Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

casualscout65 said:Mine was pretty much like yours. Everyone around me was acting like I’d totally lost my mind, asking what was wrong with me, just because I didn't have some massive, giant honker with a huge hump... but even then, it was crooked and uneven. Every time I’d point it out to them, they’d be like, "Oh, wow, you're right, it actually is crooked." It looked super obvious in photos, too. And whenever I’d wiggle the tip of my nose, I could literally hear this clicking or snapping sound happening inside.

Look, the nose isn't just for show—it’s a breathing organ. There are actual specialists who deal specifically with this stuff. If you're dealing with a deviated septum and not just trying to tweak the aesthetics, don't just wing it. Go see an ENT or a plastic surgeon for a real consultation!

I've gotta know... how does your nose look now? Are you actually happy with how the surgery turned out? Is it straight now, or is it still leaning one way? And of course... which doctor did you go with?
Tnx

Melissa Rivera47 said:I think you’re trying to find a way to make everything convenient and efficient at once, but honestly, man, it just doesn't work that way. You'll have to deal with the actual medical issue through an oral surgeon first, and then you can only even think about the aesthetic side once your nose has fully healed—and that part is strictly something for a plastic surgeon. I know you, you're the type who wants to tackle everything in one go right now, but I'm sorry, it's just not feasible... besides, why not just book a consultation? Then you can hear it straight from them (though they'll probably tell you exactly what I'm saying here...)

Hmm, I actually wouldn't say that... I went in for my own consultation because I need to fix a deviation and also address the cosmetic side, and every single surgeon I spoke to told me they absolutely have to do it all in one single procedure! 😉

Hey everyone. It’s been over a year since I first posted here. Back in February of last year, I finally went through with my rhinoplasty at Vinogradski under Dr. Ivkić. I had wanted this surgery for so long; I used to be pretty miserable about how my nose looked. It wasn't exactly a disaster, but it definitely took a toll on my self-confidence—I guess my headspace played a big part in that. Now, looking back about a year and a half later, I can honestly say I was incredibly lucky. Everything went perfectly, from the actual procedure to the recovery process. It all unfolded exactly as it should have. My nose turned out just the way it was meant to look (I used to have a bump, and the tip was shaped a bit like a potato :-P ). He straightened everything out and reshaped the tip beautifully. I actually get the feeling that as time passes, it keeps looking better—it seems a bit narrower and more refined every day. I'm genuinely happy with the results... and honestly, it feels like things have finally clicked into place mentally, too. Everything just feels right now. As for the surgeon, I am extremely satisfied with Dr. Ivkić. For me, the experience was flawless. Of course, choosing which doctor to go with is a deeply personal decision, and what works for me might be different for someone else. I had heard good things about him beforehand, so I chose him to play it safe. It worked out great for me, but I don't want to tell anyone else what to do. You really have to think long and hard when picking a surgeon; you need to keep your eyes wide open and do your homework. Wishing you all the best of luck!

driftingnomad7 said:Does Jell care if you're wearing braces while getting nose surgery? Is that a contraindication?

IT MATTERS. DON'T DO IT. NOT EVEN BY ACCIDENT.

I actually had braces myself—fixed ones—mostly because of health issues rather than just looks (bad bite, jaw joint pain, all that). Every time your teeth, jaw, or mandible shifts, it changes the entire alignment of your facial bones, your jaw joints, your lips, and your NOSE. Until you finish orthodontic treatment, you shouldn't touch anything for at least a year. You need to wait until your face settles, otherwise, you'll end up with a different bite, a different jaw profile, a different lip shape, and by extension, a different looking NOSE.
And yeah, that applies to both removable and fixed braces.

When I went for a consultation with Dr. Ignatovski, he claimed there was *absolutely no connection*,
even though I was wearing fixed braces. But when I saw two different maxillofacial surgeons for a consult, they were totally shocked. I’m pretty sure I have it all written down somewhere.

