Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Brenda Sanders16 said:Hopefully everything turns out fine; I'm hoping—if luck is on my side—to get scheduled for surgery in October. I have to admit, I'm terrified; I've never been in a hospital before, let alone undergone any kind of surgery. Please, just tell me if you're happy with your nose job (if you had one)—I might look into fixing that too, though I'm a bit anxious about how I'll end up.🙂.
Thanks for all the answers; you've helped me so much.

The nurse handles the scheduling—she certainly did for me—and she just looks for the first available slot. If there's a specific time that works better for you, don't be afraid to ask if it's possible; in fact, aiming for a later date might actually be easier since those slots tend to stay open longer. I should mention, you aren't obligated to blindly accept the very first opening they offer; see if you can negotiate a time that actually fits your life. She’ll flip through the appointment book, and you two can pick a date together. 😉

Don't let the idea of surgery scare you; it really isn't as daunting as it sounds. Honestly, I’d do it again if necessary (and maybe even if I wanted to 😁 to fix a few other things—though strictly functional stuff, I have no interest in cosmetic changes). Just be prepared for the fact that you won't be able to breathe through your nose for a while until they remove the packing, and you might deal with a sore throat if they have to intubate you. But all of that passes quickly, and the most important thing is managing any discomfort, resting, and keeping up with your food and water intake. 😉

As for cosmetic work, I haven't had any aesthetic procedures done, so I can't really weigh in on that. My tip was only slightly raised—barely noticeable—simply because the doctor decided it was necessary for better airflow and whatnot. I didn't deal with any bruising or anything like that, and my tip actually looked quite a bit more lifted immediately after the procedure than it does now (it settled down a bit once the swelling subsided and everything found its place), which made my nose look significantly narrower for that initial period.

I don't check this thread as regularly as I used to, so I'm not entirely sure what your exact plans are—ultimately, the doctor will make the call, and that decision dictates how long and difficult your recovery will be. He’ll definitely do a good job with the aesthetics; I know he performs reconstructive surgeries for medical issues as well, so he clearly knows his craft. 👍

Olivia Reed94 said:I’m looking into getting surgery for a deviated septum because it’s gotten pretty bad. Honestly, my quality of life is basically zero at this point—my sleep is terrible, I feel completely winded during workouts, and every little cold turns into a massive ordeal.
I’d prefer to have this done in Washington, D.C., rather than San Francisco, mostly because I have this lingering skepticism about the hygiene and the general "hospitality" of the doctors down in San Francisco. Does anyone know which facility in D.C. would be the best bet, and what the recovery timeline looks like? I’ve heard you get the packing removed after three days, but then you're stuck with stitches for a while...
I’m also a bit anxious about the aesthetics. What are the odds that my nose ends up looking worse or more asymmetrical than it does now? It feels like it borders on cosmetic territory. Because of that, I really want an expert with a proven track record handling this.
Going private is incredibly expensive, and I feel like I’d be rushing into a huge expense if a similarly skilled surgeon could just do it through the hospital system...
Any suggestions? I’ve heard some good things about the hospital in Manhattan..🙄

The ENT specialist who used to be over at the Manhattan facility was moved over to the new VA Hospital building along with the rest of the ENT department about two years ago.
Based on what you’ve already read, some of the recommended specialists from that group are Davis (the department head), Taylor, and User000. Apparently, Taylor isn't even taking new appointments for the rest of the year. And as we've seen mentioned here before, Davis has a tendency to steer patients toward his private practice.
Regardless, the VA Hospital is a solid choice. The department itself is brand new and spotless, with private one or two-bed rooms that include their own bathrooms and a TV, so the time you spend recovering there should actually be quite comfortable.

Brenda Sanders16 said:Hopefully everything turns out fine. If I get lucky, they might actually schedule my surgery for October. I have to admit, I'm absolutely terrified; I've never even stepped foot in a hospital before, let alone gone under the knife. Please, just tell me—if you’ve had a nose job, are you happy with the results? I might consider fixing that too, but I'm honestly freaking out about how I'll look.🙂.
Thanks for all the replies; you've been such a huge help.

Hey, I'm also scheduled to see Dr. Smith on June 30th, and I'm really wondering when the first available slot for the actual procedure will be. I just hope it isn't too late.🙄

Dana Alvarez Asks:
Ugh, I’m in the exact same boat—I've got my appointment scheduled with Dr. Smith for June 30th. Honestly, I’m starting to get a little anxious wondering when the first available slot for surgery will actually pop up. I just really hope it doesn't end up being too late.🙄

So, since you already put your order in—I actually placed mine back on March 19th, 2010, for July 7th! Honestly, I’m just crossing my fingers here. I really hope everything goes smoothly for both of us. Who knows? Maybe we'll end up with similar scheduling and get to share a room together.🙂I’m really hoping I can snag an appointment in October—they told me that’s the sweet spot for timing. Are you also looking to fix a deviated septum along with a full rhinoplasty? I honestly haven't made up my mind yet. If the surgeon suggests doing the correction at the same time, I'm torn between going all in or just sticking to fixing the immediate issue. To be totally blunt, I'm pretty terrified about how the final result is actually going to look.

