cutforapurpose.com
Rhinoplasty, or aesthetic nose surgery, is a procedure to improve the appearance and proportion of the nose that will enhance facial harmony.
The shape of your nose is usually the result of heredity. Occasionally, the shape is altered after an injury or previous surgeries.
While Caucasian type noses may require reshaping or reduction of bone and cartilage, Oriental type noses may frequently require an addition of deficient nasal dorsum and trimming of cartilages.
Rhinoplasty can change the nose size, the profile, the symmetry in relation to the other facial features. Large or bulbous nasal tip or wide nostrils can likewise be changed. The aim is to improve your self confidence.
There are basically two types of rhinoplasty: one that will require reduction such as the correction of humps or wide nasal bones at the bridge (sometimes called reduction rhinoplasty) ; the other, that will require adding to the lack in the height of the bridge of the nose (also called augmentation rhinoplasty).
Augmentation rhinoplasty is usually done under local anesthesia with sedation, as an office out-patient surgery. Patients can go home immediately after the operation, or after half an hour of rest. Reduction rhinoplasty however, which may include refracturing of the nasal bones, is more frequently done under general anesthesia.
Augmentation rhinoplasty with tip and alar correction will take between 1 ½ to 2 hours. Reduction rhinoplasty together with nasal tip and alar correction will take between 2- 2 ½ hours.
A consultation with your surgeon is the first step an individual should take if considering rhinoplasty.
Select a surgeon who is highly qualified and one whom you can trust.
How do you select a plastic surgeon? You choose a surgeon who:
Rhinoplasty should be considered by an individual because it is her own desire, not to fulfill someone else's or the person's desire to be like someone else's image. To want to look like a picture in a magazine may not be a realistic approach to having rhinoplasty.
During consultation, you can discuss candidly your expectations about looking and feeling better after surgery, while keeping in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection. Likewise, the surgeon can explain what services he can provide to meet your expectations.
During consultation, the patient will be asked about his medical history, drug allergies and previous medical treatments, use of alcohol, herbal supplements, and smoking. He/she is also evaluated with regard to his/her medical status to see if he/she qualifies to undergo surgery safely. In few instances where patients have prior history of cardiac, hypertension, pulmonary, endocrine conditions, clearance from an internist/ cardiologist may be sought as may be deemed necessary.
A splint will be placed over the nose. The splint is placed for protection and as a pressure dressing to reduce post-operative swelling. A nasal pack is placed in each nostril to absorb the liquid and blood from the wound inside the nose. The splint and sutures are removed 5-7 days after the operation.
You will experience maximum swelling during the first 3 days but it will gradually subside. Elevating the head during sleep will hasten the decrease of swelling by gravity. However, you will experience swelling off and on. Sometimes, it will worsen in the morning during the first 6-12 months after your operation.
Tolerance to pain is an individual matter. Some experience it as an ache, while others experience greater discomfort. Most augmentation rhinoplasty patients have minimal discomfort after the operation. Those who undergo nasal bone refracturing may experience a greater amount of discomfort.
You will be prescribed antibiotics as well as the appropriate pain medications which will help minimize the discomfort.
You may return to work between 7-10 days. Strenuous activities like gym, swimming, jogging can be resumed after 4-6 weeks.
In the tropics where the UV light, specifically between 9am-3pm, enhances the swelling of post-operative facial wounds, prolonged and direct exposure to the sun during the first 3-4 weeks should be avoided.
Swelling is down to a minimum by about 2 to 3 months after the operation. It is only then that you will begin to see the final result. You can basically appreciate much of the result in 2-3 months, although it may take up to one year for your new contour to be completely appreciated.
You will be given a set of instructions on how to take care of yourself after your operation. Following these instructions is key to the success of your surgery. You will be asked to refrain from activities that can potentially injure the operated nose, like exercise, games, and some social activities. And of course, you are to avoid subjecting your healing nose to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.