Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Joseph Hughes7 said:I went to Johns Hopkins Hospital for a consultation with Dr. Martin Jurlina based on a recommendation.
The guy spent maybe three minutes looking me over before telling me the whole thing has to be done under general anesthesia.

And then he drops this bombshell: he isn't responsible if the procedure fails. I was just standing there thinking, WTF! 😲

When I tried to press him on what he meant by that or how the surgery would actually go, he just shut down—acting like he couldn't hear a word I was saying.

So where does that leave me? Do I go to a private specialist, like Dr. Ostojić, and shell out a fortune $2667 for the surgery, or do I gamble on a surgeon who acts like he couldn't care less about my outcome?

Does anyone have any actual experience with this doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital?

Look, our own experiences with Dr. Jurlin have been nothing short of excellent. 🙂
I ended up seeing him after wasting years bouncing between various ENT specialists, including some over at Vinogradska. I spent years being poked and prodded by doctors who didn't seem to achieve anything, yet nothing felt better than when I finally saw him.
What really set Jurlin apart from the rest was his thoroughness—something no one else had bothered to do. He went beyond the basics, ordering everything from allergy blood work to sinus CT scans and nasal endoscopy. Based on that complete picture, he prescribed a truly modern course of treatment. It was immediately obvious to me that he was the real deal, unlike the people I’d been losing time with previously.
He recommended surgery, though I hesitated at first. Since he had gone off to specialize in maxillofacial surgery at Dubrava, I wasn't quite ready to chase him there for the operation. Once he returned to the Salata area, specifically back to Johns Hopkins Hospital, we scheduled the procedure for February 2009. We agreed on a minimally invasive approach—doing just enough to get the desired result without unnecessary excess. He performed a septoplasty, corrected a nasal concha issue, and removed some hypertrophied mucosa. This is my first winter since the surgery, and honestly, it’s likely the first time in twenty years that I haven't been relying on nasal sprays just to breathe normally.
My allergies are still a struggle, and we're still fighting that battle, but my ability to breathe is night and day compared to before.
We recently discussed a follow-up procedure because the turbinates (the lower nasal conchae) are too long, which causes issues by trapping mucus caused by my allergies. Given that I still snore, I’ll also need a UPPP—basically removing tonsil remnants and smoothing out the palate to clear the airway. I’ve booked the appointment, but despite knowing it’s necessary, that old fear is creeping back in. It’s a very human reaction, though looking back, I probably should have pulled the trigger on the first surgery much sooner.

As for Jurlin, don't expect any sugar-coated pleasantries or small talk. He is incredibly skilled, highly efficient, and works a massive volume of cases; even his staff will tell you they hold him in extremely high regard. He is constantly swamped with patients and surgeries, so he doesn't have time for fluff. Don't let that demeanor deter you, because finding a specialist of this caliber isn't easy.
I definitely recommend him over those shady private practitioners whose only goal is to drain your bank account while they play nice, offering you coffee and cookies just to win your favor. Those types won't hesitate to gamble with your health; for instance, they might lack a proper anesthesiologist and end up using cheap, inappropriate pediatric needles (just read the old posts regarding 😱 Tončić.The outcome of the surgery remains a bit of a gamble given their specific level of expertise—or lack thereof—but you won't hear them admit that. He was actually being quite blunt with you about the reality of the situation and what the potential results might look like.
When it comes down to it, Jurlin will undoubtedly do everything in his power to make things work for you without all the unnecessary fluff, and when it comes to actual skill and professionalism, he is someone you can truly lean on.
If you have supplemental insurance, you won't have to worry about the hospital stay or any of the associated costs; everything should be covered. Plus, the department is brand new, featuring private or semi-private rooms equipped with their own bathrooms and TVs.