Alex Moore62 said:Look, the nurse is usually the one scheduling the surgery—at least in my experience—and she’ll just look for the very first opening available. If you’re eyeing a different slot that actually fits your life, just ask her if it’s doable. Especially if you want something later in the day, there's a better chance it's open. I'm telling you, you don't have to just blindly accept the first thing they throw at you; see if you can negotiate for a time that works for you. She’ll flip through the schedule and you two can pick 😉
together.
And seriously, don't be terrified of the surgery itself—it’s really not that big of a deal. Honestly, if I had to do it again, I probably would (maybe even 😁 because there are a few other things I’d want to fix—just functional stuff, though, I have zero interest in cosmetic work). Just be ready for the fact that you won't be able to breathe through your nose for a bit while they have the packing in, and your throat might be sore if they struggle a little during intubation. But all that passes quickly. The main thing is just managing any pain (if there even is any), resting, and keeping up with fluids and food 😉
.
As for cosmetic changes, I haven't gone down that road, so I can't really speak to it. For me, he just lifted the tip a tiny bit—barely noticeable—mostly because he decided it would help the airflow or whatever. I didn't end up with any bruising or anything like that, and my tip was actually quite a bit higher right after the surgery than it is now (it settled down a bit once everything healed and the tightness went away), so my nose looked significantly narrower for that initial short period.

I don't check this thread as religiously as I used to, so I'm not sure what your exact plan is—at the end of the day, the doctor is going to make the final call, and that determines how long and intense your recovery will be. That guy is definitely skilled enough to handle the aesthetic side of things; I know he does full reconstructions for medical issues, so he clearly knows his stuff 👍
.

Thank you sooooo much!🙂

Brenda Sanders16 said:Since you already booked yours, I actually put my request in back on March 19th, 2010, for July 7th. I'm honestly so glad! I really hope everything goes smoothly for both of us, and who knows, maybe we'll even get similar dates and end up sharing a recovery room together.🙂I'm personally hoping to get a slot in October, since people say that's the ideal time. Are you getting your septum straightened out too, and are you planning on doing the cosmetic correction at the same time? I haven't quite made up my mind yet—if they suggest the correction, I can't decide if I should just go for it or stick to fixing the immediate issue. I'm a little nervous about how the final result will turn out.

Well, it was just over a week ago... and yeah, October is definitely better. 👍...Honestly, it's probably best to just get everything fixed all at once while you're under anesthesia... hehehe, maybe I'll see you there!🙂

Dana Alvarez said:Well, it’s been just over a week since then... yeah, we're hitting that 10-month mark.👍Honestly, you’re better off just knocking everything out in one go while you're at it—total efficiency, right? Haha, who knows, maybe I'll run into you around town!🙂

You should probably go first—that way we can all see exactly how it goes for you... haha! Seriously though, I might just need to switch doctors before this is over.🙂.
Hey, if you can remember, give me a shout after your checkup—I want to know exactly when they’ve got you scheduled for that surgery...
Well, if not all, then at least some of it—good luck, and hey, maybe I'll see you around...🙂)))

Hey everyone, I'm 18 and just joined the forum, but honestly, I've been dwelling on getting a nose job for a while now because my current nose just really brings me down. My tip is kind of wide, so I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences—just a quick rundown of how your surgeries went. There are plenty of threads here, but I can't seem to find much in the way of actual personal stories (unless I totally missed them), so if you could briefly let me know about the success rates, I'd appreciate it since that's what I'm most nervous about. It's not exactly my own photo, but it's the kind of thing I'm dealing with, though my issue is more about the thickness:
http://www.plasticsurgerypa.com/Disp...noplasty_1.jpg ...
thanks in advance for any help

Kate Alvarez47 said:So, I've heard from basically everyone that getting nose surgery is the absolute worst thing ever. Like, people say the pain is just insane and unbearable...
Also, can they just operate on the skin? Like, just remove the excess tissue without touching the bone?

