Nose

Nose surgery, also known as a Rhinoplasty, is a surgical procedure whose purpose is to improve the appearance and proportion of your nose, enhance facial symmetry and improve the patient’s self confidence. Nose surgery may also help correct impaired breathing caused by structural abnormalities in the nose. It can also help change the nose’s size in relation to other facial structures, nose width at the bridge, the profile of the nose, nasal tip, nostril size and shape, and nasal asymmetry or deviation. Knowing whether nose surgery is right for you is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s wants.

Patients who are a good candidate for rhinoplasty include the following:

• If your facial growth is complete
• If you have specific and realistic goals in mind
• If you are 13 years of age or older
• If you are physically healthy
• If you are a non-smoker
• What are the risks of having nose surgery?

There are several risks involved with having nose surgery as with any other surgical procedure.

Some risks include:

• Rupture of small surface vessels of the nose
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Nose asymmetry
• Cardiac and pulmonary complications can occur in longer surgical procedures and may be associated with the formation of, or increase in, blood clots in the venous system
• Change in skin sensation (numbness)
• Nasal airway alterations may occur after a rhinoplasty or septoplasty that may interfere with normal passage of air through the nose
• Nasal septal perforation (a hole in the nasal septum) may develop but is rare; additional surgical treatment may be necessary to repair the nasal septum but in some cases, it may be impossible to correct this complication
• Pain, which may persist
• Unfavorable rhinoplasty scarring
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration and post rhinoplasty swelling
• Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal

What should I expect before surgery?

Prior to nose surgery, the patient will be asked to get certain lab testing done or a medical evaluation. Also, patients may be asked to stop smoking a couple weeks before surgery and to take certain medications or adjust your current medications. For example, avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.

What to expect after your procedure:

After your procedure, a splint, internal tubes or packing will likely be placed inside your nose. Splints and bandages will also be placed on the outside to support and help protect the new structures during initial healing. You will also be given specific instructions to follow during your recovery from your rhinoplasty surgical procedure. These instructions will include how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally to aid in the healing process, and ways to reduce the potential for infection.
(Before/After photo added here)