Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Oh, I forgot to mention
I ended up having general anesthesia
It wasn't actually that bad—you can always ask them to run some tests beforehand just to make sure your body can handle it without any issues
The only real downside is they put in a breathing tube
And man, my throat was absolutely killing me after that
It hurt even just trying to swallow saliva

I just finished up at the clinic with the specialist. He’s insisting on running a full battery of tests—his take is that it’s better to be thorough and ensure everything is actually functioning as it should. Honestly, my throat didn't even hurt from having that tube inserted; the only real issue was the wheezing I kept experiencing.

Laura Booth6 said:Let’s not exhaust ourselves over this anymore. What happened, happened... it’s over now.. 🙂

I honestly think I have myself to blame for being way too impatient. 😬

Thanks everyone for the kind wishes!! 😘

I can’t wait to finally get these tampons out of my nose. My head feels pressurized, there's this constant ringing, and it just hurts.. I feel like whenever I eat or drink anything, it all drains straight up into my nasal cavity right where the packing is sitting. 🙄 They were supposed to be out by now!

I was reading on their website that they usually remove the mold about 7 or 8 days after surgery.. so that might be sometime this week.. I’m not sure whether to be happy or not.. 😂

And there's this internal stinging sensation, like when you have a bad cold and your nose gets irritated from blowing it too much. It feels like my nose is going to explode because it wants to swell up but it's trapped by the packing.. 😛

Here is a photo from today: (just ignore the eyebrows and everything else 🙂)


Basically, the swelling is worst in the corner of my eye where it's dark purple, and now it’s spreading outwards.. I don't know if it's going to get worse. My eyelid looks the same, and under my eye, it’s currently a yellowish-green color 😁

And it's much more intense than it looks in the picture; it’s hard to take a good photo, and the area under my left eye is hurting a lot more than the right one..

Ruggedbadger9—you actually look pretty swollen yourself! All that bruising and swelling.. which hospital are you at? How much longer are you staying there? How have you already seen your nose? And do you also get that feeling where eating makes everything drain into your nose?

Honestly, you had it easy compared to me... things really started going downhill after two days... I swear, no heavyweight boxer ever looked quite like I did... even my own family was laughing at me 😁

Scott Allen10 said:Using "blue" Braunil—it's for amateurs

So, you actually want to back up that claim with some real logic?

Since they closed a similar thread, and I had already posted there, I’ll just start a new one here in case anyone else finds themselves in my shoes.

