Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Carol Diaz31 - sure, the price tag is higher with Bastaić, but you’re paying for a top-tier specialist. More importantly, you’re getting full general anesthesia with a dedicated anesthesiologist, an anesthesia tech, and two nurses, which really adds up 🙂
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Honestly, everything you went through sounds like an absolute nightmare to me.

When it comes to all these debates (which are actually pretty fun, by the way 😛) regarding sports versus just staying sedentary—you could end up smashing your nose in, having a clumsy fall on some stairs, or even heading out for a jog only to have someone accidentally bump into you hard
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If we followed that logic to its conclusion, the smartest thing would be to just stay in bed indefinitely and put your entire life on hold for six months or a year.🙄

Personally, I think exercising is great for circulation (and indirectly for nasal circulation too 😍), and since I feel so much better when I'm active, that's exactly what I choose to do.

At the end of the day, everyone should just do whatever works best for them.🙂

Sophia Hill22 said:Carol Diaz31 — Look, the price tag is higher over at Bastaić, but you have to realize what you’re actually paying for. You aren't just paying for a procedure; you're paying to have a top-tier specialist in the room. And more importantly, you're getting full general anesthesia handled by a dedicated anesthesiologist, an anesthesia technician, and two nurses. That kind of level of care doesn't come cheap, I guess. It costs what it costs for a reason. 🙂

I mean, honestly... everything you just went through? For me, that sounds like an absolute nightmare. A total horror story. I guess I can barely even wrap my head around it.

Look, what happened to me... it’s probably a one-in-a-million kind of situation. I realize that. But honestly? Dealing with all that vomiting and those endless, unpredictable side effects from general anesthesia is just something I can't wrap my head around. It’s completely unacceptable to me. I guess everyone reacts differently, but for me, it’s just not something I find tolerable. Individual biology is one thing, but this is another.
I mean, I also had three sisters available to help me out, and honestly, their expertise is beyond question. So, if we're looking at what could actually drive up the surgical costs, the only real factors would be the general anesthesia and the overnight stay at their facility. Though, I guess I highly doubt that's going to cost nearly as much as people think. $2167

I mean, look, at the end of the day, it’s anyone's call, I suppose. But I straight up told my mom she was being absolutely delusional. I just can't wrap my head around it—there is simply no logical reason for that kind of price gap. 🤷

Carol Diaz31 said:Look, what happened to me is pretty rare, I know. But honestly, dealing with vomiting and all those other potential side effects from general anesthesia just isn't something I'm willing to risk... everyone reacts differently to it.
Plus, I had three nurses right there to assist me, and their expertise was absolutely top-tier, so the only things that could possibly drive up the cost of the surgery would be the general anesthesia itself and staying overnight at the facility, and I highly doubt that adds that much to the bill. $2167

I suppose it really comes down to personal preference, but I actually told my mom she was being a bit irrational because I just can't see any logical reason for such a massive price gap. 🤷

Personally, I didn't feel nauseous at all, which is surprising since I usually start feeling a bit motion sick on even moderately long drives. 😁

Oh, I totally get it—I only mentioned it to provide some extra information so everyone can decide what works best for them. I'm doing it again, aren't I? 😁

On another note, I've decided I won't be wearing my contacts for a while, and once summer rolls around, I’m going to limit myself to just an hour or two of sunlight; that's the plan I've settled on.

Sophia Hill22 said:I’ve also decided I won't be wearing contacts for a while, and once summer rolls around, I’ll probably just limit myself to an hour or two of sunny weather, if that.

I mean, when you're actually happy with the results, nobody would want to change a thing, thank God.😍

Did you ask him specifically for his advice on how long to stay out of them?
The advice I was given was six weeks.
But then again, I’ve read at least three different versions of recommendations ranging from a month all the way up to a full year.🙄

My issue is that I have to wear my prescription glasses during lectures, and right now, I can't see a damn thing.😁

Sophia Hill22 said:Carol Diaz31 - the price is higher with Bastaić, but you're paying for a top-tier specialist. More importantly, you get general anesthesia with an anesthesiologist, a technician, and two nurses. That alone costs 🙂
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What you went through sounds like a total nightmare to me...

Regarding this debate about sports vs. staying still (which is quite lively, by the way... 😛)—you could trip and break your nose, stumble on some stairs, or go to a concert and get shoved in a crowd...

By that logic, the smartest move would be to stay in bed and put life on hold for six months or a year...🙄

I believe exercising is good for circulation (and indirectly for nasal circulation 😍). I feel better when I move, so that’s what I do.