Hannah Newman42 said:It’s been about nine days since my surgery, and my nose still feels way too big. I realize there’s definitely swelling, but does anyone know how much longer it will take to go down? I read somewhere that someone only saw another 5% reduction later on. I’m really hoping for a more significant change. What have your experiences been like? It looks smaller than before and a bit flatter, but it hasn't shrunk drastically, and it’s not perfectly straight yet. I actually told my doctor that I want it even smaller, shorter, and straighter. I’d love for it to be significantly smaller—total transformation! Is it realistic to hope for that? Help! I could use some encouragement.

It’s going to go down a lot more, don't worry. Day by day, you'll see it getting smaller and smaller. In my case, things really settled after two months, and I saw another 5% drop within six months. You just have to be patient!

Thanks, Zachary Nguyen29, Terry Jackson23, and Jeffrey Perez, for checking in on me. I really hope you guys are right about this one.

Joseph Hughes7 said:I’m still waiting on an answer... if you could please get back to me.

So, I’ve got to go under the knife for a septoplasty to fix this deviated septum... nothing life-threatening, obviously. I can breathe okay for the most part, but my left nostril feels constantly restricted—just a constant, nagging struggle. It all goes back to one of my boxing matches; took a nasty hit right to the face, and that little piece of cartilage inside my nose ended up shifted and cracked on the left side. Now, the doctors say they need to remove that tiny fragment just so I can actually draw a full breath through the left side again... simple enough, I guess, but still...

I was over at Johns Hopkins Hospital earlier for an exam with... Dr. Martin Jurlina Just based on a recommendation...
So, this guy spends all of three minutes looking me over—barely enough time to grab a coffee, really—and then just casually drops the bomb that I’ll need general anesthesia for this... As if it's no big deal. Just a quick glance and suddenly we're talking about being knocked out completely...

And then, out of nowhere, comes this absolute shocker from his mouth. He actually says—get this—that he isn't responsible if the procedure doesn't go according to plan. I mean, seriously... WTF! 😲

When I actually sat him down and asked what his take was—you know, how he thought the whole surgery should actually go down—he didn't give me a single word... just acted like he couldn't hear a thing I was saying. Just pure avoidance...

So, what now? Is the move to just head over to a private specialist—like seeing Dr. Ostojić, for instance—and pay out of pocket... $2667 So, I’m stuck weighing my options... do I actually go through with this surgery, or do I just take my chances with a surgeon who acts like he couldn't care less? Honestly, dealing with someone who treats you like just another number on a chart—as if they aren't even invested in whether you get better or not—is enough to make anyone hesitate. It's a hell of a gamble when you don't feel like you have someone truly in your corner...

Has anyone here actually dealt with this doctor over at Johns Hopkins Hospital?

Honestly, you might as well just go see Ostojić... he'll probably do an even worse job than this, and you'll end up paying a premium for the privilege, too...$3.75So, I went to see another doctor for a second opinion, and honestly... it’s just as bad as I feared. The verdict is in: my right rib didn't heal properly—it basically shifted, leaving this weird gap where it feels like there's a literal hole because the bone didn't knit back together right. To make matters worse, they removed way too much cartilage during the first go-round—the stuff that was actually supposed to be rebuilt with the graft—and the nasal bridge didn't even settle correctly. Long story short: I’m looking at another surgery, and we're talking about $2,500 out of pocket for the whole thing. And now I'm just sitting here wondering... what do I even do? Every time the thought of going under the knife again crosses my mind, I just freeze. The idea of that grueling recovery process all over again—going through the same pain, the same setbacks—is exhausting. And the big question hanging over me is... will it actually be better this time, or am I just throwing good money after bad? Has anyone else been through this kind of mess? I could really use some advice... or even just a little bit of comfort...

gentlemaker46 said:Going to Ostojić sounds like a recipe for disaster—you'll probably end up worse off and pay through the nose for the privilege$3.75. I went to a different doctor for a second opinion, and here’s the reality: my right rib didn't heal right—it basically slumped—and now there's this gap like it cracked. They stripped away way too much cartilage that was supposed to be rebuilt with an implant, and the supports didn't settle correctly... long story short, I'm looking at another surgery costing about $3,000. So, what now? Every time the thought of another operation and that grueling recovery hits me, I wonder—will it actually be better this time? Anyone got any advice or even just some comfort?

