I feel better and less self-conscious with my new nose. If someone doesn't like it, they can just look elsewhere. 🤣

stormyharbor2 said:Is your weather forecast looking just as unpredictable as mine?🤣

😂 I think I have to say yes... honestly. While I was spending those few days in Chicago, everything seemed perfectly fine—nothing was piling up, no real issues at all. But now that I've finally made it back home to where the weather actually hits? It's a total disaster. This snow is absolutely no joke. 😢

casualscout65 said:So, a quick word of advice for anyone who’s recently had surgery...

I went to the pharmacy today to pick up some saline solution because I finished my first bottle just by rinsing my nose... and while I was waiting in line, this one product caught my eye. The packaging specifically asked: "Congested nose?" 😁
I mean, seriously? You're talking to me?

Anyway, I won't ramble too long, but I bought that little gadget for $30, the "clear nose" thing—and honestly, what a lifesaver. I managed to pull out some mucus with a bit of blood that there was absolutely no way I could have cleared by blowing my nose... (not that we’re supposed to blow our noses too hard after surgery anyway, as most of you probably know)
It’s called the Rhino Horn. Some of you might already be familiar with it, but I spent so much time reading through posts here before my surgery and didn't see a single mention of it. If I had, I would have bought it sooner....http://www.yogaprosess.com/rhinohorn.html
It feels totally wild... you feel the water going up your nose and you expect it to just trickle down your throat... then suddenly, it comes out the other nostril along with everything else.....😲
I don't know if the moderator is going to reprimand me for essentially advertising, but I swear I'm not the manufacturer; I just wanted to share a tip that actually worked wonders for me!👍

Yeah, I know... though I'm not entirely sure how effective it really is...

silverlynx52 said:😂 I think so too... while I was hanging out in Chicago for a few days, nothing felt swollen at all—it wasn't even snowing then. But now that I'm back home where it actually is... it's a disaster. This snow is no joke... 😢

I was talking about that numbness and that weird sensation in my nose. My nose basically predicted the storm, and around here, we almost never get snow. Barometer/nose FTW 🧐

You're better off keeping your nose in the shade and away from the cold—direct sunlight will just make the swelling even worse.

Amanda Ramirez42 said:hey everyone!

I’ve been away for a bit, so here’s a quick debrief on my current situation: I went in for a revision consultation with Dr. Smith in Miami about ten days ago, and calling him a complete egomaniac and a know-it-all is actually an understatement... anyway, I am in total agreement with sunnyday—I really wish she’d jump back into this thread more often... (you were right, he thinks every other doctor out there is totally incompetent)

In my opinion, the guy doesn't even have a real job because he told me I could just go under the knife tomorrow if I felt like it. And while we're at it, let me tell you, you can barely get a word in edgewise because he just rambles on about nonsense that has absolutely nothing to do with my nose. For instance, he started talking about how Blanca’s actor ruined her nose, and somehow they’re blaming him for it. Can you believe that?

He showed me just two photos of his own work; the profile looks fine, sure, but from the front? Absolute disaster. He also bragged about how he fixed his sister's nose (I think her name is Angelika or something) in the very first month, but personally, I don't like it one bit. Her nasal tip is way too large and bulbous, while the bridge is incredibly narrow, which just doesn't suit her at all since she's a petite, short woman. It’s just... a mess.
anyway 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎:f lop:

I also saw Dr. Tony, and I am completely satisfied with his approach. He’s actually polished—he has the manners of a truly educated professional (unlike Smith, who was unshaven and swearing constantly), which, I have to admit, gives me some confidence that I'll be happy with the results. Dr. Tony isn't pushy; he actually listens to you before making suggestions. His office is great, and the staff is lovely too. I honestly felt wonderful during the consultation, and my appointment is set for June 7th.

Whisper, what’s going on with your nose? Have you decided on anything regarding the revision?

