Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Amanda Morris76 said:I've decided to go through with nose surgery in about 6 months. I already checked in with Dr. Miller and loved them—super friendly people.
Got some questions for anyone who's already done this:
1. Is one month enough time for my nose to look normal without all the swelling and stuff? (Thinking one month post-op)
2. Do consultations cost money? If so, how much?
3. I'm planning on lifting the tip slightly. I read somewhere that these surgeries run around $2667? Is that true?

Thanks a lot🙂

It's been 22 days since my surgery and the bridge of my nose is still swollen. The bruising didn't even clear up until yesterday. 😁
Consultations aren't free at Smith's office. $67
The surgery itself cost me 11k $167 including general anesthesia. 😍
$2667You won't find those prices anywhere else. I think Miller charges 10,000, but maybe you can find something cheaper at a local clinic.

I’m actually thinking about booking an appointment with Smith too! :-)

So, just to clarify, what do the consultations usually entail $67
and is the surgery typically $3833 (under general anesthesia)
plus, are there any other tests I should get done beforehand, and does anyone know roughly what the costs look like?

feralowl19 said:I'm thinking about booking with Smith too! :-)

So, what are the consultations like? $67
Is the surgery $3833 (general anesthesia)
? And what other tests do I need to get done, and how much is it going to cost me?

I did all my testing through Dr. Smith, so I had to do bloodwork (3 vials), an internist visit (EKG and heart ultrasound), lung scans, and I also needed thyroid tests since mine acts up. That's basically everything I paid for$467. But honestly, you can just get it all covered by a referral from your primary doctor. I didn't bother with that because doing it privately was way faster and more private😍
. Anyway, if you have more questions, just ask.😉
I'll post photos once the swelling goes down; the bridge of my nose is still pretty swollen.😁

So, you had the consultations and then the surgery $4000.
Zachary Nguyen29, did you manage to get all those tests done in a single day?
And how are you feeling—are you able to head out of the house after 22 days, or are you still stuck indoors?
Was it general anesthesia?

Amanda Morris76 said:So consultations plus surgery $4000.
Zachary Nguyen29, did you get all those tests done in one day?
And can you actually leave the house after 22 days, or are you still stuck?
Was it general anesthesia?

Yeah, everything was done in a single day—that’s the whole point😁. Pay up and get it over with🤣. Honestly, it was great. Dr. Smith handles all the scheduling, so you're in and out fast😍.
I’ve been out and about for a while now. You don't even notice the bruises until they start fading. I just used concealer on the ones under my ribs so they wouldn't show too much toward the end😁.
Smith does all his surgeries under general anesthesia. He says it’s easier—for him and the patient. His anesthesiologist is top-tier, so you wake up smooth without any nausea. At least that was my experience. That's the deal😉.

Ashley Young34 said:Yeah, getting everything done in a single day is actually a huge plus. You just pay the price upfront and deal with the recovery later, but honestly, it's great—Dr. Smith handles all the scheduling so you can get it all sorted out in no time.😁, pay up and suck it up🤣, but seriously, it’s awesome how Dr. Smith organizes everything so quickly.😍
Personally, I've been going abroad for medical stuff for quite a while now, and you don't really notice the minor things until you're fully under. I even used concealer on my bruises, so they barely showed at all by the end.😁
Smith performs all his surgeries under general anesthesia; he says it's easier that way, both for him and for the patient. He has a fantastic anesthesiologist too, so you wake up gently without any nausea—at least, that was my experience. So, yeah, that's my two cents.😉

Hey, I'm actually a little nervous about general anesthesia. Does that mean they put you under via an IV drip, or do they use a mask with gas?😲

Dana Alvarez said:I’m a little nervous about general anesthesia, so I was wondering—do they put you under with an IV or through a mask?😲

I was worried about the general situation too. 😁It wasn't even that bad. They just knocked me out with an IV. 😍

Ashley Young34 said:Yeah, getting everything done in a single day is actually a huge plus. You just pay the price and deal with the aftermath, but honestly, it's great. Dr. O handles all the scheduling, so you can get everything sorted out in no time.😁 🤣It's a bit of a "pay now, suffer later" situation, but really efficient!😍
As for me, I was out and about quite soon after. You don't even realize how much stuff is rubbing off until you really start getting active again. I actually used concealer on my bruises, so they didn't show much at all towards the end.😁
By the way, Smith performs all his surgeries under general anesthesia. He says it’s easier for him, and honestly, it's better for the patient too. He has an amazing anesthesiologist, so you wake up feeling smooth without any nausea—at least, that was my experience! So, that's my two cents.😉

Thanks so much! 🙂I was actually thinking about seeing Dr. Miller. Where exactly is Dr. Smith located in Washington, D.C.?
And how many days passed before you were able to head out?
Thanks a million, Zachary Nguyen29. You're the best!🙂

