Rhinoplasty

Undestanding a Rhinoplasty with our 3D Model
People are often unhappy with the shape of their nose due to hereditary factors or perhaps an injury. Rhinoplasty is a procedure that can improve the appearance of a patient’s nose by changing the size, width, profile, tip shape, or general asymmetry to enhance the balance of the face and/or draw attention to features such as the eyes or mouth. Rhinoplasty is also a solution for correcting an internal dysfunction such as a deviated septum, which can cause difficulty in breathing.

Initial Consultation

During your initial consultation, you will meet with one of our surgeons and your patient-care coordinator. They will carefully and completely review your health history and perform a thorough exam. Our plastic surgeons will also discuss with you the risks, benefits, and potential complications as well as explain in detail what the procedure entails. Rhinoplasty is a procedure that requires lengthy planning by the surgeon and a keen eye for detail. Our trained staff will take photos and provide you with a computer simulated plan to illustrate the goals in mind.

Procedure

The procedure itself will take approximately two to three hours and will require general anesthesia. During your surgery, we will neither “break” the nose, nor will we typically pack it afterwards, as it is important that you are able to breathe following the procedure. Additionally, the actual incision will be hidden, and your sutures will be dissolvable; depending on your needs and desires, rhinoplasty may include smoothing bumps, narrowing bones, shaping the tip, resizing the nostrils, and improving the angle between the nose and the upper lip.

Recovery

Most patients are able to return home the day of their surgery; however, you will need someone to drive you as well as to stay with you for the first 24 hours. In the first couple days following your procedure, you may notice slight bloody drainage—which is normal—and you will also likely feel as if you have a stuffy nose; however it is important that you not blow your nose for approximately two weeks following your rhinoplasty. Additionally, you will probably have swelling of your face and eyelids as well as some degree of discomfort, and you will be prescribe medicine to control the bleeding, swelling, and pain.

The recovery time for rhinoplasty is approximately 10 to 14 days: Your swelling and bruising should subside within the first couple of weeks, and you should see a noticeable change within six to eight weeks; while most people report a positive difference in their appearance much sooner, the final results of the procedure often take 6 to 12 months to become visible, as swelling continues to gradually decrease and the skin of the nose forms to the new shape of the underlying bone and cartilage.

Risks

Although complications are rare, they do occur on occasion. Because of our team’s advanced training and methodical technique, complications are extremely unlikely, as are revisions; most importantly, we have never experienced a life-threatening surgical complication. Because of our commitment to patient safety and satisfaction, we will not perform this procedure unless a patient has completely quit smoking for at least three months pre-operatively, as smoking significantly increases your risk of complications and interferes with wound healing.