Why don't you just go back to Ostojić, take a hard line, and demand he fixes the mess he made?
Lay out all those facts to him... honestly, if he tries to brush you off, I'd even bring up legal action.
We aren't just dolls they can play with using money they found lying around on the street!

gentlemaker46 said:Yeah, go to Ostojić and he'll just mess you up even worse while charging you an arm and a leg$3.75. I went to a different doctor for a second opinion and here's the deal—my right rib didn't heal right, it basically slumped, leaving this gap like it cracked. He stripped away way too much cartilage that actually needs to be rebuilt with a graft, and the supports aren't sitting right... basically, I'm looking at another surgery costing $2,500. So now what? Every time I think about going under the knife again, facing that long recovery and doing it all over, I wonder if it'll even work this time. Anyone got advice or some actual comfort to offer?

Did Ostojić screw you over too? I have an appointment scheduled with him, so I need the real story. If anyone's been in his chair, tell me exactly what happened, please.🙏

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Why doesn't she just go back to Ostojic, take a firm stand, and demand he fixes the mess he made?
She should lay all those facts out in front of him; honestly, I’d even bring up legal action if he continued to ignore everything.
We aren't some mindless dolls they can just play with as if we have money growing on trees!

But why would anyone ever return to people like that? 🙏
In my opinion, it wouldn't be particularly wise for her to step foot in that same doctor's office again. If he had possessed the skill to do it right the first time, he would have.
I wouldn't let someone like him touch me with a scalpel again, even in my wildest dreams. Who knows what kind of disaster he might cause during a second attempt? The only logical path is to pursue damages, demand a full refund, and file a lawsuit.
It makes much more sense to head to a major hospital to see a specialist who comes highly recommended—someone who will give you an honest assessment of what can actually be repaired—rather than being lied to by a private practitioner who is just looking to bleed your bank account dry.

Alex Moore62 said:Well, why on earth would anyone go back to someone like that? 🙏
I really don't think it would be wise for her to return to the same surgeon. If he had known how to do it right the first time, he would have!
I wouldn't dream of letting someone like him touch me for a revision surgery—not even in my wildest dreams. Imagine what kind of disaster he might cause a second time?! At this point, his best bet is just to deal with a lawsuit, requests for compensation, or demands for a full refund.
It’s much smarter to head to a major hospital and see a doctor who comes highly recommended—someone who will give you an honest assessment of what can actually be fixed and how. You shouldn't let some private practitioner lie to you just to drain your bank account.

Of course it isn't smart to go back to the same doctor for a follow-up procedure if they refuse to admit the initial surgery went sideways. That usually implies they lack the skill to fix it. However—and I say this gently—it’s also a bit silly to insist that *only* hospital doctors can handle repairs; that simply isn't true. We all know that surgeons at public hospitals perform these specific types of procedures far less frequently since aesthetic work is largely handled in private practice. It isn't that everyone in a hospital is a specialist, nor is it that every private doctor is dishonest. We shouldn't generalize too much here—it isn't about the setting where they practice, but rather their individual skill level. Besides, even Dr. Jurlina, whom you seem so fond of mentioning, operates in private practice.

The doctor I saw actually wrote everything down—so yeah, I have the paperwork to prove it. But honestly? I’m terrified of going back there. If they missed this the first time around, who's to say they won't just overlook it again... it feels like a losing game. I’m thinking about trying to get my money back, though God knows how I’ll actually pull that off. To be blunt about doctors in the hospital system—anyone who actually knows what they're doing usually has their own private practice on the side. In the actual hospitals, they just hand you over to the interns so they can "learn" on you... so really, your options are pretty much nonexistent. I could sit here and cry about it for years, but instead, I'm stuck paying off the bill for a procedure that didn't even work right... if only I had actually gotten what I paid for... it's just awful.

