Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

I figured I’d chime in here too... It’s been nearly six weeks since my surgery, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with the results. At first, there was quite a bit of swelling, and it felt really strange trying to get used to my new look (for context, I used to have a prominent hump and a bulbous tip). Now, the bridge looks much slimmer, the tip is just a tiny bit—and I mean tiny—lifted, and that hump is completely gone. Everything looks smooth and balanced, both from the front and in profile. It’s still a little sensitive at the bridge and the tip, but that seems to be fading a bit more every day. My doctor suggested I start some light nasal massages after four weeks, so I’ve been doing that daily. He performed the procedure exactly how we discussed, and everything went incredibly smoothly. I had the surgery at Vineyard Hospital under Dr. Ivkin.

People, after how much time do the threads start fraying?🤷

Hey Rachel Barnes5, listen, can you please hit me up in my DMs? I really need to know who performed your surgery... thanks.

Glumicic already wrote that. And honestly, I would go to his place myself...😢

Grace Cruz87 said:I figured I should jump in here and share my own experience too... It’s been just under six weeks since my surgery, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with how everything turned out. In those first few days, there was definitely some swelling, and it felt a bit surreal trying to get used to my new reflection (especially since I used to deal with a prominent hump and a bulbous tip). But now, the bridge looks much slimmer, the tip is slightly lifted—just a tiny bit, really—and that hump is completely gone; everything looks perfectly smooth and balanced from both the front and side profiles. There's still a little lingering sensitivity at the bridge and the tip, but that seems to be fading more and more every single day. My surgeon suggested starting some very gentle nasal massages after the four-week mark, so I've been doing that daily. He delivered exactly the results we discussed during our consultations, and the whole process was incredibly smooth. I had my procedure done at the Vineyard Medical Center with Dr. Ivkin.

Wait, are you actually saying Dr. Ivkin is good???????👍

placidwolf43 said:Are you seriously suggesting that Dr. Ivkin is actually any good? I don't know. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but I just can't wrap my head around that assessment.👍

I ended up seeing him based on a recommendation from my son-in-law, who had an incredible experience—the surgeon basically rebuilt his nose from scratch after a car accident left him with nothing but basic nasal structures. Everything else was just a mess. In my opinion, he was truly fantastic. He took the time to answer every single question I threw at him. He isn’t one of those doctors who acts like they're infallible, nor is he the type who just churns out the exact same look for every patient. He actually listened to what I wanted. I also had this tiny little skin tag removed—nothing major—but the nurse mentioned that the final aesthetic really does depend heavily on the surgeon's touch. I don't want it to sound like I'm trying to promote someone or anything like that here; I just genuinely wanted to share how happy I am. Honestly, I couldn't be more satisfied with the results or how the recovery has gone. At least, that's how it feels to me. And the best part? It was all covered by my insurance, so I didn't have to pay a single cent. Hehehe.👍👍

What on earth is going on here... it feels like everyone has just gone silent... come on ladies, let's get some conversation moving. Please, share your experiences, your recovery journeys, and everything in between...

Grace Cruz87 said:I actually went to see him based on a recommendation from my son-in-law, who he basically gave a whole new nose to—after a car accident, his nose was just a mess of scar tissue and nothing else. Honestly, he was wonderful; no matter what I asked, he took the time to explain everything clearly. He isn't one of those doctors who acts like they know everything or just sticks to the same old standard procedures... he crafted exactly what I was looking for. I had this tiny little bump, nothing major, but the nurse mentioned that the final result really depends heavily on the surgeon's touch. I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to promote someone here or anything like that, I just genuinely wanted to share how happy I am with you all. I am truly thrilled, both with my new look and how the recovery has gone. It couldn't have been better (at least, that's how it feels to me!). And the best part? It was all covered by my insurance, so I didn't have to spend a single cent. heheh.....👍👍

Oh, that sounds amazing! I was actually scheduled for surgery on February 24th, but my white blood cell count was way too low, so they had to push it back because things were getting a bit chaotic at the clinic. They were originally just supposed to do a septoplasty, but since I had the option for cosmetic work too, I figured I might as well go all in while I have the choice... Usually, I see Dr. Smith over at the City Hospital, and when I once asked if he performed plastic surgery, he told me he doesn't handle that side of things. Now I'm feeling a bit lost about what my next move should be... Should I try to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ivic??? I honestly have no clue what else to ask for... I'm stuck 🤷... my own doctor didn't really give me much guidance 😠...

