Rhinoplasty
One of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures is rhinoplasty, also commonly known as a nose job. Rhinoplasty surgery can serve dual purposes, creating a more aesthetically pleasing look and also helping breathing conditions, such as a deviated septum.. Whether it's because of a genetic defect or some kind of injury, many people have trouble breathing through their nose. A rhinoplasty can counteract this, clearing the airway so you can breathe freely. It can even repair a deviated septum, straightening it and removing any blockages in the airway.
Many people also choose to get rhinoplasty solely for cosmetic purposes, and there are a number of options available:
- It can change the size of your nose, either increasing or decreasing it depending on your preference.
- It can adjust the tip of your nose. Some people are unhappy because the tip of their nose is either larger than the rest of their nose or they don't like the position of it, preferring it were less droopy or upturned. A rhinoplasty can fix this.
- If you are unhappy with your nostrils, a rhinoplasty can adjust the size, making them smaller, bigger, or even adjusting their width.
- A rhinoplasty can also improve the bridge of your nose, either by adjusting the width or removing any humps or depressions.
- If you feel unsatisfied with the angle of your nose to your upper lip, nose surgery can change this as well.
There are two types of techniques used for rhinoplasty: closed procedure and open procedure. In the former, the incision is actually made inside the nostrils, leaving no visible scar. However, if your surgery is a bit more complicated, your surgeon will use the open procedure in which the incision is made on the tissue that separates the nostrils. Even though this is more visible, it gives the doctor more room to work.
California Surgical Institute has rhinoplasty specialists who were trained in the scar-free closed technique and perform the component dorsal reduction of the nasla bone and cartilage. This ensures the smoothest result for patients, leaving them looking great and feeling confident about the appearance and function of their nose.
Is Rhinoplasty Right for Me?
Whether you have a birth defect, breathing problem, or aesthetic concern, rhinoplasty (more commonly known as a nose job) can be used to correct the existing structure of your nose. If you are an adult in good health who is psychologically stable, you will most likely be a good candidate to undergo rhinoplasty.
The only group that presents a potential problem for surgeons is teenagers. Although there may be pressure to fix a child's nose at a younger age, with the exception of very serious conditions, most surgeons will not perform this procedure on anyone under fifteen. If an individual in the age range of fifteen to seventeen is interested in getting this procedure done, the surgeon will spend some extra time making sure that this is what they truly want, and that it isn't just being done to please someone else (such as a parent).
What are the Risks of Undergoing Rhinoplasty?
Although most nose jobs done by board certified plastic surgeons are successfully completed without any major complications, rhinoplasty does present several potential risks. The most common complications of this procedure are nosebleed, infection and a negative reaction to the anesthesia.
After this procedure, there is the possibility of small burst blood vessels appearing on the surface of the nose. While they are a minor complication, they can be permanent. Because the only scarring that results from rhinoplasty is on the inside or bottom of the nose, there is no need to worry about the aesthetic impact of any scarring.
Even when the surgeon is fully qualified and highly skilled, there is the possibility that a minor second surgery will be necessary.
What Happens Before a Rhinoplasty?
Like all surgeries, the first step towards rhinoplasty is having an initial consultation with a surgeon. This consultation is an essential step for the surgeon to evaluate you, and also for you to get a full understanding of everything that is involved with this procedure. The consultation will begin with you explaining to the surgeon your goals for having the procedure performed. Once the surgeon has a thorough understanding of your expectations, you will be evaluated on a variety of factors, including your facial and nasal structure, age, and condition of your skin.
In addition to conducting a thorough evaluation of you as a candidate for rhinoplasty, your surgeon will also discuss all of the other factors that play a role in this procedure. These additional factors include the location of the operation, the type of anesthesia that will be used, any alternative options and the cost. Depending on the reason you are having a rhinoplasty, your insurance may or may not cover the cost of the procedure. While almost no insurance carrier will cover a strictly cosmetic rhinoplasty, if you are having the surgery to correct a breathing problem or other deformity, your procedure may be covered. Also, keep in mind that regardless of how small or large they are, if you have any additional questions about getting a nose job, this is the time to ask your surgeon about them.
If you decide that you want to have the operation performed, your surgeon will provide you with guidelines about drinking, eating, taking medications and smoking. Following all of these guidelines will minimize the chances of complications with your nose job.
Since it will take at least a few days for you to begin feeling normal again, you will want to enlist the help of someone who can take you home from the hospital and assist you in beginning the recovery process.
The Procedure
Depending on what you and your surgeon discussed during your initial consultation, you will either be given general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia will keep you asleep for the entire operation, while local anesthesia will relax you and numb you from feeling pain without putting you to sleep.
Your surgeon will begin the operation by making an incision on the inside of the nostrils or on the columella (which is the vertical piece of tissue in between the nostrils). Once this incision has been made, your surgeon will separate the skin of your nose from the bone and cartilage that supports it. This allows your surgeon to properly sculpt your nose into its new shape.
After your nose has reached its desired shape, the incisions will be closed and a splint will be placed on your nose to ensure it maintains its new shape. If your septum needs to be stabilized, your surgeon will place soft plastic splints in your nostrils before your operation is complete.
With the exception of more complicated procedures, most rhinoplasty operations are completed within one to two hours.
Recovering from Your Rhinoplasty
Once your procedure is complete, your doctor will prescribe medication to help you deal with any pain that you experience. During the first twenty-four hours of recovery, you may experience a dull headache, pains directly in your nose, and the sensation that your face is puffy. With the exception of going to the bathroom, you should elevate your head and stay in bed for the first day after surgery.
During the next two days, the bruising and swelling under your eyes will reach its peak level. Although you will feel better than you actually look, you can use ice compresses to help alleviate some of the bruising and swelling. Your face should return to normal within approximately two weeks, although some subtle swelling can remain for several months. Because of this, it's important to remember that you may not see the complete result of your rhinoplasty for up to a year after your surgery is complete.
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