Bottom line— Rhinoplasty improves your nose, whether for the sake of functionality or aesthetic appearance.
You might know it better as a nose job, but rhinoplasty surgery is the best way to reshape a broken nose, correct a deviated septum, revise those burdensome humps or angles… you get the picture.
Dr. Alexander Sinclair MD, a reputable plastic surgeon can help find a nose that’s right for your face by reducing or increasing the size, changing the shape of your tip or bridge, narrowing the span of your nostrils, or changing the angle between your nose and upper lip. Let’s not forget rhinoplasty’s reconstructive purposes; it can correct a birth defect and respiratory functions.
Rhinoplasty procedures, or nose jobs, don’t have the same connotations they used to; it’s not something done by the super vain or super rich. Nose plastic surgery is becoming as common as… the air we breathe.
Time Required for Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery):
It usually takes about 1-2 hours to perform rhinoplasty surgery. Time requirements can vary depending on the extent of surgery.
Is Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) an InPatient or OutPatient Procedure?
Usually outpatient.
What are the Side Effects of Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)?
Rhinoplasty side effects can include bruising, swelling, and tenderness.
How Long do Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) results last?
Rhinoplasty results are permanent.
What is the recovery time for Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)?
Day 1-10- You will be instructed to wear a split or cast to protect your nose for up to 10 days after your surgery.
Day 4-6- Any external sutures usually will be removed about 4-6 days after surgery and internal sutures dissolve naturally.
Day 14-1 Month- After a rhinoplasty procedure, recovery time from bruising and swelling should take about 2-4 weeks (when rhinoplasty to correct breathing problems has been performed, there usually won’t be visible bruising).
Month 3- Your nose will take shape nicely within about 3 months after surgery, but won’t develop into its final result until about a year or more after the procedure.
Will my insurance company cover Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)?
The cost of rhinoplasty can vary, but the surgery is covered by some insurance companies, so it may be more affordable than you thought. If you are pursuing rhinoplasty to reduce or eliminate breathing problems, check with your provider to see what coverage you are eligible for.
Is there much discomfort for Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)?
After rhinoplasty, discomfort will be felt temporarily, but can be controlled with prescribed pain medication.
Procedural Steps
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Alexander Sinclair, will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
Surgery of the nose is performed either using a closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, where an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
Through these incisions, the soft tissues that cover the nose are gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose.
Step 3 – Reshaping the nose structure
Surgery of the nose can reduce or augment nasal structures with the use of cartilage grafted from other areas of your body.
Most commonly, pieces of cartilage from the septum, the partition in the middle of the nose, is used for this purpose.
Occasionally a piece of cartilage from the ear and rarely a section of rib cartilage can be used.
Step 4 – Correcting a deviated septum
If the septum is deviated, it is now straightened and the projections inside the nose are reduced to improve breathing.
Step 5 – Closing the incision
Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue is redraped and incisions are closed. Additional incisions may be placed in the natural creases of the nostrils to alter their size.
Step 6 – See the results
Splints and internal tubes will likely support the nose as it begins to heal for approximately one week.
While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine.
During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
Nose surgery to improve an obstructed airway requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing.
Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to produce better alignment.