|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Talksurgery adheres to the Health On the Net Foundation's Code of Conduct
|
|
|
|
Nose
(Rhinoplasty)
Nose surgery can reduce the overall size of the nose, remove a bump on the bridge and alter the shape of the nasal tip or the span of the nostrils. Rhinoplasty can also be used to correct breathing problems and is often performed in conjunction with chin surgery and/or facial implant surgery.
What does it cost?
The average cost for rhinoplasty in the US is $3,500; the cost varies from surgeon to surgeon and according to where they practice. In Canada, the costs varies from $3,500 to $8,000 CDN. There may be additional costs such as anesthesia, operating room facility, prescription medicines, etc.
What happens during the procedure?
The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgical center, either operated by your surgeon or a hospital facility, and takes 1-2 hours, but depending on the extent of the procedure, it can take longer. If you are having more than one procedure, overnight hospitalization may be required.
Nose surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, along with intravenous sedation. General anesthesia can be used depending on your health, the extent of the procedure and whether you are having other procedures at the same time.
Incisions are made inside the rim of the nostrils. Some surgeons, however, prefer an "open" procedure, especially for more complicated cases. Small, inconspicuous incisions are then also made in the skin separating the nostrils or in the rim of the nose. The open technique gives the surgeon the ability to completely visualize the internal structures of the nose but post-operative swelling takes significantly longer to subside and some of the tissues may be unnecessarily disrupted. The scar is most often quite small and fades rapidly. The closed technique does not require an external incision, heals more quickly and leaves no visible scars.
During surgery, the soft tissue of the nose is separated from the underlying structure of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nasal bones are carefully fractured and sculpted with a chisel or a rasp to remove a bump in the bridge and reduce overall size. The nasal bones are then brought together to form a narrower bridge. Cartilage is trimmed to reshape the tip of the nose, the septum is trimmed to improve the angle between the nose and upper lip and alar narrowing is used to adjust the width of the nostrils.
A splint is applied and the nose is packed lightly with medicated gauze. If the nose is not being reduced in size, then the nose is only taped while it is healing. The stitches used to close internal incisions are self-absorbing and do not require removal. If an incision is made across the skin separating the nostrils (columnella), then the stitches will have to be removed after 3 to 5 days.
Are there risks or potential side effects?
As with all surgeries, there is always a possibility of complications following rhinoplasty, including infection, nosebleed, a reaction to the anesthesia, hematoma, seroma, nerve damage and the occurrence of asymmetries or irregularities. Should infection occur, your surgeon will prescribe a treatment with antibiotics. Some bleeding is considered normal after surgery; however, if bleeding is profuse or uncontrollable, nasal packing or repacking may be required. Be sure to ask your surgeon about all of the risks associated with the procedure before you make any decision.
Sometimes uneven callous-like areas may develop on the nose after the procedure but can usually be corrected with further surgery. Small burst blood vessels (capillaries) may appear as tiny red spots on the surface of the skin. These may fade with time or may be removed using a dermatological procedure for vein treatment. In 10% of rhinoplasties, a second procedure may be required, however, the corrective surgery is usually minor.
What to expect post-procedure?
During the first 24 hours after surgery, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. Swelling and bruising around the eyes can be expected and should peak after two or three days. The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication. Keep your head elevated, above heart level when lying down. Applying cold compresses, or small ice packs will reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a watertight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular icing is the key to relieving the often considerable swelling.
Despite a swollen and bruised appearance, many patients report only minor discomfort that was alleviated with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Your surgeon may also prescribe medication for pain. A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. Your surgeon will probably ask you not to blow your nose while the tissues heal.
How soon does normal life resume?
You can resume wearing contact lenses after a few days, as soon as the swelling around the eye area has subsided. Glasses, however, cannot be worn normally for the first month and must be taped to your forehead to avoid any pressure on the bridge of the nose.
You should be able to return to sedentary work after a couple of days. Any nasal packing will be removed after a few days and by the end of the first week, sometimes the second, all dressings, splints, and stitches will be removed. There will be some swelling and stuffiness for several weeks. It will take several weeks, however, before the nose is completely healed to allow full physical activity. Care must be taken not to blow your nose for the first two weeks and you should avoid contact sports or any activity that may result in your face being jarred or bumped for six weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with instructions to minimize risks and help speed your recovery.
As with any surgery, it is also sometimes normal to feel anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following the operation. Post-operative blues are not uncommon after nose surgery. You may be initially dissatisfied with the appearance of your nose but it is important to note that it is still quite swollen, and much of the detail is still not visible enough to appreciate. Patience, at this point, is very important. The appearance of your nose will change significantly during the first three months and it can even take a year or two to see the final results of the surgery. Rushing to have a second procedure before a full twelve months has passed is almost always a mistake.
Who performs it?
Nose surgery is usually performed by a plastic surgeon or an otolaryngologist (ENT). Rhinoplasty is a difficult procedure and your surgeon needs to be a bit of an artist as well as technically proficient because the results of the procedure cannot easily be predicted. It may still take some time before the skin contracts around the newly sculpted framework as it heals and for the shape of your new nose to be completely visible.
Are you a good candidate?
As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites, but if you want to change the shape of your nose, then rhinoplasty may be appropriate, especially if:
- You have thin, non-oily skin.
- Do not have any conditions that require regular use of nasal medications.
- You do not smoke.
- You are over15 years of age.
- Your surgeon of any and all medical conditions and any allergies you may have and whether you are a smoker. Also, tell your surgeon about any medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription).
- You are not prone to scarring problems such as keloids.
- You have a good understanding of the healing process and the limitations of the procedure.
How to prepare for surgery?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery but here are some general guidelines:
- Avoid aspirin, any aspirin containing medication or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID), such as MotrinŽ or AdvilŽ, for two weeks prior to treatment. Because aspirin thins the blood, it can interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
- Smoking inhibits the healing process, so stop smoking before your procedure and if you start again, make sure it is after you are completely healed.
- Avoid drinking alcohol a few days before your surgery.
- Make sure to follow any fasting instructions the night before and morning of your surgery. Your doctor may insist on an empty stomach depending on the type of anesthesia.
- Make sure that you arrange for someone to bring you home and to help you out for 24 hours after surgery.
Locate a certified physician with our Doctor Locator.
To view Personal Stories about this procedure contributed by our members, Click Here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisement
If you have a specific problem area that you'd like to fix on your face, Perlane, Restylane, and Restylane Fine Lines by Q-Med Esthetics provide appealing solutions.
|
|
|
|
|
Our weight alone is not a sufficient measure to assess our risk for disease. Total body fat, fat distribution and the consequences of dieting must be considered as well.
(Source: the Role of Weight Management in the Health of Women" by Sachiko T. St. Jeor, professor and director of Nutrition Education and Research at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine)
|
|
|
|