Everyone should just do what works best for them...🙂

Let's finally agree on one thing...🤣 everyone should just do what they want.🙏If you're able to exercise and aren't afraid, then go for it. I was too worried about getting injured, though I wasn't even going to concerts or parties... just hoping nobody would bump into me in a crowd.🤣

Carol Diaz31 said:When we’re actually happy with the outcome, nobody would change a thing, thank God...😍

Did you ask him for his specific advice on how long to go without glasses?
I was told six weeks.
Yet I've read at least three different versions of recommendations ranging from one month to an entire year...🙄

My issue is that I wear prescription lenses during lectures, and now I can't see a thing.😁

I remember hearing a famous plastic surgeon from the US, Ray, say on TV that you need to be without glasses for six weeks, and after that, it's fine...🙂

Carol Diaz31 said:Look, what happened to me is rare. But the vomiting and all those other potential side effects from general anesthesia? I can't deal with that either... everyone reacts differently.
Plus, I had three nurses available to me. Their expertise is unquestionable. At this point, the only things driving up the surgical costs are the general anesthesia and staying overnight at their facility, and I highly doubt that costs $2167

It’s ultimately a matter of choice, but I told my mother she was being irrational. I just don't see the logic behind such a massive price gap.🤷

Carol Diaz31, I think your mother is being smart rather than crazy.🙂😉In my view, the anesthesia used during surgery is the most critical factor. You shouldn't gamble with that.🤷

Sophia Hill22 said:more fairy tales... 🙄

They aren't. My surgeon was dead serious—no tanning beds, no sports, no working out, nothing strenuous, and stay away from the sun. He literally told me to turn my face away from the sunlight for a few days right after the procedure. 😁

I can't even lie and say I was being that careful—honestly, I haven't been paying much attention at all (well, except for the sun part)... 🤷

Carol Diaz31 said:And honestly, when you’re finally happy with the results, you wouldn't change a single thing, thank God.😍

Did you actually ask him for his specific advice on how long to hold off on wearing contacts?
I was told six weeks outright.
But then I went online and read at least three different versions of recommendations ranging from one month all the way up to a full year.🙄

My biggest headache right now is that I need my prescription glasses for lectures, and without them, I'm basically blind.😁

I didn't—he just told me "as little as possible," but I feel so bad for my nose that I've been wearing contacts, which is such a hassle when you're dealing with them for 16 hours a day.😢 I think I'm going to start wearing my glasses in the morning and right before bed instead.

By the way, I was looking over what you wrote about the costs—is the price really not that high at Tončić 10000?$3333 Because over at Bastaić, it's around $2,200, so slightly less than that,$5000 and I'm just not sure how you calculated a difference of $7,000.😕 It can't be that Tončić 10000 is only $9,000, because if that's true, that is incredibly cheap.

stormyharbor2 said:They weren't. My surgeon told me: no tanning beds, no sports, no heavy workouts, no straining, and stay out of the sun. He literally advised me to turn my face away from the sunlight during those first few days following the surgery.😁

To be honest, I can't say I was quite that careful; I actually wasn't really paying attention (except regarding the sun).🤷

I am being careful about the sun, though I did have the mold for seven days and then switched to the tampon for three.
Plus, I make sure to wear UVA/B protection every single day, even if I'm just sitting by the window at home.😬

I don't know, I started exercising again and they told me it was fine—I started during the sixth week, making sure not to push myself too hard, and they said that was okay.
I was even out riding my bike after two weeks.
But I have to admit, it feels to me like I might be one of those people who recovers more easily despite how complicated the surgery was—and from what I gathered, they had to cut that muscle above your lip, so maybe that plays a part in it too.🤷

Sophia Hill22 said:I didn't—she told me as little as she could, but I'm kind of worried about my nose, so I've been wearing contacts, which is such a hassle when you're doing it for 16 hours a day😢 I guess I'll just start wearing them in the morning and take them out before bed

Anyway, I was looking at what you wrote regarding the costs—I mean, isn't the price at Tončić relatively reasonable? $3333 Because over at Bastaić, it's around $2,200, so that's actually a bit lower than I thought$5000 so I don't really get how you calculated a difference of $7,000😕 It seems unlikely that Tončić is only charging $9,000; if that's the case, it's honestly incredibly cheap
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I don't even wear glasses all day anyway; I'm not a fan, and since I just started wearing them, I can't seem to get used to them. Plus, I don't even own any contact lenses.

