Rhinoplasty recovery: What to expect?

I have a question and I would be incredibly grateful for some insight. My nose isn't exactly in a "crisis" state, but I find myself feeling self-conscious because the tip is a bit wide and upturned. It’s something that really bothers me, and honestly, no matter how hard I try to just live with it, I can't. So, I was hoping someone with actual expertise could help me out. I'm specifically wondering about a procedure focused solely on the nasal tip—meaning narrowing it and lowering it. How much pain should I expect, what kind of costs are we looking at, and what are the potential consequences? I don't need any work done on the main bridge of my nose; I just want to address the tip...

I have a very specific question for Smith. I’ve had a consultation with him, and now I’m sitting here on the fence about whether to go through with the surgery or not. For those of you who have actually been under his knife—how did you get an idea of what the final result would look like? He doesn't use any computer simulations or anything; he just sat there telling me, "I would do it this way, and then maybe this way..." and honestly, it’s left me a little rattled. I walked away feeling like he might just decide to do whatever he wants once I'm under anesthesia... 😁 Basically, I made it clear to him that my main priority is removing the notch at the top, and that I definitely don't want him touching the tip, but he’s insisting on lifting it.
What was your experience like with him? Please let me know if yours were positive or negative—thanks!😁

Before I even met Smith, I went to see this other doctor for a computer simulation, and honestly? I hated how I looked. I really don't think those digital simulations give you anything close to what the actual result will be.

The bottom line is you have to tell the surgeon exactly what you’re looking for and what kind of vibe you want. An experienced doctor will take your input and tell you straight up what’s actually doable with your nose and what the best move is.

In my case, both doctors told me the exact same thing—they suggested the same correction method. So, I at least had a solid idea of how the end result should look, and then you just hash out the details with them.

I was super firm about one thing: I didn't want it too lifted. I didn't want that "supermodel" look where the nose looks unnaturally perky. He totally respected my wishes.

But let's be real, there’s always a risk. None of us are aesthetic experts who can dictate exactly how a surgery should go; we’re basically putting our lives in the hands of the doctor. That’s why you absolutely need to get a second opinion if you can. You need to compare notes between doctors so you can actually trust the one you pick.

Since I needed a lift anyway, I didn't have nearly as much of a dilemma as you do, but he did warn me that fixing that bump might make my nose look longer visually. If you aren't looking for a massive transformation, you've got to make sure he knows that.

Sadly, until you're staring at the final result in the mirror, you can never know for sure how it's going to turn out!

I honestly think once you get rid of that hump—which is what I did—you really have to lift the tip a bit and scale back the supports. When you take away the hump, the nose just naturally stretches out and dips down a little. I didn't have a full simulation done myself, and I totally agree with Susan Scott5 that you can't get a realistic idea of the result that way anyway. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking it, but I figure surgeons usually know what needs to be done. I just told them to keep everything proportional so it doesn't look flat or "cut off," and obviously, I don't want to end up looking like a pig... we didn't actually dive into the tiny details or anything. We just looked over some photos of their previous work, and that was pretty much it. Personally, I'm happy with how it turned out. 🙂

So, you both actually saw him and ended up being happy with the results? My dilemma is that I have a very specific jawline—I’ve got a pretty long face, and I'm worried a small, upturned nose just won't look right on me. Honestly, my only intention was to fix this one little bump on top, plain and simple. But he’s out here telling me he should lift the tip and even loosen some muscle tension above my lip. Now I’m sitting here wondering if I'll regret letting him go rogue; if my new nose looks totally off, I am seriously screwed. On the other hand, who knows if the guy actually knows what he's talking about... Truth be told, I'm looking for any horror stories involving him. So far, I haven't found a single thing.

Look, I didn't really lay it all out clearly before. I was actually over at Smith's place earlier. 🙂 Honestly, you should just wait until that bump is gone and then ask him what’s going to happen with the nose. Let him explain it to you directly. Once that happens, you'll finally see if he actually thinks it needs a little lift or not. Maybe he was thinking about shortening it a bit instead? I don't know if that makes any difference.

coastalpanther96 said:I feel I should offer just a few more thoughts regarding my doctor. Dr. Gorazd poj is truly the most wonderful physician I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is such a unique soul—deeply empathetic, incredibly human, and possessing a certain subtle grace that is rare to find. I feel immensely fortunate that he was the one performing my surgery; not only is he a delightful person who treats his patients almost like lifelong friends, but he is also a premier specialist who clearly possesses a profound passion for his craft. What struck me most, however, was his immense patience and the gentle way he explained everything to me, even though I am quite a layman in these matters. He truly cares about the individual. If you want proof of his surgical skill, you need only look at my nose!

