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Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Started by vividfox · · 👁 272 views · 2.8K replies

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Participants vividfoxLaura Booth6Susan Watson31wanderingmason86Ashley Young34Grace Williams19gentlemaker46Jose James15Olivia Gonzalez11ruggedpanther25wanderingangler8ruggedbadger9Scott Allen10Laura Castillo7driftingcanyon16Drew Vaughn5Alexander Johnson7briskorca6crimsonowl2George Ramos11Sophia Doyle53Zachary Thompson21Jonathan Cox4Jeffrey Palmer7 …
Steven King57 Steven King57 Newcomer
1 message
joined Aug 2010
#1201 ·
swiftdriver86 said:I’m right there with you regarding Dr. Ignatovski. He promises the moon but delivers absolutely nothing. I went through two nose surgeries with him and it was an absolute disaster. Honestly, I don't even think he performs the surgeries himself; it feels like he just hides behind some random doctor working for him while pretending to be this highly experienced surgeon. From my experience, he just throws whatever at you and uses cheap Botox. Watch out—once you pay up, you're done. You might as well ask him to sign a contract based on a computer animation of how you'll look, then we'll see if he actually touches a scalpel.

My experience couldn't be more different. After I asked Dr. Ignatovski for a computer animation, he emailed it over before the procedure. Then he operated on me, and I am thrilled with the results. I needed a very specific correction on my nose following a car accident, and he nailed it. As for the staff at the Kaplan Clinic? A perfect five stars. I'm really sorry you had such a bad run.
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1202 ·
redridge15 said:Greetings to everyone!
I underwent rhinoplasty with Dr. Glušac about ten days ago, and I honestly can't say enough good things about the whole experience—he truly is wonderful! To my absolute surprise, I didn't feel a single pang of pain. I had fully prepared myself for at least a little bit of discomfort once the anesthesia started to wear off, but miraculously, there was nothing at all. It felt as though I hadn't even gone through a surgical procedure! Instead of going under general anesthesia, they used a potent local anesthetic, which made a world of difference. Because of that, I didn't deal with any of that nasty post-op nausea or feeling unwell when I came around. In fact, I just drifted off into a light sleep and woke up feeling refreshed, having had some rather vivid dreams along the way! It was quite a relief, especially since I hadn't eaten or even had a sip of water in the two hours leading up to the surgery. Dr. Glušac explained that because he utilizes such modern anesthetic techniques and works with a top-tier anesthesiologist, the risk of vomiting is virtually non-existent. Everything went so smoothly, and I really have to extend my heartfelt praise to the entire medical staff as well; they were absolutely fantastic and made me feel so well cared for! 👍
Once I finally managed to wake up and truly pull myself together, I made my way back home.

I finally made it back to the clinic today to have my tampon removed, and honestly, it felt like such a massive relief. It had reached a point where breathing through my mouth was becoming an absolute nightmare—everything just felt so incredibly dry and uncomfortable. I am so glad that part of the ordeal is finally behind me! 😠 That really is wonderful news, and honestly, having the packing removed the very next day feels like such a massive relief! If there was one thing that truly gave me pause before undergoing this procedure, it was the thought of having those bulky tampons tucked away in my nose—just imagining two meters of gauze stuffed up there sounds absolutely terrifying. However, I am so incredibly grateful because this doctor doesn't use those heavy gauze packs; instead, he uses a specialized sponge that is much easier and significantly faster to pull out. It’s a little bit awkward, I won't lie, but it isn't painful at all since the sponge is only about eight inches long—I actually caught a glimpse of it when he pulled it out! So, everything went perfectly smoothly, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
I finally had my cast removed after five days! It was such a relief to feel the air on my skin again. They left a few little adhesive strips on my nose, which I ended up peeling off myself about two days later. Everything is moving along smoothly!

I really feel it's important to emphasize that Dr. Glušac is actually performing the rhinoplasty. I was thinking about how we approach certain processes lately, specifically when we utilize closed-loop techniques to ensure everything stays tightly controlled and streamlined. It’s one of those methods that really brings a sense of order to the chaos, much like how a well-oiled machine operates in a high-end factory out in the Midwest. When you implement a closed technique, you aren't just working harder; you're creating a self-sustaining environment where variables are kept in check, which provides such a wonderful peace of mind during a complex project. I remember back when I was working on a large-scale logistics overhaul in Chicago, we moved toward this exact kind of methodology, and the reduction in errors was simply marvelous. There is something deeply satisfying about knowing that every input and output is accounted for within that sealed system.I was just reading up on some modern surgical approaches, and I have to say, the advancements are truly impressive. Instead of the traditional method where they essentially open up the entire nose, they now use this incredible technique where everything is done through a single nostril using specialized instruments. It’s such a sophisticated way to handle things—it leads to a much faster recovery period and significantly less bruising for the patient. It really makes you appreciate how far medical technology has come!

