Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Joseph Hughes7 said:I would appreciate an answer, please.

I have to go in for a septoplasty to fix a deviated septum—nothing life-threatening, really—but breathing through my left nostril has become quite a struggle. It all traces back to a boxing match I had once; I took a heavy hit right to the face, and that impact ended up shifting and cracking a small piece of cartilage inside my nose on the left side. It’s just that tiny fragment that needs to be removed so I can finally breathe normally through that side again.

I was over at Rebro Hospital earlier today—just undergoing some examinations with... Martin Jurlina Based on a recommendation.
The doctor spent all of three minutes looking me over—just a quick glance, really—before flatly telling me that the whole thing has to be done under general anesthesia.

And then—can you believe it?—came that absolute bombshell from his mouth. He actually said that if the procedure isn't a total success, he won't be held responsible. I mean, seriously... WTF! 😲

When I actually sat down and asked him for his honest opinion—you know, how he envisioned the surgery should actually look and go—he didn't give me a single word in response. He just sat there, acting like he couldn't hear a thing I was saying.

So, what’s the move now? Do I just head over to a private specialist—say, someone like Dr. Ostojić—and hand it over? $2667 It really comes down to a choice between moving forward with the surgery or just taking the massive risk of trusting a surgeon who acts like he couldn't care less about his patients—honestly, it's a tough spot to be in.

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

My own experience with Dr. Jurlina has been nothing short of exemplary—truly positive from start to finish. I’ve been one of his patients for quite a long time now, and that longevity speaks volumes. When you consider my diagnosis, a deviated septum is actually a relatively minor procedure by comparison, yet it still requires precision. Dr. Jurlina is an outstanding physician, but more importantly—and this is what really matters in the end—he is a genuinely good man who approaches his work with a profound sense of responsibility. I have certainly sought treatment from other doctors in the past, but for me, he remains at the very top of the list.

Matthew Morales35 said:Personally, my experience with Dr. Jurlina has been nothing but great. I’ve been one of his patients for a long time now. Compared to what I was dealing with, a septoplasty is pretty minor—but Dr. Jurlina is an outstanding physician. More importantly, he’s just a solid person who takes his responsibilities seriously. I’ve seen other doctors before, but for me, he’s top tier...

So you actually registered just to say that?🙄

So, for those of you who used to smoke, how long did it take you to fall back into old habits? And more importantly, how much does it actually mess with the postoperative recovery process? 🙂

Chris Price said:So, for all you smokers out there—how long did it take you to crawl back to your old habits, and how much does it actually mess with your recovery? 🙂

Look, I was back at it after just one month... honestly, I feel like an idiot even asking this. 😉
But hey, I've got a second chance now. 😁
As for how bad it is... I genuinely have no clue. You should probably go dig through some medical forums online.
Back when I had my tonsils ripped out, I didn't touch a cigarette for a full month because I was terrified of getting an infection... and man, the pain was absolutely brutal. But then I have this friend who got her tonsils out a month after I did, and she lit up the second she stepped out of the hospital. She said she didn't feel a thing afterward and everything turned out totally fine. 😠

rustygardener172 said:Honestly, after a whole month of this, I’ve reached a point where I’m just sitting here wondering why I even bothered to start in the first place. It feels like I've been spinning my wheels, and sometimes I can't help but feel a bit foolish for putting in all that effort only to end up right back where I began. 😉
And now, I find myself presented with a second opportunity. 😁
As for how much damage it actually does... honestly, I haven't the slightest clue myself. It’s one of those things that feels like it should be straightforward, but then you realize how murky the details can get. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably spend some time digging through the internet to see what the consensus is; there's usually a wealth of information out there if you know where to look.
When I had my tonsils removed, I was incredibly cautious and didn't touch a cigarette for an entire month because I was just terrified of catching some kind of infection. Honestly, the recovery process was absolutely brutal; the pain was enough to drive anyone a bit crazy. Then, I have this friend who had her tonsils out about a month after I did, and she actually lit up a cigarette the very second she walked out of the hospital doors! To make matters even more baffling, she didn't experience any significant pain afterward and seemed perfectly fine. It really makes you wonder how differently everyone's body reacts to the same thing. 😠

