Rhinoplasty: Experiences and recovery tips?

Rachel Barnes5 said:they're heading to the States for audits.
I've been reading comments from surgeons here who claim open rhinoplasty is basically obsolete nowadays and totally outdated.
That’s just not true. Most top-tier surgeons abroad actually prefer using the open technique...

Yep, based on what I've gathered from reading international sites, everything you mentioned is spot on. 👍 Just trying to stay informed—honestly, if I actually asked a surgeon face-to-face why they think the closed technique is better, I'd probably get kicked out of the office immediately. Since I'm just some clueless person with zero surgical background, asking that would be pretty bold... 😬 🤣 but I'm just naturally curious like that. 🤷

And what about broken noses or cases needing full reconstruction? To me, the open approach seems superior even for those, especially when you consider symmetry...

stormyharbor2 said:, and frankly, I’d probably be kicked out of a surgeon's office immediately if I asked them why they believe closed techniques are superior. Since I lack any surgical background, asking such a question would likely get me shown the door, 😬 🤣 but I’m naturally inquisitive—it’s just how I am. 🤷

It’s true; patients are often too intimidated to ask questions or seek information 😉, while many surgeons carry themselves like deities or infallible professors. That ego is exactly where communication breaks down. My impression is that people are terrified to pose the awkward, necessary questions that actually matter.

Ultimately, open and closed approaches differ significantly, and a surgeon needs extensive experience in both. In my view, many surgeons here haven't truly mastered the open technique, which is why they avoid it—the method itself carries inherent risks. It's more about operating from the outside and then closing everything up. Still, the reality isn't as dire as it sounds.😁

Most patients in the US undergo rhinoplasty because they feel their nose is too large, crooked, or wide. For those cases, the closed technique and primary rhinoplasty are standard.
However, you occasionally run into someone who ends up dissatisfied with having a nose that is too small (oddly enough, who actually wants a larger nose? 😂), and then they face a new problem: trying to find a qualified surgeon willing to "add" volume without being a guinea pig for an inexperienced doctor.🤣 There are also the complications of internal scarring from the initial surgery to contend with, which requires much more expertise to manage.

As for noses that have been broken multiple times, there's no universal rule; a thorough examination is mandatory. Regarding reconstruction, the open technique and grafts are used in roughly 90% of cases abroad. While a skilled surgeon's assessment is the deciding factor, that is the general landscape.😉

Rachel Barnes5 said:The whole point of a rhinoplasty shouldn't be about totally reinventing someone's face. It’s about getting a nose that actually fits the person's features—not those cookie-cutter, upturned, "perfect" noses that look fake. You know, the kind of style surgeons used to push back in the 70s and 80s like they were some kind of trend.
Unless they're one of the rare exceptions, obviously.😉

Honestly, my nose has a bit of a bump right now, 😁 hahaha, BUT it works perfectly with my face because everything else is so small and delicate. 😛

Rachel Barnes5 said:Personally, I much prefer a nose where you can't even tell it was operated on—something that just blends in naturally and looks subtle.

People who don't know I had surgery could never guess I got a nose job because it looks completely natural. 🙂 ☕

Rachel Barnes5 said:So when some surgeon starts preaching about how a "nose should be the centerpiece of the face," I know exactly what kind of ego I'm dealing with. 😁

Dr. Glusac told me straight up that I have beautiful eyes, and once he finishes my nose, everyone will be too busy looking at my eyes to even notice the work... since the nose won't jump out at anyone. It'll just be seamless.😵

Rachel Barnes5 said:It’s been two years since her nose job (which I don't think was even necessary)

What exactly was the point of that comment?🤔

So, sure, there are better rhinoplasty examples in the US, but personally, I think these results are way better than most of what you see here in America.

I haven't seen such glaringly bad noses on any of our local surgeons' websites. 🤷 I mean, just look at them... If a woman goes in to fix a bump and ends up with two bumps and some weird indentation or a hook at the tip?😕 They don't all have to be "done up," but they should at least look normal and balanced. Why fix one flaw only to leave others behind? Unless that's what the patient actually wanted, I guess...

classic, "overdone" upturned noses—kind of like that 70s and 80s style

If you read the comments here, it seems like everyone loves those narrow, unnaturally upturned Barbie noses. 🤷

So, this is my first time actually posting on this forum—I wanted to jump in and share my experience with rhinoplasty. I’m mostly writing this for the women out there who are currently debating whether to pull the trigger, and even for those who’ve already gone through it. It’s been eight months since my surgery, which I had with Dr. Glusac in a clinic near Orlando. When I first went in, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go through with it; I just wanted some information. I really wanted to hear his take—his professional vision of what my nose needed and what he would actually do to fix it. Honestly, I figured his opinion carried way more weight than mine—after all, he’s the one performing the surgery, not me. I’ve been staring at my own nose my entire life, so I have a very clear idea of everything I’d change if I could. After that initial consultation, I went home with my husband, chewed on the idea for a day or two, and finally decided to go for it. Once I told the doctor I was in, he got me scheduled within ten days, and I showed up with all my medical clearances ready to go. The whole procedure went smoothly—I was actually ready to head home just two hours after waking up. There was absolutely zero pain, and I was already getting my tampons removed the very next day. Even after just a few days, the nose looked basically the way it does now, eight months later. I swear, I have the most beautiful nose in the world. It fits my facial features perfectly, and more importantly, if you saw me in person, you’d never even guess I’d had work done. I truly can't say enough good things about Dr. Glusac and his entire staff.

