Microincision
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Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
No matter what the shape, the nose is one of the most prominent features of your face and surgery to reshape the nose or rhinoplasty is one of the most common of all cosmetic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils or change the angle between the nose and your upper lip. Although many seek rhinoplasty to change the shape of their nose, others seek a rhinoplasty after a facial injury or to help relieve breathing problems. When having surgery to correct such a functional problem medical insurance may cover a part of surgical costs.
If you have been thinking about how rhinoplasty might change your looks you should schedule a consultation with an experienced surgeon like Dr. Boss. Dr. Boss can discuss your individual circumstances and review the procedure and the technique he recommends for you.
Are
you a good candidate?
Rhinoplasty can enhance your
appearance and self confidence but it wont necessarily change your looks
to match your ideal. Remember that improvement not perfection
is the goal. The best candidates are healthy individual with realistic
expectations. Although there is no upper age limit for nose
reshaping, most surgeons prefer not to operate on younger patients until
they have finished their growth spurt. (Around 14 or 15 for
girls and somewhat later for boys). A persons social and emotional
adjustment is also taken into consideration.
About
the consultation
Rhinoplasty is usually a safe procedure with infrequent complications. When
performed by a qualified plastic surgeon this procedure can help you achieve
your new desired profile. Nevertheless, while complications
are unusual Dr. Boss will discuss any side effects with you. He will review
the special technique he plans to use for you and show you before and
after pictures of patients with similar noses. He may also
discuss with you if any additional facial procedures may enhance the effects
of your nose surgery. Some patients elect chin or cheek procedure
to be performed at the same time. In about 1 case out of 10
a second procedure may be required. Such cases are unpredictable and their
corrective surgery is usually minor. Dr. Boss will discuss
the expected outcome as well as timing and type of anesthesia recommended. Dr.
Boss's communication skills and ability to relate to his patients and
explain techniques will make you fee comfortable.
The
surgery
Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two. Depending on the
extent of the correction. The procedure is commonly performed
under local or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. During
the surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework
of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The
nature of the sculpting will depend on your specific anatomy. Finally,
the skin is redraped over the new framework. Depending upon
your case Dr. Boss may use an open or closed technique. In
the close technique, incisions are made inside the rim of the nostrils.
In the open technique, incisions are made near the base of the nostrils. In
either case, the soft tissue of the nose is then separated from the under
lying cartilage and bone. The cartilage and bone are the sculpted
into shape. At the same time, internal problems such as breathing
obstructions can be improved by removing or changing the shape of the
obstructing matter. When the surgery is complete, a splint
will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal
packs or soft plastic splints also may be paced in your nostrils to stabilize
the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.
After
the surgery
Most rhinoplasty patients spend the first day in bed with the head elevated. On
the second day they are up and about. After about 3 days the bruising
and swelling around the eyes starts decreasing. Within a week the
splint is usually removed and the patient can return to school or work. The
splint is usually removed within a week. There may be some
swelling and brusing around the nose and eyes that are improved with ice
compresses and head elevation. It is common to
experience some nasal stuffiness, particularly if you had surgery of the
septum. Dr. Boss usually recommends a period of 2 weeks before
you can gently blow your nose. You need to be careful not to
hit or injure or sun burn your nose for 8 weeks. Dr. Boss will
give you instruction as to when you can return to exercise and strenuous
activity. Even though your new nose will take a while to form
Dr. Boss will give you a new terrific profile and appearence!
