Rhinoplasty: What To Consider

Have you been unhappy with the appearance of your nose for the longest time now? The good news is that surgeons have a solution for you: Rhinoplasty. Here, we’ll dig into some informative details that will help you understand the procedure better in case you have been considering it.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Also commonly referred to as a “nose job,” it is an invasive procedure aimed at reshaping the appearance of the nose. Some people go under the scalpel to correct functional problems of the nose. Cosmetic rhinoplasty specializes in enhancing your appearance by making subtle changes to the shape and size of the nose.

What is the Rhinoplasty Procedure Like?

As earlier stated, rhinoplasty is an invasive procedure normally performed on an outpatient basis by most cosmetic surgeons. Surgeries take different periods to complete depending on the complexity of the procedure and the type of rhinoplasty you wish to be performed. However, the standard rhinoplasty takes about one to three hours to complete.

Your cosmetic surgeon will administer anesthesia to numb your nose and make the procedure bearable. A nose job can either be performed as a closed procedure (incisions are tucked inside the nose) or an open process (incisions run across the columella). Your surgeon will then lift the soft tissues in the nose following along the incisions, providing adequate space to reshape the nose’s structure. Should you need additional cartilage grafting, your cosmetic surgeon will retrieve the extra cartilages from other areas of your body, such as the ears. After completing the surgery, the nasal tissues and skin will be re-draped, and the openings stitched together.

A well-done nose job will leave no marks from the incisions after a few months of healing. However, immediately after surgery, your wounds will be stitched and dressed to prevent infections. The results are immediate, although you might want to take a few days for the swelling and bruising to go down before revealing the results.

What Should You Expect from Recovery?

Patience is vital during recovery from rhinoplasty. Due to the swelling and bruising from the surgery, expect difficulty breathing, which gets better as you continue to heal. The first 24 hours will be uncomfortable. Your cosmetic surgeon should prescribe a pain killer for the pain. You may also try applying an ice pack to offer additional relief from the pain. After seven days, you may head back into the clinic for the cast or splints to be removed. The changes from the nose job will continue to shift gradually over time up to one year when you can enjoy full rhinoplasty results.

Schedule A Consultation

Have you been exploring rhinoplasty and the benefits it has to offer? You came to the right place. Call us today to book an appointment with Dr. Dallas Homas or Dr. Lisa Brostrom at New Image Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, TX.