How did I miss this one? 😁
First off, the nose doesn't hurt. And what are you even talking about when you mention skin? 🤷

jaderider24 said:Hey everyone, I'm 18 and new here. I've been thinking about getting a nose job because my current nose is honestly making me depressed. My tip is too wide, so I wanted to ask about your experiences—just give me the short version of how your surgeries went. There are plenty of threads, but nothing with real personal stories (unless I missed them). I'd love to know about success rates since that's what I'm most worried about. This isn't actually my photo, but it's the kind of thing I'm dealing with, just my tip is a bit more pronounced:
http://www.plasticsurgerypa.com/Disp...noplasty_1.jpg ...
thanks in advance for any help

That is a really well-shaped nose! That's exactly what I need too... mine isn't quite a potato, but I'm picky and just want it to be perfect. 😍

Joining in on the requests 🙂

Hey everyone,
just wanted to check in—it’s been three weeks since my surgery and I am honestly beyond thrilled with the results.🙏
For those who have been following along, this was actually my second time going under the knife. This time they did an osteotomy—basically breaking the side bones—plus a full cartilage reconstruction.
I really wanted to drop some advice here because after my first surgery, all I did was sand things down, and man... I looked terrible. Just bruised and swollen everywhere. I wasn't prepared at all, which is why I did my homework this time around. I handled it like a pro—only had some light dark circles under my eyes, and everything cleared up so fast.🙂)
So, what was my secret?
I took a zinc tablet and Vitamin C powder every single day. Also, for seven days before the procedure, I took homeopathic Arnica pellets, and kept it up for seven days after.
To deal with the bruising, I used Lioton gel. About 24 hours after the surgery, I started doing this thing where I’d apply a little gel and then hold an ice pack to my neck, the back of my head, or around my eyes—just for five minutes, then repeat an hour later.
After you get your surgery done, everyone just wants to get back to feeling "normal" immediately. With this routine, you'll be totally fine within seven days. I'm already at the point where I don't even need foundation or concealer anymore—my nose looks amazing.👍
Later!

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Hey everyone,
So, I figured I should probably check in... It’s been three weeks since my surgery, and honestly? I am beyond thrilled with how everything is turning out...🙏
Those of you who have been following along already know this is my second surgery. This time around, they went through with an osteotomy—basically a total break of the lateral bones—plus a full reconstruction of the cartilage...
I really wanted to share some advice with you all. After my first surgery—which was just a simple reshaping procedure—I looked absolutely horrific. Honestly, it was a nightmare... I was covered in bruises and the swelling was just brutal. I clearly hadn't prepared myself at all, and that was my mistake. This time around, I did my homework and made sure I was fully informed before going under, and let me tell you, it made a world of difference. I only had some slight purple circles under my eyes, and everything healed up so much faster...🙂)
What did I even do???...
I was taking zinc tablets and Vitamin C powder every single day, and then for the seven days leading up to my surgery, I added those homeopathic Arnica pellets to the mix... and kept them going for another seven days after the procedure too.
I was applying some LIOTON gel to my bruises, and about 24 hours after the surgery, I started trying to hold the gel-led compress against my neck, then a bit on the back of my head, then around my eyes... just doing five minutes at a time, then repeating that whole process again every hour or so...
After you go under the knife, everyone just wants to get back to their "normal" self immediately, right? But honestly, with this specific procedure, you’re going to be totally fine within like seven days... I'm telling you. I've completely stopped using foundation or concealer entirely, and my nose looks absolutely incredible...👍
Hey there...

I was just sitting here wondering how everything actually turned out...😕 I’m honestly just glad everything worked out the way it was supposed to this time around, and that your recovery was such a breeze... seriously, you bounced back fast. Enjoy rocking that new gear! Cheers...🙂

Rebecca Gomez37 said:Hey everyone,
It's been three weeks since my surgery, and I have to say, I am beyond thrilled with the results.🙏
Those of you who have been following my journey know that this is actually my second surgery. This time around, they had to perform an osteotomy, which basically involved breaking the lateral bones and reconstructing the cartilage.
I wanted to share a little bit of advice with you all. After my first procedure—it was just a simple smoothing—I looked absolutely terrible. Honestly, I was such a mess, completely bruised and incredibly swollen. I hadn't prepared myself at all, which was my mistake. That’s why I made sure to do my homework this time around, and I was so much better prepared. I only ended up with some light purple circles under my eyes, and everything cleared up so quickly!🙂)
What on earth did I do???
I was taking zinc tablets and Vitamin C powder every single day, and I also made sure to take those homeopathic Arnica pellets for seven days leading up to my surgery, as well as for seven days after.
I applied some LIOTON gel to my bruises, and about 24 hours after the surgery, I tried keeping the gel-led pads on my neck, the back of my head, and around my eyes for five minutes at a time, repeating that every hour or so.
After you go through surgery, everyone just wants to get back to feeling like themselves as quickly as possible. Honestly, with this procedure, you’ll be totally fine in about seven days. I’ve completely stopped using foundation and concealer, and my nose looks absolutely amazing.👍
Hey there!