Seriously, don't even think about going to Dr. Ignatovski. During my exam, he didn't even bother looking at the CT scans of my nose and maxillary sinuses that I brought with me; he just gave me a glance and told me what he'd do.

The guy clearly has zero clue what he's doing, and his priority is obviously lining his pockets over the actual health of his patients.

Does anyone know how much they charge for a combined procedure—cosmetic work plus a septum repair—over at the Kaplan Clinic? I’ve been combing through this forum, but I can't seem to find anything on it (unless I somehow missed it).

Jamie Ruiz said:I just wanted to drop a quick note about my son's rhinoplasty from nine days ago. First off, a massive shoutout to Dr. Glumičić and his entire team—they are absolute masters at what they do. I will say though, this isn't exactly a walk in the park; you need a lot of patience and nerves of steel during recovery. Don't get me wrong, there’s zero actual pain, it’s just that breathing feels incredibly awkward for a bit. If you can handle that part, go for it, because the results are totally worth it. Once again, huge thanks to Dr. Glumičić. He is hands down the best in the business.

So, how much did it run him? 😉

Has anyone here had a deviated septum surgery performed by Dr. Angelin at Vinogradski? I'm curious to hear if anyone has any firsthand experience with him.
Also, I’m a little confused—how is it possible that my retainer is considered a contraindication for the surgery? I'm wearing it right now, and when the doctor saw me, he didn't mention anything about it being an issue whatsoever.

It seems like everyone is avoiding the elephant in the room when it comes to the actual costs involved... I’d love to get some clarity here, so please, if you have any insight, would you mind sharing what kind of prices we are looking at?

Carol Hernandez94 said:Nobody’s actually talking about the costs here... seriously, can someone just give me some numbers?

Look, there’s been a ton of talk about prices on this board before... if you really want to know, just do yourself a favor and scroll through the archives for a bit.
Generally, you’re looking at somewhere between $12,000 and $18,000$0.00, depending on how intense the surgery is and what kind of anesthesia they use. On average, though, people are paying around $2,000.

Hey there. So, I have a question. I’ve been reading all sorts of things here and honestly, you guys have totally outsmarted me. Hmm... I’m thinking about getting a nose job. My nose is actually okay for the most part—it isn't hooked or low—it’s just a bit wide, and from the profile view, it looks really pointy. I've always wanted that cute little Angelina nose, something sweet from the side... mine just looks too sharp for my face. But anyway, this isn't trivial; you really have to think long and hard about stuff like this so you don't end up looking messed up.

I have something similar...http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/a_nose.jpg
I don't have that cute little curve. I just don't like it.
Has anyone here actually gone through this? I noticed that Zanamara had that kind of nose surgery; you can definitely tell. She used to have that same wide, pointy look, and now it's small and sweet. So... I'm genuinely curious who the best surgeon is right now, someone who won't absolutely screw things up. 🙂 Thanks.

ironsurfer10 said:Has anyone had a septoplasty done by Dr. Kalođera at Vinogradski? Any experiences with him?
Also, why on earth would my retainer be a contraindication for surgery? I'm wearing it right now, the doctor saw it, and he didn't say a word about it.????

I had my septoplasty with Dr. Kalođera at Vinogradski. As a surgeon, he’s honestly great. But, just one year later, I had to go back in for a turbinate reduction because of sinus issues. He told me then that I'd probably need more procedures down the line, so I gave up on seeing him—I just didn't have the nerves for it anymore. My breathing and sinuses still aren't perfect, though I suppose I share some of the blame...

neonbadger43 said:Hey there. So, I’ve got a question. I’ve been lurking here reading all sorts of stuff, and honestly, you guys have totally played me. Hmm... I'm planning on getting nose surgery. My nose is actually okay for the most part—it's not bumpy or low—it’s just a bit wide, and from the side, it looks really pointy. I've always wanted that cute little Angelina nose, you know? Something sweet from the profile... mine just looks way too sharp for my face. But yeah, it's not just some random whim; I know I need to think this through seriously so I don't end up looking like a disaster.

