Rhinoplasty
(Nose)
OVERVIEW
Rhinoplasty surgery is when the nose is
reshaped and resculpted. Thousands of rhinoplasties,
or nose jobs are performed each year. Dr. Anagnos,
Blue Ridge Plastic Surgery Group's rhinoplasty
surgeon, can
either increase or decrease the size of the nose,
change the overall shape of the tip of the nose and
bridge, narrow the nostril span, or change the angle
between the upper lip and the nose. At our North
Carolina Plastic Surgery facility, rhinoplasty can
also be done to correct a birth defect, or to allow
better breathing.
Rhinoplasty surgery can enhance one's overall appearance
and help patients to be more self confident. The
ideal candidate for a rhinoplasty has realistic
expectations and would like to improve the overall
look and contours of their nose. While rhinoplasty
can be performed virtually on any age, teenage
patients seeking surgery for cosmetic purposes are
advised to wait until after their growth spurt and
asked to evaluate their reasons for surgery.SURGERY
The procedure usually only takes between one and two
hours. Dr. Anagnos, our North Carolina Plastic
Surgeon can perform the operation from inside the
nostrils, working within the nose, and making
incisions inside the nose. Other complicated
operations, call for an "open" procedure where he
makes an incision on the outside of the nose, and
separates the nostrils to allow for sculpting and
reshaping. Our North Carolina Plastic Surgeon will
perform various techniques for shaping and resculpting using surgical tools depending on the
look that you desire.
Dr. Anagnos will apply a splint to the nose to hold the
new shape of your nose in place. Nasal packs or soft
nostril splints also can be placed inside the
nostrils to allow airflow and hold the septum in
place after rhinoplasty surgery.
RECOVERY
After surgery most patients feel that their face is
slightly puffy and swollen, and there is some pain
in the nose and face area. Doctors usually advise
patients to stay in bed the day following their
surgery with their head elevated. Patients normally
have some bruising and swelling around the eyes, but
after a few weeks the swelling and bruising should
go down and disappear. Bleeding is usually common in
the first few days after surgery and doctors advise
patients not to blow their noses until after the
tissues within the nose have healed properly. Most
patients are up and about and back to school and
work within a week following the rhinoplasty surgery. Several
weeks are needed however to totally heal and feel
normal in the nose and cheek area. Doctors recommend
that you avoid activities in which you could hit or
hurt your nose, and advise not to rub or bump your
nose too hard for several weeks after the procedure.
RISKS
When rhinoplasty
surgery is performed by a qualified plastic
surgeon most risks and complications are rare and
usually minor. However, as with all surgeries, some
complications could include infection, nosebleeds or
a negative reaction of the anesthesia. Some scarring
can occur with the "open" procedure, however most
scars are virtually impossible to see on the
underside of the nose. Sometimes patients
experience tiny red spots on the skin's surface as a
result from broken blood vessels. The resulting spots
are small, but can remain permanent. In some cases,
the patient may desire or require a follow up
surgery. However most of these follow up procedures
are minor and are not near as complicated as the
initial rhinoplasty procedure. |