🙄

Reading this post by febles, all I can say is that Smith reminds me exactly of Ostojic🙄. That guy told some girl the exact same nonsense—claiming he was swamped with work, yet somehow had an opening for her as early as tomorrow... yeah, right.🙄 And the idiot actually listened to him. She went to see him and he completely trashed her. I feel terrible for her... just a bunch of fools, the lot of them.😠😠

Personally, I think Smith seems pretty alright

Kate Taylor59 said:🙄

Honestly, that’s what I actually love about Smith 😁—he’s just so confident and laid back. He doesn't give a damn about having some fancy marble office or keeping the latest issue of Cosm on the coffee table in the waiting room. The guy is straightforward and stays laser-focused on the work itself. He genuinely loves what he does and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty... he cranks out way more surgeries a day than most, which is why he can squeeze you in tomorrow, not because he’s sitting around with nothing to do. Plus, the man works Saturdays, Sundays, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. My surgery wrapped up around 11 PM, and he went right back in to operate on some other guy immediately after me... and he had already done another one earlier that same morning.
The girl was totally tearing him apart, but if you look at her as a person rather than a critic, she didn't even name a single specific thing he messed up on a nose... just a bunch of empty assumptions.
And if I remember correctly, he didn't fix the nurse's nose, it was the technician's. That woman works with him every single day, so I'm sure he gave her exactly the look she wanted... everyone has different tastes. Personally, I think that woman is awesome. She's super put-together and really takes care of herself. And she has killer shoes 😁 I don't know, whatever, I just had to say it, I am obsessed with shoes 😍

jadedriver0 said:Maybe Carol Diaz31 can weigh in here—I was actually the first one to start chatting with her. I honestly just love helping out, giving advice, lifting people up, making them laugh... it makes me feel good. We should all work on being that way instead of turning ourselves into some kind of isolated monster. To wrap this up—and I mean this as general advice for everyone, not just you specifically—the little things matter. A nice makeup look, a clean manicure, cute clothes, a smile... just give your nose at least two years to heal, and then you’ll see what a real result looks like, just like I did!

It really is such a rarity these days when two strangers just strike up a conversation. 🙂Honestly, I could tell from certain details during our chat, but I felt too awkward to ask. 😁But whatever, it's great. It’s wonderful to listen to advice from someone who has actually been through the whole thing (especially since she went through it five years ago, so she definitely has the "seniority" here) and not rush into despair or start obsessing over another surgery. I wanted to scream when I saw myself in the mirror for the first time. 😳Today, though, I am so much happier. I don't regret anything, and I'm even more satisfied every time I read another post here about how someone's nose turned out narrower and better. 😍

jadedriver0 said:Personally, I think her nose is beautiful; there is nothing Miss Piggy about it. 😁The most important thing is to be very clear with him about what you want and, more importantly, follow his professional advice. Thank God I did. 🙏If I hadn't listened and had just acted like a brat and insisted on my own way, I’d probably be sitting here sulking right now. 👍

I'll back this up so it doesn't look like jadedriver0 is just bragging. 😛Her nose looks gorgeous, and I truly believe the most vital part of working with a surgeon is telling them exactly what you want—and what you don't want—and then actually listening to what is physically possible. If you do that, I don't think there should be any dissatisfaction. 😉

rustygardener172 said:What I actually appreciated about Glušac 😁 was how confident and laid-back he is... he couldn't care less about having some fancy marble office or the latest issue of Cosm sitting in the waiting room. He’s just a straightforward guy who focuses entirely on the work. He loves what he does and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty... he performs more surgeries a day than most, which is why you can get squeezed in tomorrow, not because he lacks patients. Plus, he's operating on Saturdays and Sundays, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. My surgery wrapped up at 11 PM, and he went straight into another guy right after me... and that same guy had already done a procedure earlier that morning.
The girl was basically just badmouthing him, but as a person, not even as a surgeon—since she didn't provide a single concrete example of a botched nose... just empty assumptions.
And if I recall correctly, it wasn't the nurse whose nose he fixed, but the technician. The woman works with him every single day and I'm sure he gave her exactly the nose she wanted... tastes differ. I think that woman is great. Very polished, takes good care of herself. And she has amazing shoes 😁 not that it matters, but I had to say it, I am obsessed with shoes 😍