I've got one that looks like this...http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/a_nose.jpg
I definitely don't have that cute little curve. I just can't stand it.
Has anyone here actually gone through this kind of procedure? I noticed that Zanamara had that same nose job—you can tell. She used to have that wide, pointy thing too, and now she has a tiny, sweet one. So, yeah... I'm genuinely curious who the absolute best surgeon is right now, someone who won't totally screw things up.🙂 Thanks.

Personally, I think this nose is perfectly fine... though, obviously, you can't see how wide it is from the profile view. As for this "cute little curve" you mentioned, I have no clue what you mean. But seriously, think about how many girls go under the knife just to get a slightly pointier tip. I don't know how old you are, but your post gives off the vibe that you're pretty young... if you aren't dealing with some medical issue, I'd say wait it out. Your perspective might change. It's honestly not worth dropping that much cash and risking surgery just to potentially end up hating the result. It is way, WAY easier to fix huge bumps or crooked noses than it is to tweak tiny details. Someone who nitpicks over every little feature of their nose is definitely going to be nitpicking about whether the surgery was a success, too.🙂

So, last Tuesday, I underwent surgery to correct a deviated septum. My nose was essentially fractured in three different places, if you can believe it... but now I find myself preoccupied with some rather unsettling bleeding. It feels as though it’s coming through the packing, yet I’ve reached a point where I can practically "spit up blood." They were supposed to remove my nasal tampons today, but instead, they've pushed it back to Thursday. Honestly, hello? I would much rather swallow my own blood than deal with them pulling those things out. :O

Now, I am curious to hear about your own experiences—assuming anyone here has gone through something similar?

Michelle Chavez74 said:STAY AWAY FROM GUDELJ. I went to him for both functional and cosmetic work. For about two months after the surgery, my nose looked almost perfect, but then a few months later, it started deforming—it basically turned into a slide shape, and now it looks way worse than before. Gudelj won't admit he messed up; he actually had the nerve to claim he intentionally curved my nose because he thinks it looks better that way. We never even talked about curving the nose during our consultations, obviously. He didn't mention that unlike other surgeons who straighten the nose, he was going to curve mine, nor did he listen to my explicit request to just slightly reduce the nasal bridge. Instead, he took off way too much, which he admitted right after the operation, and the tip isn't narrow at all despite him saying it would be.

Thanks!!!!!!!
I didn't get a chance to read this message earlier, but no, I haven't been operated on by Gudelj...
Not even close. My sinuses are absolutely wrecking me again; every little cold feels like it’s hitting me straight in the head—right in the sinuses.
So, let me explain why I didn't end up getting surgery with Gudelj.
They were all set to admit me five days early—they just left me at home—which I guess is fine because I was happy to stay home, though it honestly feels like they're just stealing money that way...
Then on the sixth day, they finally admit me, hit me with a heparin injection, and give me some sedative pill😠 that made me feel terrible all night long.
The next morning, first they're busy performing tonsillectomies... and then it's my turn..
They send me toward the operating room—well, more like the waiting area—but since all the rooms are open, you can hear this constant buzzing coming from everywhere, and you honestly just have this overwhelming urge to run away headfirst.
Everyone is just shuffling around those halls; it wasn't what I imagined at all. I wish they had at least sedated me in my room first..
The anesthesiologist shows up and asks, "Do you have any health issues?"
She's got all my paperwork right there in front of her.
I tell her—I don't have a thyroid—that's the only thing.
I could see she was looking at me quite pale—meaning she clearly hadn't bothered to look at my charts.
She leaves.
She comes back with Gudelj.
Gudelj looks at me like I've grown a second head: "Wait, you don't have a thyroid??"
So I told him, "You've had all my lab results sitting right here for ten days."
They walk away...
Then they start coming back one by one, sort of throwing shade at each other... you know how it is... "this one doesn't want to vouch for you..." one of them said, 🙄not using those exact words, but that was definitely the vibe.
So there I am, sitting on some wooden chair, staring at that tacky sign that says "Janičine sale," thinking to myself, wow, this is really where people get operated on....
The whole setup looks pretty pathetic, and on top of that, everyone is just milling around like they're at a local flea market...
While those two (Gudelj and the anesthesiologist) are busy making deals among themselves, a nervous nurse comes out from the OR where I'm supposed to go and tries to pressure me to lie down and get sedated because "time is running out" and their shift ends at 3 PM..
Someone walks out of one of the rooms and confirms my suspicion that I might not even be getting surgery, so they just leave me alone.
I'm shaking like an idiot.
Then Dr. Gudelj comes back... along with the anesthesiologist.
They won't operate on me because they didn't realize I lacked a thyroid, and now they're trying to prescribe me some vague dose of hormone therapy that I have to take for six months before I can come back for surgery.
My hormone dosage can only be determined by my endocrinologist, especially since I had thyroid cancer and need a very specific amount.
They start prepping my discharge papers, and Gudelj has the audacity to look at my nose one more time and say, "Well, it's not that bad...."
Oh, for crying out loud, who is kidding who here??> Anyway, they scheduled me for the fall, but I'm canceling it—there is no way in hell I'm going back to them.