Hey girls (and guys), just wondering if anyone can share their experiences with doctors in San Diego? Specifically looking for info on nose surgery with Lisec, Chujic, Kurtovic, Grabovac, Bilic, etc. I'm planning on doing consultations with everyone before making a call, but some firsthand impressions would be super helpful. Thx🙂

Is it actually possible to undergo nose surgery without anyone messing with the tip? I’m dealing with some thickening that stretches from the bridge down to the middle of my nose, which makes that section look a bit raised, and I’d really love to smooth that out. However, my main priority is keeping the tip exactly as it is right now; I want to make sure the surgeon doesn't lift it up and leave me looking like Miss Piggy... does anyone here have any insight on this?

Carol Wells, you need to schedule a consultation so a surgeon can explain the actual possibilities to you. Everything depends on the specifics of your case. My surgeon told me straight up that you can't perform these procedures partially; if the bridge of the nose is being adjusted, the tip has to be modified too. He warned me not to let anyone talk me into some half-baked combination. Now, I’m not Miss Piggy, but the tip on my nose ended up looking way too short for my taste, and I actually want to lengthen it.😢Try getting opinions from several different doctors. I can only tell you what I know from my own experience, and maybe someone else has more direct insight. I know it's possible to modify just the tip, but the bridge?! Maybe my surgeon made a mistake, whether he intended to or not.😕I'll look into that as well. Good luck.

Bryan Gomez27 said:Is it actually possible to get nose surgery without messing with the tip? I have this thickening that starts at the bridge and goes down toward the middle, which makes that section look a bit raised. I’d love to smooth that out, but I really want my nose tip to stay exactly how it is right now. Basically, I don't want a surgeon coming in and lifting the tip too much and turning me into Miss Piggy... does anyone know if this is doable?

Yeah, you definitely can... it's all about what you discuss with the surgeon during your consultation. 😉

Hey everyone, it’s been about two and a half months since my surgery, and I wanted to share how happy I am with the results... My nose used to be quite large and had this prominent hump, a real eagle profile...
What I mean is, while it isn't "perfect," it still looks like *my* nose—just much smaller and without that bump. So, if you ladies are truly unhappy with your noses, go for the surgery; there's a very low chance of a total disaster... and you'll feel better about yourself. This is just our little space to swap info and vent about all those weird things that happen during recovery...
My nose was pretty swollen right after the procedure, and I had a small lump at the bridge, but that has gone down. It's also much less sensitive now, etc.
The worst cases are people whose noses look perfectly fine, but they obsess over some tiny detail... In those instances, it might be better to skip the surgery entirely. When you're chasing minor nuances or specific shapes, it's almost impossible not to throw off the facial balance... and people with those concerns tend to be perfectionists...
I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I honestly only advocate for cosmetic surgery when something is genuinely unattractive or has been bothering someone for years. If it's just minor shades of difference that nobody else even notices—unless you're a model, maybe—then leave it alone. To the girl who asked if anyone is actually satisfied with their results: yes, me.😉 But it's also because I didn't expect or even want a perfect nose like Angelina Jolie or something. I stayed realistic and only asked for minimal tweaks so it wouldn't change my whole face structure.

Bryan Gomez27 said:Is it actually possible to get a nose job without messing with the tip? I’ve got this thickening stretching from the bridge down to about the middle, which makes that section look a bit raised. I really want to smooth that out, but I’m terrified of the surgeon lifting the tip too much and leaving me looking like Miss Piggy... does anyone know if this is doable?

Look, Carol, why don't you do me a favor and gather all the intel on rhinoplasty while you're at it? It would save me a lot of trouble. I'm actually gearing up for the same procedure myself, but honestly, the nerves are starting to kick in. Also, if you happen to know any girls who went through with a breast augmentation, let me know—that’s on my radar too. I'm currently stacking up my cash, and once I've saved enough... well, I'm pulling the trigger. My nose is way too big for my small chest, and frankly, I feel like fate is playing a bit of a joke on me.👍☕

Laura Ruiz75 said:Look, Carol Wells, why don't you go ahead and gather all the intel on rhinoplasty? It would actually make things a lot easier for me too. To be honest, I’m preparing to undergo the procedure myself, but I’m feeling a bit anxious about it. Also, if you happen to know any woman who has gone through with getting larger breasts, I'd really love to hear about that. Right now, I'm just scraping my savings together, and once I've had enough of this... I'm going to pull the trigger and get it done. My nose is far too large and my chest is far too small, and frankly, it feels like a stroke of bad luck.👍 ☕

Well, I am currently compiling everything... though I have read so much material at this point that I feel completely overwhelmed and lost.

