Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Nose Surgery - Rhinoplasty information
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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 board-certified
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 iEnhance'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.
