Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

slymarlin382 said:Hi everyone.
I just officially registered on the forum. I’ve been lurking for a while, mostly just reading without posting. I started following this specific thread the moment the idea of getting nose surgery popped into my head.
Your experiences have been incredibly helpful, so I figured I should leave my own here too. To be honest, the day before my surgery, I stumbled upon a post by Laura Booth6 and it freaked me out a little—even though mine was done under general anesthesia. Even so, lying there on the table, I found myself wondering which side they were supposed to numb after the anesthesiologist told me I was already feeling a bit "floaty."😁
Anyway, all those fears are perfectly normal, even if they feel irrational, especially if you're opting for general anesthesia. Since my case was actually quite complicated—I needed both functional repair and aesthetic work—my surgeon handled it brilliantly using the closed technique, finishing everything in about an hour and a half.
The surgery was last night. I pulled into my place in Orlando (driving in from a smaller town near Oakwood) around 1 AM... I couldn't sleep at all. In fact, I was in great spirits, which I assume was thanks to the anesthesia. When I woke up, the staff was right there "comforting" me. They were wonderful; their vibe was playful yet calming, which honestly meant the world to me during that post-op haze.😉 Today at 1 PM, I had the packing removed. Despite being exhausted from the drive, the doctor made it so easy that I didn't feel a thing.
I'm still adjusting to breathing through my mouth. It feels like whenever I drift off, I wake up immediately—probably because my body hasn't learned the reflex yet, or maybe just some subconscious fear that I'm not breathing. I'm hoping tonight goes smoothly... if not, I guess I'll just sleep for thirty minutes, wake up, sleep for another thirty, and repeat the cycle all night long.😁
It’s really nothing to worry about, though. I can handle four days of discomfort if it means breathing and looking great for the rest of my life.😉 Of course, everything is still swollen, so you can't see the final result yet. In a few days, once I start some light nasal massages, it should look alright.
I need to use drops and some paraffin oil to soften the scabbing inside so I can breathe more easily. I wanted to ask if anyone else has used these drops—should I gently blow my nose afterward, or will it just drain down my throat? :S I forgot to ask the doctor today... logically, blowing it seems better, but I thought I'd check if anyone else has dealt with this.

I'm not sure. I was instructed to clean my nose with cotton swabs dipped in olive oil and strictly forbidden from blowing my nose AT ALL. Honestly, it might be better to just call the clinic... as far as I know, blowing is a bad idea, though I did end up blowing a little bit after a week or two passed.🤷
In any case, be careful with that! 😉

I applied the drops this morning, but nothing happened 😁—there was no drainage or anything. I suppose it’s only been about a day and a half since my surgery, so maybe it isn't surprising that there isn't any flow yet :P

I wanted to ask you, vividfox, how many days did it take before you could breathe through your nose again?
That part is really getting to me, because I can't sleep well when I have to breathe through my mouth... I hope I eventually get used to it. How was it for you?

slymarlin382 said:I used the drops this morning, but absolutely nothing happened 😁. No blowing my nose, no drainage... then again, it's only been a day and a half since surgery, so I guess it's not surprising there's zero flow yet :P

vividfox, let me ask you—how many days did it take before you could actually breathe through your nose?
That's what gets to me most. I can't sleep properly when I have to mouth-breathe all night... I'm hoping I'll get used to it eventually. How was it for you?

Ugh, thinking about it is a total disaster! I was snoring like crazy!! 😱🙈 My poor sweet man had to suffer right next to me!! I didn't even take the splints out for 8 days... plus my nose stayed stuffed up for days after that. Then, slowly but surely, the air started getting through. Honestly, I can't give you a specific timeline, but definitely forget about nasal breathing for a few days! 👎 I barely slept a wink because my mouth felt soooooo dry 👎 but even that passes! See, I can't even fully remember it anymore 😉

slymarlin382 said:I used the drops this morning, but nothing happened 😁—I didn't blow my nose, and nothing drained either... but honestly, it’s only been a day and a half since my surgery, so I guess it’s not surprising there isn't any flow yet :P

vividfox, let me ask you, how many days did it take before you could actually breathe through your nose again?
That’s what’s getting to me most; I can't sleep properly when I have to breathe through my mouth... I just hope I get used to it. How was it for you?