How old are you and your friend, exactly? Honestly, it might not feel like a huge deal to you right now—and I truly mean that, it probably doesn't feel like an issue at this moment—but the consequences of smoking immediately after a tonsillectomy tend to surface much later. We’re talking ten or even more years down the line, when things like scar tissue buildup in the throat start causing issues, along with who knows what else. That’s why I really wouldn't recommend picking up a cigarette right away after surgery, especially if you've just come out of the procedure. It would be so much wiser to wait at least a few months to ensure those wounds have completely healed. I suppose dealing with a nose procedure might be slightly less complicated, but even then, it's still not something I'd advise. If you absolutely must, please try your best not to breathe any of that smoke through your nose.

My big day is slowly creeping up on me, and I have to admit, I’m starting to feel pretty anxious about it...😢

rustygardener172 said:After a month... I feel stupid even asking. 😉
But now I have a second chance. 😁
As for how much damage it does... honestly, no clue. Just look it up online.
When I had my tonsils out, I didn't smoke for a month because I was terrified of an infection... and it hurt like hell. Then a friend of mine got hers out a month after me and lit up the second she stepped out of the hospital... apparently, she felt fine afterward and nothing went wrong. 😠

Good grief, the second she walked out? 🤦
..Well, I think I'll just stay away from cigarettes for a while until everything heals. Goodbye nicotine, hello stress. 😵

Carol Hernandez94 said:How old are you and your friend anyway?? Look, I get that you don't care right now, but trust me, the fallout from smoking immediately after getting your tonsils out won't hit you today—it'll show up in ten years when you're dealing with throat scarring or who knows what else... That’s why doctors tell you not to touch a cigarette right after surgery, especially if you just stepped out of the operating room. You really ought to wait a few months for the wounds to fully heal up. Maybe it's a little easier with nose stuff, but even then, it's a bad move. If you absolutely have to, just try not to breathe the smoke through your nose...

I'm 28, and my friend is 27... so yeah, we aren't exactly teenagers, if that's what you were thinking. 😁\
And just for the record... I wouldn't call myself some hardcore smoker. I pick up a pack maybe once a week, sometimes I'll have two or three cigarettes, and other days I won't touch one at all. So, I'm pretty sure I won't be dealing with any throat issues, but hey, I can't speak for her...

Well, this sucks... honestly, it’s pretty heavy...
I went in for a consultation with Tončić yesterday... The office is gorgeous, the nurse was super sweet, really pleasant vibes overall... I ended up seeing the younger Tončić since the senior guy is still on vacation this week. To be totally honest, I was holding out hope for the older one, but hey, you take what you get. Unfortunately though... I didn't hear what I was hoping to hear. 😢 The second he finished checking my nose, his face just dropped... and he told me that when people come in with a nose like mine, they have to set expectations right from the jump. He said because of how my cartilage is structured, he isn't even sure if the surgery would actually work. They’d do everything humanly possible, obviously, but he couldn't guarantee any kind of result. At the end of it, he basically told me to take my time and decide if I really wanted to risk all that money when there's a chance my nose could just end up back where it started immediately after the procedure. Ugh, I felt like I just sank straight through the floor after that. 🙂 (For anyone who doesn't know... or probably forgot... I need both functional and cosmetic work done because my nose deviates fuuuull to the left... I want it straightened out so it's centered.)
My boyfriend and a friend were there with me, and they kept trying to convince me that doctors probably say that to everyone just to cover their own backs... and that I should go get a second (or third) opinion from someone else... but I don't know, what if they all say the exact same thing? Or worse, what if they tell me exactly what I want to hear and just conveniently "forget" to mention the warnings Tončić gave me out loud? 😱
I mean, props to Tončić for being brutally honest... he could have easily stayed quiet and just pocketed my cash... but still, I can't help feeling bummed that Dr. Rajko wasn't there... he's older, way more experienced... he’s probably seen a case like mine a hundred times by now... Now I'm just sitting here spiraling, wondering what his take would have been...
I spent a massive amount of money on this trip... gas, tolls, the consultation itself... and all I got was a giant headache and more confusion. What an absolute clown I am. :klap:
@ Chris Price... well, looks like I'll be making the trip to see Dr. Glušac after all. 😁

rustygardener172 😢

Now I’ve got this sinking feeling they’re going to say the exact same thing to me. My nose is even starting to tilt slightly to one side...

