Nose Surgery -- Rhinoplasty
Nose Surgery -- Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to cosmetically reshape
the nose and enhance the overall appearance of the face.
It is also used for reconstructive reasons to correct injuries,
birth defects, and breathing problems. It is the most common
type of plastic surgery being performed today. Nose surgery
can:
· Reduce or increase the size of your nose
· Change the shape of the tip or the bridge of your nose
· Narrow the span of your nostrils
· Change the angle between your nose and your upper lip
· Correct birth defects
· Correct injuries to your nose
· Help relieve breathing problems
The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are experts in rhinoplasty and will ensure that you have a safe and comfortable procedure and an outcome you are pleased with.
Are You A Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
The ideal candidates for rhinoplasty are men and women who are in general good health and who have realistic expectations about the procedure. It is best to be at least 15 years of age before considering the surgery to ensure that your nose is fully developed and will react well to the surgery.
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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to scheduling your nose surgery, you will have an
extensive consultation with the doctors and staff at The
Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The doctor will
ask you to detail at length what you want your nose to look
like after the surgery. You nose and facial structure will
be evaluated and the surgical possibilities will be discussed
with you. The doctor will thoroughly explain the procedure
and its expected results and answer any questions you have.
The type of anesthesia to be used
and insurance, cost, and payment
information will also be discussed. You will also be asked
to provide a medical history.
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery
doctors and staff will:
· Review the various nose surgery options with you
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost, insurance, and payment information
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medication you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
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How The Procedure Is Performed
Your rhinoplasty will be performed
at one of the region's premiere accredited outpatient-based
surgical facilities: the Center
for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI) or the Washington
Hospital Center, or at Sibley Memorial hospital
if an overnight stay is required. The surgery can be performed
either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with
sedation depending on what you and the doctor prefer. With
general anesthesia, you will be completely asleep throughout
the procedure. With local anesthesia, you will be lightly
sedated and your nose and the surrounding area will be numbed.
You will be awake, but will be relaxed and will feel no
discomfort. The type of anesthesia used will be discussed
with you at your initial consultation.
There are two methods for performing rhinoplasty: the closed
technique in which the incision is made within the nose
and the open technique in which the incision is made across
the two nostrils. The type of surgery to be performed will
be discussed with you when you meet with the doctor. With
either technique, the surgery generally lasts from one to
two hours.
Once the incision is made, either within the nose or across
the nostrils, the skin of the nose is separated from its
supporting framework of bone and cartilage. If one of the
goals of the surgery is to reduce the size of your nostrils,
small incisions are made at their base for this purpose.
The bone and cartilage is then sculpted to the shape you
and the doctor agreed upon prior to surgery. When the sculpting
is complete, the skin is redraped over the new framework
of your nose. A splint is applied to help your nose maintain
its new structure and nasal picks or soft plastic splints
are placed inside your nostrils to stabilize the septum,
the dividing wall between the air passages. Sometimes gauze
dressings are placed inside the nose.
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What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Out of Bed | After 24 Hours |
| Gauze Dressings Removed | One to Two Days After Surgery |
| Packing and Splints Removed | Seven to Ten Days After Surgery |
| Stitches Removed | Seven to Ten Days After Surgery |
| Back to Work | One Week After Surgery |
| Contact Lenses | As Soon as You Feel Comfortable |
| Driving | As Soon as You Feel Comfortable |
| Strenuous Activity | Two to Three Weeks After Surgery |
| Wearing Your Glasses | Six to Eight Weeks After Surgery |
| Contact Sports | Six to Eight Weeks After Surgery |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, rhinoplasty surgery is performed on an outpatient
basis and you go home shortly after the surgery. You may
be sleepy from the anesthesia and you will feel mild to
moderate discomfort so it is important to have someone drive
you home after your surgery. You may also want to have someone
stay with you for the first few days after surgery.