Ashley Young34 said:I'm wondering if Ostojić messed you up? I have an appointment scheduled with him, so now I'm curious if there's anything I should know about his work... if anyone else has been under his care, please give me the lowdown, please 🙏

He operated on me—it's almost been a full year now...

gentlemaker46 said:The clinic I went to actually documented everything—so I have the paperwork to prove it—but honestly, I’m terrified of even going back there. If the doctor didn't catch this mistake in the first place, I just don't think he's capable of fixing it. I want to demand my money back, though I have no idea how I'd actually manage to get it. To be perfectly honest about doctors in hospitals—the ones who actually know what they're doing usually run their own private practices. In the hospital setting, they mostly just hand over the operating room to interns so they can "learn"... So, really, there's almost no choice. I could sit here and cry for years; I'm still paying off the procedure for this nose, and if only it had actually turned out right... it's just awful.

Oh, come on, please don't be so despondent! I truly don't believe your nose is as catastrophic as you're making it out to be. There isn't anything in life that can't be fixed eventually. And look, you already know they aren't going to refund your money, so why put yourself through the stress of those awkward confrontations? Just try to put Ostojic behind you—you can't change the past, so you might as well look toward the future. Take some time for yourself, clear your head, and you'll figure out a way to resolve this all step by step.

The only thing doctors at the hospital can actually guarantee you is that you won't be footing the bill for the surgery—everything else is a massive question mark. And honestly, that goes for specialists too; whether they work for the public system or private clinics, most of them are just doing the bare minimum.
None of us who went under the knife made that call overnight—and I doubt anyone found picking a surgeon easy, either. I spent ages scrolling through before-and-after photos before I finally felt confident enough to pull the trigger...
At the end of the day, regardless of what anyone says, everyone has their own unique story here—which, let’s face it, is always how it goes.
But if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't write off Ostojic. He can definitely fix the issue, even if he is a handful. What drives me crazy about all of them is how they try to talk you out of what you want until you're ready to lose your mind.
Once they realize they're dealing with someone who actually knows what they want for a second time, they'll pivot just to make sure you walk away happy—so don't back down.

Rebecca Gomez37 said:The only thing hospital doctors can actually guarantee you is that the surgery won't cost you a dime. Everything else? It's a gamble, even with hospital staff—who, let's be honest, usually do the bare minimum whether they're working for the state or running a private practice.
None of us who went under the knife made that call overnight. Picking a surgeon isn't easy either. I spent hours staring at before-and-after photos before I finally pulled the trigger...
At the end of the day, everyone's got their own unique experience, and that's just how it goes on these forums.
If I were you, I wouldn't dodge Ostojic. He can definitely fix the issue, but man, the way these surgeons try to talk you out of what you want is infuriating. It drives you crazy.
Once they realize they're dealing with someone who actually knows what they want, they'll pivot just to keep you happy. So, don't back down. Be persistent.

I'm with you 100%. 😉

Ronald Cook17 said:Of course it’s not wise to return to the exact same surgeon for a revision if they refuse to admit the first procedure went sideways. It usually suggests they lack the expertise to actually fix what was broken. That said, it’s equally misguided to insist that only hospital-based surgeons can handle corrections; that simply isn't the reality. We all know that doctors in public hospitals rarely perform these kinds of procedures because aesthetic work is almost exclusively handled in private practice. Not every hospital doctor is a specialist, nor is every private practitioner dishonest. We shouldn't generalize; it’s not about where a person practices, but how they practice. Besides, even Dr. Jurlina, whom you seem so fond of mentioning, operates in the private sector.

