Bellevue Center for Plastic Surgery
Rhinoplasty - Nose job by Bellevue Plastic Surgeon Dr. D Stephens
What Is a Rhinoplasty and Why Is It Done?
Rhinoplasty ("nose job") is the surgical alteration of the nose to change its shape or improve its function. Rhinoplasty is performed to correct breathing problems related to the nose or to correct disfigurement of the nose that has occurred because of trauma or birth defects that cause the nose to take an abnormal shape. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is performed on normal noses to improve their shape and appearance. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, or change the size or shape of the tip, the bridge, or nostrils.
Who Is a Good Candidate For a Cosmetic Nose Job?
A good candidate for a cosmetic nose job is anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of his or her nose and is looking for an improvement in the way he or she looks. Candidates should also be in good physical health, be psychologically stable and have realistic expectations.
How Do I Know If My Expectations Are Realistic?
If you are considering rhinoplasty, be sure to discuss your expectations with your surgeon. During your initial consultation, you will be asked what bothers you about your nose and how you would like to change it.
Also, the surgeon will evaluate the structures of your nose such as the underlying nasal bones and cartilage, your overlying skin and your other facial features. After this evaluation, the surgeon can tell you if expectations are realistic and whether the rhinoplasty will enhance your natural facial beauty.
Is There a "Perfect" or "Ideal" Nose?
There is no one nasal shape that will compliment the natural beauty of every face. Today, surgical changes are made to enhance the remaining facial features and emphasize the individual's unique and natural facial beauty. A plastic surgeon can describe the facial features that make you unique and describe the changes that would enhance your appearance.
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon - How Is a Rhinoplasty Done?
Rhinoplasty is usually done as an outpatient procedure under either general or local anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you sleep through the operation. With local anesthesia, you are sedated and the nose is numbed so you are relaxed and unable to feel the pain. The incisions are made within the nostrils and in more difficult cases may also be made across the base of the nose. The inner bone and cartilage are reshaped to produce a more pleasing shape.
What Is a Structure Rhinoplasty?
A structure rhinoplasty is a technique where only minor amounts of cartilage are removed. The change in shape is obtained by remolding the existing cartilage or by adding cartilage grafts. Because only a small amount of cartilage is removed, the structural strength of the nose is maintained and this ensures that the shape will not change over time as the nose heals.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From a Rhinoplasty?
A nasal splint is normally worn for the first week after rhinoplasty. You can expect swelling and some bruising around the eyes after surgery which will begin to improve after the third day, but lasts up to two weeks.
After that, you will have a minor degree of swelling noticed only by you and your surgeon. This swelling will go away over the next six months. The final shape of your nose will be apparent after it has healed completely.
You should avoid strenuous activity for three to four weeks after surgery. You may return to your social activities in as soon as two to three weeks without any recognizable appearance that you had surgery.
Will Insurance Cover a Rhinoplasty?
It's important to realize that elective, cosmetic surgery is not typically covered under most insurance plans. Most insurance companies, however, typically cover that which is medically necessary. Coverage will depend on your insurance carrier.
Nose Injuries
- Preparing For Your Appointment
- Making the most of your doctor visit
You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:
- What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms?
- How and when did an injury occur? How was it treated?
- Have you had a nose injury in the past?
- Was your injury evaluated by a health professional? What was the diagnosis?
- How was your injury treated?
- Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
- What activities related to sports, work, or your lifestyle, make your symptoms better or worse?
- Do you think activities related to your job or hobbies caused your symptoms?
- Was this injury intentionally caused by another person?
- Was the use of alcohol or drugs involved in you injury?
- What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help? Be sure to include any nonprescription medications you have taken. Did they help?
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR RHINOPLASTY
Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes-to correct birth defects or breathing problems.
Age may also be a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not to operate on teenagers until after they've completed their growth spurt-around 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys. It's important to consider teenagers' social and emotional adjustment, too, and to make sure it's what they, and not their parents, really want.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
When rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery.
After surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's surface; these are usually minor but may be permanent. As for scarring, when rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose, there is no visible scarring at all; when an "open" technique is used, or when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils, the small scars on the base of the nose are usually not visible.
In about one case out of ten, a second procedure may be required-for example, to correct a minor deformity. Such cases are unpredictable and happen even to patients of the most skilled surgeons. The corrective surgery is usually minor.
Dr David Stephens MD, Plastic Surgeon - Providing services in Botox®, facelifts, liposuction and breast reduction, augmentation and implants to the areas of Bellevue and Seattle, Washington.
10687 NE 2nd St Bellevue, WA 98004
Ph. 425-455-0444
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