Oh, I do think you are being a bit hyperbolic in all things! To my eye, what we are seeing here looks less like an unexpected postoperative complication and more like the standard progression of the condition itself. Perhaps that is precisely why the doctor is being so uncharacteristically charming lately (which, if memory serves, isn't quite his usual temperament).

steelangler88's response: hmm, how do I even put this into words... I had cosmetic surgery done by Smith, and honestly? Big mistake. Even he tries to hedge his bets—basically telling you not to expect any miracles—but I get the feeling he just didn't put enough effort into my case. It’s like he was either too busy or just cutting corners. I spent months trying to convince myself it was fine—you know how it is, you just try to sugarcoat the results at first. And he's incredibly, almost aggressively polite, constantly insisting everything turned out "perfect" and acting like he can't handle any criticism. You tell yourself it'll look better once the swelling goes down, right? Just keep waiting. He’s super nice, sure, but I think all that charm is just a defense mechanism because he's terrified of being called out for a mistake. Anyway, my nose is now way too thick for my face—it’s small and delicate, but the nose looks bulky and totally out of proportion. Did he even consider the aesthetics of my actual face before diving in? He was way too cocky about it. I didn't have a huge nose, just a bump I wanted removed. I specifically told him I didn't want it to look upturned, but the result is just... weird. It's like he lifted the outer edges of my nostrils but left the middle part where it meets the lip exactly how it was, so now it just sticks out. From the profile view, you can see the internal structure where it should be smooth, and it looks completely unnatural. It used to be straight, but now the tip tilts sideways—probably because he didn't stitch those outer edges evenly. Even my smile looks off now. It really bothers me. And there's no fix in sight... just more convincing me that it's flawless. That's all I've got. Oh, and one more thing—he never even gave me a receipt... and while I was lying there recovering, his hand kept wandering onto my knee. But hey, whatever... if that's what people want, fine.

It wasn't exactly perfect before either... but that’s a whole other story (check out this link for context)
He told me some guy from San Francisco has been harassing him over his ears—sending all these threatening letters and stuff
Look, I'm not saying he's 100% flawless. Since you were hunting for mistakes, I just pointed out the ones I could find, based on my own experience and all that

restlesshound41 said:steelangler88's response: Hmm, how should I even begin to put this into words... I underwent a procedure with Smith, and I truly regret it. He himself avoids making any grand promises about the results, but I get the distinct impression he simply didn't put enough effort into my case—as if he were either overbooked or just cutting corners to save on costs. I spent months after the surgery trying to convince myself otherwise. You see, at first, you don't immediately grasp the consequences; you essentially gaslight yourself into believing his work is absolutely wonderful... and he goes out of his way to be incredibly polite, constantly insisting that everything turned out perfectly, while remaining utterly incapable of handling any criticism. So, you find yourself reassuring yourself that things will improve once the swelling subsides, telling yourself it’s just more inflammation. I must emphasize that he is exceptionally courteous, though I suspect his kindness stems from a genuine fear of being called out for a mistake. Essentially, my nose is too small, yet far too thick; it looks entirely out of place against my delicate features. Did he even consider the aesthetic balance of my face when he finished? He was so overly confident. My nose wasn't large to begin with, but I specifically wanted to address a hump. I told him clearly that I didn't want it to look upturned, yet the result is quite bizarre. It feels as though he lifted the outer edges of my nostrils, but left the middle section—where it meets the lip—exactly as it was, leaving it protruding awkwardly. From a profile view, the internal structure of my nose is painfully obvious. It looks deeply unnatural. It used to be straight, but now the tip tilts at an angle, likely because he failed to suture those outer edges evenly. Even my smile feels off now. It genuinely bothers me. And there is no corrective surgery offered... only endless reassurances that the nose is flawless. That is all. And one more thing... he never provided me with a receipt... and his hand wandered onto my knee while I was lying there during recovery. Well, if that's how they operate...

