This article provided by Dr. Don Revis. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please visit Dr. Revis online or you may reach his office at 954-630-2009.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to refine the shape of the nose. It can be used to remove a hump, straighten the nose after trauma, shorten, lengthen the nose, and to narrow the nose. In certain instances, it may also improve airflow through the nose, making it easier for you to breathe.

If you are bothered by the appearance of your nose, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty surgery is performed on teens as young as sixteen, and on older patients well into their 80's. This article will provide you with a basic understanding of the issues involved. However, it is extremely important to individualize treatment to your specific circumstances and goals, therefore it is recommended that you visit a board certified plastic surgeon for a personal consultation.

The Consultation

During your initial consultation, the plastic surgeon will inquire about your medical history, prior procedures, medications, allergies, and your motivations for seeking plastic surgery. It is very important that you be thorough when providing your medical history, as this information helps to prevent complications during your care. When asked about medications, be sure to include any vitamin or herbal preparations, as these can affect your blood pressure and clotting ability. Honesty regarding your use of tobacco and alcohol is also very important, as these may have a profound impact on your recovery period and your ability to heal following your procedure.

After reviewing your medical history, your physician should discuss your concerns, priorities and motivations for pursuing plastic surgery, as well as your fears. After examining you, he or she will be able to offer advice and options to help you achieve the appearance you desire. He or she should also explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different options you have before you.

At the completion of your consultation, you likely will be given a written estimate of the cost of your procedure. At this time, you will also have the option to schedule your procedure if you so choose. The decision to undergo a procedure is a very important one, and the final decision should be given very careful consideration. At no time should you feel pressured to make a decision. You are also encouraged to bring your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend to your consultation.

Where Your Procedure Will Be Performed

Sometimes you have a choice in the location of your surgery, whether in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or office surgery setting. Some surgeons prefer to perform the majority of their procedures in their own office surgery suites as a convenience to themselves and to save money. Others prefer to do only minor procedures in the office while performing major operations in a local hospital or ambulatory surgery center.

Any physician, regardless of his or her training, can open an office surgery suite and advertise as a plastic surgeon and perform plastic surgery on the unsuspecting public. Regulation of office surgery settings is currently voluntary and often substandard. New laws are being passed in an attempt to correct this potential problem. If you decide to have your surgery in an office surgery suite, choosing a physician who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, who also has hospital privileges to perform the same procedure, and whose surgery suite is accredited, adds an additional level of quality assurance.

To obtain hospital privileges to perform a procedure, surgeons must provide proof of education, training, and experience. This provides an added level of assurance that the surgeon has been properly educated and trained. Avoid a surgeon who operates in his or her office but does not have hospital privileges to perform the same operation.

Type(s) of Anesthesia

Anesthesia is an essential part of any surgical procedure and must be performed safely. General anesthesia is the deepest form of anesthesia. You are asleep, feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure.

Deep intravenous sedation, called “twilight sleep,” is a combination of local anesthetic administered at the surgical site by your plastic surgeon and intravenous sedation administered by the anesthesiologist. You breathe for yourself, but you are in a deep sleep throughout the procedure. You should feel no pain, and you should not remember the procedure.

Your plastic surgeon should discuss these options with you more thoroughly at the time of your consultation, and please ask about anything you do not understand.

Details of the Procedure

Rhinoplasty may be performed through a variety of incisions, depending on your individual needs. The appropriate incision is made after you have been adequately anesthetized. He or she then lifts the overlying skin off of the underlying framework. Reshaping of the cartilage and sometimes the bones of the nose is performed to achieve the appearance you desire.

After your surgery has been completed, your plastic surgeon may place one or more stents in or on your nose. If you have work performed on your nasal septum, you may have internal stents in your nostrils. If you have your nasal bones reshaped, you may also have an external stent over your nose, which serves to protect it in the early postoperative period.

After Your Procedure

Rhinoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure. After recovering in the recovery room for approximately one hour, you will be able to go home in the company of a friend or family member.

You should plan to take it easy following your surgery. No strenuous activities, heavy lifting (over 20 pounds), aerobic exercises, swimming, contact sports, tennis, or golf should be planned for the first several weeks. It is also very important that you not blow your nose and resist the urge to sneeze if it should arise, because these activities may increase your risk of bleeding. As your plastic surgeon monitors your recovery, he or she will advise you when it is safe to resume specific activities.

If you have internal stents placed at the time of your surgery, these are typically removed on the first day after your surgery. If you have an external splint placed, this is typically removed on the seventh day following your operation. Your plastic surgeon will also remove any sutures on the fifth to seventh postoperative day.

The Results You Can Expect

You will notice the change in the shape of your nose after the external splint is removed. You may experience moderate drainage from your nose and bruising around your eyes for the first several days, but this rapidly resolves. A mild swelling usually takes several weeks to subside, and your nose will actually continue to change for several months, although it may be imperceptible to you because it is extremely gradual and minor. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities the day after surgery, and you should be able to resume all of your physical activities within two weeks of surgery.

This article provided by Dr. Don Revis. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please visit Dr. Revis online or you may reach his office at 954-630-2009.