Rhinoplasty
Improve the look and function of your nose with rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the nose by changing its shape. While most often thought of as cosmetic surgery, nasal surgery can also be performed to improve breathing for patients who suffer from a malformed nose/nasal passage, such as with a septoplasty for a deviated nasal septum.
Rhinoplasty is a highly delicate and specialized procedure that can treat the internal and/or external portions of the nose by:
- Changing the size of the nose
- Reshape/alter the appearance of the nose
- Altering the angle of the nose
- Clearing nasal obstructions, fixing breathing problems
- Eliminating a “dorsal hump” or “bump” on the nose
- Realigning (straightening) the nasal bridge
- Altering the nasal tip
- Shrinking enlarged nostrils
- Repair an unsatisfactory rhinoplasty (revision rhinoplasty)
IDEAL CANDIDATES
You may be a good candidate for a rhinoplasty procedure if you are interested in changing the look of your nose or improving its functionality. Nose surgery is best performed on patients who are no longer developing (generally 16 and older). As with all medical procedures, good candidates are those in great overall health and who have informed, realistic expectations. We serve rhinoplasty clients from Savannah, Hilton Head, and surrounding areas.
PREPARING FOR RHINOPLASTY
An initial rhinoplasty consultation with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Minton, is the first step to any procedure. There he will discuss your health history and closely examine your nose to determine the precise changes to be made in order to get the rhinoplasty results you desire.
The nose will be photographed at different angles; these photographs are used during the rhinoplasty procedure as well as to compare the look of the nose after the surgery.
Painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided two weeks before and two weeks after your rhinoplasty appointment.
THE RHINOPLASTY PROCEDURE
Rhinoplasty involves the following four steps:
- Administering general anesthesia: Before the start of the nose surgery, general anesthesia is administered to the patient to ensure there’s no pain or discomfort during rhinoplasty.
- Creating the incisions: Rhinoplasty surgery uses either a closed rhinoplasty or open rhinoplasty technique. If it is closed rhinoplasty, small incisions are made entirely on the inside of the nose. If open, an additional incision is made on the underside of the nose between the nostrils which allows the skin that houses the cartilage and nasal bones to be lifted so they can be reshaped.
- Carrying out the rhinoplasty adjustments: Once the incisions have been made, adjustments are carefully made to the nasal structure with skilled surgical techniques. If an area of the nose has to be reduced, tissue is removed. If an area of the nose has to be increased, our rhinoplasty surgeon may perform a tissue graft (taking tissue from the patient) to bolster the area.
- Closing the incisions: After the nasal adjustments are complete, our rhinoplasty surgeon redrapes the tissues and nasal skin, and closes the incisions with sutures.
RECOVERING FROM NOSE SURGERY
After the rhinoplasty procedure, a plastic/metallic splint may be placed on your nose to help retain its new shape, and it must remain in place for about a week.
As part of your post-op consultation, Dr. Minton will discuss the rhinoplasty healing process with you, as well as the expected recovery time. He will give instructions on the best ways to take care of your nose and will prescribe medications to aid healing, reduce the chance of infection, and manage any discomfort. Follow-up appointments will be arranged to ensure that your nose is healing well.
Bruising and swelling in the surgical area and around the eyes is common after rhinoplasty, but will reduce over time. During recovery, your head should always be elevated above your chest, as this will help keep swelling to a minimum. Over the course of the year, you will notice changes in the nasal features as the nose settles into its new shape.
FAQS
How long does rhinoplasty take?
After the initial consultation, the actual rhinoplasty surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours, but a more complicated procedure could take longer.
Can rhinoplasty address both the form and function of my nose?
Yes, Dr. Minton can change the outer shape of the nose with rhinoplasty as well as repair any internal nasal issues (such as a septoplasty to correct a deviated septum) in a single procedure.
How much downtime can I expect after rhinoplasty?
Sutures will be removed about 5-7 days after the rhinoplasty, but you will continue to wear a splint and bandages for about a week. Bruising and swelling will begin to improve over the course of the next 1-2 weeks. Rhinoplasty patients can usually return to work within 1-2 weeks (depending on the nature of their work). More strenuous activities can be resumed after 3 to 4 weeks.
Does rhinoplasty hurt?
The patient doesn’t feel anything during rhinoplasty. Post-surgery, patients can experience discomfort such as swelling and bruising at the site of the surgery and around the eyes, but this tends to resolve in about a week. Dr. Minton can prescribe medicine to help ease any discomfort.
How long will it take to see the results after rhinoplasty surgery?
Typically the rhinoplasty results can be seen immediately upon removing the splint at one week. There is however often some swelling that will resolve over the next few weeks to improve the results. Ultimately it can take several months before all of the swellings go away.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Our skilled, double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Minton is available to discuss rhinoplasty in greater detail during a consultation at our Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery office in Savannah. We serve clients from Savannah, Hilton Head and surrounding areas. Arrange your rhinoplasty consultation by contacting us today.