Dallas Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) : Dr. Wilcox (Q & A)
Thinking of making your nose more proportional to the rest of your face?
Rhinoplasty can reshape your nose to improve your appearance and indeed
make your nose more proportional to the rest of your face. Incisions can
be made to increase or decrease the size of the nasal bridge, reduce the
size or width of the nose, decrease the size of the nostrils, or reshape
the tip of the nose.
Often times, if you are experiencing breathing problems, these can be
corrected at the same time through the rhinoplasty procedure. To have
rhinoplasty, plastic surgeons generally recommend a patient wait until
the nose is fully developed (done growing). This age varies among individuals
but usually falls in the mid-teen range.
before the rhinoplasty surgery
As with any surgery, it is important that you have clear expectations
for your surgery and are prepared to discuss these goals with your plastic
surgeon. You should also come to the initial consultation prepared to
discuss your medical history including pre-existing medical conditions,
treatments, and prescriptions. The more your surgeon understands about
this information, the more qualified he will be to give you sound advise
on the potential for rhinoplasty surgery.
The consultation will include a routine, painless examination of your
nasal passages. If the goal of the surgery is to attain more proportion
in your facial features, the plastic surgeon may also recommend additional
procedures such as a chin implant. Ask your doctor about complimentary
procedures.
Prior to the rhinoplasty surgery, the physician should provide a list
of guidelines for preparation for your surgery.
the rhinoplasty surgery
Depending on what you decide with your surgeon as the best method to meet
your expectations, one of two techniques is generally used to perform
the surgery. The two types of rhinoplasty surgery are open rhinoplasty
and closed rhinoplasty.
Open rhinoplasty involves a small incision between the nostrils in addition
to the incisions inside of the nose. Some surgeons prefer to use this
method because it allows them greater access to the nose.
Closed rhinoplasty involves only incisions inside the nose and generally
leaves less bruising and swelling. This procedure is usually performed
in basic procedures because the surgeon is limited as to his ability to
view all areas inside the nose.
Whatever incisions are used to reshape your nose, they will ultimately
be very inconspicuous. With either closed or open rhinoplasty, work is
done on the cartilage and bone that form the framework of your nose.
The operation normally lasts about 1-2 hours. The surgery will either
be performed under local anesthesia with heavy sedation, or under general
anesthesia.
after the rhinoplasty surgery
Follow your surgeon's advice on when to begin work, exercises, and normal
activities. You can reduce any post-operation risk of complication by
closely following your surgeon’s instructions.
There may be some discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending
on the surgical technique used, a splint is usually applied to the nose
to maintain the shape. Most doctors recommend ice packs over your eyes
for the first 2 days to minimize swelling. Generally, bruising around
the eyes and cheeks is most apparent during the first three days following
surgery.
Rhinoplasty is relatively straightforward. But as with any operation,
there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated
with this procedure. Make sure to discuss this with your physician
The information presented on this site is intended to be used
for informational use only, it is not intended to be a substitute for
professional advice. If you are planning on having a procedure performed
or if there is anything you don't understand about your procedure, please
consult a physician.
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