Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

I believe everyone should simply follow their doctor's orders. I was told specifically to keep up with the massages... surely there is a reason for it. As far as I can tell, that lymphatic drainage stuff seems like absolute nonsense.🤷

After my surgery, I went in for cleaning almost every two or three days. I did that for the first fifteen days or so just to clear out the scabs, blood, and all the debris collecting in my nose. Now, I see some people here saying they wait two whole months before checking back in after the splints come out? How does that even make sense? I understand that every surgeon has their own protocol, but still... if you wait two months, isn't everything just going to build up inside your nose?🤔

Maria Diaz79 said:Maybe you're right and it was unnecessary, I'm not sure. Which doctor did you see?

Dr. Miller, based out of Chicago. An ENT and head surgeon. He’s a bit eccentric, but I am beyond satisfied with the results. Most people go to him because they have noses that are already completely wrecked—usually athletes with broken bones. It cost me $1,500 for both the functional and aesthetic work.

It seems to me that when it comes to drainage, it all boils down to whether you can actually afford it; it’s likely beneficial, sure, but is it absolutely essential?

placidmoose said:I honestly think everyone should just stick to whatever their doctor tells them to do. For me, I was told to massage constantly... I mean, there’s probably a reason they want me doing it, right? But that lymphatic drainage stuff feels like a total scam to me..🤷

After my surgery, I was going in for cleanings almost every two or three days for the first couple of weeks just to get all the scabs, dried blood, and junk out of my nose.. I see some people here saying they don't even bother checking in until two months after the stents come out.. how does that even work?? Look, I get that every surgeon has their own specific protocol, but seriously.. if you wait two months, isn't everything just gonna build up inside your nose?🤔

Build up? Build what up?!? I went in for a checkup just three weeks after my stents were removed, and they basically just took one look at me and sent me on my way..... there wasn't even a need for any cleaning or anything else...... anyway, I only had a tiny bit of bloody discharge during that first week (like, really minimal), so I just blew it out and cleared it using Q-tips.. and honestly, I'm still using Q-tips to clean things out myself😁 but it's nothing crazy looking inside🤣

Really interesting. It’s the exact same procedure, yet you get such a massive variety of "post-op therapies." Every doctor seems to have their own unique playbook. How is that even possible?
I haven't really noticed that happening with some other doctors.

I think we should just stick to what the doctor laid out. Honestly, regardless of what we decide to do, I don't see anything major changing—unless everyone starts complaining that they weren't given specific instructions. You know the drill: "He didn't tell me I had to clean this," or "He never mentioned the drainage needs care," or "Why was I the only one tasked with cleaning?" It gets old fast. At some point, you have to wonder if the doctor actually forgot to explain the home care protocols, or if people are just more concerned about their wallets once the bill is paid. Just thinking out loud.

Sophia Hill22 said:I’m curious about that too—on the nose surgery thread, yeya mentioned she had two septoplasty procedures and is happy now, though she didn't say which surgeon... anyway, let me know if you find out.

Lucky you, right?
I'll do some digging. Honestly, I’m currently hunting for a specialist who actually has experience with revision surgeries. Even though I have no intention of touching anything until the one-year mark hits, I still want to be prepared. I am definitely not looking to go through that ordeal a second time.

steelangler88 said:Are you just as thrilled as I am?
I’m looking. Actually, I’m currently hunting for a doctor who actually knows their way around an audit. Even though I don't intend to touch a single thing until a full year has passed, I still want to be prepared. I have absolutely no desire to go through this nightmare a second time.

steelangler88, I’ve been looking, but I can't seem to find where you mentioned what specifically was wrong?

steelangler88, from what I have gathered regarding those rather daunting revision surgeries for failed rhinoplasties, it seems that everyone tends to seek out Prof. Uglešić, who performs his work in maxillofacial surgery over at KB Dubrava. Word on the street is that he truly does an exceptional job of reshaping the nose properly.👍

Maria Diaz79 said:Glumičić. Look, Dr. Miller’s assessment isn't final until the mold is completely removed. My nose looks perfectly fine right now—but based on what I’ve read, you can end up with all sorts of lumps or crustiness in the following days or months. I’ll keep everyone posted on any developments, but for the moment, as I previously stated, I am extremely satisfied with the results.

Jesse Taylor7, did your doctor actually mention the possibility of lumps or anything like that? Did he give you any other specifics regarding that?

