| Nose
Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
What is nose surgery?
Who are the best candidates?
What should be expected during
surgery?
What should be expected after surgery?
What are the risks?
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What is
nose surgery (rhinoplasty)?
Surgery of the nose (rhinoplasty) is an operation
frequently performed by plastic surgeons. This surgical procedure
can produce changes in the appearance, structure, and function of
the nose. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of the nose,
change the shape of the tip, narrow the width of the nostrils, or
change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. This operation
can help correct birth defects, nasal injuries, and help relieve
some breathing problems.
Rhinoplasty surgery is customized for each patient,
depending on his/her needs. Incisions may be made within the nose
or concealed in inconspicuous locations of the nose. Internal nasal
surgery to improve nasal breathing can be performed at the time
of the rhinoplasty.
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Who are the best candidates?
Rhinoplasty can be done at any time once nasal growth
is complete. In women, this usually occurs by age thirteen, in men
by age sixteen.
The best candidates for this type of surgery are individuals
who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the appearance
of their nose. In addition to realistic expectations, good health
and psychological stability are important qualities for a patient
considering rhinoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty can also be performed
in conjunction with other surgeries.
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What should be expected during
surgery?
Rhinoplasty incisions are inside the nose and are
closed with dissolving sutures. If the nostrils must be narrowed,
there may be small incisions and removable sutures at the nostril
rim. These sutures are taken out five days after surgery.
Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though rhinoplasty
combined with another procedure 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 the shape of your face,
your problem, and Dr. Ress' preferred technique. Finally, the skin
is redraped over the new framework.
Although reshaping is generally done through incisions
inside the nose, there may also be an incision passing across the
central portion of the nose between the nostrils. It is sometimes
necessary to narrow the base of the nose or reduce the size of the
nostrils. This entails removing small wedges of skin at the base
of the nostrils. The resulting scars usually fade very well and
ultimately should be barely noticeable.
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What should be expected after
surgery?
When rhinoplasty is completed, packing is sometimes
inserted inside the nose and a splint placed on the outside. During
the first twenty-four hours after surgery, your face will feel puffy,
your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache.
The packs remain for one to five days and will be
removed in our office. The splint will be removed about one week
after surgery and showering will be permitted at that time. Most
bruising and swelling will disappear within ten to fourteen days.
You may participate in non-contact exercise two weeks after surgery,
but you should avoid contact athletics for six weeks.
Although you will be able to notice the effects of
rhinoplasty surgery in two to three weeks, details will continue
to evolve over the next six months to a year.
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What are the risks?
With any type of activity there is inherent risk.
An individual's choice to undergo a surgical procedure is based
on the comparison of the risk to potential benefit. Although the
majority of patients do not experience complications from this surgery,
you should discuss each of them with Dr. Ress to make sure you understand
the risks, potential complications and consequences of rhinoplasty.
To schedule a free consultation,
call 561-347-1611 or contact us here.
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