Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Three months ago, I went to see Zambell for a procedure and paid $2,400. I have to say, the sister there was incredibly sweet and kind, but he’s a bit of an oddball. When he was pulling the swabs out of my nose, I actually passed out! My blood pressure just plummeted from the pain and I hit the floor🤣. My nose looks fine, honestly. Most people don't even notice because the difference isn't massive, but since I'm constantly staring at myself in the mirror, I keep finding tiny little imperfections and whatnot. Still, he did the job right. The only thing is the scarring inside my nose bothers me a bit—it makes my nose run almost every day, which is pretty awkward to deal with.😁
Recovery was relatively quick for me; after seven days, I felt like a new person, even though he really had to break things to get them in place... I’d recommend it to any girls (or guys, if they're out there) who have the budget and are truly unhappy with their nose. But listen: if you aren't 100% sure about what you want, DO NOT DO IT.
One more thing: IT DOESN'T HURT. You just have to be super careful not to injure yourself because it stays incredibly sensitive for at least a day and a half.

I figure I'll jump in here too. I've been lurking on these forums for about a week now, reading through everyone's experiences and whatnot. I actually had my nose surgery yesterday. It doesn't really hurt, per se; it's just this breathing issue through my nose that's driving me crazy. Plus, the bruising around my eyes is... well, 😢 I'm hoping things improve soon 😢. I'm heading in on Monday to get everything removed, and honestly, I can't wait. Does anyone know if getting the packing pulled out hurts? 🙂

swiftheron48 said:I suppose it's my turn to join in. I've been reading through these forums and everyone's experiences for about a week now. I had my nose surgery yesterday. It isn't painful, really; it's just this breathing issue and the bruising around my eyes that's getting to me. 😢 But I am hopeful things will improve. 😢 Everything comes out on Monday, and I honestly can't wait. Does removing the packing hurt? 🙂

Who was your surgeon? Are you happy with the doctor?

Bryan Gomez27 said:Was it really that noticeable??

Where exactly are your lumps located? Who performed the procedure on you... please describe them a little. I have some myself and am currently trying to decide which specialist to visit for a revision.

Hannah Lopez62 said:I should probably share my own experience too!
I had surgery two months ago. Now I have two lumps—one on the bone and a new one that popped up just last week. I'm facing another operation. Does anyone know how much a private consultation costs, maybe at a specialist in Miami?

Oh, I am so sorry, I quoted you incorrectly...
Where exactly are those lumps located, and which surgeon performed your first procedure?

Amanda Ramirez42 said:Who did your nose job? Are you happy with the doctor?

I went through a specialist in Miami, and I'm really satisfied. Everyone there is incredibly pleasant—the nurses are just amazing. I actually spent the night at the facility, and honestly, I'm very pleased with the doctor so far 🙂 I'm taking the swabs and bandages off on Monday. I think this whole breathing through my mouth situation might drive me crazy before then. 😢

Hannah Lopez62 said:Allow me to weigh in with my own experience!
I underwent surgery two months ago and am currently dealing with two lumps—one on the bone and another that popped up just last week. It looks like I'm headed back under the knife. Does anyone happen to know what a private consultation costs—say, with one of those specialists out in Miami?

The cost is $50, based on my own experience about six weeks ago. Out of curiosity, which surgeon did you go with? And where exactly are these lumps located? I ask because if we're talking about fluid buildup, that can often be resolved with a simple injection rather than more invasive measures.

On my lip—I actually went to see the specialist, and they told me the bone has basically fused back together. As for the other side, the cartilage hasn't quite settled into the right spot; it's sitting right in the middle of my nose. It’s not super obvious, but... yeah, there it is!

Laura Castillo7, where did you go for your consultation? I might honestly head out to get a second opinion myself, just to be sure.

Okay, so they took the mold off and my nose actually looks pretty great.
I’ve got a follow-up appointment in a month, so we'll see what the deal is with those bumps. Honestly, I'm a little nervous since that seems to happen quite a bit.
One thing that's bugging me, though—they didn't apply any ointment to my nose, but I see you guys mentioning it.

wanderingangler8 said:Look, I just got my molds back, and honestly? My nose looks incredible.
I have a follow-up appointment in a month, so we'll see what the deal is with those lumps. I'm a little worried, honestly, since this kind of thing happens quite often.
I don't know, why didn't they bother applying any ointment to my nose? Everyone else keeps bringing it up, but they just skipped it. I guess.

Did you just take out the mold and the swab? Or did you pull the swab out earlier? I’m scheduled to get mine removed this Monday, and honestly, I can’t wait because this whole situation is a nightmare. Did it actually hurt? I’m pretty much terrified of anything feeling like a lump. 😢

Hannah Lopez62 said:Regarding my rib—I saw a specialist who explained that the bone has essentially fused back together, though the cartilage on the other side didn't settle quite right. It's positioned near the center of my nose; it isn't glaringly obvious, but it's there.

Laura Castillo7, where did you go for your consultation? I might actually seek out a second opinion myself just to be safe.