Reading through these 20 or so pages, I see people discussing both what works and what doesn't, so I decided to add a few words to this topic.
I dealt with some long-term nasal issues myself—specifically a deviated septum. About 15 days ago, I had surgery at Dubrava Medical Center in the ENT department. I don't think the specific doctor's name matters much; during my seven days in the hospital, I saw them handling incredibly complex nasal cases, and everyone seemed genuinely skilled. You can tell right away that they are serious, professional people. Usually, the protocol is to head to the ward the day before surgery. You’re allowed to eat and drink until 11:00 PM that night, but after that, nothing. On the day of the surgery, you can brush your teeth, provided you don't swallow anything and you just moisten your mouth. Before the procedure, they give you an injection to calm you down—at least, that's what they told me. It wasn't scary; you just feel the prick and then it's fine. After that, you go down to the pre-op room where they insert a silicone needle into your hand—a tube used to administer medication or IV fluids during and after the procedure. After about ten minutes, they take you into the operating room, where the anesthesiologist applies a gas mask to put you under. You don't feel the surgery, obviously, but waking up in the recovery room is... well, it's tough. Your eyes hurt, it's hard to lift your eyelids, and you feel completely crushed—literally. They lead you back to your room, where you have to lie on your back; there isn't really any other way to be. Now, here comes the difficult part: blood and small clots tend to drain into your throat. It’s a good idea to have some small cups nearby so you can spit everything out; it lasts for quite a while. (I was actually still spitting up blood a day after surgery.) Personally, I was in pretty bad shape from the anesthesia, so instead of spitting, I ended up swallowing it all, which made me feel faint. I sort of stumbled my way to the bathroom and threw up. I crawled back to bed and tried to sleep, though that was hard because you have to cough periodically to clear your throat. They advise you to drink plenty of fluids to help ease the process. By dinner time, I felt a bit better and managed to eat a little—you're usually allowed to eat a few hours after surgery once things stabilize. After dinner, I walked to the neighboring rooms and chatted with people, so it wasn't too bad once the anesthesia wore off. As I realized after the operation, besides the packing, I also had two tubes in my nose. I'm not entirely sure what they are for, since I was breathing through my mouth the whole time. You also have gauze over your nostrils that gets changed frequently because of the bleeding and other drainage, but that was the smallest issue. I don't know how it was for others, but for me, nothing hurt after the surgery itself. It was only on the third or fourth day that I started getting headaches. I'm not sure if it was due to labored breathing or maybe a minor virus, but I did have a fever. To be clear, I didn't have any chills. My nose might have been a bit swollen, but when you have packing and tubes shoved up there, you can't even tell; you just feel like your nose is massive. Regarding the packing, some doctors remove it the second day, but mine were removed along with the tubes on the seventh day. While you're in the hospital, you'll be on antibiotics, so that part is easy; the only downside is a dry throat. I recommend bringing juice, tea, or something similar. Grape juice is good because it keeps your throat feeling moist for longer. Anyway, like I said, the packing and tubes came out on day seven. The removal is quick—they pull the first one, then the second, along with the tubes. It feels like they might rip your whole nose out. It's a bit awkward, but you just grit your teeth and get through it because it's almost over. Immediately after they were removed, I felt like I could breathe through both nostrils. To be honest, it wasn't full strength yet because your nose still feels wooden, but you can feel the difference and you finally enjoy the fresh air. I was discharged the same day. I was given antibiotics to take until my follow-up, a nasal spray, and some drops. You shouldn't lift heavy objects or do any strenuous work—just rest!! And try to sleep with your head elevated.
I am incredibly pleased with how the surgery turned out. My only regret is not doing it sooner; I really shouldn't have spent those ten years struggling just to breathe. I truly hope the procedure brings the same relief to all of you if you decide to go through with it.

So I'm filling out this anesthesia form, and there's a question about whether I have any dental or gum issues. My teeth are actually fine, but I've got this little abscess forming because one tooth is crooked and food keeps getting stuck there—even though I brush three times a day. It doesn't hurt, and there’s no inflammation... what should I put down?😕

🙂Ugh... Drew Vaughn5, you described that perfectly—thanks 🙂🙂🙂

I have this random question—maybe it’s not so random after all—but when you get a referral from your primary care doctor, do you actually request a specific hospital, or how does that work?

I've been reading through this forum—apparently some doctors (ENTs) just refuse to perform certain surgeries, acting like they can't even if they wanted to??? I mean, that's just ridiculous... honestly, I don't have the time or energy to go trekking through all those massive medical centers just to be told "no" at the end—especially since any specialist could see they're more than capable 🙂

Anyway, how many days after being discharged—once you're home without the braces and all that—are you supposed to head back in for a follow-up?

Grace Williams19 said:I seriously can't believe what I'm reading 😲😲
I wouldn't want to go through an operation like that... gross!!!
I feel like she'd just pass out from the shock (if she even had to deal with it)!!

Any medical pros in here? 🙂 Just gotta ask one thing --- when someone's under general anesthesia --- they aren't breathing on their own ????? or what????
I know it's routine stuff for hospital staff, but... yeah... just wondering..

+ how long do those bruises/hematomas/discoloration last??
Can you fix it with some creams 🤷🤷 like, rub them on to make it go faster, or just wait it out??

(I'm planning to go in January/February -- but I'll probably use my insurance (think they'll cover it) so that's why I'm asking -- since I gotta get back to work and all that?)

Is it possible to use insurance and have them touch up the aesthetics a bit too? 😛 ha, maybe sneak a little extra in
🤣

It’s definitely doable. Honestly, I’ve been weighing whether or not to go through with getting my nose straightened. Beyond just the aesthetics, I’m thinking it might actually help with how I sound—maybe I won't have that muffled, nasal tone that seems to define my voice lately. What do you guys think about that? Also, does anyone know roughly how long it takes before they take the molds off?

Laura Booth6...to be honest, I think I’m still going to head to Tončić regardless of your bad experience. I've never been much of a panic artist, and personally, I'm more worried about general anesthesia than anything else. Honestly, I care more about the actual results he gets you than the specific way he does things... I mean, obviously, surgery isn't exactly a trip to Disneyland.

