Nose Surgery / Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a word derived from the Greek terms for nose (rhino) and shape or reform (plasty). This is a common procedure performed by plastic surgeons, which can correct a wide variety of nasal characteristics that make a patient’s face appear unbalanced. A subtle change made with rhinoplasty can make a dramatic difference in a person’s appearance.
Each patient’s nose is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all rhinoplasty technique that can satisfy every patient. There are however, general aesthetic goals that most surgeons aim to provide during rhinoplasty:
- Balanced nasal projection and width
- Proper angle between nostrils and lips
- Relatively narrow nasal tip
- Straight nasal dorsum
- Small dip between dorsum and tip
Are You a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
A good candidate for rhinoplasty is bothered by the appearance of his or her nose, to the extent that it causes problems with self-image and confidence. You may feel that your nose is out of proportion with the rest of your facial features, causing others to give undue attention to your nose. In such cases, rhinoplasty may change your nose and improve your quality of life. If you’re considering rhinoplasty, you should be healthy and not be using any illegal drugs or nasal medications.
You should also have realistic expectations about the procedure. During a consultation, Dr. Ljung can discuss the expected results and related risks so you fully understand the surgery before proceeding. It’s common to take time and formulate the aesthetic goals of your surgery, sometimes using photographs to analyze the angles of your nose and decide how it might be improved.
How Rhinoplasty Alters the Shape and Proportion of Your Nose
Whether your nose is large, small, bumpy, droopy, crooked, wide, narrow, short or long, a rhinoplasty procedure can be designed to bring your nose into balance. A typical operation requires about 1 to 3 hours of operating tume under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.
Plastic surgeons use two basic variations in surgical technique: the open rhinoplasty and the closed rhinoplasty. In the former, all incisions are made inside your nose; in the latter, the skin is lifted from the underlying structure to obtain a clear view of the cartilage and bone. To reshape your nose, the cartilage and bone of your nose is reduced, augmented or refined. Once the reshaping is complete, absorbable sutures are placed within your nose and nasal packing is inserted, sometimes with a nasal splint.
What Happens After Rhinoplasty Surgery
During the first week of recovery, you will likely need pain medications to control discomfort. The nasal packing can usually be removed within the first week, but swelling takes longer to fully subside. Most patients return to their normal routine in about 1 to 2 weeks. During the weeks that follow your surgery, it’s very important to avoid activities that could cause an impact upon your nose.
As the swelling clears and you see the changes in your nose, it may be somewhat difficult to adjust to your new appearance. This definitely varies from patient to patient, especially among patients of different age groups.
Possible Complications
Possible adverse outcomes and events include but are not limited to unsatisfying results (which may require revision surgery) nasal obstruction, bleeding and sinus infection. Ask Dr. Ljung for more information if you are concerned about complications from rhinoplasty.
Alternatives
There are a few alternative procedures and techniques that may provide benefit similar to those of rhinoplasty. A procedure called septoplasty is designed to improve breathing problems in the nose without altering shape. For aesthetic changes, a chin implant can often balance a nose that appears prominent. There are even non-surgical options that plastic surgeons have used such as Radiesse dermal filler for contouring of the nasal area.
To learn more about rhinoplasty is Wilmington and Jacksonville, contact Azalea Coast Plastic Surgery.