rustygardener172 said:Well, I'm 28 and my friend is 27... so we aren't quite as young as you might have assumed! 😁
And if it helps at all, I wouldn't call myself a heavy smoker either. I usually pick up a pack once a week, and on some days I might have two or three cigarettes, but other days I don't touch them at all. So, I'm fairly certain I won't be dealing with any throat issues because of it, though I can't say the same for her...

It’s true, I did think you both were a bit younger... especially since people in their twenties often don't stop to consider the long-term consequences of their actions. Your smoking habit seems perfectly manageable, as long as it stays within those moderate limits. However, what your friend is doing feels much more serious—it honestly looks like she's making a conscious choice to harm her own health.

I’m scheduled for rhinoplasty soon, purely for aesthetic reasons. Could someone briefly outline what I should be doing to prepare beforehand and how I ought to manage my recovery afterward? Thanks.

Before the surgery, shoot me a DM with your phone number and a photo of yourself. 🙂 Once the surgery is over and they take out those nasal packs—and once you're dealing with the splint (just a heads up, don't keep touching it!)—let's grab coffee. I want to show you what I looked like when I was rocking mine. 😁 ...haha... Before the surgery:

- Try lying down a few times while pinching your nose shut just to get a feel for how it feels when the packing is in. You don't want to be caught off guard and start panicking because you can't breathe through your mouth properly (I saw someone next to me lose their mind doing exactly that),
- Pray to God for a great anesthesiologist.
- Tell everyone everything you need to say, because you really won't know if you'll actually get the chance to speak later on.

After the surgery:
- Just rest, take your pain meds, and maybe some sleep aids if you need them.
- Make sure you have plenty of juice or water right by your side, because your mouth is going to feel incredibly dry constantly...
- Once that splint comes off, there's a chance you might deal with some skin issues since your pores will be clogged. You might break out quite a bit, so be ready for about two weeks of battling acne until your skin settles back to normal. There’s plenty of advice on this forum from people's experiences; I personally swear by Effaclar Duo, though breakouts can pop up here and there, so I might try some retinol or something similar.
- Don't go poking at your nose too much while the bones are healing. If you feel any lumps under the skin around your nose, don't freak out—that's just part of the bone healing process and it should fade away over time (maybe 2-3 months).
- Take your vitamins and minerals, and may God bless you.

The days with the nasal packing are the hardest part; after that, the splint is nothing. With my own procedure, I didn't try to shrink or narrow my nose, I just wanted to straighten it out, because I actually like having a big nose. 🙂 It needs to look masculine, not like some kid's face! :P

Anthony Kern43 said:Before you go under, slide me your number and a photo via DM 🙂 once the surgery is over and they pull those tampons out—and once you're dealing with the splint (seriously, stop touching it!)—let's grab coffee so I can show you what I looked like rocking mine 😁 ...haha... Before the surgery:

- Try lying down a few times while plugging your nose just to get a feel for how it's going to be once they pack you with tampons. You don't want to be caught off guard and start panicking and breathing through your mouth like crazy (some lady next to me totally lost her mind doing exactly that),
- Pray to whatever God you believe in for a solid anesthesiologist.
- Speak up and tell the staff everything you need to say, because you never know when you’ll actually get the chance to talk to them again.