Heh, I love shoes too 😍
Anyway, she said she didn't like the photos... but everyone has different tastes. All I want is a normal, small nose, not this massive thing xD

I’ve been thinking about heading down to Malibu... but I have my high school graduation coming up, so the timing is just awkward. Even if I managed to get away soon, do you think two weeks would actually be enough time to look somewhat normal?

Hey everyone, hi. I’ve been scrolling through this forum for ages, just soaking up all the photos and videos people post. Honestly, I'm leaning towards getting rhinoplasty—purely cosmetic. I don't have any breathing issues or any of those functional problems people keep bringing up here. But man, the sheer amount of advice floating around is exhausting. It's just constant: "Go see this surgeon," "No, go to that one," "This guy did this for me, but that guy messed up my face." It's just way too much info to process. I recently had a consultation with a specialist, and we talked for a bit, though it felt pretty superficial, if I'm being honest. I asked him to show me a digital mockup or a photo of what the result might look like, but he refused. He claimed he couldn't because you can never truly know the outcome... I mean, I don't really get that. You'd think after doing thousands of surgeries and spending a lifetime studying aesthetics, you'd have a better idea. Then, I showed him a reference photo of a nose I liked, and he basically shut me down. He said there was no way to achieve that look because our skin types are different—apparently, mine is too thick. Personally, I'm not buying it. I've done my homework, and I'm pretty sure his reasoning is flawed. I'd love to share the picture I'm looking at, but I'm not sure 😂... plus, I found some before and after videos of nose jobs online 🙂

Kate Taylor59 said:I'm thinking about scheduling the surgery in Malibu... but I have my high school graduation coming up and it feels awkward... if I went soon, would I actually look normal after just two weeks?

You’re overthinking this. You’ll still be sore in two weeks; if someone even bumps into you, you won't feel great🤷. Just wait a bit. What’s the rush? It’s not like you’re heading to the barber for a haircut😕.🙄🤷Looking back at how I felt before my own procedure, I was preparing like I was being deployed to Iraq on a peacekeeping mission🤣. I delayed everything until I was certain about my surgeon, my physical health—which is vital for the outcome—and whether I was mentally prepared rather than just terrified and agitated☕.

Carol Diaz31 said:It really is a rarity these days... two strangers just striking up a conversation without hesitation. 🙂 Honestly, I had already picked up on certain details while the story was unfolding... but it felt foolish to actually ask. 😁 But honestly, what's the harm? It’s worth listening to advice from someone who has actually been through the ringer... especially someone who dealt with this five years ago and has the seniority to prove it. There is no need to rush into desperation or start obsessing over another surgery just yet. When I first caught my reflection in the mirror, I wanted to scream... 😳 I’m feeling significantly better today. Honestly... I don't regret a thing. It only makes me happier to come back here and read the hundredth comment about how much smaller his nose has become... 😍

I’ll confirm this just so jadedriver0 doesn't get to spend the whole time bragging... 😛 Her nose is stunning. I truly believe the most critical part of the entire process is being incredibly specific with your surgeon about exactly what you want... No. If you actually want to hear what can and cannot be done, then fine... but there shouldn't be any complaints afterward... 😉

It was a rather amusing situation...🙂Listen, I recall you mentioning how you felt when you first caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror...😲🤣I couldn't manage anything. I wasn't even able to wash my hair properly. It took a full two weeks before I felt somewhat recovered, though the exhaustion was absolute... After all, one undergoes surgery, not a blowout at a salon...😍You have to listen to the surgeon. I tried arguing my case with him, but he wouldn't budge... Honestly, looking back, I should have just done what he said. If I hadn't been so stubborn, I wouldn't have made such a mess of things...