I also saw Glušac. He’s a very specific type of doctor, but an excellent specialist.

It’s perfectly fine to use the nasal drops; there's no need to blow your nose just yet. Using paraffin oil for the scabs is a great move. In about seven or eight days, you'll start using saline rinses, and that’s when you’ll finally be able to breathe normally. For now, your doctor will clear your nose every time you visit. It hurts like hell, but once they clean it, you'll breathe great—until it gets congested again. It’s all part of the process. You haven't even hit the two-day mark, and recovery is a year-long journey...

It feels a bit awkward, but hang in there. 👍

Zachary Thompson21 said:It looks like everyone here knows the drill. Just like you mentioned, my surgeon said he’ll take cartilage from my ear to reinforce the nasal structure. He seems pretty confident about it—talks about the whole thing like it's just another routine day at the office. He told me I’d be staying at the hospital for two days and that’s about it. Honestly, I feel like I can trust him. I’m heading in for the appointment today, so I’ll check back in once I have some actual results. Cheers.

I made it back home yesterday. The surgery went fine. What can I say? The doctor was great, the nurses were great, and the hospital was clean—everyone just did their job. As for the procedure itself, there isn't much to report other than the fact that my nose is still a bit swollen. I'm on antibiotics, but I haven't even needed pain meds since the first day. There's nothing stuffed up in my nose; I can breathe through it and I've been cleaning it carefully. They took the cartilage from my ear and used it for the nasal reconstruction. My ears have already healed up quite a bit; they aren't bandaged, just applying some ointment. I have a follow-up in a few days. Before the surgery, my nose was slightly tilted to the left, but looking at it now, it looks straight. It’s probably too early to make any definitive judgments until everything has had time to settle, but the progress is visible hour by hour. That's all for now; I'll share more once I've recovered. If anyone wants specific details, I'm happy to answer.

Personally, I’m fascinated by how people react after someone gets cosmetic work done... It honestly worries me how many people feel the need to trash others just because they chose an "unnatural" look?

George Ramos11 said:Personally, I'm fascinated by how people react after cosmetic procedures. It honestly worries me how much energy people waste criticizing someone else's look just because they achieved it through "unnatural" means.

If that actually keeps you up at night... 🤷 I don't know what to tell you. Personally, I couldn't care less. But, strictly speaking—and I say this without any false modesty—I love my nose, and I'm not interested in the commentary. At least, not the negative kind. Now, the blunt, honest types will tell you exactly what they think to your face, though they're rare. Your friends will support you and be happy for you, while everyone else just talks trash behind your back. It’s basically the same as any other social situation. 😉
No one has ever said anything nasty to me. Very few people even realized I had it "fixed." Those who did just mentioned it looks very natural; they felt it wasn't necessary, but thought it looked great. Everyone else doesn't even notice. 😛

Ashley Carter95 said:I was also seeing Glušac. He is one specific doctor, but I guess he’s an excellent specialist.

You should just apply the drops to your nose; there is no need to blow it out yet. Using paraffin oil on those scabs might actually be a great idea. In about seven or eight days, you can start rinsing your nose with saline solution, and then you'll finally be able to breathe normally. Right now, the doctor will probably have to clear your nasal passages every time you visit. It hurts terribly, I guess, but once that's done, you'll breathe much better—though it might get congested again later. This is all pretty normal. It hasn't even been two days, and recovery can take a year.

It feels a little awkward, but I'm managing. 👍

Oh man, I didn't realize cleaning would be that painful :S I'm glad you told me, though. I'll definitely make sure to take some Advil. They're taking the mold off tomorrow, but that means I still have four more days before I can finally breathe through my nose... ugh. I guess I'll be celebrating once that's over. 😁

I agree, the doctor really is an expert. And I guess his "unique personality" is actually quite great—pretty funny, too. 😛

As for everyone else around me—it doesn't really matter to me. I only told a few close friends about it. If others notice, fine; if they don't, that's even better. I just don't feel like explaining myself to anyone.