In the first 24 hours after surgery, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can use the prescribed pain medication to alleviate much of this discomfort. You must stay in bed with your head elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for the first 24 hours after your surgery; most patients are up and around two days after surgery. The swelling and bruising around your nose will increase at first, reaching its peak about two to three days after the surgery. Applying cold compresses will help ease the pain and reduce the swelling and bruising.
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days. A little bleeding is common in the first day or so after surgery and you may continue to feel some nasal stuffiness for the first few weeks. If nasal packing was placed in your nose, it will be removed within a day or so after your surgery; this will greatly improve your comfort level. All dressings, splints, and stitches are usually removed one week after surgery; however, in procedures that were extensive, it may take two weeks to remove the dressings, splints, and stitches.
The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery. You can most likely return to work approximately one week after your rhinoplasty, unless your work is strenuous. Here are some other things to take note of during the first few weeks after your surgery:
· Most of the swelling and bruising you experience will disappear within about two weeks of the surgery.
· Your stitches will be removed seven to ten days after surgery.
· You can wear your contact lenses as soon as you feel comfortable doing so.
· You should be extra careful and gentle when washing your face and hair and applying makeup for the first two to three weeks after the procedure.
· Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least three weeks after your surgery.
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Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
· You can most likely return to work within a week of your surgery.
· You can resume driving as soon as you feel comfortable doing so.
· You can most likely return to your physical exercise
program within three weeks of your nose surgery. Our patients
are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it
with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
· You can wear your contact lenses as soon after surgery as it feels comfortable. Glasses, however, cannot be worn for at least six to seven weeks after your surgery. Until then, they must be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks until your nose heals completely.
· Your nose will feel stuffy for several weeks; talk to the doctor about using nasal sprays to help with this condition.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· You should not blow your nose for a week or so after surgery
to give the tissue a chance to heal. · You should make every
effort to avoid rubbing, bumping, or hitting your nose for
several weeks.
· After surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's surface. These spots are usually minor, but can be permanent in some cases.
· When rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose, there
is no visible scarring. When the incision is made across
the top of the nose or when the procedure corrects flaring
nostrils, the scars are minor and are usually not visible
within a few weeks of surgery.
· Stay out of the sun to avoid sunburn for at least eight weeks.
· The doctor will schedule regular follow-up visits in the
months after your surgery. If anything unusual or troubling
develops between visits, call The Metropolitan Institute
for Plastic Surgery right away.
· Internal swelling subsides very gradually; therefore, the final results of your nose surgery may not be apparent for a year or more.
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What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk; however,
major complications from rhinoplasty are unusual. During
your initial consultation with the doctors and staff of
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, your individual
risks will be assessed and discussed. As with any surgery,
you can help reduce the risks by closely following the pre
and post-surgery instructions provided to you. And the doctors
and staff of the Institute will be with you every step of
the way to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome.
Most likely risks include the following.
· Infection
· Nosebleeds
· Persistent swelling
· Asymmetry
· Need for further surgery
How Long Will the Results of Your Nose Surgery Last?
Nose surgery can reshape, resize, and enhance the appearance of your nose. In most cases, these results are permanent. Of course, your face, including your nose, will continue to change as you age.
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Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that can be done along with rhinoplasty to enhance my overall facial appearance?
Several surgical procedures can enhance your facial appearance and give you a more youthful and less tired look. These include:
· Facelift
· Eyelid lift
· Brow lift
· Chin enlargement
· Cheekbone enhancement
· Lip enhancement
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my rhinoplasty?
In cases where breathing is significantly impaired or where
there is a deformity caused by trauma, some or all of the
costs of your rhinoplasty may be covered by your insurance
company. The staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic
Surgery will work with you to determine if your procedure
is covered by your insurance. If insurance does not cover
the cost of your procedure, you are responsible for the
full payment of the procedure. Cost and payment information
will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation.
· Are there alternatives to rhinoplasty?
There are currently no non-surgical alternatives for correction of the deformities or concerns treated by rhinoplasty.
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