Rhinoplasty

What is rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a type of surgery that changes the shape of a person’s nose. There are a variety of reasons why someone might get rhinoplasty, which may include:

  • Changing the appearance of the nose
  • Improving breathing

 

Rhinoplasty can alter the bone, cartilage, skin, or all three parts of the nose. Speaking with your surgeon about whether rhinoplasty is the right procedure for you will help you to determine if the results will align with your goals.

A surgeon who believes rhinoplasty is your best course of action will develop a personalized plan for you. Make sure to consult with your healthcare provider to see if your insurance will cover part or all of a rhinoplasty procedure.

Who is a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

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Rhinoplasty may or may not be the best course of action for you. It is important to discuss your candidacy early on with a specialist. Individuals who may be good candidates are those who:

  • Have fully developed faces
  • Have realistic expectations and/or surgical goals
  • Are bothered by the appearance of their nose
  • Are physically healthy
  • Do not have underlying medical conditions that could prevent healing
  • Do not smoke

Prospective patients should also consider the size and shape of their nose, as well as the health of their nasal passages and thickness of their skin. A person’s age and medical history also play critical roles when you decide if rhinoplasty is a beneficial procedure.

What should you expect with rhinoplasty surgery?

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Preparing for the different stages of a rhinoplasty procedure is essential for all patients.

Before your procedure

  • Your doctor may prescribe certain medications
  • Your doctor may adjust pre-existing medications
  • You will need to stop smoking

You will also need to avoid certain drugs and supplements, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements. These types of over-the-counter treatments can increase the risk of bleeding.

 

During your procedure

  • Surgery generally takes a few hours
  • Your surgeon will make incisions in the nose that allow for reshaping
  • Your surgeon will close the incisions with sutures
  • Your surgeon may place a splint on the nose and in the nostrils for optimal healing

 

After your procedure

Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common after-effects of rhinoplasty surgery. You may also experience initial side-effects, such as difficulty breathing through your nose for a few days. Your side-effects should:

  • Dissipate after a few weeks
  • Lessen enough to allow you to return to work or school within two weeks
  • Make way for final, visible results after several months

Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to monitor your recovery process and ensure a healthy healing process.

What are the benefits of a rhinoplasty procedure?

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There are many improvements that rhinoplasty can offer that influences how a person feels about themselves and lives their life. These benefits are:

  • Improved breathing: A deviated septum or other structural issues can disrupt your breathing if it is left untreated. Rhinoplasty can correct breathing problems that are caused by these and other conditions. These results can help you to achieve better sleep, reduced snoring, and improved overall health.
  • Reduced nasal congestion: Rhinoplasty can improve your quality of life and make it easier for you to breathe by reducing nasal congestion that is caused by allergies or a condition like chronic sinusitis.
  • Enhanced facial aesthetics: Boosting self-confidence and improving self-esteem can be valid reasons to get rhinoplasty as long as you maintain realistic expectations. Your doctor will discuss with you how rhinoplasty can reshape the nose for a more balanced and proportionate appearance.

The benefits of rhinoplasty differ from person to person. Getting inspiration from others who undergo a procedure is reasonable, but make sure that you speak to a doctor who tells you what you can expect rather than simply what you want to hear.

Why is rhinoplasty done?

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Rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the United States. Tens of thousands of cases are completed annually, with many of them done in order to enhance facial aesthetics and improve breathing problems. You may also seek rhinoplasty to fix an issue from an injury or correct a birth defect.

What are the risks of rhinoplasty?

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All major surgeries, including rhinoplasty, come with certain associated risks. General risks for a surgical procedure include bleeding, infection, or a bad reaction to the anesthesia.

Possible risks related to a rhinoplasty procedure can include:

  • Permanent numbness in and around the nose
  • An uneven-looking nose
  • Lasting pain, discoloration, or swelling
  • Difficulty breathing through the nose
  • Scarring
  • A hole in the wall between your nostrils (septal perforation)
  • Changing sense of smell
  • Needing further surgery

Speak with your healthcare provider about the risks associated with rhinoplasty and how they might affect your candidacy for the procedure.

How should you prepare for a rhinoplasty procedure?

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When you meet with a healthcare professional, you will likely discuss and take a few steps to ensure that rhinoplasty is the best plan for you. A doctor’s appointment is when you will:

  • Discuss your medical history
  • Undergo a physical examination
  • Have photographs taken of your nose
  • Discuss your surgery expectations

 

Once you schedule your procedure, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home if it is an outpatient surgery. It is similarly important to have a family member or friend nearby during those first few days after going under anesthesia. You may find that you are forgetful or have a slower reaction time. Making sure that you have help with personal care as you recover will help your overall rhinoplasty healing process.

What is the rhinoplasty recovery process?

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Your recovery process will depend on a number of factors, including your medical history. You will need to rest in bed after rhinoplasty with your head raised higher than your chest to reduce the risks of bleeding and swelling. You may have a stuffed up nose due to swelling or from the doctor inserting splints during the surgery.

 

The general timeline to consider is:

 

  • Internal bandages stay in place for 1 to 7 days post-surgery

 

  • A splint stays in place for about one week

 

  • Slight bleeding and drainage of mucus or old blood is common for a few days (after surgery or removing the dressing)

 

You can use a small piece of gauze held in place with tape (a drip pad) to absorb drainage. Talk with your healthcare provider about how often you should change it. Make sure that you do not place the drip pad tight against your nose.

To help prevent bleeding and swelling, follow these instructions for several weeks:

  • Avoid intense physical activities (running, sports, aerobics)
  • Do not blow your nose
  • Sneeze and cough with your mouth open
  • Avoid smiling and laughing
  • Take baths instead of showering with bandages
  • Do not pull clothing over your head (shirts, sweaters)
  • Gently brush your teeth to avoid upper lip movement
  • Eat high-fiber foods (fruits and vegetables) to prevent constipation and strain
  • Use SPF 30 sunscreen to avoid permanent discoloration on your nose
  • Do not rest eyeglasses or sunglasses on your nose for at least four weeks
  • Eat less sodium to reduce swelling faster
  • Do not use ice or cold packs on your nose

Whether or not you get rhinoplasty, your nose will change throughout your life. It may be unclear when you have reached your final surgery outcome. Most of your swelling should be gone within a year. If you have any questions or concerns, make sure to contact your healthcare provider for additional guidance.

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