Every year, half a million people who are interested
in improving the appearance of their noses seek consultation with
facial plastic surgeons. Some are unhappy with the noses they were
born with, and some with the way aging has changed their nose. For
others, an injury may have distorted the nose, or the goal may be
improved breathing. But one thing is clear: nothing has a greater
impact on how a person looks than the size and shape of the nose.
Because the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face,
a slight alteration can greatly improve one's appearance.
If you have wondered
how nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, could improve your looks, self-confidence,
or health, you need to know how rhinoplasty is performed and what
you can expect. No article can answer all your concerns, but this
one can provide answers to many of the questions you may have.
Successful facial
plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and
surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical
expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery. Dr.
Maloney can answer specific questions about your specific needs.
Is
Rhinoplasty For You? As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic
expectations are prerequisites. Understanding nose surgery is also
critical. Since there is no ideal in rhinoplasty, the goal is to
improve the nose aesthetically, making it harmonize better with
other facial features.
Skin type, ethnic
background, and age are important factors to be considered in discussions
with Dr. Maloney prior to surgery. Before the nose is altered, a
young patient must reach full growth, usually around age fourteen
or fifteen. Exceptions are cases in which breathing is severely
impaired.
Before deciding
on rhinoplasty, ask Dr. Maloney if any additional surgery might
be recommended to enhance the appearance of your face. Many patients
have chin augmentation in conjunction with rhinoplasty to create
a better balance of features.
Making
the Decision For Rhinoplasty
Whether the surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons,
your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount
importance. Many facial plastic surgeons are trained in both ear,
nose, throat, and facial cosmetic surgery, which provides you, the
patient, with the highest level of training and expertise. Dr. Maloney
will examine the structure of your nose, both externally and internally,
to evaluate what you can expect from rhinoplasty. Dr. Maloney will
also discuss factors that may influence the outcome of the surgery,
such as skin type, ethnic background, age, degree of deformity,
and degree of function of nasal structures.
You can expect
a thorough explanation of Dr. Maloney's expectations and the risks
involved in surgery. Following a joint decision by you and Dr. Maloney
to proceed with rhinoplasty, he will take photographs of you and
discuss the options available. Dr. Maloney will perform computer
imaging to help learn what your goals are with the procedure. He
will explain how the nasal structures, including bone and cartilage,
can be sculpted to reshape the nose and indicate how reshaping the
chin, for example, could enhance the desired results.
After conducting
a thorough medical history, Dr. Maloney will offer information regarding
anesthesia, the surgical facility to be used, and the costs for
the procedure.
Understanding
the Rhinoplasty Surgery The definition of rhinoplasty is, literally, shaping the nose.
First, incisions are made and the skin of the nose is lifted from
its underlying bone and cartilage support system. The majority of
incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. In
some cases, an incision is made in the area of skin separating the
nostrils. Next, certain amounts of underlying bone and cartilage
are removed or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. For
example, when the tip of the nose is too large, Dr. Maloney can
sculpt the cartilage in this area to reduce it in size. The angle
of the nose in relation to the upper lip can be altered for a more
youthful look or to correct a distortion.
The skin is then
redraped over the new frame and the incisions are closed. A splint
is applied to the outside of the nose to help retain the new shape
while the nose heals. Soft, absorbent material may be used inside
the nose to maintain stability along the dividing wall of the air
passages called the septum. Risk factors in rhinoplasty are generally
minor, and Dr. Maloney will discuss these prior to surgery.
What
to Expect After the Nose Surgery
Immediately after surgery, a small splint will be placed on your
nose to protect it and to keep the structure stable for at least
five to eight days. No packing is placed inside the nose during
surgery, therefore patients can generally breathe through their
nose. Your face may feel puffy,especially the first day after surgery.
Pain medication may be required. Dr. Maloney will advise you to
avoid blowing your nose for seven days after surgery. In the immediate
days following surgery, you may experience bruising and minor swelling
in the eye area. Cold compresses often reduce the bruising and discomfort.
Absorbable sutures are usually used that do not have to be removed.
Nasal dressing and splints are usually removed six or seven days
after surgery.
It is crucial
that you follow Dr. Maloney's directions, especially instructions
to keep your head elevated for a certain period after surgery. Some
activities will be prohibited in the weeks after the procedure.
Sun exposure, exertion, and risk of injury must be avoided. If you
wear glasses, special arrangements must be made to ensure that the
glasses do not rest on the bridge of the nose. Tape and other devices
are sometimes used to permit wearing glasses without stressing the
area where surgery was performed.
Follow-up care
is vital for this procedure to monitor healing. Obviously, anything
unusual should be reported to Dr. Maloney immediately. It is essential
that you keep your follow-up appointments with him.
Insurance does
not generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons.
Surgery to correct or improve nasal function or surgery for major
deformity or injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It
is the patient's responsibility to check with the insurance carrier
for information on the degree of coverage.
As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic
expectations are prerequisites. Understanding nose surgery is also
critical. Since there is no ideal in rhinoplasty, the goal is to
improve the nose aesthetically, making it harmonize better with
other facial features.
The definition of rhinoplasty is, literally, shaping the nose.
First, incisions are made and the skin of the nose is lifted from
its underlying bone and cartilage support system. The majority of
incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. In
some cases, an incision is made in the area of skin separating the
nostrils. Next, certain amounts of underlying bone and cartilage
are removed or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. For
example, when the tip of the nose is too large, Dr. Maloney can
sculpt the cartilage in this area to reduce it in size. The angle
of the nose in relation to the upper lip can be altered for a more
youthful look or to correct a distortion.