That’s awesome, I'm honestly so happy to hear that... thanks so much for all the advice! Hey, if you don't mind, maybe you could post some pictures so we can actually see how it turned out?

wanderingmason86 said:Just one quick question. My doctor told me to use some AD drops (Vitamin A+D)—specifically to apply them directly to my nasal mucosa. I was busy working on my hair and totally forgot to pick them up, and now when I check the local pharmacies around Washington, D.C., they tell me they’re out of stock everywhere. Does anyone know where I can actually find these?

So, just a thought—AD drops are usually the kind used for kids, often mixed into food to help boost their appetite. They aren't typically manufactured in a spray or dropper format designed for nasal application, so the idea of "instilling" them that way seems off. Are you absolutely certain those are the right drops for what the doctor suggested??

Sarah Brooks said:But those drops are usually the kind you give kids to help boost their appetite... they aren't even sold in spray bottles or anything like that, so there wouldn't be any way to accidentally "drop" them into someone's drink like that. Are you absolutely sure those are the right drops?

Yeah, that’s exactly what they are. I’m definitely familiar with how those appetite-boosting drops work for kids, but in this specific situation, the doctor is actually recommending them for everyone to help speed up healing and clear up congestion.
Anyway, I couldn't track down that exact blend, but I did find separate Vitamin A and Vitamin D supplements, so I'm just mixing them myself!

Sarah Brooks said:Look, those drops are just stuff you mix into food to get kids to actually eat. They don't even come in spray bottles or anything like that, so there's no way they're being "administered" that way. Are we even talking about the same drops?

Wrong. It’s not appetite stimulants. It’s bone health support to prevent rickets. The kid gets Vitamin D as a single-vitamin supplement specifically to stop rickets from kicking in due to a deficiency.☕

Hi everyone! I decided to join the forum because I’m seriously considering getting a rhinoplasty. I have a slight deviation that’s pretty noticeable, and while I want to improve the aesthetics, I definitely don't want anything over-the-top...
Since I'm based in St. Louis, my main option for a top-tier surgeon is Dr. Miller, who happens to be the president of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons—so naturally, his fees are quite premium. I’ve been looking into Dr. Sterling as an alternative, and I was actually leaning toward him since he travels to St. Louis one weekend a month. However, looking through the discussions here, I haven't seen anyone raving about his work or mentioning they've had surgery with him. If anyone has any firsthand experience with him, I would truly appreciate it if you could share...

Dana Alvarez said:I don't think that's quite how it works🙄 because I've been reading that people who've stayed in the hospital end up with exactly the nose they wanted—it all comes down to whether you actually speak up to the doctor or not. And obviously, who you see matters, but it isn't just about using a private clinic; nobody is going to give you a nose that doesn't fit your face, regardless of where you go, right?🙂

I completely agree—they tailor it to your specific features, head shape, and so on. They can actually do a phenomenal job if done correctly.

Brenda Sanders16 said:It’s probably best if you go first so we can see how it goes for you... hehe, just so I have enough time to find a new doctor before mine fails me.🙂.
Anyway, if you remember, let me know how the consultation goes so I can figure out when your surgery is scheduled...
If not, no big deal, good luck and maybe I'll see you around...🙂)))

Hey ladies, so I’m heading in to see Dr. Miller on May 28th. I guess I’ll be the guinea pig here—the test subject to see if you guys should run for the hills or if you should start counting down the days. Honestly, I booked my surgery twelve months ago, but they won't actually get me on the schedule until late May.

bluecanyon39 said:Look, I can totally help you out—I actually went to this incredible surgeon and I am honestly beyond thrilled with the results (I'll DM you his name). It was actually kind of wild to me because I felt like I was the only one there from the States... people fly in from all over the world to see him. Like, seriously, I saw girls from Vienna, a few coming all the way from the US, some from Austria, even someone from Cuba and another from Poland... I couldn't believe how famous he is internationally.

Basically, everyone heads there because they say surgeries in America are way, way cheaper... and the doctors are just as skilled as anyone abroad. All in all, I’m super happy. The doctor is so sweet (and honestly pretty hot, too, but sadly taken lol), and the accommodations were top-tier... honestly, being pampered there felt better than being at home. The staff really goes above and beyond with patients, which is huge... because I had such a massive panic attack right before my surgery that I almost called the whole thing off, but they talked me through it... and I’d be so gutted if I hadn't gone through with it, because I’m so much happier now.

Speaking of how nice the staff is... you mentioned that doctor in Malibu... I don't want to name names, though we're probably thinking of the same guy... I ended up seeing him once purely by accident since I live nearby... a friend of mine had an appointment... and man, he was just so unpleasant and rude... it was awful... she ended up canceling everything in the end.

Anyway, best of luck! 😉

Hey! Which surgeon was it that you were so happy with? 🙂