Rhinoplasty recovery: What to expect?

So, I was wondering if it’s actually possible to get a rhinoplasty—strictly for cosmetic reasons, mind you—done at a hospital? Like, for free? I happened to see online that a place like Mount Sinai offers plastic surgery, but I’m assuming that comes with a hefty price tag, right? Or maybe not?
Does anyone here have any actual insight on this?

It’s possible.
Everything really hinges on your primary care physician...
1) If you can get a psychiatrist to sign off stating that your nose is causing severe psychological distress—say, triggering bouts of depression or similar issues—you'll get the referral.
2) However, what about 99% of people actually looking to fix this? They just have their doctor list a deviated septum on the referral order.
😎

lol..🤣
Honestly, at this point, I feel like my only option is to claim some sort of mental health crisis just to deal with this nose issue.😁
But in all seriousness, can you actually go into a hospital for nose surgery strictly for aesthetic reasons—you know, things like a crooked shape or wide nostrils?
I mean, I don't think I can just walk in and pretend I have a deviated septum if I don't actually have one, right?😕

I'm telling you... You can actually do it, provided your psychiatrist gives you the referral.
As for a deviated septum, who's to say you don't have one? Until a specialist at the Mayo Clinic examines you or they run an actual scan... you just won't know.

Linda Palmer said:Look, I’m telling you!!! You can get it done if your psychiatrist writes you a referral.
As for a deviated septum, who's to say you don't have one??? Until an ENT examines you or they run some imaging, there's no way to know for sure.

Most people have some kind of deviation, more or less...
Unfortunately, I didn't realize the cosmetic side was covered. I had my septum straightened last year, but this year I'm going back—this time for the aesthetic stuff, and of course using my insurance to get it done for free...

Wait, how can you even go to a specialist for just cosmetic stuff?😕
If that were an option, everyone would be doing it. I don't get it... unless you've already had a septoplasty done and this is just some kind of "bonus" procedure, but otherwise...

I've never had any issues breathing or anything, so I really doubt there's a deviation there. And honestly, the idea of seeing a therapist and trying to claim mental health struggles just because of my nose? Hmm, I highly doubt that's happening.

urbanwalker6 said:How on earth could you even get a referral for cosmetic surgery????😕
If that were actually possible, everyone would be doing it. I don't follow. Perhaps if you had already undergone a septoplasty... then maybe as a "bonus," but otherwise, no.

I have never experienced any breathing issues or anything similar, so I highly doubt I have a deviated septum. And the idea of seeing a psychiatrist just to claim mental health struggles over a nose issue? Hmm, I find that unlikely.

He was suggesting that you visit one of our local hospitals to consult with an ENT specialist. They could then document a deviation—even if one doesn't exist—so that the surgery could be covered by insurance.

Rebecca Walker32 said:He was basically telling you to hit up one of our local hospitals, see an ENT specialist, and have them write you a referral for a deviated septum—even if you don't actually have one—so you can get your nose surgery for free.

Exactly!
The referral never mentions "cosmetic" surgery; it just says nasal septoplasty. Let these healthcare bureaucrats guess whether it's for looks or for breathing...

Angela Ward81 said:I have a few questions regarding rhinoplasty—specifically tip reduction to narrow the nose. Has anyone here actually gone through with this? I’m curious about a few things: Is there an age limit for when you should consider it? What kind of price range are we looking at in the US? And how does the recovery process actually play out? Honestly, if you have any tips or experiences at all, please share.
Thanks. 😍

I'm also curious about this, so if anyone here has gone through something similar, I’d love for you to share your experience with us. Thanks. 🙂

Mark Martin6 said:Honestly, I think this whole thing is just plain stupid. Back in high school, I had a French girl and a buddy who both went through with nose jobs in New York City. The code at the plastic shop was a total mess. Paid three grand for a surgeon... and the damn thing fell out. They were absolute hacks, though they had huge tools. Honestly, I'm just going to go down there and fix it myself. 🙄

How does this work? Good morning, good morning—if I want a new nose, do I need a referral from my primary care doctor first, or what? I don't get it. If it’s actually that cheap, why isn't everyone just getting surgery there? Is it possible their psychiatrist gave them a referral by claiming they have "severe psychological issues" just so the only solution would be removing a deformity? (I know that can happen, but I assume that only applies to ears and stuff for little kids.)

I looked up that hospital online and couldn't find a single mention of it anywhere. Am I just missing something, or is there really nothing out there?

Quick question—what’s the typical damage for a nose job these days? For those of you who've actually gone through it, what did you end up paying? I saw on TV and in the papers that a celebrity surgeon charges anywhere from $5,000 to $8,500, but then I just read someone here on the forum saying the price was 14 $0.00? WOW!!! 14 $0.00!!!😲

By the way, what’s the going rate for a rhinoplasty these days? For those of you who've actually gone through it, what did it end up costing you? I saw on TV and in the papers that for someone like a Hollywood actor, the price ranges from $5,000 to $8,500, but I just read right here on the forum that someone paid 14 $0.00? WOW!!! 14 $0.00!!!😲

Has anyone ever done any work near the Kincl site?😕

🙂

Melissa Mendoza2 said:Look, I can give you some firsthand info because I went through a nose job myself about three months ago. If this is what you really want, just go for it—you won’t regret it. I only had a minor adjustment, so the change isn't massive, but honestly, I can't even describe how much more liberated I feel. Before, I was constantly dodging cameras and photographers because I hated my profile, but now? I’m actually proud, relaxed, and totally at ease. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. The satisfaction is indescribable... it boosts your confidence, makes you braver, and everything just seems to start going better.