Hmm... I thought it was $2,200, my bad😳
Anyway, he was my second choice, so I directed my mom there instead. Her surgery is this Tuesday, and I suppose her nose won't end up looking better than mine🤣

Carol Diaz31 said:I don't wear them all day anyway. I don't even like them. I just started wearing them and I can't get used to it... plus, I don't have contacts.

Hmm... I thought it was $2,200. My mistake... 😳
Anyway, that was my second choice, so I sent my mom there instead. Her surgery is on Tuesday. Hopefully her nose won't turn out better than mine... 🤣

Don't let her hear you saying that.😂🤣

Carol Diaz31 said:I don't actually wear them all day anyway—I'm not really a fan of them, and since I just started wearing glasses, I haven't quite gotten used to the feeling yet. Plus, I don't wear contact lenses at all.

Hmm... I honestly thought it was $2,200, my bad! 😳
Anyway, that place was my second choice, so I ended up sending my mom there instead. Her surgery is this Tuesday, and I'm really hoping her nose doesn't turn out looking better than mine! 🤣

Oh my gosh, that's so soon! Sending so much luck to your mom. 😁

I'm way more nearsighted than most, so I definitely have to deal with this. 🙂

How long does it actually take for the nose to settle after surgery? I’m 12 days post-op, and I had the cast removed about 6 days ago. It still looks swollen and wide. The tip is honestly the worst part—it feels totally numb, and the swelling there seems most intense. Also, I have those stitches that seem to be coming out on their own, and they feel tight whenever I smile. How long does it usually take for them to fall out?
Basically, I just want to know when the swelling goes down enough to see any actual results. It's only been 12 days, so I guess it's early, but I can't even bring myself to look in the mirror because the tip looks way too big right now.
I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks.
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wiredmaker24 said:I’m dying to know how long it actually takes for my nose to "settle down" after surgery? I had my procedure 12 days ago, and I finally got the cast off 6 days ago. My nose still looks super swollen and wide. Honestly, the tip is the absolute worst part because it just feels totally numb. That’s where the swelling is most intense. Also, I have these stitches that seem to be falling out on their own, and whenever I try to smile, it feels like they're pulling tight. How long does it take for them to drop out?
Basically, I just want to know when the swelling goes away and when I might actually see some results. It’s only been 12 days, and frankly, I can’t even bring myself to look in the mirror yet because that tip looks way too big.
Please share your experiences, thanks!
🙂

Look, the swelling starts to chill out after a month or two. You might start seeing partial results around the 4 to 6-month mark, but you won't see the final version of yourself until a full year has passed. As for breathing—you won't really feel the true result for about two years, because that's how long it takes for the mucous membranes to fully recover (that is, assuming you haven't completely wrecked them with nasal sprays like I did, and that you stop using them now).
As for the stitches, they fall out whenever they feel like it. Believe it or not, mine took forever—I can't even remember exactly how many months it was, maybe 3 or 4? Some people get rid of them within the first month. If they start dropping out, don't panic; it's totally normal.

I have heard quite a few stories... A friend of mine is struggling to breathe after her surgery with Glumicic. Her respiratory issues worsened significantly, even though he was just correcting a small bump.
Still, despite her breathing difficulties, he performs the most beautiful rhinoplasties. Another friend overused Operil spray following her procedure, which damaged her mucous membranes and led to fatal consequences.
You simply have to follow the instructions to the letter if you want things to end well.

Hey everyone!

So, I had surgery last night with Dr. Glusac, and honestly, I can’t say enough good things about him and his entire team... I highly recommend him if you're even considering it. Of course, I can't say if I'm 100% satisfied just yet since I can't see the final results, but even now, I can breathe way better than before! I've had a few nose surgeries in the past where previous doctors didn't quite finish the job, but it looks like he actually did it. He told me it was trickier than he initially thought because those old bones from my previous procedures had fused, so the surgery took quite a while, but he's happy with how everything turned out. I stayed at the Marriott since I was way too wiped out to drive back to Los Angeles; the hotel was great, and his patients get a discount—just like everyone else on this forum mentioned. He even came to pick me up in the morning and spent extra time with me while removing the packing, just chatting about everything. It's true what people say: he's incredibly professional and maybe a little bit arrogant, but I really think he has every reason to be. On the flip side, he's such a down-to-earth, likable guy and doesn't look down on people the way a lot of doctors do. My elderly relatives are absolutely thrilled with him...