What was your thinking here?

I felt my nose looked too "over-operated." It’s leaning toward being too upturned, which looks unnatural because of the excessive symmetry.
It might not even look that bad given my soft features, but I was significantly more satisfied when my nose had a bit more volume.

I haven't seen such glaringly bad results on any of our local surgeons' websites. 🤷

The changes in these photos aren't drastic, and most local surgeons only showcase profile shots where the nose is overly lifted. We don't get a true front-facing view of how the nose actually integrates with the face. A softer profile doesn't automatically mean it suits the person better.😉
That is exactly my situation.

If you look at the comments here, it seems everyone thinks those narrow, upturned, artificial Barbie noses are ideal. 🤷

Yes, I see that. Honestly, it surprises me, because in the US, those kinds of noses are usually heading in for revision surgery. People seek out corrections to make their noses look more natural and to tone down that overly upturned look. That style was popular thirty years ago; today, the trend is toward a natural aesthetic. Personally, I have zero interest in a "cute" nose.
Even if there are specialists in America qualified for secondary rhinoplasty, I wouldn't even know who to turn to, since the preference remains focused on those tiny, cookie-cutter noses.
There are certainly exceptions, but they aren't common. I'd say we are still catching up when it comes to certain aesthetic surgery standards.

Of course, surgeons in the States aren't perfect either; there are plenty of uncertified doctors out there using aggressive marketing and flashy ads. You have to do your own research.👍

Hey everyone, I’m actually getting ready for my third nose job, this time with Dr. Glusac in Orlando. (I've had two unsuccessful attempts previously with Vladimir Bedekovic...) Does anyone know if he really listens to what his patients want? I’m terrified of ending up with one of those cookie-cutter, overly upturned noses—that is definitely not the look I'm going for. Also, since I'll be traveling in from Chicago, does anyone have tips on local accommodations? On a side note, has anyone here ever had a mini facelift done by him? I would honestly appreciate any advice or recommendations you could share...

Rachel Barnes5 said:I was starting to think my nose looked way too "done"—like, it’s leaning a bit towards that fake, piggish look... It just doesn't look natural at all, it's way too symmetrical.
Maybe I don't look too bad—I've got a pretty soft face—but honestly, I was way more happy with my nose when it was a bit larger...

I’ve been thinking about this too. I have that kind of soft facial structure myself, and honestly? I’m terrified of ending up looking like a Barbie with a Kardashian nose. Don't get me wrong—I love a good doll-like look on people—but I don't mean those over-tanned, silicone-filled blondes... I want that aesthetic to actually look natural, not like some obvious byproduct of plastic surgery.

The changes in these photos aren't even that dramatic—and honestly, most of the surgeons' websites just show profile shots of noses that are turned up way too much. You can't actually see the front view to judge how the nose fits the rest of the face... and just because a profile looks "softer" doesn't mean it actually looks good on you...

Yeah, I noticed that too. That’s actually why when rustygardener172 was sending me those photos, I was curious about what it looked like from the front... 😁

redcobra92 said:So, how's the lodging situation looking? Since I'm coming all the way from New York...

I don't have a place to stay or a car either—even though I live a bit closer... I'll just ask him about it when I head in for my consultation. Maybe there's a hotel nearby?🤷 It's pricey, but honestly—I don't really have a choice...

I seriously cannot believe I’m reading your post, redcobra92. I went through the exact same nightmare just two years ago with Dr. Bedekovic. He performed my rhinoplasty at a clinic in downtown Chicago, and he completely botched it. My nose actually looked twice as big as it did before the surgery! People were literally staring at me in shock; they couldn't believe their eyes. Just like he did with you, he kept insisting my nose looked absolutely perfect and flat-out refused to do any corrective work. I was totally stuck. Now, I’m finally planning to see a real, competent surgeon to get everything fixed properly. Ladies, please, stay far away from him. When I realized he was practicing out of a private clinic, I felt sick to my stomach because the last thing I want is for another girl to end up looking like me. Please, just steer clear of him at all costs.