After the surgery:
- Just rest, take your painkillers, and maybe grab some sleep aids if you need them.
- Keep a massive stash of juice or water right next to you, because your mouth is going to be bone-dry constantly...
- Once the splint comes off, there's a real chance of skin infections since your pores will be totally clogged. You're gonna be breaking out everywhere, so be ready for a two-week battle against acne until your skin settles back down. There’s plenty of advice on this forum from people who've been through it—I know Effaclar Duo works, but breakouts still pop up here and there, so I might try some retinol or something.
- Don't mess with your nose too much; the bones are literally in the middle of healing. If you feel any lumps under the skin near your nose, don't freak out—that happens while the bone is knitting itself back together and it'll fade away eventually (give it 2-3 months).
- Vitamins, minerals, and whatever else keeps you going.

Those first days with the tampons are brutal, but the splint is nothing... Personally, I didn't even try to shrink or narrow my nose, I just straightened it out because I actually like having a big nose 🙂 It needs to look masculine, not like some little kid's face :P

Straightened it out? Was it crooked or just bumpy before? And which surgeon did you use?

Do I really need to show up on an empty stomach? I’m wondering if there’s anything I should be avoiding beforehand. How much time am I looking at spending in the clinic? I have an appointment with Tony Stark, and honestly, I’ll likely be under the influence of some local anesthesia by then.

Anthony Kern43 said:- Try lying down a few times and pinching your nose just to get a feel for it. It helps you realize how it’ll actually be when they pack you with tampons so you don't get caught off guard and start panicking by breathing through your mouth (one woman next to me totally lost it like that),

I actually try this every day, and I can only manage about two minutes before my ears start making this weird buzzing sound. 🤷
Is it really that much of a shock to handle, specifically the mouth-breathing part? And does having those tampons in your nose feel completely blocked, like if you were pinching it shut, or is there still a tiny bit of airflow?
Oh man... I'm actually getting pretty nervous here!

ironsurfer10 said:So, I find myself experimenting with this every single day, and yet, I can only manage to endure about two minutes before things take a turn. Does anyone else experience this? After that brief window, I start to notice this peculiar, strange buzzing sensation in my ears. It is quite unsettling, really. Is it possible that I am pushing it too far, or is this simply a common physiological response? 🤷
Is it truly such a shock to the system, and is it really as difficult to endure as people say—I am referring, of course, to breathing through one's mouth? When one uses tampons to plug the nostrils, is the sensation of congestion truly identical to manually pinching the nose shut, or is there perhaps some infinitesimal flow of air that remains?
Goodness... I must admit, I am feeling quite overwhelmed. Truly, the apprehension is settling in. It is rather frightening, isn't it?

There is really no need to go through such strenuous exercises. When your nose is congested, breathing through your mouth becomes an entirely reflexive action. Honestly, the greater issue isn't actually the mouth-breathing itself, but rather the discomfort caused by how incredibly dry your mouth becomes. Isn't that the more pressing concern?😉

What exercises? What are you talking about?
The first two days might feel a little uncomfortable, but nothing extreme. Just push through those forty-eight hours—it’s really not that bad. You won't have any trouble breathing through your mouth since the anesthesia grogginess only lasts a day or two. You'll sleep fine, don't worry.
Stop being so dramatic. 🙂

Honestly, I didn't feel a single thing after my first surgery... they had packing in my nose for four whole days... breathing through your mouth isn't even that bad, you really have nothing to worry about. It’s just a reflex, kind of like when you've got a nasty head cold and your nose is totally stuffed up. The only thing that drove me absolutely insane was how my mouth kept sticking together (you know how gross it gets when your saliva dries out 🙂), so I ended up brushing my teeth constantly just because that feeling was so slimy 🙂

Anyway... I finally managed to book a consultation with Dr. Glück. So, next step is a trip down to Santa Monica 🙂 I'm really hoping this goes smoother than it did with Dr. Tony Stark. My first impression of Dr. Glück during our call was actually great... it’s such a relief that he’s the one reaching out personally instead of some nurse, and he was incredibly easy to work with regarding scheduling... he talked to me like we’d been friends for years ☕, none of that cold, stiff doctor-patient formality. Fingers crossed for me! I'll let you guys know how it goes.

What’s the point of going under the knife for a second time?