Hey everyone. I’ve been lurking and reading through your comments for quite a while now, mostly because over the last year, the idea of getting surgery has just been weighing on my mind constantly. I don't claim to be an expert or anything, but... well, you know, it’s pretty obvious from my profile picture at first glance. And when I smile, you can see exactly where the bridge of my nose ends and things just sort of... don't look great...🙂 Anyway, it's totally normal for parents to freak out when their kids talk about any kind of procedure... for instance, my mom is terrified that I won't wake up or that something might go wrong with the recovery, since those kinds of things actually happen in the news sometimes... I get why she feels that way, and honestly, a part of me is scared too, but the real "issue" here is my boyfriend. He doesn't even want to hear me mention it. Of course, besides being worried that something might go sideways, he keeps telling me how much he loves my nose, how cute and natural I am, blah, blah, blah... which is all sweet and fine, but what does that really matter if I'm not happy with myself? Okay, I know I'm rambling now, but if anyone has some actual, sensible advice on how to deal with a super, super stubborn guy, I would be so grateful. Any experiences or tips are welcome because I feel like without some kind of support behind me, I won't ever find the courage to actually go through with it...🙂 catch ya later

Hey everyone,

It’s been 6 days since my surgery, which was done under local anesthesia.
The whole thing was purely aesthetic, really—just fixing some issues from getting hit in the face a few times back when I was a kid.

I’d honestly recommend local anesthesia to anyone. I’ve had two leg surgeries under local before, but this was on another level because I passed out instantly. All I remember is hearing the nurse shaking me and saying, "All done..."

So, the procedure itself was totally painless. But like everyone says, the real struggle starts once you get home. The swelling shot up hour by hour for the first two days, and there was this constant pressure, like someone was literally sitting on my face.
That feeling was even worse when breathing through my mouth. Usually, if I have a cold, breathing through my mouth is no big deal, but this was something else entirely.
I had to keep the packing in for just 24 hours, and during that time, bloody mucus was constantly dripping out of my nose, which definitely added to the "magic" of the experience.
Honestly, having the packing removed is a total walk in the park compared to a nasal swab. I seriously don't get why people claim that's the worst part of the whole process??!

Anyway, my biggest worry right now is that my nose looks lifted by at least 4mm. They told me that by cutting the muscle under my lip, it would only lift about 1-2mm, but I see people online saying it settles over time. I’m freaking out a bit that it won't, because the lower part of my nose was fine before, and now, looking from the front, I can literally see my nostrils.
Also, this splint is driving me insane. It’s itchy and tight, and I’ve already accidentally bumped it with my hand twice (can that mess anything up???). I am counting down the minutes until Tuesday when they take it off...

One last thing for anyone prepping for nose surgery: give your surgeon strict instructions on exactly how you want it to look. Don't leave them any room for "improvisation."
All I wanted was to smooth out the bumps, but he talked me into cutting that muscle because apparently, it prevents the nose from moving when you laugh or whatever. Plus, it lifts the nose by 1-2mm—which ended up being closer to 4mm for me. Not to mention, it only occurred to me later that if your nose doesn't move when you talk or smile, you end up looking fake... I seriously don't get their logic, and I have no idea why I even agreed to it.???
Oh well, if it doesn't settle down, I'll just tell them to sew the muscle back up... Is that even possible???😁

Austin Scott25 said:Hey everyone. I’ve been lurking here and reading through your comments for quite some time now, primarily because over the last year, I've found myself thinking more and more about getting surgery. I don't have any massive structural issues, but even so, it’s pretty obvious—it shows in my profile at first glance. And when I smile, you can see exactly where the bridge of my nose ends, which honestly isn't great...🙂 Anyway, it's perfectly natural for parents to be terrified when their children consider any kind of surgery. For instance, my mom is constantly worried that I won't wake up or that something will go wrong during recovery, since those things actually happen sometimes. I understand her anxiety, and I admit I'm a little scared too, but the real "issue" is my boyfriend. He refuses to even hear me mention it. Beyond just being afraid that something might go sideways, he constantly tells me how much he loves my nose, how sweet and natural I am, blah, blah, blah... all of that is fine, I suppose, but it doesn't mean anything if I'm unhappy with myself. Okay, I know I'm rambling, but if anyone has any actual, sensible advice on how to convince an incredibly, stubbornly headstrong guy, I would be truly grateful. Any experiences or insights are welcome, because frankly, I don't think I'll ever find the courage to go under the knife without having someone in my corner...🙂 stay safe