I imagine you all might be curious about the bruising after a procedure like this... you’re bound to get some, though I've noticed it seems to vary quite a bit from person to person. On a scale of one to five, I’d say I was sitting right at a three. I definitely had some discoloration, but nothing too overwhelming! Today marks my tenth day, and while there is still a tiny bit left, I can easily cover it up with a little foundation, and I’m certain it will vanish completely in just a few more days. My nose is still feeling a bit swollen, too. If I look at myself from a profile view, I actually feel pretty great, but once I face the mirror head-on, I feel a bit like Miss Piggy! I am really crossing my fingers that everything settles down and looks back to normal in about ten days or so.
The price is set at 10. $0.00I should mention that follow-up appointments after surgery aren't something you have to pay for! In my own experience, I didn't have to shell out a single cent for my very first consultation either—and I certainly didn't use any special connections or pull any strings to make that happen.
If you happen to have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out—I'm right here and more than happy to help! I truly hope my insights were useful to you!


I had a very similar experience myself... I actually went under the knife just yesterday. I have to say, the team was absolutely wonderful, especially Dr. Lojpur, the anesthesiologist. He’s truly one of the best at San Diego Hospital and usually handles everything over in cardiology. Everything went quite smoothly, and honestly, I’m feeling great—no pain at all right now. The procedure itself turned out to be a bit more complex and took longer than expected because they had to deal with a septal deviation along with a full correction; my nasal bone had become completely ossified, which made things a little tricky. The surgeons really had their work cut out for them! They removed the packing today, and I'll have the cast taken off in about four days. My husband caught a glimpse of my nose before the cast went on, and his verdict was that it looks excellent, though I suppose we’ll see what the final result actually looks like once everything settles. As for the doctor, he was just lovely—so sincere, open, pleasant, and easy to talk to.
Alright, I wanted to give you all a quick update on what the next steps look like in this whole process... just so everyone is in the loop. By the way, if anyone was wondering about the damage to the wallet, the total came out to about $10. $0.00And to top it all off, they actually include all the follow-up exams and checkups both before and after the procedure at no extra cost! It really takes a huge weight off your shoulders when you realize everything is already covered.
He mentioned that if I need any follow-up procedures at all, they’ll be completely free of charge. It turns out my procedure was quite extensive; he actually had to work on the bone structure between my eyebrows to stabilize everything. Honestly, the whole area felt quite bony during the process. Right now, I’m dealing with some purple bruising and a bit of swelling around my eyes because he also had to address the side bones, which had become significantly spread out. Even the doctor remarked that he hadn't seen that level of ossification in quite a while! Despite all that, I’m feeling wonderful—there isn't any pain at all, and since everything was performed from the inside, the recovery feels much smoother than I anticipated.
I realized I actually forgot to mention this earlier, just so there wouldn't be any confusion among everyone here, but that specific procedure was performed by Dr. Glušac.
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1203 ·
I just have one quick question for those of you who have already endured the grueling torture of the recovery process... did you find it helpful to use any nasal drops, and if so, which specific brand or type did you swear by?
Emily Thomas64 Emily Thomas64 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Aug 2010
#1204 ·
Carol Hernandez94 said:I just have one quick question for anyone who has already survived this whole recovery torture session... did you end up using any nasal drops, and if you did, which ones would you actually recommend?

Honestly, no, I didn't use any drops at all, I just stuck to rinsing everything out with some sterile saline solution from an infusion bag.🙂
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1205 ·
And what about blowing your nose? How did you all manage with that?
ironsurfer10 ironsurfer10 Active Member
104 messages
joined Dec 2007
#1206 ·
Could anyone give me some advice on what to pack for a hospital stay? I've actually never been hospitalized before, so I'm feeling a bit lost regarding what essentials I should bring along.🙂
rustygardener172 rustygardener172 Regular
455 messages
joined Feb 2010
#1207 ·
darkhawk10 said:I’m just crossing my fingers that before I actually manage to scrape enough cash together, they don't go and retire on me. 😁

How on earth did I miss this one?!?!

