Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty –
or surgery to reshape the nose – is one of the most
common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can
reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape
of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils,
or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip.
It also may correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve
some breathing problems.
The best candidates
for rhinoplasty are people looking for improvement, not perfection,
in the way they look. If you are physically healthy, psychologically
stable and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good
candidate.
Age also may be
a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not to operate on teenagers
until after they've completed their growth spurt – around
14 or 15 years of age for girls and a bit later for boys.
It's important to consider teenagers' social and emotional
adjustment, too, and to make sure it's what they, and not
their parents, really want.
When rhinoplasty
is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications
are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always
a possibility of complications, including infection, nosebleed
or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks
by closely following your surgeon's instructions both before
and after surgery.
After surgery, small burst blood vessels
may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's surface; these
are usually minor but may be permanent. When rhinoplasty is
performed from inside the nose, there is no visible scarring
at all; when an "open" technique is used, or when
the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils,
the small scars on the base of the nose usually are not visible.
In about one case
out of 10, a second procedure may be required – for
example, to correct a minor deformity. Such cases are unpredictable
and happen to patients of even the most skilled surgeons.
The corrective surgery is usually minor.
Be sure to tell
your surgeon if you've had any previous nose surgery or an
injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You should
also inform your surgeon if you have any allergies or breathing
difficulties; if you're taking any medications, vitamins,
or recreational drugs; and if you smoke.
Rhinoplasty usually
takes an hour or two, although complicated procedures may
take longer. During surgery, the skin of the nose is separated
from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which
is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting
will depend on your problem and your surgeon's preferred technique.
Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.
Many plastic surgeons
perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, making their incision
inside the nostrils. Others prefer an "open" procedure,
especially in more complicated cases; they make a small incision
across the columella, the vertical strip of tissue separating
the nostrils.
When the surgery
is completed, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain
its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also may
be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing
wall between the air passages.
After surgery –
particularly during the first 24 hours – your face will
feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache.
You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed
by your surgeon. You'll notice that the swelling and bruising
around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after
two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this
swelling and make you feel a bit better. In any case, you'll
feel a lot better than you look. Most of the swelling and
bruising should disappear within two weeks or so. (Some subtle
swelling – unnoticeable to anyone but you and your surgeon
– will remain for several months.)
A little bleeding
is common during the first few days after surgery, and you
may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. Your
surgeon probably will ask you not to blow your nose for a
week or so, while the tissues heal.
If you have nasal packing, it will
be removed after a few days and you will feel much more comfortable.
By the end of one or – occasionally – two weeks,
all dressings, splints and stitches are removed.
Most rhinoplasty
patients are up and about within two days and able to return
to school or sedentary work a week or so after surgery. However,
it will be several weeks before you're entirely up to speed.
Making an Appointment
For a consultation with a
Washington University cosmetic surgeon, please call (314) 362-4452.
Other
facial treatments.
Disclaimer:
The photos on this website are of models, not actual patients.
| 