I am not fundamentally opposed to cosmetic surgery, I suppose. However, I do take issue with the forced beauty standards being pushed on everyone—which, honestly, feels more like an ideal of ugliness. It is quite sad to see people clinging to unrealistic expectations. There are cases where people struggle with irrational insecurities, believing that a procedure will somehow fix everything or bring them eternal happiness. I won't ramble too much, though. I need to go grab a drink; my mouth is incredibly dry. 😉

slymarlin382 said:Oh, I didn't realize cleaning was such a painful ordeal... :S Thanks for the heads-up, I'll definitely be grabbing some Advil. They're taking the mold off tomorrow, but that still leaves four more days before I can actually breathe through my nose... ugh, I'll definitely be celebrating once that's over. 😁

"Cleaning" basically means they shove a tube up each nostril while you blow into it. It’s incredibly irritating and painful, but honestly, the relief afterward is worth it... though of course, it'll just clog up again eventually. You'll get a few hours of perfect breathing, though. Hang in there. It's much better to have your nose cleared every couple of days than to show up to a follow-up appointment months later only to find everything is blocked—which, from what I can see, is how some doctors around here tend to operate. That's just awful.🙄

Hey everyone!
Here’s another one who’s been sitting on the fence about surgery for ages. Honestly, I’m hoping I finally pull the trigger and commit to the whole thing within the next two or three months.
For those of you who went under the knife with Dr. Glušac, if anyone feels like sharing some insight, I’d really appreciate it 🙂.
What was the deciding factor for choosing Dr. Glušac—did someone point you his way, or did you just stumble upon him?
Was the procedure performed under general anesthesia?
How long was the wait for an initial consultation, and once that was out of the way, how much longer until you actually got scheduled for the surgery itself?
Also, since I'm not based here in the States, I'm wondering where the pre-op testing usually happens—do you do all that through his office, or do you just bring in all your own lab results from home?
Thanks!

Elizabeth Collins5 said:Hi everyone!
Here’s another one who has been stalling on surgery for quite a while. I’m hoping to finally pull the trigger in the next 2 or 3 months.
I have a few questions for those of you who had your procedure done by Dr. Glušac, so if anyone is willing to help me out, please 🙂.
How did you choose Dr. Glušac—was it a recommendation or just a random choice?
Was the surgery performed under general anesthesia?
How long was the wait for a consultation, and once that was done, how soon were you able to schedule the actual surgery?
Also, since I'm not from the US, I'm wondering where the pre-op testing happens—do you do it through him, or should I bring all my results from home?
Thanks!

1. It was via recommendation. I know several athletes who had their broken noses fixed by him. That's essentially how I found him, especially since he doesn't bother advertising on TV or in the papers.
2. Yes, general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist is excellent; he usually works at the hospital in Miami. The surgical nurse assisting him is just as good.
3. There wasn't much of a wait, as far as I can remember. You book an appointment, come in for the consultation, and you could be in surgery within a week. At least, that's how it worked back then.
4. Get your tests done at home. EKG and blood work. You can do the EKG with him, but it isn't a problem to get it handled beforehand.

Jose James15, thanks a million for all the answers 🙂.

Had my surgery on September 24th. They pulled out the tampons—more like a bunch of plugs, really—on the second day and sent me home. Now I'm stuck dealing with Cysti with Operil and Sterimar, but the worst part? I can't blow my nose. It’s just constant mucus and blood trickling down my throat, which is honestly nauseating. Any tips on how to make this suck less? Cotton swabs for the nostrils, maybe?

So, I just got back from having my molds removed and cleaned out. My doctor told me to clean my nose using cotton swabs dipped in saline solution. Not too much inside the nose, just enough to pick up whatever I can reach.🙂 I also need to apply drops.

Jose James15, cleaning it didn't actually hurt that much, but something happened. The doctor started chatting with my mom and he forgot to tell me if he had placed a gauze pad in my nose... it really spooked me because what does that mean? Does it mean I might have some gauze stuck somewhere in my nose? Anyway, when he did the cleaning for the first time, he didn't see anything, but the second time he did... then he pulled it out... it really terrified me... what if there's still more gauze left somewhere that he couldn't see or something like that!!!
Anyway, the feeling was just awful because I got so scared... The doctor said that nothing would happen to me anyway, and that the gauze is in there so it wouldn't dry out or get coughed up. He said it can't go into my sinuses or my brain because the nose is only connected to the throat, so I would just cough it up.

