Several people opt for various surgeries that enhance their appearances. From the chiseling of the jaw to the lifting of the eyebrows, many surgeries are considered ordinary in daily life. One such procedure is rhinoplasty.
Although it sounds fancy, rhinoplasty is nothing but a nose job. Although it is usually done to boost appearance, there are several medical reasons to come in for one as well. It can be done to rectify an injury, to correct birth defects, or to tackle breathing problems. It is performed by modifying the nose’s shape through alteration of cartilage, bone, and/or soft tissue.
Rhinoplasty enhances the structure, function, and aesthetics of the nose. It is by far one of the most common kinds of plastic surgery. Health insurance does not cover the surgery costs if it is a purely cosmetic procedure. If it is deemed to be a medically necessary procedure, then health insurance may cover some or all of the cost.
WHAT KIND OF CHANGES CAN BE DONE TO THE NOSE?
One can make a wide variety of changes using rhinoplasty. If it is for beauty-related reasons, it is advised to wait until the nose is fully grown. In terms of changes, simple procedures like adjustments in size and dimensions are extremely common. Other changes include straightening the bridge.
Some more complex changes such as reshaping the tip and narrowing the nostrils are also doable. Removing a dorsal hump – a bump on the nasal bridge – is also an important change that can be done. Based on research, there is a high satisfaction rate among people who undergo this procedure, as it can offer a drastic improvement in appearance.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE LIKE?
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure in most cases. At the start, local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia is administered. It is usually done in hospitals and clinics. Once the patient has been made comfortable with anesthesia, the surgeon starts making precise incisions. These can be made inside the nostrils or on the columella between them.
Once the skin is separated from the cartilage, the reshaping process starts. In certain cases, there might be a requirement for extra cartilage, in which case the doctor removes some from the patient’s ear, rib, or nasal septum. The procedure is known to take one to two hours generally, but the more complex it gets, the longer it will take.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
Once the procedure is done with, the patient is usually required to wear a nasal splint for the first week. Minute bruising and swelling around the eyes is completely normal during the first few days. These issues will usually start getting better after the third or fourth day, depending on how fast the person heals.
The nose may display slight swelling for a couple of months, and it should go away completely in six months. After this period, the final shape of the nose and the outcome of the procedure will be apparent. During the course of this healing period, it is advised to stay away from strenuous activities for a minimum of one month.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BETTER-LOOKING NOSE
Give yourself the gift of a better-looking nose – contact our office and make an appointment for a consultation with skilled board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. R. Emerick Salas. Dr. Salas will be happy to plan out your surgical procedure.