I am not claiming that only hospital doctors possess the skill to fix a mistake, but I am firmly convinced that hospitals tend to adhere more strictly to established medical protocols and professional standards. Even if things don't go perfectly, a hospital has specialized teams ready to tackle any complication or crisis that arises mid-surgery, allowing them to act instantly to save someone's life or health. If something goes wrong at a private clinic—like that one we read about where they apparently couldn't even manage a simple needle or provide proper local anesthesia, let alone have an anesthesiologist on hand—I fear the outcome would be disastrous. You'd likely find them calculating the liability of transporting you to a hospital before they ever think about saving you. That’s the scenario that truly terrifies me. And to top it off, you're expected to pay a fortune for the privilege.
That is why I chose a hospital; it was both for the advanced equipment and staff readiness should a crisis occur, and because I felt certain about the quality of the physician. To be fair, I did seek a second opinion from another highly regarded specialist recommended by a different hospital, who confirmed that the proposed plan was indeed the correct course of action.
Personally, I wasn't aware that Jurlina works privately, mainly because he never used those subtle tactics many others employ—redirecting patients toward private practice under the guise of avoiding long wait times at the hospital. I actually respect him for that; he never pressured me, nor does he seem to do so with his other patients.
Where does he practice? Is he operating out of a private clinic? Which one?
If I were to choose a private option, my intention would still be to have the actual surgery performed in a hospital setting. In other words, I would only consider a doctor who maintains a private practice but performs their surgeries in a hospital, specifically for the reasons I just mentioned.

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't shy away from Ostojic. He definitely has the skill to fix this, but it’s incredibly infuriating when you deal with all those people who try to talk you out of what you want until you feel like you're losing your mind.
Once he realizes he's dealing with someone who actually knows exactly what they want, he'll pivot his approach just to make sure you walk away satisfied, so don't back down.

From what I gather, the issue isn't that he didn't give her the specific look she was going for; it's simply that the execution was sloppy and lacked any real quality. In my opinion, there's no point in dragging this out with him and risking an even bigger disaster.

gentlemaker46 said:The clinic I went to actually documented everything, so I have the paperwork to prove it. Honestly, though, I’m terrified of going back there; if the doctor didn't catch this mistake the first time, I doubt he'll know how to fix it now. I want to demand my money back, but I have no idea how I'd ever actually get it. To be blunt about doctors in major hospitals—the ones who actually know what they're doing usually run their own private practices. In the hospital setting, they just hand the scalpel over to interns so they can get their hours in. So, the options are basically non-existent. I could sit here and cry for years, but I'm still paying off the cost of this nose. If only I had a nose worth paying for in the first place... it's just awful.

It’s like Ronald Cook17 said: you can't just spiral into despair; you have to take concrete steps to resolve the situation. Your first move should be trying to claw back the money you handed over, because the job wasn't completed—all you've gained is a new set of problems and expenses created by his incompetence. On top of that, you're looking at more anesthesia and another surgery, which is a massive shock to the system. This isn't just a financial hit; it's a physical and psychological one, too. You're essentially taking on extra health risks just to undo the damage from the first procedure.
And by the way, how are you still paying for your nose? WHY would you continue making payments for something that was botched?

Regarding those interns in the hospitals—you get exactly what you negotiate for. If you make a solid agreement with your surgeon that he will be the one performing the procedure personally, then you don't have to worry about being a training tool.

"Here’s the deal—the right side of my nose didn't heal quite right. It basically slumped, leaving this gap that feels like a crack. They took way too much cartilage that was supposed to be rebuilt with an implant, and the bridge just didn't settle where it should have... "

Honestly, I think the doctor messed up one specific part here. Regarding what you said about them removing too much cartilage—well, the other two issues aren't necessarily the surgeon's fault. At the end of the day, it's your body; your nose reacted the way it did. That doesn't mean it can't be fixed with a different procedure down the line.
The real question is, were you actually bothered by how the nose looked, or were those other two things you mentioned just waiting for the healing phase to pass?
Maybe if that happened back then, the lack of cartilage wouldn't have been so glaringly obvious.

