Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

James Kelly said:I don’t want to ruin the vibe of this perfectly harmonious thread, but I honestly don't get why everyone is so obsessed with their noses.
Did you all get bullied in middle school or something? Why such an inferiority complex when your nose is just as average as anyone else's? Why this desperate drive to strip away any personality from your face—whether by shrinking a nose or overfilling lips? Is self-respect really so low that you’d go under the knife just to shave off a tiny 3mm bump?
That’s how you look. That’s how your kids will look.
I suspect people would just be happier if everyone looked identical, or at least like some manufactured "ideal," just so they can escape themselves and blend into the crowd of idiots.
For those of you discussing rhinoplasty here, I highly doubt your noses were actually ugly. Honestly, I doubt anyone besides yourselves would even notice a thing.
Stop obsessing over magazines and beauty stereotypes like that caricature of Angelina Jolie and maybe focus on some actual mental and psychological growth.

gentlemaker46 said:It’s been six months and I’m still spiraling. I keep panicking that something went wrong, and I can't help but wonder why this is happening to me after everything else I've dealt with. You go into debt just to fix your nose, thinking you're finally going to get one thing right in your life, only to end up with an even bigger headache. When I think about how much I paid, it actually hurts my heart. As a single mom, that money is basically a year and a half of daycare costs. It sucks. I guess I'm just a pessimist, but I'm furious at that doctor—and even more furious at myself.

Laura Booth6 said:😢 😢 oh man, that sounds awful! I can only imagine how you feel right now! 😢

Seriously, post a photo, I really want to see... I was actually there yesterday myself. I booked for 6:00 and didn't even get in line until 6:45 😠 we were just sitting there like idiots in the waiting room, only to finally go inside and deal with the younger Tončić. Honestly, I thought I was gonna pass out (was it Dinko, I think?). Because the clinic was so packed, he couldn't even listen to me properly. He just showed me some before-and-after nose photos—probably taken like ten years ago 🙄... he was poking around and checking things while I tried to explain what my actual issue was... and he just kept going, "welllll... maybeee... it cooould be fixed..." Just like that. COULD. Not "it can," but "MMMMMOOOOOOOGGGGHHHHHTTTT." Like he was high or something! Then he just stares out the window for a full minute of silence! For everything, he just said, "yeahhh, could happen"... until I finally snapped and asked if it *can* be done or not. And instead of saying "well, maybe," he just goes, "yeah, yeah..." then it turns out his old man was scheduled for surgery too (huge weight off my shoulders, honestly 🤣), and he mentioned they don't use general anesthesia here, just local with heavy sedation... ugh, that totally freaked me out! We set the surgery for next Thursday morning at 9:00. My mom wanted to drop a deposit immediately, but I told her no, let's wait, because I might still change my mind about the doctor... It's easy enough to just wire the money and fax the receipt later... I don't know what to do now... 😠 😢

And what's the deal with him "examining" me and having some doctor give advice who isn't even performing the surgery?!

Need advice fast, especially from anyone who’s actually had the procedure there!

coastaltinker13 said:I was there, and like I already said, everything went perfectly. Not to sound like a broken record, but you can check my old posts for the details. The only thing I’ll tell you is this: don't sweat it. For the younger crowd, looks are the only thing that saves you. 🤣 The guy who actually delivers the results is the one who gets the credit. 👍

Susan Watson31 said:Check out these animations.

If you’re looking into facial reshaping, you really need to dig into the actual mechanics before jumping into anything. I was reading through some clinical guidelines from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently, and they lay out exactly how these procedures work. It isn't just about "fixing" a feature; it's about structural changes to the bone or soft tissue to alter the entire profile. I remember talking to a buddy of mine who went through a similar procedure a few years back. He thought it would be a quick fix, but he didn't realize how much the recovery period impacts your daily life. You can't just walk in, get it done, and expect to look like a movie star by Monday. There’s a lot of swelling, a lot of downtime, and honestly, a bit of a mental adjustment period too. The link covers everything from jawline contouring to chin augmentation. It's important to understand that these aren't superficial tweaks. We're talking about changing the foundation of your face. If you're serious about this, don't just follow trends on social media. Read the medical breakdowns. Understand the risks. It’s better to be overly cautious than to end up regretting a permanent change because you didn't do your homework first.

And here’s some useful info to go along with it.

http://www.life123.com/beauty/cosmet...recovery.shtml

The opera industry is undergoing a massive shift, and if you aren't paying attention, you're going to get left behind. People often assume that working in opera is all about high art and prestige, but the reality on the ground is much more complicated. It’s a field where passion meets a very harsh economic reality. I’ve seen this play out firsthand. You have these incredibly talented singers who spend decades perfecting their craft, only to realize that the traditional model of the industry—the one built around major houses like the Metropolitan Opera—is changing faster than they can adapt. It isn't just about having a beautiful voice anymore; it’s about survival in a landscape that is increasingly volatile. One of the biggest hurdles is the sheer instability of the career path. In the past, you could aim for a steady contract with a major regional company and build a life around it. Today, the gig economy has essentially swallowed the classical music world. You might land a role in Chicago one month, only to find yourself staring at an empty calendar the next. It’s a constant cycle of auditioning, traveling, and hoping the funding for your next project doesn't dry up due to some sudden shift in corporate sponsorship or government grants. Then there’s the technological aspect. We live in an era where digital streaming and social media presence are becoming just as important as vocal technique. I know performers who are technically flawless but struggle because they don't know how to market themselves online. On the flip side, you see people with mediocre talent gaining massive followings because they understand the "brand" aspect of being a modern artist. It feels a bit hollow sometimes, but that’s the world we’re living in. The job market is also becoming hyper-competitive in ways that weren't present twenty years ago. It’s not just about competing with the person in the next audition room; you’re competing with a global pool of talent that is accessible via the internet. The bar hasn't just been raised; it's been moved to a different stadium entirely. If you want to make it in this business, you can't just be a singer. You have to be a manager, a publicist, and a strategist. You need to be comfortable with uncertainty and ready to pivot when the old ways of doing things stop working. It’s a tough pill to swallow for those who entered the field purely for the love of the music, but ignoring the business side is a recipe for disaster. Success in modern opera requires a level of grit that goes far beyond what happens on stage.