Look, I had my rhinoplasty on May 26th.
Immediately after the surgery, once the packing and casts were removed, my nose looked like a caricature.
It was thick, and frankly, I felt like a pig.
Today, June 8th, my nose looks almost normal; I had some slight swelling in one spot, then a few days later in another, and even though I am thrilled with it personally, the process isn't over—you can't see the final shape for at least six months!!
I went into a total panic, wondering what on earth I had done to myself, so I started taking calcium, drinking milk, using compresses, and massaging the tip... and well, today I am satisfied, and honestly, I am surprised by how quickly I "recovered."
However, I know certain people whose noses remained swollen for up to five months, walking around looking like cartoons.
Since I don't know exactly when your surgery was, I believe the swelling is perfectly normal! This will pass, so please, try to stay calm...

If those little bumps were just some kind of stubborn skin texture at the bridge of my nose, I took matters into my own hands and just pulled them right off.😬
I haven't really noticed any side effects, though...
The only thing is, I get this weird dizzy spell every single time I accidentally brush the tip of my nose with my hand...
My doctor keeps lecturing me about not injuring myself and making sure the bump doesn't reappear...😢
I suppose I’ve become a bit paranoičan about it all...

Everything you said is spot on🤷—honestly, I should've known—but my surgery was almost three years ago now...

Linda Hernandez15 said:Are you absolutely certain it’s actually that long? I used to hear two weeks... It seems far too delicate an operation to be dealing with facial swelling for two whole months...

The swelling around the eyes isn't the real issue—that usually clears up within two weeks at most—but the true challenge is that you won't see the final shape of your nose for at least a month. Between the swelling and the thickness, everything looks slightly distorted, and frankly, you end up looking a bit like a little piglet...
That is precisely the point of the inflammation... at least in cases of septoplasty where the bones have to be broken...

Chloe Cox90 said:True, though there's this idea that general anesthesia is harder to stomach...

Nonsense... People say things, but they aren't always telling the truth.
It’s perfectly logical that if you overindulge the day before surgery, you'll be dealing with nausea for three days afterward.
The entire point of going under general anesthesia is that you consume absolutely nothing—not even a drop of water—for twelve hours prior to the procedure.
As for me, I simply drifted off, and then suddenly, it felt as though only a few seconds had passed since the mold was applied; there was no nausea, no dizziness, nothing at all...
No nightmares, no complications... I just had this sensation that a single incision had been made, and then, quite suddenly, there I was, with the mold already on my nose...

restlesshound41 As stated by:
Everything you’ve laid out here is entirely accurate...🤷Well, looking back now, it has been nearly three years since my surgery took place...

Good grief...
I suppose I can see where you're coming from on that...
Look, hang in there...
I am uncertain whether you are still weighing the possibility of that upcoming surgery, but I underwent my own procedure with Dr. Borić, and I must say... I am truly, deeply satisfied with the results thus far...
To be perfectly honest, I’ve been feeling a bit unsettled by those minor, nagging bumps that seem to pop up in different spots every single day... but the swelling is finally subsiding, and I find myself quite satisfied with the results, especially considering it hasn't even been two full weeks since the surgery...

Ugh, seriously...😢 I was actually planning to call him tomorrow, book a consultation, and just get it over with—I really don't have the mental energy to dwell on this anymore. But honestly, that’s exactly what scares me: the idea that my nasal bridge won't even look right from across the street.🤣 Plus, my nose is already quite thick (the bridge is wider than the tip, if you can imagine how "wonderful" that looks), so things can't exactly get much worse. It's the bridge and that dreaded tip lift that really worry me—I'm terrified of ending up looking pig-like.