Grace Williams19 said:I’ve got this kinda random question—maybe it isn't so random after all—but when you get a referral from your primary care doctor, do you actually ask for a specific hospital, or how does that even work???

I’ve been reading through this forum—seeing people mention how some doctors (ENTs) just refuse to perform certain surgeries, acting like they can't do them or whatever??? I mean, that's just ridiculous... honestly, God knows I don't have the time or energy to bounce between all these massive hospitals just to have someone tell me "nope" at the end of it. Plus, any actual expert would see that they definitely *can* do the job if they wanted to.🙂

Yeah, you specifically request a referral to an ENT at a particular hospital. Unfortunately, I’ve hit a wall at a few different places myself. Just to be clear, I don't have anything crazy going on with my nose, but I ran into these doctors who pull double duty—working privately and at the hospital—and they just wouldn't touch it (not because they couldn't, obviously) unless you paid out of pocket instead of using Medicare.

George Ramos11 said:Laura Booth6... look, if I’m being totally real with you, I think I’m still gonna head to Tončić regardless of that nightmare experience you had. Personally, I’m not exactly the type to spiral into a panic over every little thing—I'm way more worried about the general anesthesia itself than anything else. Honestly, I just care about the actual end results—what he actually did for you—rather than the specific process he used to get there. I mean, obviously, going under the knife isn't exactly a trip to Disneyland, is it?

It's my turn tomorrow!

Donna Wells90 said:So, I’m filling out this pre-op paperwork for anesthesia, right? And there’s this specific question asking if I’m dealing with any dental issues or gum disease. Here’s the deal—my teeth are actually fine, totally solid. The only thing is I’ve got this little pocket of infection in my gums because one of my teeth is slightly crooked, so food just gets trapped in there. I mean, I brush like three times a day, so it’s not like I’m neglecting anything, but yeah, that little spot is there. It doesn't hurt at all, and there’s zero swelling or inflammation... so what should I actually check on the form?😕

Look, an abscessed pocket isn't some minor thing you can just ignore—it’s technically called a granuloma, and let me tell you, it’s basically a concentrated little nest for infection to thrive in. You aren't going to fix this just by brushing your teeth more aggressively or using some fancy mouthwash, no matter how much you scrub. Honestly? You really need to get yourself to a dentist and deal with it before things get ugly.

Laura Booth6, did you get that swab done yet?
If you did, give us the lowdown so we know what we're getting into. 😉

Susan Watson31 said:A pus-filled sac isn't some minor thing; it's called a granuloma and it's basically a breeding ground for infection... you can't just brush your teeth away the problem. Honestly, she probably needs to see a dentist...

Whatever I've got isn't a granuloma.

So 😁

I had my nose surgery with Dr. Tončić today, and honestly, everything went perfectly. I didn't feel a thing, and I can't even remember much because I was out cold the entire time. Even the anesthesiologist was great; they just gave me a little prick in the vein, felt like nothing more than a tiny bee sting 😁 I spent some time resting and napping afterward. After reading all those terrifying posts lately, I was half-expecting them to come out and decapitate me, but it turned out to be the exact opposite—it was actually wonderful <3. For now, I’m happy, and the nasal tampons aren't nearly as bad as people make them out to be. If you don't obsess over them too much, you eventually get used to it; you just breathe through them for a few days, sort of like having a really heavy head cold 😁 🤣🙂

Right now, I'm feeling really positive and confident that everything will proceed smoothly. It seems like if you can just stay calm and relax, things immediately start moving in the right direction. This was my first surgery, and I was absolutely terrified (which is code for: spending every waking second scouring the internet for horror stories about cosmetic side effects—honestly, what a foolish thing to do). If you're going to look for information, stick to professional literature and consult directly with your doctor; make sure you ask about anything that isn't clear. On the internet, anyone from an eighty-three-year-old grandmother with failing eyesight to a random stranger can write whatever they want and hit publish. But once you lie back on that table, it’s just zzzzzzzzzzzzz sleep time (and trust me, get plenty of rest beforehand, because I spent the whole night tossing and turning before this)

This forum is a great way to exchange experiences and info, but in my opinion, it shouldn't be the deciding factor when choosing which surgeon to trust with your face 😁 Our individual experiences vary so much, and these threads should only serve as a guide—just a little nudge to help you make your own decision. This is a massive step in my life, and I imagine it is for many of you too, so it really requires a stable, calm, and rational approach

Good luck to everyone 😁 and if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask 😍

Grace Williams19 said:🙂eeee ... Drew Vaughn5, you described that perfectly. Thanks. 🙂🙂🙂

I have a bit of a random question—maybe it isn't random, though. When you get a referral from your primary care doctor, do you ask for a specific hospital, or how does that work?