coastaltinker13 said:10,000. 😉

slymoose95 said:It feels like they hike the prices every single time I look... I had my surgery back when I was five months along, and when I called around to a few different clinics then, the lowest price I could find was $11k.$167

coastaltinker13 said:It really varies depending on which clinic you choose. With Rajko Tončić, it’s always $10,000, regardless of what they actually do to your nose. 😉

vividfox said:Don't go thinking you're better than us just because you're proud of your crooked nose. You have no right to judge us, and frankly, it's pretty low of you. Everyone has their own reasons. That should be explanation enough!

James Kelly said:Isn't that being kind? Isn't it nice of me to want to help someone look their best just by being themselves?
I'm not talking about medical necessity when it comes to nose jobs, I mean purely cosmetic stuff.
Maybe it isn't "nice," but sometimes raising people requires a tougher hand—any decent parent knows that.
Look, I'm not your parent, and I don't plan on being, but you can't tell people the truth while stroking their egos.
It’s no wonder you guys are so sensitive when someone tells you the truth to your face. It sounds like you're all just insecure about your looks, which is clearly why every little insult sends you running straight to the operating table.
If the motive is purely aesthetic, there's only one real reason: insecurity.
Look, if someone is actually born with some freakish, deformed mess on their face instead of a nose, then sure, go get surgery. But changing something perfectly normal that you just inherited? That's sick. Instead of a surgeon, you should be seeing a psychiatrist.

vividfox said:Thanks 😁! I was looking for "my" nose to fix—just refine it! The tip (can't fully see it yet because the swelling is crazy) is exactly like my brother's and dad's. I didn't want to lose that family resemblance. My request was simple: I want this exact nose, just without the bump and with a slightly smaller tip. That was it. (Plus, he had to widen it because I couldn't breathe right, and add some cartilage inside—ugh!) 😲 Dr. Zambelli did it for me in Cleveland. I'm thrilled 😍 though it took 3 months to get an appointment... and there's still plenty of work to do on this nose of mine!🤣

Ashley Young34 said:I honestly don't get why you're even bothering to post on this forum or in this specific thread. If you’re looking for actual advice, you can just go see a psychiatrist like you suggested. ☕

James Kelly said:Oh, sure... you go under the knife, mutilate yourselves, and leave the hospital looking like caricatures just to check off some stereotype box.
It’s obviously about seeing a psychiatrist. Since when is seeking mental help a disgrace? You people just constantly prove how insecure you really are.
Society warped you into hating your own bodies, and now that I'm pointing out how pointless it all is, you feel personally attacked?
The magazines and those fashion gurus already conquered you long ago, selling fake beauty standards to girls who haven't developed enough personality to know better.

Gregory Barnes5;22349695 said:vividfox, you have a lovely nose! 🙂

After doing a little digging into our local plastic surgeons, he seems pretty solid to me. His work isn't half bad, either. From what I hear, he’s actually the one behind Severina's new nose—finally allowing her to breathe and speak normally again.

Tell me more about him! What’s his vibe? Does he actually listen to what you want, or is he dismissive? It’s vital to me that he isn't arrogant.
What does the surgery run me? And do you stay overnight at his clinic, or do you just head straight home?

Whoa... that's a lot of questions. Just answer half of them if you can.

Haha, no worries. I'd happily answer a hundred questions if it helps someone out. 🙂
He's the kind of guy who knows his worth. He isn't overly bubbly, but during consultations, he really listens to what you're looking for and tells you honestly what is actually achievable. Yes, he did Severina's nose (she didn't tell me personally, but word on the street is...) and in my case, since my nasal passage was totally ruined, he went ahead and added a piece of cartilage I was missing. (I only had half of it left, which explains the bump! 😲).
He’s a bit full of himself, sure, but I'm no child; I spent ten years weighing my options before deciding to go through with it. Needless to say, I am beyond satisfied. If I weren't dealing with health issues, I'd hire that absolute SURGEON/PSYCHOLOGIST/SPIRITUAL GURU all over again just to redo the whole thing.
You show up with your labs (blood work and EKG), and they take you to this really nice room where the anesthesiologist talks you through everything. After that, 😍you head into the OR with Nurse Željko (she's an absolute gem!!!) and drift off like a baby. You wake up with the splint on, stay there for a while, and there will be elderly folks waiting to see how you're doing. It’s a sleepless night, but painless. The nurse checks on you constantly and brings you tea. 👍
Follow-up is in the morning, then it's straight home. Tampons come out in 2 or 3 days, and the splint stays on for a week. My procedure was a bit tougher because of the damaged passage, so I had mine removed a day later. Tape stays on for 4 or 5 days, and if you have patience, you're saved. 🙂
The bruising lasted me about a month and a half 😠 though for others it's just a week or so. Even though I wasn't swollen immediately after surgery, the swelling hit me later. It doesn't actually hurt; it's just the insomnia and the snoring that kept my husband awake. 🙈
So, here's the result: my nose is clear, healthy, straight, and looks great. It wasn't even that I had major complexes... I just didn't like how I looked (or how my profile photos turned out 😵).
Now, I'm just happier and more relaxed. Ufffff.... I can finally breathe... anything else? Just ask. 🙂