And no matter which surgeon I try to find reviews or personal experiences for, it’s always the same story: one person thinks they're amazing, while someone else is left complaining.🙏

Raymond Sanchez7: You mentioned you’re able to blow your nose normally now. Honestly, I’m still struggling with that part. I don't dare try any of those heroic, heavy blows 😁 like I used to before the surgery; instead, I just do these really light, gentle puffs and then try to clear things out with Q-tips. But man, I constantly feel like there's something stuck in there, even though I feel like I've cleaned it out pretty thoroughly already. I think my nose might actually be a little swollen from all the constant cleaning and blowing. How are things looking on your end? Since we had our procedures only two days apart, I'm wondering. I'm genuinely worried something might go wrong with him 😢 I guess I'm being just as paranoiacan as you are, worrying about him developing a hunchback or heaven forbid something else entirely 😢

restlesshound41, thanks for the reply. I'm sorry you didn't have a better experience.😢

He was polite enough to me—really—but there was this underlying awkwardness during our talk. As he’s speaking, you get this vibe of, "I can do whatever I want, just hand over the cash." It felt rushed. Superficial. And yeah, I totally caught that (pre)confidence you mentioned!! That’s exactly what stuck with me. First, I listen to his pitch, then I offer my thoughts, and he’s like, "No, I would actually do it this way" (basically implying: if you don't want my way, fine, I won't do it), but you still walk away feeling like he’s going to steamroll his own agenda anyway. Honestly, while I was walking out, my only thought was to get as far away from that office as possible. Later, I started second-guessing myself, reading comments about how happy people are with the results, thinking, "Maybe I'm overreacting, maybe he knows his stuff, and it'll be fine." Your comments gave me some much-needed perspective, though—seeing that most people seem satisfied made me think, "Okay, this is it. 100%. Appointment set for next week."

But after seeing that negative feedback (which, let's be honest, is what I rely on more when I'm being cautious), I've started rethinking everything. I keep coming back to that "get me the hell out of here" feeling I had leaving the clinic. Anyway, restlesshound41, you’ve really helped me out. At least now I’m questioning if the procedure is even necessary. Or at least, that I shouldn't rush into it right now. Or maybe I should just seek a second opinion. Look, I hate my nose—it's ugly, I get it—but as a chronic perfectionist, I have no idea if any outcome will actually satisfy me. And the worst part is knowing that if it goes wrong, the responsibility is entirely on me.

Amanda Wilson45 said:Raymond Sanchez7 wrote: I mentioned that I can blow my nose normally now, but I’m still struggling with it. I don't blow it quite as "heroically" 😁 as I did before the surgery; instead, I just blow very gently and then clear things out with swabs. I constantly feel like there is something stuck inside, even though I feel like I’ve cleaned it out quite thoroughly. It actually feels like my nose is slightly swollen from all the constant cleaning and blowing. How is it going for you, considering we had our procedures only two days apart? I’m terrified something might happen to it 😢 I suppose I am being just as paranoiacan as you, worrying that it might develop a hump or heaven forbid, something else entirely... 😢

As for me, I’m blowing and sniffling quite normally.
Though, I don't obsess over it too much, and even now, it feels a bit bothersome at times...
I had some crusty buildup right at the tip of my nose during the initial stage, and I managed to clear it out, even if it was a little painful; my only lingering worry is whether I missed any of the sutures...🤣
I can't say for sure, but I was definitely the one whimpering the most in the beginning, yet now I am quite pleased with the results—it hasn't really changed much since then, except for the fact that, much like you, I jump at the slightest touch...
A couple of times, I accidentally bumped the tip of my nose with my hand and immediately rushed to take a photo just to see if a hump had formed...😂
I find myself taking photos every single day to track the progress, and honestly...👍
I have a follow-up appointment today, so I will finally see if everything is looking okay...
I suspect we are both being paranoiacan, but in all honesty, it feels completely justified...
After everything involving the surgery, the packing, and having to breathe through your mouth for five days... I wouldn't dream of doing it all over again...😬

Honestly, I was digging all sorts of junk out of my nose yesterday too. I was seriously thinking, "Well, this is it, I’m done for!" It was just impossible to breathe, and that constant twitching feeling was driving me crazy... I couldn't stop sneezing. 😁
I don't think those are just loose fibers or anything, since they seem tied off in little knots. I can see my own stuff in there, and yeah, it definitely gives me that weird twitchy sensation whenever I take a breath.
Everything else seems fine, though. My face usually looks a bit more swollen in the morning than it does by the afternoon. Anyway, today was actually my first day back at work. 🙂