Your nose is one of the first things people notice when they look at you due to its central location on your face. Changing the appearance of your nose, then, can greatly alter the look of your face.
Michael Macdonald, MD, at Aesthetic Surgery Center in San Francisco specializes in crafting new noses — a process known as rhinoplasty — for both personal and medical reasons. Whether you’re dissatisfied with the size, shape, or functionality of your nose, Dr. Macdonald can help.
Reasons to choose rhinoplasty
Some people have nasal deformities that obstruct their breathing, particularly while sleeping. For these patients, a type of corrective surgery called septoplasty or septorhinoplasty can fix it. Other patients may have damaged their nose in an accident or sports-related injury. And some patients may simply not like the look of their nose and want to reshape it.
Types of rhinoplasty
There are three main types of rhinoplasty:
Primary rhinoplasty
Primary rhinoplasty is the term given to surgeries performed on noses that have not been operated on before. Most primary rhinoplasty procedures are designed to improve the shape and size of the nose by reshaping the cartilage and soft tissues.
Revision rhinoplasty
Revision rhinoplasty is a procedure that’s performed on a nose that has previously been operated on. Other local cosmetic surgeons frequently refer their toughest cases to Dr. Macdonald, because he specializes in this complex form of surgery. He recommends, however, that patients wait a minimum of one year before undergoing additional surgery.
Functional nasal surgery
This form of surgery is designed to treat a health issue, such as sleep apnea, or other conditions that can obstruct your breathing.
Getting a rhinoplasty
First, you will meet with Dr. Macdonald so he can give you a thorough examination and discuss your goals. Then he will design a plan that is tailored to your unique needs.
During surgery, Dr. Macdonald will reshape your nose by borrowing cartilage from the septum in your nose. In some cases, he may need to insert an implant to augment the shape or size of your nose. The surgery could take anywhere from 1-4 hours, depending on the intricacy of the procedure. His techniques are so precise that no outside scars will be visible after recovery.
To learn more about rhinoplasty or to see if you’re a candidate, book an appointment online or over the phone with Aesthetic Surgery Center today.