About six weeks ago, I underwent surgery with a surgeon in Washington, D.C.—following a preliminary exam, naturally. My follow-up is scheduled for the fifth month, and I'll see what the verdict is then. For the moment, I'm satisfied with the results, assuming nothing unexpected crops up later. I suspect the bone has already finished healing.

swiftheron48 said:Did they just remove the mold and the tampon at once? Or did you pull the tampon out beforehand? I’m scheduled for mine this Monday and I am honestly counting down the minutes—this whole situation is just brutal. Did it actually hurt? Personally, I'm terrified of finding some random lump. 😢

For me, the actual removal of the tampon was the worst part—it triggered a massive headache and toothaches; the pressure was just unbearable. But of course, that relief is fleeting. The mold itself isn't quite as bad—the main issue is the skin irritation, since they use a petroleum-based substance to help the adhesive stick—but you can just apply a soothing cream immediately after it's off and the stinging stops. Ultimately, the sense of relief after seven days is absolute, though my nose still feels like garbage.

I'm new here...

I've been scrolling through these threads, skipping around a bit since there’s just so much to read, and I'm seeing all sorts of horror stories. Honestly, it feels like I'm seeing more bad outcomes than good ones. I even have a close friend who went under the knife for a rhinoplasty last year, and she is absolutely miserable with the results—her profile looks fine, but from the front, it's a total disaster.

Just look at some of the celebrities out there; you can see people who have gone under multiple times and ended up with some really unfortunate noses. You see it with folks like certain reality stars or public figures where the nose looks way too upturned and unnatural, or they just keep trying over and over without ever getting it right.

I mean, you really have to have some serious guts to even consider stepping into this.

I know I'm rambling, but I feel like I need to do something because my nose is honestly huge and quite crooked. The closest specialist to me is someone local, so if anyone here has actually gone to him and has some experience, please reach out to me. I don't have any chance of traveling far for this.

Laura Castillo7 said:For me, pulling out the tampon was actually worse. My teeth and my head were aching—just this intense, awful pressure. But I guess relief never lasts long. The mold isn't that bad, really. The only thing is how much the skin stings because they use petroleum jelly to help the adhesive stick, but you just apply something else right after you peel it off and the stinging stops. Overall, it’s a massive relief after seven days, except for my nose.

Ugh, jeez. 😢 That sounds absolutely horrific. 😢 I'm basically counting down the hours until Monday; all of this is just so irritating and getting on my nerves. It's awful.

swiftheron48 said:Did they just take out the mold and the swab? Or did you pull the swab earlier? I'm getting mine done Monday and honestly can't wait because this whole situation is intense. Did it hurt at all? I'm low-key terrified about finding any lumps. 😢

They pulled the swab out the very next day. And honestly, it didn't hurt me one bit. It’s a little uncomfortable, sure—but my pain tolerance is basically zero, so don't stress too much. It really just depends on the person.😉

wanderingangler8 said:They took my swab on the second day. Honestly, I didn't feel any pain at all. It was a little uncomfortable, I guess, but my pain tolerance is pretty low, so don't overthink it. It really just depends on the person.😉

It’s only been four days for me. But then again, that's when the tampon comes out and the mold is removed. I guess... tell me, does everyone else say they look like a pig once the tampon is out? 😢 Was it like that for you too?

swiftheron48 said:I’m only on day four myself. But once you pull the tampon out and get the mold off... man. Tell me, do most people say they look like a pig once that tampon comes out? 😢Was it like that for you too?

Yeah, even my dad was like, "Look how much your nose is sticking up now." 😍
Look, it's been a week for me and the tip has already dropped—people actually think it looks totally natural.
Don't sweat it; there's nothing you can do about certain things right now, and Monday will be here before you know it.
Fingers crossed you're happy with the result and we don't end up seeing any weird bumps. 👍

wanderingangler8 said:Yeah, my dad even told me, "Look how high your nose is sitting right now."😍
It’s been a week for me and the tip has already dropped. Honestly, everyone is surprised by how natural it looks.
Don't sweat it. There's nothing you can do about certain things at this stage anyway, and Monday will be here before you know it.
I'm crossing my fingers that you're happy with the result and that we don't see any lumps or bumps.👍

🙂Well, thanks. I'm really hoping I don't end up with any bumps either. I've been reading through the forums and a ton of people mention getting lumps. That's what scares me. But I am actually shocked that nothing hurts—not my head, not my nose, not even my teeth. Nothing. Except for that annoying breathing issue that's bugging me. Are you still swollen? Or has it gone down yet?🙂 I had my surgery last Thursday, and yesterday I was practically dark purple. Now I'm sort of yellowish-green.🙂 Very attractive.🙂😉

swiftheron48 said:🙂 Thanks—I’m really hoping I don't end up with any bruising either. I was scrolling through the forums and it seems like everyone gets them... which is honestly terrifying. But honestly? It totally surprised me that I haven't had any pain at all—not a headache, nothing in my nose, not even my teeth. Nothing. Just this annoying breathing thing that's getting on my nerves. Are you still swollen, or has it gone down yet? 🙂 I had my surgery just the other day, and yesterday I was looking deep purple. Now I've moved on to a sort of yellowish-green vibe 🙂 pretty glamorous, right? 🙂😉

I didn't have any pain either. Didn't even touch a single painkiller after the procedure. I will say though, the swelling was definitely there. Not super bruised/blue, but my head felt like a giant balloon 😍My doctor mentioned that once they take the molds out, there might be some extra swelling, so we'll see. They said everything should settle down in about a week.

If anyone’s looking for the scoop on getting rhinoplasty done at St. Jude’s with Dr. Miller, just let me know—I did mine with him and paid out of pocket $50 ...:-)) and honestly, my nose looks amazing. And... yeah, it doesn't hurt, obviously you're going to have some bruising and all that, which is totally standard, but I am just so incredibly happy with the results....