Rachel Rivera19 said:Hey everyone, hey! Honestly, I’ve been scrolling through this forum forever, drowning in all these photos and videos. Look, I’m totally down for cosmetic nose surgery too. It’s not even about breathing issues or any of that functional stuff you guys keep bringing up. But man, the amount of advice floating around here is just insane. It’s constant—"go see this guy," "don't go to that one," "this surgeon did this for me," "that one messed up my face." It is wayyyyy too much info to process. I actually went in for a consultation recently, and honestly? It was such a low-quality conversation. I asked him to show me what the end result could look like, and he basically shut me down. He said he doesn't do that because you can "never know" how it'll turn out. Like, seriously? What don't you know after performing thousands of surgeries and spending a lifetime studying aesthetics? Then, I pulled up a photo of a nose I liked, and he told me there was zero chance of achieving that look because our skin types are different—he claimed my skin is too thick. Personally, I think he's full of it; I've done my homework and I'm pretty sure he's wrong. I really want to post a picture of what I'm aiming for, but I don't know 😂... plus some of these before-and-after clips I found online... 🙂

Just post the picture, why not? 😁 At least post the nose you're eyeing, and maybe just crop your own photo so it's just the nose without the rest of your face...
And seriously, go hit up a few of them for consultations before you commit to anything. That's something everyone should do, not just you.
Listen to what the different surgeons have to say... they might all give you the same line, or they might not. You've gotta have realistic expectations and find a doctor you actually trust before you go under the knife.

Rachel Rivera19 said:I was basically asking for a mockup—you know, a visual of what the end result might actually look like. But he won't do it because apparently, you can never truly know? I don't get why he's acting like this, especially after having undergone thousands of procedures and all that training in aesthetic medicine over a lifetime. I even showed him a photo, but he just told me there’s absolutely no way we can achieve that specific look because my skin type is different (mine is thicker). Well, I disagree. I've done a massive amount of research on this, and honestly, I think he's wrong. I'd love to post a picture here, but I'm just not sure 😂... plus some videos I found showing before and after nose surgeries...🙂

Well, I personally believe it's true that you can never really know for certain 🤷 A surgeon can look at your nose and tell you if a transformation is even possible, but they can't predict exactly how your tissue will behave during the healing process or how it will settle over time.
It might be best to go get a second or third opinion, but my advice? Don't push for a specific shape or someone else's nose if another professional tells you it's not feasible. If you force it, you're almost guaranteed to end up dissatisfied with the results later on.

Rachel Rivera19 said:I pulled out the photo, and he basically told me there’s zero chance we can pull this off because our skin types are different—mine is thick. Well, I’m not buying it. I’ve done my homework on this stuff, and honestly, I think he's dead wrong.

Wouldn't it have been more decent of him to just tell you straight up that it wasn't possible, rather than claiming he could do it only to pivot to something else entirely? Because, let's face it, that happened more than once.
No offense intended, truly, but that doctor really ought to know better than you do—assuming you're just a layperson here, which I suspect you are. You say you've read up on a lot of things, sure, but that doctor has spent a lifetime studying much, much more. 😉

Carol Diaz31 said:In my opinion, you can never truly know for sure. 🤷 A surgeon might see if your nose can be reshaped, but they can't predict exactly how the tissue will settle or change during recovery.
It’s best to get a second opinion. My advice? Don't push for a specific look if multiple doctors tell you it isn't possible. If you do, you'll just end up disappointed...

Every single one of my friends who went to a surgeon with nothing but photos ended up hating the results because they were chasing an identical look. It's better to be specific. If you want something smaller or narrower, tell them: "I want a small nose that fits my facial features," or "I want a narrow nose that suits my face." Ask them what they suggest to achieve the best outcome. That’s how I handled it. He laid out five different options. There's my advice... take it or leave it.☕