I completely understand where you're coming from... I'm in the exact same boat, if not worse. As it stands, I have zero support whatsoever. I can't even bring up the idea of surgery to my family back home, because they'd probably try to commit me to a psychiatric ward immediately (thankfully I live far away from them, so they'll only see the results once everything is already finished), and my husband refuses to even acknowledge the conversation... but I'm stubborn, and I'm doing this regardless.

Alex Campbell54 said:Hey everyone,

Today marks my sixth day following surgery, which was performed under local anesthesia.
To be clear, my issue was purely aesthetic, stemming from various blunt force impacts I sustained during my childhood.

I would highly recommend local anesthesia to anyone considering this; I’ve had two previous leg surgeries under local, but this experience was on another level because I drifted off almost instantly. All I eventually heard was my sister shaking me and saying, "It's done..."

Now, that specific part—the procedure itself—was genuinely painless. However, as many people point out, the real struggle begins once you actually get home. The swelling during those first two days increased by the hour, and I felt this constant, heavy pressure, as if someone were literally sitting on my face.
That sensation was made significantly worse by having to breathe through my mouth; even though I usually have no trouble breathing through my mouth when I have a cold, this was an entirely different beast.
As for the nasal packing, I only had to deal with the sponges for 24 hours, during which time bloody mucus was constantly draining from my nose, which only added to the whole "magical" experience.
Honestly, compared to getting a nasal swab, just having the packing removed is a walk in the park, and I truly cannot comprehend why people claim that is the worst part of the entire process??!

Anyway, my primary concern right now is that my nose has been lifted by at least 4mm. I was told that by cutting the muscle beneath the lip, the lift would only be about 1-2mm, but I see people posting online saying it settles over time. Personally, I am quite anxious that it won't, because that lower section was perfectly fine before, and now, looking at myself from the front, I can literally see into my own nostrils.
Furthermore, the splint is driving me insane; it's itchy and tight, and I've already accidentally caught my hand on it twice (can you actually displace something by doing that???); I am counting down the minutes until Tuesday when it finally comes off...

Finally, for anyone preparing for rhinoplasty, my advice is to give your surgeon extremely strict instructions regarding the desired look and leave absolutely zero room for them to improvise.
All I wanted was to smooth out the irregularities, but he managed to talk me into cutting that muscle because he claimed it prevents the nose from moving too much when laughing and such, plus it lifts the tip by 1-2mm. In the end, it turned out to be about 4mm. Not to mention, it only occurred to me later that if your nose doesn't move while you speak or smile, you end up looking completely artificial... I honestly don't understand what their logic is, let alone why I agreed to it???
Well, if it doesn't drop back down, I'll just tell him to stitch the muscle back together... Is that even a thing you can do???😁

Who did you go to?

Bryan Gomez27 said:I totally get where you're coming from... honestly, my situation is pretty much the same, if not worse. I don't have anyone backing me up at all. I can't even mention wanting to go through with the surgery to my own family, because they'd probably try to have me committed to a psych ward before I could even finish the sentence—luckily I live far enough away from them that they won't see me until everything is already over and done with—and my husband won't even hear a word about it... but I've always been stubborn, so I'm doing this whether he likes it or not.

Hehehe, well, you've certainly thought this through. My folks are far away too, but since I don't have access to that kind of cash without their help right now, I guess I'll just have to scrape it together on my own, bit by bit. 🙄Though, I think I could probably talk them around eventually, but as for my partner... oh boy... I can sway anyone in the world, but when it comes to him, he won't listen to a single thing I say. He just keeps going on and on with "what if you don't wake up" and blah blah blah... honestly, no matter how many times I call him a total drama queen... 🙂 I suppose everyone is terrified of it, which is why people end up taking risks in the first place... but anyway... I'll figure something out...😉