I am much calmer now, but I still wanted to ask you all if anyone knows—could you please offer me some comfort?😢 I mean, even if there is a little bit of gauze left, nothing bad could happen to me, right? I guess people sniff up chalk thinking it's cocaine😁 and they're fine... so maybe a little gauze won't hurt me either :P (which I'm sure I don't have, but I am a total control freak😛).

slymarlin382 said:So, I just got back from having my molds removed and getting cleaned out. My doctor told me to clean my nose using cotton swabs dipped in saline solution. Just a little bit inside to pick up whatever I can 🙂 and I need to use drops too.

Jose James15, the cleaning itself didn't hurt too much, but then the doctor got caught up talking to my mom and forgot to tell me if he actually left a gauze pad in my nose... honestly, that terrified me. What does that mean? Am I walking around with a piece of gauze stuck somewhere in my nose? Anyway, when he did the cleaning the first time, he didn't see anything, but the second time he did... then he pulled it out... it freaked me out. What if there’s still more gauze tucked away somewhere he couldn't see?!!
Basically, it was an awful feeling because I was so incredibly spooked. The doctor told me it wouldn't matter anyway, and that the gauze is in there so things don't dry out or get coughed up, and that it can't go into my sinuses or my brain because the nose only connects to the throat, so I'd just end up coughing it up.

I'm a lot calmer now, but I still wanted to ask you all—if anyone knows, could you comfort me a bit? 😢 Like, even if there is a tiny bit of gauze left, nothing bad could happen to me, right? I mean, people snort chalk thinking it's cocaine 😁 and they turn out fine... surely a little gauze won't kill me :P (which I'm certain I don't have, but I am a total control freak 😛 ).

I'll just weigh in on the possibility of having a little gauze stuck in your nose. Having a wad of gauze acting like a plug? Everything seems fine. Then, the day after surgery, I catch a minor virus—probably brought it in with me to the hospital. I start straining, coughing, which is exactly what I'm not supposed to do. I'm thinking about how I'm going home tomorrow, when suddenly, out of nowhere, I vomit up my light lunch. And what do I see? Right there in my mouth, the edge of some gauze. I grab it with my hands and slowly pull it out through my mouth. About 27 inches of it. The nurse alerted the doctor, who rushed over as fast as he could. He handled it routinely, pulled out another piece of gauze, checked my mouth, and I took a few deep breaths, filling my lungs completely. And just like that, I was breathing through my nose again, something I hadn't done in years. I guess you have to endure a little something to enjoy the payoff. At least, that's how I see it. I forgot to mention, this was last Friday, and today I feel great.

Excuse me? Are you suggesting they left gauze in my nose after surgery? 🤷
I don't think vomiting after a light lunch has anything to do with gauze 😁
But honestly... I guess thank you, you definitely made me laugh. I'm not even worried about a potential piece of gauze anymore—not that I even have one, since the doctor already took that out of me the second time. 😍
But seriously, what on earth happened in your case?

I also have to say, today is a day for celebration because my right nostril is actually working!!! Last night, following the usual routine, I was waking up every hour or two, only to find the surprise—my mouth was dry and shut... but I can breathe through my nose (nostril)!!! Yes! And get this—I was operated on Thursday evening, and by Tuesday evening, I'm breathing through it. 😲 Some people have to deal with packing for five days, but with my wonderful doctor, I can already breathe. Yay. 👍 I was even out last night, walking in the dark for a bit, and then even went to a video rental shop. 😂

It's getting better and better (aside from the gauze wrap 🤣)

🙂🙂

Ashley Carter95 said:When they talk about cleaning, they mean inserting a small tube into each nostril and having you blow through it. It’s incredibly painful, honestly... but once it's over, the relief is wonderful. Of course, things will eventually clog up again, but you'll have a few hours of breathing perfectly fine. Just hang in there. It is much better to have your nose cleaned every couple of days than to show up to a follow-up appointment months later only to find everything is blocked. I see that happening with some doctors here in the States, and frankly, it's terrible...🙄

