What Should I Expect From Rhinoplasty?

What Should I Expect From Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty operation, commonly called a nose job, does not always involve the exact same steps. The procedure is adjusted based on the particular anatomy and objectives of the patient. It is possible for this procedure to be conducted within the nose or via a small incision at its base, in between the nostrils. Typically the surgeon alters the cartilage and bone beneath the skin. There are a few different methods that can be used for augmentation of the cartilage and bone. Factors include the materials available, the shape of your nose, and amount of the augmentation. If the adjustment is relatively minor, the physician may be able to use cartilage from your ear or elsewhere within your nose for augmentation. If the amount of the augmentation is more substantial, the doctor can use implants, bones from elsewhere in the body, and cartilage from your ribs.

  • How to prepare for your rhinoplasty consultation
  • What should you expect from rhinoplasty surgery?
  • What are your unique goals?

 

How to prepare for your rhinoplasty consultation

Getting a rhinoplasty procedure is not just about the operation itself. It is also about knowing what to ask and what you need to get out of an initial consultation. A few things that you will want to cover include:

  • Your objectives for the operation in terms of breathing and how you will look;
  • Your prior medical treatments, any allergies, and health conditions;
  • Any drugs you are currently taking, along with dietary supplements and vitamins, and use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs; and
  • Any operations you have already had.

Other possible elements of the consultation are:

  • An overview of any preexisting conditions that you have, risk factors, and your other health details;
  • What different possible ways you can choose to reshape your nose;
  • A taking of measurements of your nose and face;
  • Capturing of photographs of your face;
  • Your different possibilities for surgery;
  • An outline of how treatment would proceed;
  • Talk about the outcomes to expect from rhinoplasty and possible complications.

You want to use this consultation to its fullest, getting answers to all your questions. Questions you want to ask, organized by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, include:

  • Do you have specific training in plastic or cosmetic surgery?
  • How many years of plastic surgery training do you have?
  • Am I a strong candidate for this operation?
  • What do I need to do for the best possible outcome?
  • Where would you conduct the procedure, and using what means?
  • How long will recovery take?
  • What forms of assistance will I need during recovery?
  • What are possible complications, and how would those be addressed?
  • What should I expect in my nose’s appearance in the months ahead?
  • Can I see before-and-after photographs from your patients?
  • What results can I reasonably expect?

What should you expect from rhinoplasty surgery?

Knowing how to prepare for your consultation is one thing. What about when the actual surgery occurs? It is important to know what to expect, in part simply so that you feel comfortable and are not unnecessarily worried or stressed. These basic guidelines and advice from Johns Hopkins Medicine give you a sense of what a patient should expect from this operation:

  • Directly following rhinoplasty, a splint is positioned on the nose so that it is safe and stabilized. This splint usually stays in place for 5-8 days.
  • If there is packing put inside the nose for the surgery, it is subsequently taken out a day or two afterward.
  • Particularly during the first 24 hours following the operation, the patient’s face may feel swollen.
  • Pain medication is often prescribed.
  • The surgeon will let you know that it is a good idea to refrain from blowing your nose for 15-30 days following the operation.
  • It is possible that you will get a small amount of swelling or bruising near the eye in the days directly after the rhinoplasty procedure. If you experience this discomfort, a cold compress can alleviate pain and bruising.
  • Stitches that dissolve on their own, called absorbable sutures, are typically used within the nose.
  • You might have to get stitches that are on the outside of the nose removed about a week following the procedure.
  • Generally, about 6 or 7 days following rhinoplasty, the splints and nasal dressing are removed.

It is common for someone who gets a rhinoplasty operation to be back at their job or back in class in a week. Your surgeon’s instructions will be key in expediting your recovery.

It is a good idea to limit certain types of activities during the week directly following surgery. Those are:

  • Exposure to sunlight – It is wise to avoid the sun while you are healing.
  • Physical intensity – Be careful not to overextend yourself with anything you do physically, so you do not get in the way of healing.
  • Professional monitoring – Be certain to get to all your follow-up visits with your physician so that they can monitor your recovery and give you proper care.

What are your unique goals?

Are you considering rhinoplasty? At the Aesthetic Surgery Center in San Francisco, California, Dr. Macdonald uses state-of-the-art techniques and technology to achieve customized results focused on each patient’s unique goals and needs.

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