Anyway, I hope I haven't rambled too much and that this helps someone make their decision.
Enjoy!

p.s. I think he might have a little obsession with sunglasses, because he mentioned several times that you can wear them after a day or two, even though others say that's nonsense... He even told me, "Go out tomorrow night, put on your shades, and grab a drink if you want, you'll be fine." Now I'm just picturing myself walking down the pier at midnight wearing bandages and sunglasses. People would definitely give me a wide berth when I go out for coffee in the morning! 🙂

silentrider31 said:Hey everyone!

So, I had surgery last night with Dr. Glusac—honestly, all I can say is great things about him and his whole crew... definitely recommend him if anyone’s looking... obviously, I can't say I'm 100% satisfied yet since I haven't seen the final results, but even now, things look way better than before... I've had a few health procedures on my nose, and previous doctors never really finished the job properly. From what I can tell, this guy actually knows his stuff... he told me it was tougher than he initially thought because the bone from my previous surgeries had hardened up, which made the procedure run pretty long, but he's happy with how it turned out... I stayed at the Marriott since I was too wiped out to drive back to Los Angeles—the hotel was great, and his patients get a discount, just like everyone else on this forum mentioned... He actually came to pick me up in the morning, spent some extra time helping me get the packing out and just chatting about everything... It's true what people say, he's incredibly professional, maybe even a little arrogant, but I honestly think he has reasons to be... then again, he's a genuinely nice, likable guy and doesn't look down on you the way a lot of doctors do... my parents were thrilled with him...

Anyway, hope I didn't ramble too much and that this helps someone make a decision,
take it easy!

p.s. I think he might have a weird thing for sunglasses... he mentioned several times that you can wear them after a day or two, even though everyone else says that's nonsense... he even told me, "Go out tomorrow night, put your shades on, grab a drink if you want, you'll be fine"... Now I'm just picturing myself walking down the boardwalk at midnight with bandages and sunglasses on... I'm sure people would give me a wide berth during coffee the next morning 🙂

🤣 hihihi. Looks like we had similar experiences. As for you walking the boardwalk in bandages and shades, I just pictured this http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/...Man%20mage.jpg 😂

Olivia Edwards23 said:Hey🙂 I have an appointment at Mayo Clinic in a week to check out my deviated septum, and I'm thinking about asking the doctor if they can touch up my nose while they're at it...
So here's the deal: I don't really have a bump on my nose—it’s tiny and barely noticeable—but my profile is just very prominent because the nasal bone is a bit stronger...
Does anyone know if they only do purely cosmetic fixes for people with actual bumps, or do they handle noses like mine too? If anyone knows, let me know.😕

This is exactly my situation. Please post here or DM me and let me know how the consultation goes—if they'll agree to fix the shape and all that.🙂

I was reading this interview with Dr. Glusac where he mentioned inserting tubes through a tampon just so you can actually breathe... did he do that to you guys too?
And while we're at it, about that whole thing regarding waiting two years before you can breathe again—is it really that long?

silentrider31 said:Hey everyone!

So, I had surgery last night with Dr. Glusac. Honestly, all I can say about him and his whole team is... well, he comes highly recommended if anyone here is actually considering him. Of course, I can't give a definitive "100% satisfied" verdict just yet since I haven't seen the final results, but even now, things look significantly better than before. I've had several health procedures on my nose in the past, and previous doctors never quite finished the job properly. By all accounts, this was a bit more complicated than he initially anticipated; the surgery took quite a while because the bone from my previous procedures had already fused. Still, he’s happy with how it turned out. I'm staying at the Marriott—I was way too wiped out to attempt the drive back to Los Angeles. The hotel is great, and apparently, his patients get a discount, which is what most people on this forum have mentioned. He actually came to pick me up this morning and spent some extra time with me while we were removing the packing, just chatting about everything. It’s true what people say—he can come across as professionally arrogant, but honestly, I think he has his reasons. On the flip side, he's an incredibly kind, likable guy and doesn't look down on people the way a lot of doctors tend to do. My elderly relatives are absolutely thrilled with him...

Anyway, I hope I haven't rambled too much and that this might help someone make a decision.
Enjoy yourselves!

P.S. I think he might have a little thing for sunglasses. He mentioned several times that you can wear them after a day or two, even though everyone else seems to claim that's nonsense. He even told me, "Tomorrow night, go out for a nice stroll, throw on your shades, have a little drink if you want, you'll be fine." Just imagine me walking along the pier at midnight wearing bandages and sunglasses. People would definitely give me a wide berth during their morning coffee run. 🙂

Could you please tell me how much you paid for the surgery and what the hotel stays cost? I'm not from California...