Reasons for Surgery
Many people opt for rhinoplasty to reduce the size of their nose, remove bumps, or straighten a crooked nose. Rhinoplasty candidates may have natural conditions present from birth that make them uncomfortable with the shape of their nose, but not all patients have rhinoplasty performed for cosmetic purposes. Some may have experienced an accident or trauma that bent or damaged their nose structure, while others may undergo the operation to improve breathing. The surgery is safe enough to perform on most patients, including teenagers and elderly candidates. Teens interested in rhinoplasty surgery should wait until their nose is fully developed, and discuss surgical options with a qualified surgeon.
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Before Surgery
Your surgeon will examine you carefully prior to your surgery, making note of your full medical history to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. After a physical examination, you and the surgeon will discuss your goals for rhinoplasty. Using advanced computer imaging software and digital photographs of your face, you and your surgeon can decide how to reshape your nose so that you are pleased with its alignment, size, and shape in relation to other features on your face. During this initial pre-surgical consultation, your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow directly before your surgery, which may include when to eat, smoking restrictions, and eliminating certain medications, such as aspirin.
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The Rhinoplasty Procedure
To ensure that our patients are 100 percent comfortable during their operation, we perform all rhinoplasty surgeries under general anesthesia. Our patients sleep soundly through the entire reconstruction. In most rhinoplasty cases involving a reduction in shape or size, change in angle, or bump removal, our surgeons will reshape the underlying bone structure and cartilage, and then replace the skin on the nose. A deviated septum can also be corrected during rhinoplasty surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon will place incisions inside the patient’s nostril, or choose the “open approach” and place a small incision across the tissue connecting the two nostrils. Flared nostrils can also be corrected by making an incision at the skin intersecting the nose and the upper lip, essentially narrowing the flare of the nostrils. Many patients choose to combine the rhinoplasty procedure with a chin augmentation to improve the appearance of their whole profile during one surgery.
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After Your Operation
Most of our patients are able to return to their normal routines within one to two weeks of rhinoplasty surgery. After your rhinoplasty, we will place a lightweight splint around the newly shaped area to protect and retain the new nose structure. In order to protect the septum, nasal splints will be placed immediately following surgery, and should be worn for about a week. Generally, you will have some stuffiness in your nose after the procedure, especially if you opted to reshape the septum. We offer medication to control the little pain related to the surgery. You will also have bruising around the eye area which will disappear after a couple days. Any remaining discoloration will fade away completely within two weeks.
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Insurance
If you have a nasal obstruction and need the surgery for medical reasons, there is a good chance your insurance company will pay for part of the surgery cost. Check with your insurance company to find out if your rhinoplasty surgery is covered.
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Before and After Photos
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