Alex Moore62 said:I’m certainly not saying that only hospital doctors can set things right—far from it!—but I am firmly convinced that hospitals tend to respect established protocols and professional standards much more strictly. Even if things don't go perfectly, a hospital has dedicated teams ready for every conceivable complication or hiccup that might arise during surgery; they can act instantly to save someone's life or health. If something goes sideways at a private clinic—like that one we read about where they supposedly didn't even know how to use the right needle or administer local anesthesia properly, not to mention lacking an anesthesiologist—well, I’m terrified you’d just be out of luck. It feels like their first thought would be calculating the liability of rushing you to an ER to save you, rather than actually focusing on your well-being. That’s what haunts me! And to top it off, you have to shell out a small fortune for it...
That’s why my choice was a hospital—both because of the high-end equipment available if something goes wrong, and because I felt truly confident in the quality of the doctor. To be fair, I did seek a second opinion from another highly recommended specialist at a different hospital, and he confirmed that the plan I was offered was indeed the right way to go.
Personally, I wasn't aware that Jurlina maintains a private practice, mainly because no one ever steered me toward it the way many people do—you know, that subtle nudge to "go private" because you won't get seen by the same doctor for a year or more if you wait in the hospital system. I really appreciate that he never behaved that way, neither with me nor with any of his other patients that I've encountered.
Where does he work, exactly? Does he perform surgeries in a private clinic? Which one?
If I were to choose a private surgeon, I would still insist on having the actual procedure performed in a hospital setting. This means I’d specifically look for a doctor who works privately but still operates within a hospital, for all the reasons I mentioned above.

In my view, serious private clinics are actually much more selective with their cosmetic surgery patients than hospitals are. They aren't reckless enough to take unnecessary risks. After all, if something happens to a patient in a private setting, the clinic's reputation is ruined, whereas in a large hospital, it's often just seen as one of those unfortunate medical realities.
Similarly, private clinics *should* have—though not all of them do—all the necessary resuscitation equipment, anesthesia, and a guarantee of a full medical team present during surgery. That is absolutely vital; having enough staff and the right gear on hand. From what I understand, hospital doctors aren't even allowed to perform cosmetic procedures in a hospital unless the patient pays extra, and even then, they often lack the time because they have to prioritize critically ill patients. At the end of the day, it’s a bit of a mixed bag; there are some private clinics that are better equipped than our top-tier hospitals, while others fall far below acceptable standards.

Hey everyone!
For nearly 15 years now, I've been dealing with constant colds, tonsillitis, stuffy noses, and those nagging headaches... I end up needing antibiotics maybe 3 or 4 times a year because of it all. Every single winter, I’m hyper-aware—watching what I drink, avoiding the chill—my friends always tease me about being like someone living under a glass dome. For the longest time, I just assumed this was my reality and that I was somehow stuck with this kind of life... 🤷 But after 15 years, my doctor finally decided to send me to a specialist because he suspects there's something actually wrong with my nasal passages 😲
Anyway, I headed out to see a specialist in Miami, Dr. Sunara. He did an exam and told me I have some kind of deviated septum, then sent me off for more testing—allergy work and rhinometry. Turns out, I have a mild dust allergy—nothing too crazy according to the doctor—but the rhinometry confirmed the deviation and showed that my right nostril isn't breathing as well as it should.
After that, I went back to see another specialist, Dr. Poljak this time, and once he reviewed everything, he prescribed a two-month regimen of Aerius tablets and Flixonase spray. He also scheduled me for nose surgery in early May since, in his opinion, it’s probably going to be necessary.
So, I've been reading through various accounts of this surgery, though I don't take them too heavily to heart—they're all so subjective and depend entirely on the individual—but what I'm really curious about is the aftermath.
What is the recovery process actually like, and how long does it take?
How much time will I need to take off work, and when can I realistically get back to my routine?
And am I going to look like a young Frankenstein for a long time? 😁
Are there any lingering side effects, like months of a runny nose, or persistent pain in the nose or head... basically, when do I actually start feeling like myself again?

I’m also looking at getting nose surgery this year, but honestly... I just can't make up my mind on which surgeon to go with.
Could you guys please use your next posts to let me know which doctors you actually recommend—and more importantly, which ones to avoid—and why? I feel way more confident when I hear real stories and experiences from people... I really don't want to walk out of that operating room feeling worse than I did going in. I've noticed quite a few people complaining about their results lately, so please, tell me who I can truly trust to get it right, and who I should definitely stay away from. Thanks 🙂