hahhahahahhahahahhahah 🤣 you seriously cracked me up with this 🤣
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1208 ·
I was wondering how many days you plan on staying? If you’re planning a quick trip like I usually do—just popping in for a few hours—then honestly, you won't need to pack a thing. However, if you’re settling in for a few days, I’d strongly suggest bringing along some essentials like extra underwear, a towel, your toothbrush and toothpaste, pajamas, slippers, socks, and soap. It really depends on which facility you end up at; if you find yourself at the San Diego hospitals, for instance, you almost have to bring everything with you, including toilet paper, especially when dealing with the public state institutions...
ironsurfer10 ironsurfer10 Active Member
104 messages
joined Dec 2007
#1209 ·
I’m planning a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Vinogradski. To be honest, I'm still on the fence about whether I should actually go through with it. An idea just crossed my mind: maybe I should just hold off for a year or two, save up enough money, and then head to a private clinic to get everything sorted. My main thought is that a private facility might make the removal of the tampon much faster. Honestly, the only thing that truly scares me about this whole procedure is having to breathe through my mouth—I think that'll be the most daunting part of the entire experience!
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1210 ·
Honestly, just bring along everything you can remember, including all those ointments and soothing balms...

Does anyone happen to have any advice or insight regarding blowing one's nose?
quiettiger21 quiettiger21 Member
10 messages
joined Nov 2009
#1211 ·
Carol Hernandez94 said:Just one quick question for anyone who’s already survived this whole recovery torture... did you guys use nasal drops? And if so, which ones actually worked?

The 1% ephedrine drops are actually pretty solid.
They really help bring down that mucosal swelling,
you can find them at any local pharmacy—though you'll probably need to show them your medical history since they're usually prescription-only.
slylynx23 slylynx23 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Aug 2010
#1212 ·
Hey guys, has anyone dealt with Zambelli lately? I’m wondering if he’s anything like Sevki when it comes to "fixing" a nose that was already messed up from a previous surgery. Also, what's the word on Glušac? They’re both pretty high on my list right now... I'm looking at a deviated septum plus some aesthetic work—basically just wanting to slim down the tip. Thanks in advance for any info you can throw my way, thanks! 🙂
ironsurfer10 ironsurfer10 Active Member
104 messages
joined Dec 2007
#1213 ·
Why would you bother going to a private clinic when you could just go through Medicare?
I’ve been sitting here thinking about why I haven't made a decision yet, and honestly, I'm just stuck. I can't decide if I should head into the hospital now or just wait a year or two until I've saved up enough to go to a private clinic. To be honest, the private route seems like a much better option for me—mostly because they can handle the swab testing the very next day. In the hospital setting, you might be waiting five days, and frankly, breathing through my mouth is already difficult enough as it is.
rustygardener172 rustygardener172 Regular
455 messages
joined Feb 2010
#1214 ·
slylynx23 said:Hey guys, does anyone have any recent experience with Zambelli? Did he "fix" a botched nose job like Sevki did? Also, what about Glušac? They're both on my shortlist right now. I'm looking at dealing with a deviated septum plus some aesthetics (shrinking the tip)... Thanks in advance for any info you can drop! 🙂

Look, Zambelli is basically the king of plastic surgeons here in America... everyone says he's top-tier. But that "top-tier" service comes with a massive price tag, 😁. You can find plenty of threads about both of them on this forum if you dig around... honestly, I don't remember every single detail because I've been focusing my energy on a few other names on my list...
...I'm heading in for consultations with Dr. Tončić next week 😁 so I'll let you know how it goes and what my gut feeling is... at least from my perspective...
slylynx23 slylynx23 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Aug 2010
#1215 ·
Man, I’ve just scrolled through this entire thread and now my brain is even more of a mess. Honestly, I can't remember a single thing anymore. 😁 My general vibe from reading all this is just pure chaos—like, one person thinks someone is a total rockstar, while another says they got absolutely screwed over. As for the price being off by a few thousand dollars here or there—look, we're talking about surgery here, and I’d much rather just do it once and be done with it than have to pay three times because I need fixes. What exactly are Tončić's big pros? Also, I noticed that Glušac uses some kind of non-general anesthesia. That actually sounds super appealing to me—I’d love to avoid going under completely if I could—but I have no clue if that's even an option when you're dealing with a septum, you know, when they actually have to break bone.
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1216 ·
I actually had my procedure done with Glušac, and they used general anesthesia, which was perfectly managed and went very smoothly...
However, I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading lately, and honestly, my mind is just racing with all these different possibilities. I can't help but wonder—how long does the lower part of the nose typically stay looking a bit bulbous? Right now, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, it looks a little like a tiny potato or just generally swollen, and I really have my heart set on achieving a much narrower, more refined shape. Will it eventually shrink down to what I'm hoping for, or am I stuck with this look forever?
Chris Price Chris Price Newcomer
4 messages
joined Aug 2010
#1217 ·
Carol Hernandez94 said:I had surgery with Glušac and it was general anesthesia—well executed...
But I've been reading all sorts of things and getting worried... how long does the tip of the nose look like a bulb? How long until it shrinks? Because right now, looking at it, it looks like a little potato or a bulb, and I really want it to be narrow... and of course, will it even shrink, or am I stuck like this????