My sinuses are acting up again and honestly, I’m just totally lost on where to even start...
Does anyone have any leads on where to go for septoplasty? Like, which hospital or which doctor in Washington, D.C. should I actually look into? 🙏

Zachary Jackson5, thanks for getting back to me! I finally managed to have a chat with Dr. Kalodera today. He mentioned that having braces shouldn't be an issue, provided the surgery isn't some massive, overly complicated procedure on the nose. I did point out that my referral specifically says septoplasty, and I tried to gently remind him that he had "promised" to touch up my nose's appearance a bit, too—but honestly, I got the impression he wasn't exactly thrilled about doing any cosmetic work. Anyway, what’s really weighing on me right now is the thought of breathing through my mouth. How did you all manage that? How were you able to eat? And that whole thing about swallowing or dealing with blood and nausea... that part genuinely terrifies me!

Hi everyone,
I need to get surgery for an old injury—it left a scar in a pretty awkward spot (better if I don't say where). When I call up various clinics to see if they even perform this kind of procedure, they all give me the same line: "You need to come in for a consultation first so we can take a look." Look, I don't need a whole diagnostic deep dive; I just want a straight answer from a surgeon on whether they can actually fix it or not. So, I’m wondering—does that initial consultation cost money regardless of whether the doctor can actually pull off the job?

When I scheduled the appointment, they didn't mention a price tag at all—just gave me a time slot. I totally forgot to ask. My appointment is tomorrow, and when I tried calling over the weekend to double-check things, nobody picked up. Apparently, they don't work weekends.
The consultation is with Dr. Bastajić.

I need to hit up a few different places to see what they have to say. Which of them sounds reasonable and competent, and which ones sound like total snake oil salesmen? I'd rather not waste my cash on multiple consultations if they end up being overpriced.

I'm honestly debating if it's better to just head over to Rebro Hospital. At least there, I might get an honest answer from a doctor who isn't just looking to line their pockets. Reading through posts online, it feels like going to these private clinics is like walking into a butcher shop—everyone's just out to skin you alive. If I go to a private surgeon, I'll basically have a scalpel right next to the doctor's location on my injury; if someone tries to screw me over, they've got everything they need right there.🙂

rustygardener172 said:I think this nose looks just fine... though you can't really judge width from a profile shot. I have no idea what "cute arc" you're talking about. But just think about how many girls go under the knife just to get a slightly pointier tip. I don't know how old you are, but your post gives me the impression you're pretty young... if there isn't an actual medical issue involved, maybe just wait a bit and see if your opinion changes. It’s honestly not worth dropping that kind of cash and risking surgery only to end up hating the result. It's much easier to fix large bumps or humps than to obsess over tiny details. Someone who nitpicks their appearance like this will surely end up nitpicking the surgical outcome too... 🙂

