RHINOPLASTY

Many people do not like the shape of their nose. They feel it is too big or that it has a hump on the top. The goal of nasal surgery is to achieve an improved but natural contour while correcting any internal deformities that may be causing breathing difficulties.

The best candidates for rhinoplasty are those who have a specific nasal feature they find unappealing, such as a broad base, a large hump on the dorsum, or an overly large tip. The nose can be reshaped by removing the hump from the bridge of the nose, narrowing the base, rotating the tip either up or down or altering the size of the nostrils. The end result creates a nose that appears smaller and fits the shape of your face.

Breathing problems from nasal obstruction are also addressed with a rhinoplasty. The most common is a deviated septum and this can be straightened at the same time as the nasal reshaping.

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that demands a great deal of planning and detail from the surgeon. Everyone’s nose is different and I plan each rhinoplasty specifically for that person. I do not use a computer to plan the surgery. Rather, I use a custom hand drawn plan because it is much more accurate. A pleasing nose falls within certain measurements and angles to itself and to the face. I use these measurements to judge what will be the most pleasing change for a rhinoplasty and as a guide in the operation itself.

I like to see photographs of noses you think are attractive – it helps me better understand what you would like to achieve. However, I can only change someone’s nose so much as I have to work with the original shape of your nose and skin.

The operation for a rhinoplasty can vary in length. Usually they are around 2 – 3 hours. A rhinoplasty requires a general anesthetic so you will be unaware of the surgery. The recovery time is about 10 – 14 days to allow the bruising and swelling to subside. However, the final results of a rhinoplasty do not happen for 6 to 12 months after the procedure. That is not to say the swelling lasts 6 months, but the subtle definition of the tip of the nose can take that long to show.

I do not “break” the nose in a rhinoplasty. I also do not pack your nose after a rhinoplasty so you will be able to breath after the surgery. I use sutures (stitches) that dissolve and you will be able to go home after your surgery.

I have had a great deal of experience with difficult nasal surgery especially during my time working at Loma Linda University. I treated children with difficult nose deformities from cleft lip and people who had problems with their nose due to accidents or cancer. I now do revisions of noses from previous failed rhinoplasties which can be difficult operations. I have the experience and skill to help you attain your goals in nasal reshaping no matter what the problem.

Because nasal reshaping is very specific to the individual, the only way to determine what changes can be done to your nose is with a personal consultation. Call Beautologie for a complimentary appointment to discuss your options and make the changes you have always wanted.

Rhinoplasty 1st Week Instructions

Normal Things: You may have some bloody drainage from your nose for the first couple of days. This is normal. You should not blow our nose for the first two weeks after surgery. Gently dab your nose with a Kleenex. You should also expect to have some stuffiness after the surgery. The Afrin nasal spray will help if it is difficult to breath through your nose. You should also expect to have some swelling of your face and eyelids. The swelling may be worse the next morning after your surgery than the first night. To control swelling, it is helpful to sleep with “the head higher than the heart”. This is best accomplished by sleeping with your back and head elevated on several pillows or to sleep in a recliner chair for a couple nights. Use crushed ice or frozen peas over your cheeks and eyes the firs night to also help with swelling. The swelling and bruising is generally gone in 10 – 14 days.

Medicines: Take the Vicodin for pain every 4 hours if you need it for discomfort. Take it less often if your discomfort is controlled. If you get nausea from the Vicodin try taking a half a pill at a time. Take the antibiotics (Amoxicillin) and Arnica as directed. The Medrol is to help with swelling and can be stopped once your swelling is decreased. Take it as directed in the pack. The Afrin can be used 2 – 3 times per day to help with stuffiness.

Bleeding: A small amount of bloody drainage is expected. If you do get a nosebleed, most times it can be stopped by first spraying Afrin into both nostrils and then pinching the nostrils and lying still for 10 minutes. Then do not blow your nose.

The Nasal Splint: The splint is important for the success of your surgery. Try not to knock it loose. If it comes off, place it back on and hold it in place with tape. Do not get the splint wet as this may cause it to become loose.

Other important instructions:

-- Do not wear regular glasses or sunglasses which rest on the bridge of the nose for at least 4 weeks.

-- Glasses should be held on with tape to the forehead.

-- Contact lenses may be worn once the swelling of your eyelids decreases.

-- You may wash your face - carefully avoid the dressing. Take tub baths until the splint is removed.

-- If you get some blood clots in the nose, you can carefully remove them with a Q-tip.

-- Avoid foods that require prolonged chewing. Otherwise, your diet has no restrictions.

-- Avoid extreme physical activity and bending over.

-- Brush teeth gently with a soft toothbrush only. Avoid movement of upper lip to keep nose at rest.

-- Avoid smiling, grinning, and excess facial movements until the splint is removed.

-- Have someone help you wash your hair so the soap and water does not loosen the splint.

-- Wear clothing that fastens in front or back for 1 wk. Avoid slipover sweaters, T-shirts and turtlenecks.

-- The tip of your nose and upper lip may be numb after the surgery. This will go away in a few weeks.

-- Swelling from the surgery will temporarily make the nose appear broader and the tip more turned up than normal. You will often notice that the swelling on the bridge of your nose will improve more quickly than the swelling on the tip of your nose. This should not be a cause for alarm. All the swelling in your nose will greatly improve in the first few weeks after the surgery.