1. Regarding the hospital stay: since I don't live in New York City, I stayed in a private facility for two nights. But if you are local, you can probably head home for recovery just a few hours after surgery. As for the procedure itself, it doesn't hurt at all. You won't feel a thing; you just go under and wake up with a splint on your nose. The surgery takes maybe 30 minutes, depending on how complex it is, though you usually wake up a few hours later. I don't even remember being under anesthesia—is that the right word?—because when you wake up, you're completely disoriented. You won't know what time it is or even what year it is. It felt like I had been asleep for months.
By the time I came to, I realized my surgery was at 10 AM, and by 3 PM, I was already back in my room watching TV.
As for nausea, I didn't deal with it at all, but I guess that varies from person to person.

Like I said, there’s no pain, but be prepared for some bruising under your eyes that looks pretty gnarly. For me, they were completely gone after 15 days, and after that, you're just slightly swollen, which isn't even noticeable.

You have to wear a plastic mold on your nose for 7 days, and you get the nasal packing removed on day 2. That’s honestly the worst part. It doesn't hurt, but it is incredibly uncomfortable. Some girls I was with actually felt nauseous because of it and couldn't handle it... so just a heads-up. Everything else is fine; you just have to push through that one bit, but once you see the results, you won't care.

2. Pricing depends entirely on the surgeon, but here’s my advice: don't just pick whoever is the cheapest. It could end up costing you way more if they mess up and you have to pay for corrective surgery. If you're planning to do this, don't cheap out. Pick a doctor with tons of experience. I paid about $1,850 total ($1,600 for the surgery plus $250 for the two days at the facility).

3. As far as age limits go, I think it's 18.

Good luck!! 😉

Now that I've read your reply, please let me know ASAP which private surgeon you used. I'm planning to do this too and have already had one consultation, so a solid recommendation would be huge. There's no telling what people say about doctors online, and I'm feeling pretty stuck because everyone seems to have a different opinion!
Thanks!!!

For the longest time, I was absolutely obsessed with my nose. It was a massive complex for me. Growing up, I felt so insecure about it that I spent years just waiting for the day I could finally convince my parents that surgery was the only way I’d ever feel okay in my own skin. I was sixteen, counting down the days until I could finally get it fixed. Then, I headed into New York City to consult with one particular plastic surgeon. What happened during that appointment was honestly something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. First off, the vibe of the place totally threw me—it wasn't messy or anything, but the realization that you're essentially letting someone hack away at your face in some private residence was terrifying enough to make me want to bolt. And then there was the doctor... man, those people are nothing but butchers. Seriously, they're just meatheads with scalpels. After sitting through that nearly hour-long consultation (and $133 what a rip-off that was), I practically sprinted out of his building in tears. I was a total wreck for an entire week. As soon as I got home the next day, I made a vow to myself: I am never, ever mentioning nose surgery again. Fast forward three years, and I still feel the exact same way. In the meantime, I’ve learned to embrace who I am. I realized I'm actually pretty attractive, even if my nose isn't "perfect," and honestly, it’s the only physical flaw I really have. I haven't given the idea of surgery a second thought, especially after I went through that major surgery where doctors were literally fighting to save my life. It taught me that you should never gamble with your health. Today, I am incredibly relieved that I didn't go through with it! 😁

To save everyone—especially myself—the headache of endless searching, 😍
I wanted to reach out to anyone who has personally undergone rhinoplasty or knows someone who has. Which surgeon would you actually recommend, and what made them stand out? I know everyone seeks out multiple second opinions, but I’m really looking for firsthand accounts. If you've been through it, who would be your top pick?
Here are a few names currently on my radar:
Dr. Kinčel " Barbel
Dr. Duje Ostojić
Over on Shalat: Poje, Mladina
On Vinogradska: Marko Grgić
These are the names that seem to pop up constantly in discussions. If you have any insights—whether they're glowing reviews or cautionary tales—please 🙂 let me know!
Thanks so much in advance for the help. 😁

Does anyone happen to know what the typical rates are for seeing Dr. Poje if you're just looking into purely aesthetic procedures?

Nobody seems to be answering my health questions over at 🙂, so I figured I’d try my luck here 😁...
I have a few questions regarding septoplasty combined with rhinoplasty
1. How long is the typical hospital stay?
2. On which day do they remove the nasal packing, and honestly, how much does that actually hurt?
3. How long will I need to take medical leave from work?
4. About how long does it take for the bruising around the eyes to clear up?
I realize everyone heals differently, but I'm just looking for some kind of average timeframe.
thanks

Hey everyone, has anyone here actually gone through with nose surgery?😕
Not just a septum job, I mean a full profile reshape—fixing things like a hump or whatever.

Has anyone ever been to see Dr. Miller in New York City? How was the experience? What kind of damage are we talking about for the bill?