Its technical name is rhinoplasty, but most people know it as a “nose job.” Consistently, year after year, the surgical reshaping of the nose ranks among the top five most frequently carried out plastic surgery procedures. When the nose doesn’t harmonize with the rest of one’s facial features, it can lead to a lack of self-confidence. Many patients I encounter seeking this procedure confess to avoiding having their pictures taken, especially in profile. Rhinoplasty can substantially boost self-esteem, and it’s a relatively straightforward outpatient surgery. Let’s take a closer look at it.
Why Get a Nose Job?
Each patient contemplating rhinoplasty has distinct reasons for their dissatisfaction with their nose. Some feel their noses are excessively large, wide, or long, while others grapple with a noticeable hump or a bulbous tip. Most of the time, when they communicate their concerns, I’m able to understand what they want and help them reach that goal. If you are a healthy non-smoker, and you know what it is you don’t like about your nose, we can usually achieve a satisfying outcome. My practice is centered around natural results, so that is always the goal for me. Most of my rhinoplasty patients want the same thing—a natural-looking, but more aesthetically pleasing result, and I’m happy to give that to them. I avoid using cartilage grafts in the tip to help prevent an obviously altered appearance, and I steer clear of creating pinched or excessively small noses. The primary objective is to provide a proportionate, well-shaped nose.
What happens during surgery
I conduct all of my surgeries in my outpatient surgical center accredited as a specialty hospital, which, in my view, offers the safest environment for the procedure. The surgery typically lasts around two hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. A small incision is made underneath the nose to visualize the nasal bones and cartilage, which are then trimmed and shaped. The incision is closed with sutures, and an external aluminum splint is applied. Nasal packing is seldom required, unlike in the past. This is good news, as coping with the uncomfortable packing used to be the worst part of undergoing this very popular procedure.
Combination Surgeries with Rhinoplasty
Before surgery, it’s crucial to evaluate the functional aspects of the nose. In cases where breathing is obstructed due to a deviated septum, an additional procedure called septoplasty can be performed alongside the cosmetic surgery.
After Surgery
Most patients find their recovery quite manageable and feel comfortable socializing within 10 days. Bruising and swelling can vary, depending on the extent of the procedure, with more bruising occurring if the nasal bone needs to be moved. Stitches are removed within five to seven days post-surgery, and the splint is removed at the ten-day mark. Many patients even return to work with the splint still in place. Most patients are highly satisfied with the visible improvements when the splint is removed. For three weeks following the procedure, patients should refrain from exercise and heavy lifting. Swelling gradually subsides over several months, with the final results typically best assessed a year or so after the surgery.
Rhinoplasty patients are some of my happiest patients. This procedure often makes a substantial difference in how people feel about themselves and their appearance. Thanks to my conservative approach, revision surgery is exceedingly rare, and patient satisfaction rates are impressively high. Given the well-tolerated recovery, many patients express regret at not pursuing the surgery sooner. As with any plastic surgery, it’s imperative to choose a board-certified surgeon from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. If you are unhappy with your nose, I encourage you to come in for a consultation. If you’ve had a “nose job” in the past with another surgeon, and are unhappy with your results, I offer revision surgeries as well. Come in and let’s talk.
Categorized in: Rhinoplasty