Hey, Bradley Williams5. Don't panic. It’s almost certainly just lingering swelling, which can last 10+ days depending on the person. Swelling at the very tip of the nose is usually the slowest to subside; it takes about a month or two to fully "shape up" into what it's meant to be. Don't worry—once the splint comes off (if it hasn't already), things improve significantly every single day. I say this from experience because I also had surgery with Dr. Glušac (septoplasty + aesthetic correction). It’s been three weeks now and I’m extremely happy. The swelling has gone down so much there's barely any left; no more bruising either, which is the most important thing. I can breathe so much better than before, even if the mucosa in my right nostril is still a bit swollen.
I was just like you. Two weeks post-op, I started panicking and feeling disappointed, thinking the front would stay swollen like a pig snout. Even the swelling felt hard to the touch, making me certain it was bone, but luckily that was just a false alarm from my own manic anxiety. Three weeks later, my profile is perfect, exactly what I wanted. From the front, it’s even better, though I know there's still a tiny bit of swelling at the tip (barely noticeable, but you can feel it if you touch it). I’ve already moved on with my life; close friends are all thrilled since they knew my crooked nose so well, and those who aren't as close just notice I look "better." 🤣 ... and now I breathe like a pro and haven't regretted it for a second. I should also mention that the doctor respects the patient's wishes while offering advice; he sticks to the agreement and is quite dedicated to his patients, so you tend to overlook his... slight, shall we say, egocentrism. But that's fine; it's just that certain temperament. 😛
Regarding the anesthesia, it was mild general anesthesia. You completely relax and drift off; no nausea afterward. 👍
So, I'll stop here with this somewhat lengthy text, but I hope it helps someone. 🙂
Bradley Williams5 Bradley Williams5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Apr 2008
#1218 ·
Thanks so much for the reply, Chris Price! I was actually reading somewhere that it can take up to three months before the nose finally settles into its permanent shape... honestly, you’ve really put my mind at ease, thank you, truly. To be fair, I wasn't even looking to change the shape of my nose specifically; most of this was done to address my sinus issues and that deviated septum that was absolutely killing me, especially whenever those heavy winds blow through town. The headaches were just unbearable...
The splint has already been removed, and everything seems to be going quite smoothly. I'm actually starting to breathe a bit better without needing nasal sprays, and there are just some tiny purple marks left that are barely noticeable at all. It feels like I'm healing remarkably fast, considering I'm only on my tenth day post-op...
I am so glad to hear that you found the doctor a bit unconventional too!
rustygardener172 rustygardener172 Regular
455 messages
joined Feb 2010
#1219 ·
slylynx23 said:Ugh, honestly, I’ve been scrolling through this whole thread and now my brain is just complete mush. I can’t remember a single thing clearly. 😁 My overall vibe from reading this is just pure chaos—one person had an amazing experience, while someone else got totally screwed over, etc. As for the price being off by a few thousand bucks, look, we're talking about surgery here; I'd much rather do it once and do it right than have to go back for touch-ups and pay triple. What exactly are Tončić's pros? Also, I noticed Glušac uses some kind of non-general anesthesia. That’s actually super appealing to me because I’d love to skip the general anesthesia if possible, but I don't know if that's even doable when you're dealing with a septum—you know, when they have to actually break bone.


From what I’ve gathered from everyone talking, Dr. Tončić is incredibly approachable and polite. The guy has over 4,000 nose jobs under his belt, which is insane... I heard some other surgeons only have around 1,500. His office is top-tier, and the staff is always on point. I don't know... I honestly can't recall anyone posting anything truly terrible about him. He’s a member of some plastic surgery association and based out of Chicago...
I’ve already dealt with one failed surgery before... I was looking for someone who was actually an expert and seasoned... and he seems to fit the bill. I’ll check everything out in a few days... then I'll let you guys know. 😁
Everyone is using one of two types of anesthesia... either general or local with sedation. With general, you're completely out cold, but with local, you're in this half-sleep state where you don't remember a thing and don't feel any pain. Though, there was one nasty story involving local anesthesia... some girl on this forum went through it and wrote about it... look up 👎 It really depends on how intense the procedure is... Tončić told me I'll need general because my case is pretty complicated.
@ Chris Price... you did a great job laying all this out. It helps people reading this immensely when they're trying to make a decision. Who knows... maybe Tončić won't be the one for me, and I'll end up heading down to San Diego instead. 👍
slylynx23 slylynx23 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Aug 2010
#1220 ·
Cure, thanks so much for all the replies—honestly, this is exactly what I was looking for! The more detail, the better, seriously 😍
rustygardener172, good luck with everything and please, please let me know how it goes

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