David Ross39 said:I honestly cannot believe I’m reading your post, redcobra92. I went through the exact same nightmare just two years ago with Dr. Bedekovic. He operated on my nose at the local hospital, and he completely ruined my face. My nose ended up looking twice as big as it did before the surgery! People were actually staring at me in shock; they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Just like he did with you, he kept insisting that my nose looked beautiful and refused to fix what he broke. There was absolutely nothing he would do to help. Now, I’m finally planning to see a real, competent surgeon to get a revision. Ladies, please, listen to me—do not let this man touch you. When I realized he was practicing out of a private clinic, I felt sick to my stomach because I don't want any other woman to end up looking like me. Please, stay far away from him.

As for me, I let him operate on me twice because I actually trusted him! I can't even tell you which time was worse! Seriously, everyone, just remember the name Vladimir Bedekovic and give him a massive wide berth.😠

Ugh, girls, I feel so bad for you 😢
redcobra92, when was that second visit? How much time had actually passed since the first one?

Megan Moore76 said:Ugh, girls, I feel so incredibly bad for you. 😢
redcobra92, when did you actually go back to see him for that second appointment? How much time had passed since the first one?

I swear, I barely made it through those six months he insisted I wait... I should have just gone to someone else for a corrective procedure right away instead of letting him mess things up a second time. And don't even get me started on the pain I had to endure...

about all the pain I went through—not even gonna get into it...

So why does everyone insist it doesn't hurt?

stormyharbor2 said:So why does everyone keep saying it doesn't hurt?

I mean, maybe it hurts when someone's being a total jerk about it...
For me, I didn't feel a single damn thing!

rustygardener172 said:Maybe it hurts when people call you out like that...

😂

Sarah Booth11 said:I’m posting on this forum for the very first time just to share my experience getting a rhinoplasty. I wanted to reach out to all the women considering surgery, and even those who have already gone through it. It’s been eight months since my procedure with Dr. Glusac in Miami. When I first walked into his office, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to do it—I just wanted some information. I really wanted to get his take on things, specifically his professional opinion on my nose and what he thought could be improved. Honestly, I felt his perspective mattered more than mine; after all, he’s the one performing the surgery, not me. I’ve stared at my own face my entire life and I have a pretty clear idea of what I’d change, but you need an expert's eye. After the consultation, I went home with my husband and spent a couple of days just mulling it over before finally pulling the trigger. Once I told the doctor I was in, he squeezed me in within ten days, and I showed up with all my medical clearances ready to go. Everything went incredibly smoothly. Just two hours after waking up, I was ready to head home. I didn't feel any pain at all, and I actually had my packing removed the very next day. My nose already looked like this—which is how it looks now, eight months later—just a few days after the surgery. I truly believe I have the most beautiful nose in the world now. It fits my facial features perfectly, and most importantly, if you saw me in person, you would never guess I’d had work done. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Glusac and his entire staff.

I’m also new here, even though I’ve been lurking and reading for quite a while... Could you please let me know how long your recovery took? I'm trying to figure out how much time I'll need to take off from work.

redcobra92 said:I barely survived those six months he told me I had to wait... I should've just gone to someone else for the fix immediately instead of letting them mess me up twice... and don't even get me started on the pain I went through...

Ugh, total disaster. Guess you're living out that "third time's a charm" cliché then 🙂. What was the actual issue? Just cosmetic stuff, or was breathing an issue too?

@Adam Smith77, send us a before and after pic in a DM—I'm dying to see.

Chloe Patel41 said:I'm actually pretty new to this forum, even though I've been lurking here forever... Could you please tell me how long your recovery took? I'm trying to figure out how much time I need to take off work.

Look, you can probably pull it off in a week... just pile on a heavy layer of concealer 😁 or better yet, give it two full weeks and then head back to the office looking like a total rockstar. If you end up with some bruising, you might have a few yellowish spots lingering for a bit, but that’s about it. Your nose might be a little swollen, but honestly, you'll notice it way more than anyone else ever will.

Megan Moore76 said:@Adam Smith77, send us some before and after pics in a DM—I'm dying to see them.

Me too! Spam my inbox, pretty please.

Just make sure they're actually yours... no random photos from the internet, please.😁

rustygardener172 said:You could take a week... just pile on a decent amount of concealer 😁 or better yet, take TWO WEEKS off entirely, and then you'll emerge feeling like a whole new person. If you end up with some bruising, you might have a few yellow spots lingering here and there, but that's about it... you'll look a little puffy, but honestly, you’ll be the only one who actually notices.

Thanks, honey. I'm having such a hard time deciding, and if I'm being totally honest, I'm pretty terrified. My whole family is against the idea, too, but I know it would make me so happy. I just know I need to find the courage to go for it—just like everything else in life, right?
I saw Dr. Glusac about a year ago and asked about dermabrasion back then. It seemed like a decent option, so maybe I should head back in for another consultation to get a definitive professional opinion...