All Around a 5-Star Experience

From my initial inquiry about open septorhinoplasty surgery to my post-op review, every part of this journey has been amazing.

At my first consultation with Mr Marando, I was instantly impressed with the overall presentation of Star Clinic. The reception area and consultation rooms are gorgeous, well-equipped, and completely spotless. The receptionists make you feel really at home with their lovely and friendly attitude. During my actual discussion with Mr Marando, I was equally impressed—he has a relaxed yet attentive manner that makes you feel in very good hands. I’ve always disliked my nose but couldn’t quite put my finger on what felt off apart from the obvious hump. Mr Marando immediately identified what could be improved: while my tip was relatively normal in size, the thin bridge and crookedness made it look out of proportion. At no point during the consultation did I feel like I was being sold to. He made sure I understood what was possible (and what wasn’t) with surgery and encouraged me to consult with other surgeons to weigh my options.

After a cooling-off period, I had my second consultation where we went over the surgery plan and discussed the recovery process and potential risks and complications in more detail. At this point, I was 100% sure that Mr Marando was the surgeon I wanted to go ahead with. After some more thought, I booked my surgery date. Closer to the procedure, I had my pre-operative assessment, where I met the lovely Serena and Nyasha and underwent a general health check to ensure I was fit for surgery. I was also shown around the ward and the individual rooms so I’d be familiar with how things would go on the day.

On the day of surgery, I arrived at the hospital and was shown to my room, where I met my lovely nurse, Michelle, who would be looking after me. As someone with an anxiety disorder, I was very nervous, but Michelle made me feel completely at ease and really helped make the experience much easier. I then saw Mr Marando, who reassured me further and confirmed I was making the right decision. We reviewed the plan and took pre-op photos before I met the anaesthetist. Once everything was discussed and signed, I was walked down to theatre and ready to be put under. At this point, my anxiety levels were next to zero. The theatre was so well-equipped and the team so efficient that I had no doubt I was in the safest hands. It felt more like stepping into a luxurious spaceship than a scary operating room—up to the same high standard as the rest of the clinic. I was given the anaesthetic, and before I knew it, I was waking up in recovery to the sound of Mr Marando telling me the surgery went very well and that he’d see me again once I was more awake. Apart from understandably feeling a bit groggy, I had no major discomfort or pain—just a dry throat.

Once I was more awake, I was transported back to my room. I was given a buzzer to use whenever I needed assistance from Michelle, who was absolutely incredible. She was always there whenever I needed anything and made me feel thoroughly looked after. She also brought me some food once I felt ready to eat. After some time, I was seen again by Mr Marando, who explained how the surgery went. He said I had bled very little and that he was able to do everything we had planned. He answered my questions and said he’d see me again before discharge. By this point, I was feeling much more like myself—still no pain, and only minimal discomfort. I kept myself entertained for the next few hours, with Michelle checking in regularly to make sure I was okay. Before I was discharged, I was given all the medication I’d need, and everything was explained clearly. I also received an information pack containing instructions, recovery advice, and future appointment details. Mr Marando then saw me one final time that day, went over the medication again, offered more recovery tips, and answered any remaining questions. I was sent home with everything I needed to begin my recovery.

For the first few days post-surgery, I made sure to take it easy. While I wasn’t in pain, I did feel some discomfort and pressure around my nose—comparable to having a bad cold. The post-operative instructions were easier to follow than I expected. Toward the end of the first week, I had some concerns and called the clinic—within 3 minutes I was speaking to Mr Marando directly, who reassured me that what I was experiencing was completely normal.

After a week, I had my first post-op appointment, where Mr Marando, with help from Serena, removed the cast and cleaned the inside of my nose. He said he was very happy with how I was healing and noted I had minimal bruising. I was able to get my first look at my new nose and, though still obviously swollen, I was already in love with the results and excited to see how things would refine over time. Mr Marando took some photos, applied some tape to control swelling, and gave me some to take home, showing me how to apply it nightly. The next few weeks were straightforward—I continued to follow the post-op instructions, and each day my nose became more refined as the swelling settled. Every time I looked in the mirror, I felt a wave of excitement and gratitude that I’d never experienced before.

Before I knew it, I was at my 1-month post-op appointment. Mr Marando checked my nose, trimmed some stitches that hadn’t fully dissolved yet, and took comparison photos. The difference was honestly incredible. I had wanted this nose for so long that my original nose now looked more alien to me than the new one. I couldn’t have asked for a better result—and at only one month post-op, I know things will only continue to improve. At every appointment with Mr Marando, I’ve felt completely comfortable. As someone who has an anxiety disorder and is just generally shy, I was very nervous at the start of this journey—worried about not liking the results or experiencing complications. Now, coming out the other side, I’m so glad I chose Mr Marando. His surgical skills and amazing bedside manner are exactly what you want in a surgeon. My confidence in my nose has never been higher, and my anxiety overall has reduced a lot. As dramatic as it might sound, I feel like I’ve started a new chapter.

At the time of writing this, I’m 1 month and 19 days post-op. My results continue to refine and improve each day. I’ve had so many compliments and people asking who my surgeon was—and I’ve been more than happy to recommend Mr Marando. I can honestly say that I have my dream nose. The results are incredibly natural, yet still a significant improvement. The elements of my nose I used to like are still there, while the insecurities are gone. This is another reason I’m so glad I chose Mr Marando—his focus is on making changes that complement your overall face, rather than chasing trends or giving results that don’t suit you. I’m in love with my nose and I know that ten, twenty years from now, I’ll still be just as happy with it.

Thank you so much to Mr Marando and his incredible team at Star Clinic—I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.