How Can I Benefit From Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a very common surgery used to change the shape or size of the nose. It can be used to make a nose larger or smaller, to change the shape of the bridge or tip of the nose, to narrow the nostrils, or to change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It may also be used in order to help relieve issues related to breathing and to help fix birth defects or injuries to the nose.
Because there are so many options when it comes to rhinoplasty, the best way to determine the right type of surgery for you is to set up a consultation with one of our surgeons. They will walk you through all of the available possibilities, and help you decide what is right for you.
Is Rhinoplasty Right for Me?
Because it is such a common surgery, almost anyone who does not like the size or shape of their nose, who has birth defects or experiences breathing problems, can be a candidate. On younger patients, rhinoplasty is generally not preformed until a patient reaches their late teens. This allows them to finish the majority of their growth, so it will be more evident how their nose will fit into their adult face. If you are unhappy with your nose, rhinoplasty can be a good way to help to enhance your appearance and self confidence, and can provide a subtle change to the look of your face.
Before the Procedure
In your initial consultation with your surgeon, you will discuss what you would like your nose to look like, and they will discuss the possibilities with you after evaluating the structure of your face. Factors that can affect a rhinoplasty procedure include the structure of the bones and cartilage of the nose itself, the shape of your face, your skin, and your expected outcome from the procedure itself.
The Procedure
Depending on the complexity of your procedure, you may be given a local anesthesia and the area around your nose will be numbed while you remain awake throughout the procedure, or you may be given general anesthesia and sleep through the entire surgery. In either case, all but the most complicated surgeries will last only an hour or two.
During the surgery, the skin of the nose is separated from the bone and cartilage that make up the nose itself. The bone and cartilage can then be modified in order to reach the shape of your desired nose. Once this has been completed, the skin will be reattached to the new frame of the nose.
After your rhinoplasty is completed, your nose will be splinted to help it maintain its new shape, and the inside may be packed as well to help stabilize the septum, which is the wall that divides the nose in half.
After the Procedure
Directly after rhinoplasty you will notice your face feeling puffy and inflamed and it may be slightly painful. This can easily be managed using pain medication provided by your surgeon. In addition, cold compresses can help to reduce the pain and the swelling. You will continue to notice swelling and bruising during the two weeks following the surgery, although it will fade gradually over this time as the stitches, dressing and splints are removed.
Although some slight swelling may be present for months, your new nose will start to become apparent to you after a few weeks, although for some patients it can take up to a year for all the full subtleties of your surgery to become apparent.
Before surgery, these rhinoplasty patients have large, slightly hanging noses, with a hump and an enlarged tip.
If your nostrils are too wide, the surgeon can remove small wedges of skin form their base, bringing them closer together.
Incisions are made inside the nostrils or at the base of the nose, providing access to the cartilage and bone, which can then be sculpted into shape.
A splint made of tape and an overlay of plastic, metal, or plaster is applied to help the bone and cartilage of the nose maintain their new shape.
After your rhinoplasty at our facility the patient has a smaller nose, a straighter bridge, a well defined nasal tip, and an improved angle between the nose and upper lip.