I'm 24... hehe. Well, I try to make myself look younger... 🙂 I wasn't trying to be a know-it-all, I was just looking for an answer. My nose looks fine enough from the front or in a half-profile, but I’m really not happy with how it looks from the side. It sticks out too much, and my face feels a bit too small and cute for what I call my "aristocratic pointed nose"... 🙂 So, this is it... that famous arch I've been looking for... View on flickr I posted her photo since I really couldn't be bothered to hunt for one... plus, she actually has a nice nose... 😉 Isn't that just... hehe...
Basically... I know it’s a lot of love, pain, and work... all that blood, sweat, and tears... but... my nose, if I'm being honest, probably just needs a little bit of shortening and rounding. My beard is pretty thin, so in some profile shots, I don't even look like myself... it’s just my nose staring back at me :P which isn't exactly something I'm proud of. People make things so complicated these days, so I figured, why shouldn't I... just so I can finally stop dodging those dreaded profile angles, both in person and in photos :P 20k is nothing really, especially for something that lasts as long as you do. People waste money on all kinds of nonsense, but this definitely isn't one of them. Plus, I've had breathing issues for years, so maybe I could kill two birds with one stone... 🙂 I’m definitely relying on my inhaler lately... I can't even remember the last time I took a full breath without feeling like I couldn't catch my wind... 🙂

Just so I know which specialist to call if I actually decide to go through with the rhinoplasty... definitely not looking for a butcher... 🙂 Thanks...

hey🙂..got a question, and it’s not even really on topic.... basically, I’ve been scheduled for a sinus CT scan... can anyone tell me what the deal is? I’ve never had anything like this done before🤷...

neonbadger43 said:I'm 24... haha. Honestly, I try to pass for younger 🙂 ...but I didn't feel like lecturing anyone, I was just looking for an answer. My nose looks fine from most "normal" angles or half-profiles, but I’m really unhappy with my side profile—it sticks out too much, and my face feels way too small and cute for this "aristocratic pointed nose" I call my own 🙂—yeah, that's that famous curve I'm after View on flickr (I posted her photo because I couldn't be bothered searching for others... plus she has a great nose 😉 right... hehe...)
Anyway... I know it's a lot of money, pain, and work... basically blood, sweat, and tears... but... maybe my nose just needs a little, layman's terms... shortening and rounding. My chin is small, too, and in some full-profile shots I actually look... well, I don't even look like myself, it's just nose :P which isn't exactly something I'm proud of. People overcomplicate things these days, so I figured, why shouldn't I... just so I can finally stop avoiding those killer profiles... both in person and in photos :P 20k isn't even that much for something that lasts as long as you do. People waste money on all kinds of crap, though this definitely isn't one of them. Plus, I've had breathing issues with my nose for years, so maybe I could kill two birds with one stone 🙂 I'm constantly using nasal spray... and I can't even remember the last time I took a deep breath without feeling like I was "wheezing" a bit 🙂

So yeah, just wanted to know generally which specialist I should see (not a butcher) if I do decide to fix my nose 🙂 !? Thanks

Where does everyone get all this cash, btw? I have a nose that would be a complex for anyone, but it doesn't look like I'll ever scrape together enough for surgery 😢

fadedbison182 said:I need to go hit up a few of these guys to see what they actually have to say. I'm trying to figure out who sounds like they actually know their stuff and who's just some total hack running a scam. Honestly, if the consultation fees themselves are going to cost me an arm and a leg, I need to make sure I'm not throwing good money after bad.

Every single checkup costs money now... starting from... $50, $67, $83Well, I guess it really just depends on who you ask. Everyone's got their own take on it, right?