Amanda Morris76 said:Thanks a lot. 🙂I was thinking about Dr. Miller. Where is Dr. Smith located in D.C.? Or where?
And how many days after that did you actually head out?
Thanks a ton, Zachary Nguyen29. You're the best.🙂

Smith is just as much of a joke in Washington, D.C. 😉
Same day appointment, afternoon slot. Look, I picked Dr. Smith right away because the guy is actually decent. Plus, he pulls that nasal swab out after 24 hours. That’s just how the American system works. 😍He’s the only one in America who pulls it off after 24 hours, and honestly, that was one of the main reasons I was interested. 🙂Why did I even pick him? 😍Otherwise, huge props to the doctor and the whole staff. 😉

Hey, can I ask a bit of a silly question? I was wondering what it actually feels like when they give you anesthesia. Does it make you feel dizzy or anything? How long does the sensation last, or do you just suddenly drift off? :-)

feralowl19 said:Hey, can I ask a slightly dumb question? What does it actually feel like when they give you anesthesia? Does it make you dizzy? How long does it last? Or do you just pass out instantly? :-)

Once you're on the table, they stick an IV in your arm and slowly drip the anesthetic in. You're just chatting with the anesthesiologist, then—nothing. Total blackout. I didn't feel dizzy or anything; I just remember waking up in the recovery room with the nurse and the anesthesiologist right there next to me.😁

Zachary Nguyen29 Asks:
Is Dr. Smith also practicing over in Washington, D.C.? 😉
So, you’re heading out in the morning and then again in the afternoon? Well, look, I decided on Dr. Smith right away. He’s just so incredibly kind, which makes such a difference. Plus, he actually pulls that nasal swab out after only 24 hours—that's just how the American system works, right? 😍Honestly, I’m the only one in America who waits a full 24 hours before taking action, and that was actually one of the main reasons why I did what I did. Is it just me, or does everyone else seem to be in such a rush? 🙂I wonder why I ended up choosing him of all people? 😍I have to say, I can't recommend the doctor and the entire staff enough! They really did a fantastic job. 😉

Well, maybe I should head over to see them too! 🙂 Does he have a website or an email address listed somewhere online?
How many days did it take before you felt up to leaving the house? Honestly, it’s hard to even tell that you had surgery!

brightotter21 said:I honestly don't know. I know a girl who was at the hospital in Indianapolis last year—she went in for a deviated septum, but they ended up doing some cosmetic work too, and everything turned out fine... I guess it just depends on which doctor you end up seeing.

Which doctor did you and your boyfriend see in Indy?

Well, look, Dr. Williams (I might have misspelled the name) actually wanted to take her tonsils out instead of fixing the septum... I haven't even been back to Indy since my first trip to NYC. If anyone is looking, I’d highly recommend Professor Davis over in Manhattan and Dr. Brown.

So, I’m heading in for surgery soon, and they’ll be doing a correction along with it. I’ve been reading through everyone's comments, and it seems like everyone keeps mentioning how long the bruising lasts. I was thinking it would just be a week and then I'm done... I actually planned a trip to the coast right after. How long am I going to look like a bruised mess???

Hey everyone.
I’ve been reading through almost everything on here, but I’m still stuck circling the drain with your various experiences.
I’ve dealt with sinus issues my entire life.
But now things have hit a breaking point—constant, nasty infections, especially in those sinuses right under my eyes.😠, there's a massive amount of fluid buildup.
The pain is brutal; I'm dealing with pounding headaches, aching teeth, and even my eardrums feel like they're being sucked inward, causing ear pain too. I’ve spent 21 days straight on antibiotics and breathing treatments, but the second I step outside into even slightly cool air, it feels like I'm right back at square one.
I went to Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Anderson.
He says my septum is severely deviated, which he claims is the root cause of all this misery.
I need surgery, and from what I gather, they’ll be doing some kind of cartilage reconstruction. But the problem is, the inflammation won't quit.
Does anyone have experience with this—do you actually go through with surgery while you're still actively inflamed??
And has anyone else gone to Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Anderson??
How long did the recovery actually take...😢
Please, if anyone can offer some advice, I'm all ears.
I am honestly terrified..

Amanda Morris76 said:Maybe I'll go see him too. 🙂 Does he have a website or an email?
How many days until you could actually leave the house? (I mean, can people tell you had surgery?)