Hello everyone,
I have just recently joined this forum. Within the next month, I am hoping to finally fulfill a lifelong dream and fix my nose—the bump, the slight deviation... there are quite a few issues to address.
I am particularly interested in Dr. Miller, as his clinic is the most convenient location for me. If anyone could provide some insight on the following: how much time typically passes between the initial consultation and the actual surgery,
when can one realistically expect to see the results, and how long are you "out of commission" (specifically regarding the swelling and the "Miss Piggy" bruising effect)

thank you so very much...

analogotter6 said:🙂🙂
Hi everyone,
I just joined the forum. Over the next month, I finally want to make my long-time dream happen and fix my nose—the hump, the slight tilt, etc. It doesn't matter.
I am particularly interested in Dr. Smith, since he is closest to me. If anyone could answer: how much time passes between the consultation and the surgery?
When do you see the results, and how long are you "out" (meaning the swelling and the Miss Piggy look)?

thanks sooooo much

Well, let me try to answer that based on the experience I'm going through right now.🙂

The wait from consultation to surgery isn't usually long. You just coordinate with the doctor, but I guess it can be a day, two, or more depending on what you want... at least that's how it seems to me.
The bruising is probably worst during the first three days after the operation.
It is currently day six for me, and I still have a little greenish bruising under my eyes and some swelling. However, if I didn't have the tape on my nose, I think I could cover it with powder without anyone noticing!
As for the Miss Piggy look—I don't know yet, because my nose is still taped up... and you are really "out" for just the first four days, roughly until they remove the cast. That is not because it hurts or you can't do anything—actually, you can shower and wash your hair... it's just that the bruising looks ugly, and that's about it.
The doctor and the entire team are great, very professional, and incredibly kind!

I hope I helped. If you need any more firsthand info from the area, just ask!
bye

slymarlin382 said:Well, let me try to answer that based on my own current experience... 🙂

From the initial consultation until you actually undergo the surgery, there isn't a massive wait. You coordinate everything with the doctor, and then it can happen in a day, two, or whenever you feel ready... at least, that is how it seems to me.
The bruising is definitely the hardest part during those first three days following the procedure.
I am currently on day six, and I still have just a tiny bit of greenish discoloration under my eyes along with some swelling. Honestly, if I didn't have these medical tapes on my nose, I think I could probably just cover it all up with some powder without anyone even noticing!
As for looking like Miss Piggy—I honestly can't say yet, since my nose is still taped up... but you'll mostly be "out" for the first four days, roughly until they remove the mold. It’s not that you aren't "out" because of pain or being unable to function; you can actually shower and wash your hair quite easily... it's just that the bruising looks a bit unsightly, and that's really all there is to it.
The doctor and the entire surgical team have been absolutely wonderful—highly professional and incredibly kind.

I hope this helps. If you need any more firsthand information from someone here in the States, please just ask!
POZZZZ

THANK YOU

I have one more question. Are you happy with the results?
I assume you've been able to see at least a little hint of your new nose beneath the tape. Since mine is quite large, I am really hoping for a visible change right away. My biggest fear is ending up looking worse; my profile is a total disaster, even if it doesn't look quite as catastrophic from the front view.

POZZZZ

From the consultation to the actual surgery, you don't have to wait forever. You chat with the doctor, make a plan, and honestly, it could be in a day, two days, or whenever you feel ready... at least that's how it looks to me.

Total nonsense... I actually scheduled my procedure right after the consultation, and I don't see anything wrong with that. I mean, why wouldn't I just show up in a day or two? It’s not like the doctor is going to spend the next 24 hours losing sleep over me, and waiting longer isn't going to make them do a better job either. Plus, overthinking this whole thing is just going to stress me out more. Personally, I figure my conversation with them is going to go something like: "Look, I'm not gonna nitpick the technical details—that's your job. Just make sure it looks fucking awesome." That's pretty much my entire game plan right now.