Laura Castillo7 said:Jesse Taylor7, did the doctor actually tell you that lumps and such are a possibility? Did he go into any more detail about it?

No, he didn't mention a thing to me. I actually stumbled upon that information on an online forum first. After reading it, I decided to bring it up with my sister, and she told me that such things happen incredibly rarely.

Help! I can't figure out why the skin on my nose is peeling. Is it because of that topical stuff my sister applied after she removed the mold, which ended up sticking and hardening on my face? Or is this just new skin surfacing and pushing the old layer off? My nose has this slight yellowish sheen to it, too. Honestly, I have this overwhelming urge to just pick at it and peel it all away, but then the itching starts.

Maria Diaz79 said:Someone help! I have no idea why the skin on my nose is peeling. Is it that coating my sister applied when she removed the mold? It stuck and hardened. Or is it just new skin growing underneath while the old layer peels off? My nose has this slight yellowish sheen, and I have this constant urge to pick at it, which just makes it itch like crazy.

My nose peels a little bit for a few days after the mold comes off too... nothing major.

What coating?🤔 No one ever applied anything to mine. Your sister removed the mold herself? Please... sorry, but I don't trust stuff like that. I pay good money so my doctor can handle everything.

It's nothing. Stop panicking over nothing.

Maria Diaz79 said:Help me out here! I have no clue why the skin on my nose is peeling like this. Is it that coating my sister put on there after she took off the mold? It kind of stuck and hardened... or is it just new skin pushing through and shedding the old stuff? My nose has this weird yellowish shine to it, too. I seriously have the urge to just pick at it and peel it all off, but then it starts itching like crazy.

Well, duh, of course it’s peeling. It was basically "sealed" under that mold, right? Dead skin cells had nowhere to go, so now they're all coming to the surface at once... it'll pass eventually. Once the soreness dies down, try using a gentle exfoliator and you'll see how it goes. 🙂 Oh, and that shine? Totally normal. It’s probably just the swelling settling down or whatever, so the nose looks glossy. Mine still has a bit of a shine and peels a tiny bit, and feels a little rough, but honestly, it’s way, way better than when I first started.

Thanks. My nose finally regained its normal color this morning—it’s not bright red anymore, which is a huge relief. The only lingering issue is this constant itching, but I’m hoping that settles down soon. When my sister was applying the ointment earlier, it actually stung quite a bit. It’s probably just an anti-inflammatory effect, meant to soothe things, right?

So, I suppose I’m finally heading in for surgery sometime soon—fingers crossed, I guess. Does anyone here happen to have any insight into how Dr. Lightman over at Mayo Clinic operates?

Joseph Edwards31 said:steelangler88, from what I understand about revision rhinoplasty, everyone heads to Prof. Uglešić—he handles maxillofacial surgery over at Dubrava. Word is he’s incredible at fixing noses.👍

Honestly, I could just die right now!
He was actually my first choice...!!! I have no idea why I hesitated at the last minute, and now look at me.
Well, fine.
I’ve still got this bump on one side after the surgery, so I’m going to have to go back in because that thing isn't going away on its own.

How many days after surgery did you actually start applying foundation to your nose?

Maria Diaz79 said:Seriously, ladies, did any of you actually put foundation on your nose just one day after surgery?

Man, I went straight to it right after taking the bandages off—that was day 11, because I had to head out for some job testing... and then I did it again the very next day because I had another interview scheduled...

jadecrane3 said:Look, it’s totally normal for it to peel. It was essentially "trapped" under that mold, and those dead skin cells had nowhere to go, so now they're all coming to the surface at once... but it'll pass. Eventually, when it stops being so sensitive, try using a gentle exfoliant and you'll see. 🙂 Oh, yeah, and that shine? That’s normal too—it’s likely just the swelling subsiding and the skin settling. Mine still has a bit of a shine and peels slightly, feels a little rough, but it's way, way better than when I first started.

I'm on day 10 since they removed the mold. The bruising is gone, but my skin is still rough, peeling, and I've got blackheads popping up... How long has it been for you since your surgery that you're still feeling that roughness?

Grace Hernandez66 said:It’s been 10 days since I had the mold removed. The bruising is mostly gone, but my skin still feels super rough, it's peeling everywhere, and I'm dealing with these annoying blackheads... how long did it take for you to get past that rough feeling after surgery?

Man, it's already been over six weeks for me... but honestly, don't sweat it. It's not nearly as rough as it was right at the start. It's still a little bit coarse and kind of oily, but whatever...