He does. Just search "Smith's Clinic" and it'll pop up. If you can't find it, I'll DM you. 😉, can't post links here because of the spam rules. 😍
I was out and about after 14 days, but man 😲, it wasn't easy. It's different for everyone though. He had to shave my nasal bone to shorten my nose, so I ended up with massive bruising, swelling—just a total horror show. 😱

Olivia Reed94 said:I’m looking into getting surgery to fix a deviated septum because it’s become such a massive issue. Honestly, my quality of life is pretty much zero right now—I can't sleep properly, I feel completely winded during workouts like I'm running out of air, and every little cold feels ten times worse than it should.
I’d really love to have this done in Washington, D.C. instead of San Francisco, mostly because I have these lingering ideas about how run-down the Mayo Clinic is, plus their hygiene standards and how "friendly" the doctors tend to be there. I'm not quite sure where the best spot in D.C. would be, or how long the recovery actually takes. I heard that they remove the tampons after three days, but then you're left with stitches for a while...
I’m also a bit anxious about how my nose will actually look afterward. What are the odds that it could end up looking even worse or more asymmetrical than it does now? Since this is essentially similar to a cosmetic procedure, I really want to ensure I'm being operated on by a true expert with extensive experience.
Private healthcare is honestly such a rip-off. I don't see the point in dropping that kind of cash when I could just get the exact same quality of care from a highly skilled doctor at the Mayo Clinic.
Does anyone have any recommendations? I've heard pretty good things about the hospital over in Manhattan.🙄

It seems to me that Dr. Smith and Dr. Anderson are the most highly recommended specialists here. I actually have appointments scheduled with both of them, so I'll just have to see which one I decide to go with...

My dear friends,
(Why do I call you "my"? Perhaps because I’ve been following your discussions since the summer of 2009, though I still find it difficult to put my own chaotic thoughts into words quite clearly enough 🙂 )

I have been contemplating rhinoplasty—ever since I became self-aware enough to notice my own nose—but this past year, the thought has become quite intense. I finally found some quiet time over the summer to slowly work my way through this thread... I even took the liberty of compiling a list of all the surgeons you mentioned, noting their pros and cons based on your shared experiences...
But, goodness me, I’ve managed to lose that entire list. It looks like I’ll have to start my research from scratch. ☕

The most ironic part of this whole saga is that back in the summer of 2009, I actually managed to fund my procedure using money specifically set aside "for my nose." 😁
Now, I need to rebuild those savings, which is going to be an uphill battle since I am currently looking for work. Because of that, I was wondering if there is any way to utilize Medicare or some other form of public assistance?
PLEASE, IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE ME A BRIEF SUMMARY 😍 ...is it actually possible to undergo purely aesthetic rhinoplasty and tip correction at a major hospital (like the Mayo Clinic, or perhaps a large university hospital) for a lower cost than the roughly $2,200 range? 😢

In all honesty, if you were to see my nose in person, you would probably start a GoFundMe for it within twenty-four hours. 😁

P.S. To everyone who has posted photos (I can't recall all your names anymore), you are all truly wonderful for being so open. 😉

Sending my best to everyone, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. 👍

Post some pics, guys! Give us some inspiration since we're planning on tackling this project too 😉

Jamie Hernandez66 said:Hey everyone.
I’ve read basically everything here, but I'm still stuck on what you guys have been through.
Sinus infections have always been my nightmare.
Now it’s gotten totally out of hand—constant nasty infections, especially in the sinuses right under my eyes.😠, there's a ton of fluid buildup.
The pain is brutal. Headaches, toothaches, even my eardrums feel like they're pulling and my ears hurt too. I've been on antibiotics and doing inhalations for 21 days straight, but the second I step outside into the cool air, it feels like day one all over again.
I went to the Mayo Clinic to see Dr. Anderson.
He says my septum is so deviated that it's causing this whole mess.
I need surgery to do some kind of cartilage reconstruction, but the infection won't quit.
Has anyone dealt with this? Do you actually go through with surgery while you're still infected??
And has anyone else seen Dr. Anderson at Mayo??
How long was the recovery...😢
Please, I really need some advice.
I'm honestly terrified..

Look, let me answer that for you.
I had constant sinus issues too (my whole left side would ache sometimes), and a deviated septum in my left nostril was the culprit behind all those flare-ups...
I just had my septum fixed 7 days ago with Dr. Brady at the hospital, and I gotta say, it went great. A little sore, but I was under local anesthesia and went home the same day. Had the tampons out after two days. My nose tip is still a bit tender, but zero bruising, which was my biggest fear...
One more thing—Dr. Brady is actually a pediatrician by trade...
Don't get surgery while you're actively infected.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Lately, I’ve been stuck in my own head with thousands of questions, constantly worrying that I’m just making myself out to be more infirm than I actually am
because I'm considering getting some aesthetic work done on my nose. My mother keeps insisting that there isn't anything wrong with it ☕,
though if I'm being completely honest with myself, there is definitely some excess tissue to address 🙄
.
So, regarding rhinoplasty plus a tip refinement—where would you recommend getting this done?
If anyone here is in need of cartilage or similar supplies, I am more than happy to donate them to you 😍
.
Sending big hugs to everyone. And following what brightotter21 says about posting before-and-after photos—while I certainly respect the experiences you all share,
it feels like we are all subconsciously trying to compare our own features to the noses in your pictures... 🙂
.
(I suppose those with prominent jaws have the upper hand 😉 )