I’ve been reading here on the forum—that some doctors (like ENT specialists) don't want to perform certain surgeries, almost acting like they can't even if they could. I think that's just silly. Honestly, I don't have the time to go bouncing between all those massive hospitals just to be told "we don't do that" in the end. Any expert should see that if it needs doing, they should be able to do it. 🙂

By the way, how many days after being discharged without any tubes or anything like that do you have to go back for a follow-up?

Here is my answer:
1. My doctor gave me a straight-up referral for an exam with a diagnosis to see a specialist. I think it works anywhere since there wasn't a specific hospital listed or anything. I could have taken that referral to Mount Sinai or Mercy, but I just felt like going to Dubrava. Once the specialist told me we were moving forward with surgery, I went back to my primary doctor to get the referral for inpatient treatment. That’s basically how the paperwork works.
2. After I got home, my follow-up appointment at the hospital was in 7 days.

Brian Adams3

Did you go under local or general anesthesia for your surgery?🙂

Right now, I’m grinding through all the pre-op requirements—blood work, urine tests, EKG, and finally meeting with the anesthesiologist. Once that's cleared, I'll head back to the ENT to confirm my surgery date. For context, I was on Tafam لو therapy for about four months leading up to this. My procedure is scheduled at the local county hospital. The issue at hand is nasal valve collapse; basically, my nostrils cave in whenever I try to breathe in. The doctor says the plan is to harvest cartilage from my ear and use it to reconstruct the nose. I'm looking for anyone who has actually gone through this. What's the actual experience like? I want to know every single detail. Cheers.

Susan Watson31 said:Do you actually have any arguments to back that up?

I sure do. In my day-to-day work, regardless of what kind of surgery we're doing that needs anesthesia, we pretty much stick to the grey ones (16G) or the green ones (18G) if the grey ones aren't within reach. We usually save the pink ones (20G) for those tricky cases where we already know the veins are going to be a nightmare to hit, while the blue (22G) and yellow (24G) catheters are strictly reserved for kids.

Someone coming in for cosmetic surgery isn't exactly swollen up or "poked all over" like a patient who's been stuck in a hospital bed for days, where the veins are so shot you're forced to use a blue catheter just to find any access at all.
Basically, when you see pink—and especially blue—catheters being used on adults for anesthesia in a clinical setting, it’s a massive red flag. It tells me the people trying to establish that line don't have the hands for it, and they clearly don't understand the scenarios they're walking into, nor do the people giving them the green light!
The fact that the report mentions "the doctor had to go in and do it himself..." is a dead giveaway that there wasn't even an anesthesiologist or an anesthesia tech on site.
It's common knowledge that most doctors have zero business trying to set peripheral IV lines; nine times out of ten, they just make a complete mess of it... And honestly, seeing a catheter taped down all amateurishly with "tape upon tape" is just ridiculous, especially when you're dealing with a blue one.

That's one thing.

But here's an even bigger issue: even though you can technically push meds or run an infusion through a blue catheter (though the flow is pretty slow), that needle sits so shallow in the vein that any little movement—regardless of how much tape you slap on it—can easily cause it to slip out, leading to the meds leaking into the surrounding tissue.
And I shouldn't even have to point out that this was supposed to be "local" anesthesia, where they described all these sudden movements and jolts.
Just thinking about it quickly... any situation that requires a fast response (like a sudden drop in blood pressure, for example) really highlights how useless a blue catheter is in a crisis.

Anyway, if anyone from that clinic is lurking on this forum... they know deep down I'm right. If they actually care about providing even a basic standard of care—let alone top-tier service—they won't cut corners by skipping a hospital anesthesiologist and a tech to do their jobs properly. Because you can only push things so far before everything hits the fan... and once things start breaking or turning into a total disaster, calling 911 to rush someone to the nearest hospital should be the last thing on their mind.