Procedures
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
For many people, a prominent, asymmetric , bumpy or undesirable nose leads to
extreme self-consciousness. One of the most common of all cosmetic procedures,
rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is used to
improve the appearance and possibly the function of the nose.
If you're considering nose surgery, the following information will provide
you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information
about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a
plastic surgeon with experience in rhinoplasty.
What are some of the most common benefits of this surgery? What will happen at the initial consultation? How is a Rhinoplasty done? At what age can Rhinoplasty be done? How long does the surgery take? Do I have stay in the hospital? How much pain is there? What can I expect after surgery? What is the recovery period like? What is the long-term outcome like for most people? Ideal candidate: Risks: Costs: Choosing a doctor: Questions to ask your doctor: Be sure to: How do I finance this procedure? Related Articles
What are some of the most common benefits of this surgery?
Rhinoplasty can correct a variety of conditions including an over-sized nose, a hump on the bridge, an undesirable shape of the nasal tip or a narrow or wide span of the nostrils. Both frontal and profile views of the nose are corrected to complement other facial features, and to provide a balance of proportions. Rhinoplasty can also be used to correct for breathing problems caused by narrow or partially obstructed nostrils.
What will happen at the initial consultation?
During the consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. Because the appearance of your nose is a matter of personal perception and preferences, you will need to discuss your concerns in detail so your surgeon can determine the appropriate alternatives.chin or cheekbone implants might be considered as a part of the operative plan.
How is a Rhinoplasty done?
Rhinoplasty can be performed under a general anesthetic or with local anesthetic , depending on what you and your surgeon prefer. Incisions are made inside the rim of the nostrils. Sometimes, tiny, inconspicuous incisions are also made on the rim of the nose. Soft tissues of the nose are then separated from the underlying structures, and the cartilage and bone causing the deformity are reshaped. septoplasty , in which the obstructions are removed. Another type of soft-tissue surgery, alar narrowing, is used to adjust the width of the nostrils.
At what age can Rhinoplasty be done?
Nose surgery should generally be delayed until after age 13 for girls, and 15 for boys (since boys have their growth spurt later than girls). By this time, the nose is 90% of its adult size. However, not every teenager who dislikes his or her appearance is a good candidate for rhinoplasty; many of them will outgrow their dissatisfaction their nose. About 10% of all rhinoplasties are performed in people younger than nineteen. In adults, the aging process frequently results in your nose becoming longer and droops more as the skin loses its elasticity. Elevation of the nasal tip may give the patient a younger look.
How long does the surgery take?
The procedure usually takes one to two hours, but on rare occasions it may take longer.
Do I have stay in the hospital?
Not necessarily. This procedure can be performed in the hospital or in an outpatient surgical suite. You will most likely be able to go home a few hours after surgery.
How much pain is there?
Surprisingly, there is very little pain after rhinoplasty and most patients require only mild analgesics.
What can I expect after surgery?
If the nose is being reduced in size, a splint will have been applied and the nose will be packed lightly with a medicated gauze. Sometimes, only tape supports the nose while it is healing. The stitches are self-absorbing and do not require removal.
If an incision is made across the columnella, or vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils, skin stitches are placed which require removal in 3-5 days. The need to do this is usually identified and discussed fully prior to the procedure, and is usually necessary in only about 5-10% of people.
There will be some swelling and stuffiness for several weeks, but patients usually resume normal light activity after a few days. It will take several weeks before the nose is completely healed to allow full physical activity.
What is the recovery period like?
You should be able to return to sedentary work after a couple of days. Although there is some pain in the first 24 hours, after this there is usually just a feeling of pressure and stuffiness. You will still look puffy and swollen. You should keep your head elevated above the level of your heart for the first few days to reduce swelling. Bruising around the eyes is to be expected, usually peaking around 72 hours and subsiding in 7 - 10 days.
Cold compresses will help to reduce the swelling around the eyes. You may have a little bleeding too, so you will probably want to change your gauze bandages a few times a day for the first several days.
After 3-5 days, the splint and any packing will be removed. By the end of the first or second week, all splints, bandaging and stitches will have been removed. You will still need to be careful to not blow your nose for about two weeks, and avoid bumps to the nose for about six weeks. Eyeglasses should be taped to the forehead, off the bridge of the nose, for the first month.
You may not be completely back to normal for several weeks. Your nose might be numb, especially if there have been considerable changes made to the tip. You should use extra sunscreen, be gentle when washing your face, and avoid strenuous activity for about 4 weeks.
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
It is common to feel dissatisfied with the appearance of the nose in the immediate post-operative period. At this point, the nose is still quite swollen, and much of the detail is still not visible enough to appreciate. It is wise to take a wait-and-see approach since the elasticity of the tissues, the blood flow, the thickness of the skin and the appearance of the nose will change significantly during the first three months – even up to the first year or two. It is important to be patient during this period of time. Rushing to perform a second operation during the first nine to twelve months is almost always a mistake.
Many people seem to blossom with positive personality changes after this procedure. A new sense of confidence is the most frequently observed change. Temporary blues after the procedure have also been reported and is generally attributable to two causes: (1) it takes up to six months after the operation to see the complete results of the procedure and (2) rhinoplasty changes the appearance that you’ve grown accustomed to.
Ideal candidate:
A female: 16 or older
A male: 17 or older.
No previous rhinoplasty.*
Lifestyle that will accommodate the restriction of activities required during the recovery period (i.e., no contact sports or other activity that could cause injury to the newly reshaped nose).
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for rhinoplasty.
*A previous rhinoplasty does not necessarily preclude you from having this surgery.
Risks:
Rhinoplasty will provide significant improvements in the appearance of the nose for the vast majority of patients although, in occasional cases, a secondary correction may be required. There are risks with all surgical procedures. You should discuss all benefits and risks with your cosmetic surgeon.
Costs:
Costs for this procedure vary, depending on the doctor, the location, technique used and the difficulty of the specific case. The national average of 1999 surgeon fees for rhinoplasty was $3,398 (Source: The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). Regional averages: New England states: $3,991; middle Atlantic states: $3,060; north central states: $3,348; south central states: $3,103; and mountain/Pacific states: $3,416. These fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay and other related expenses. The procedure is not usually covered by health insurance policies except for cases of injury.payment calculator to see what your monthly payments might be if you financed this procedure.Apply now
Choosing a doctor:
Questions to ask your doctor:
Are the desired results I described realistic?
Where is the surgery performed? How long will the procedure take?
What kind of anesthesia is used?
How much does it cost?
What is your experience in performing this procedure?
(How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
What percentage of patients have had significant complications?
(The physician should disclose this information to you.)
Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again?
(The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients?
The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
May I have the names and contact information for several recent rhinoplasty patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the surgeon.)
Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or live.)
What should I expect post-operatively in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
Who will be assisting during the surgery? What are their qualifications? (Does the plastic surgeon perform the entire surgery?)
Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
Do you offer patient financing ?
Be sure to:
Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medicine, and herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort.
Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.
Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.
How do I finance this procedure?
Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options , money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.
Related Articles
Please review the following articles for more information on this procedure.
