After breast augmentation, rhinoplasty surgery is the most common cosmetic surgery performed in the United States. Rhinoplasty offers a surgical solution to help you reshape and resize your nose giving you the facial harmony you are searching for.
At Galanis Plastic Surgery, we offer nose reshaping surgery to help you achieve the profile you want. Read on to learn more about the rhinoplasty procedure and how to prepare for it.
What Is Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that changes the size or shape of the nose. When performing a rhinoplasty surgery, we can change bone and cartilage, as well as your skin, to enhance facial proportions and symmetry. This nasal surgery also makes breathing easier for some people with nasal obstructions.
People who have suffered injuries or other nose trauma, as well as those who were born with a deviated septum, can depend on this outpatient procedure.
One of the preferred ways we perform rhinoplasty surgery at our clinic is with the closed rhinoplasty technique. For this technique, plastic surgeons make incisions on the inside of the nose and complete the procedure through the nostrils. This option is best suited for people who need small corrections or reshaping of the nasal tip.
If you want more dramatic results, we may need to perform an open rhinoplasty. We can do this by making an incision in the tissue that separates the nostrils and getting access to the nasal bones and cartilage in that fashion.
We turn to open rhinoplasty if we need to:
- Repair previous surgery with revision rhinoplasty
- Repair nasal symmetry
- Significantly reshape the nose
- Reshape a dorsal hump
- Correct a broken nose bridge
- Significantly shorten the nasal tip
- Open nasal airway to improve nasal breathing problems
If you want nose surgery for cosmetic reasons, younger patients must wait until your nose bone has grown completely, but if you need the surgery because you have difficulty breathing, you can get the surgery at any age.
Benefits of Rhinoplasty Surgery
Rhinoplasty can help you create facial balance with the well-proportioned look you want with your other facial features. It’s a highly customizable cosmetic rhinoplasty option that we can tweak to offer the best results for your unique situation.
If you have breathing difficulties because of a deviated septum or other structural issues, a rhinoplasty can give you the relief you need. Many people who struggle with snoring and other sleeping difficulties can benefit from this procedure because it allows the entire respiratory system to work more efficiently.
You can also use rhinoplasty to reduce sinus pressure if that’s something that affects your life. If there’s a structural problem in your nose that causes sinus trouble, like nasal septum issues, rhinoplasty can help. Your nasal septum controls drainage, and the most common sinus concerns deal with poor drainage.
How to Prepare for a Nose Reshaping Surgery
It is crucial that you make an initial appointment with us so that we can evaluate your medical history, your overall health, and what results you’re hoping to get from rhinoplasty. Tell us about your aesthetic goals and about any experiences you’ve had in the past with surgical procedures.
You should also tell us about any medications or supplements you take. We will request blood work and perform a full physical exam to ensure that you are healthy enough for this type of procedure.
At your initial appointment, we’ll also examine your nose’s structure to determine how we want to perform the surgery.
For two weeks prior to the surgery, you should avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, because they can thin your blood. You also want to avoid supplements like St. John’s Wort. If you smoke, you should stop before the procedure.
What to Expect from Rhinoplasty Procedures
We ask that you come to your rhinoplasty not wearing makeup, contact lenses, or jewelry. We generally perform the procedure under general anesthesia, not local anesthesia, so you will need to have someone drive you home. In some cases, depending on the type of rhinoplasty, the procedure can be performed under intravenous sedation, this may result in a quicker recovery with less post-operative grogginess.
The procedure’s length can vary, depending on its complexity. After we finish, we will take you to a recovery room where we will monitor you for about an hour. You are then free to go home.
The most important thing to remember as you recover is to get plenty of rest. Sleep with your head elevated.
For most people, the internal dressings will remain in place for at least a couple of days. You can shower two days after the surgery.
You can take walks as you recover, but avoid strenuous exercises that can put pressure on your nose. When you brush your teeth, be gentle so that you don’t scrape your top lip.
Most people require at least one week off work to recover after rhinoplasty. We will schedule follow-ups after one week, then two weeks, six weeks, and three months after your surgery. We’ll work with you to create a schedule that suits you.
How Long Is Rhinoplasty Recover Time
Rhinoplasty recovery generally involves some initial swelling and minor bruising which will begin subsiding in about a week. Most patients can typically return to work after the first few weeks, but will need to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. 3-6 weeks seems to be normal.
Nasal congestion and minor discomfort may persist, gradually improving with time. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication following surgery to keep you away from any severe pain in your first few days.
Results become more apparent as facial swelling diminishes, with final outcomes visible after several months. Proper post-operative care, including avoiding pressure on the nose and following all of your surgeon’s instructions, aids in smooth recovery.
Attending all of your follow up appointments will allow Dr. Galanis to ensure healing progresses well, and will allow him to monitor for any complications and address your concerns throughout the recovery process.
Rhinoplasty FAQS
Who Is A Good Candidate For Rhinoplasty?
The right candidates for rhinoplasty surgery are people who have realistic expectations, who are in good overall health, and who don’t smoke.
If you have high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, serious medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, lack structural integrity in your nose, or have severe allergies, you may not be the right candidate for this procedure.
Should I Get Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty can enhance nose shape while maintaining a natural look and accenting your facial features. Skillful techniques reshape the nose, preserving ethnic features and harmonizing with facial proportions for subtle yet noticeable improvements.
How Do I Choose The Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon?
Choose a board-certified surgeon with extensive rhinoplasty experience, positive patient reviews, clear communication skills, and review their rhinoplasty before and after photos of previous cosmetic surgery to help ensure the best outcome from your procedure.
Will A Rhinoplasty Help Me Breath Easier?
Rhinoplasty will not only enhance the shape of the nose adjusting bone and cartilage. It can also improve nasal function by addressing structural issues such as a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, or collapsed nasal valves, leading to enhanced breathing and airflow through the nose.
Contact Us To Set up Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
If you think that you could benefit from a nose job or rhinoplasty surgery, or if you have difficulties with your sinuses or other breathing issues, rhinoplasty can give you the results you’ve been looking for.
At Galanis Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, we offer a variety of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, for women and men. Contact us today and request an appointment to learn more about nose reshaping.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11011-rhinoplasty
