4 Rhinoplasty Questions You Need Answered
Before you move forward with rhinoplasty to add more balance to your face and make your nose more aesthetically pleasing, make sure you thoroughly consider every aspect of the procedure. Rhinoplasty is a popular choice for both men and women due to its ability to be tailored to the needs of each patient, so facts like recovery duration and surgery length can vary from patient to patient.
At Daines Plastic Surgery, Dr. Daines and his expert staff specialize in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Daines will explain his procedure steps to you in detail and let you know exactly what you can expect going into your surgery. If you are interested in rhinoplasty, here are some important questions to consider when making your decision.
Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
Good candidates for rhinoplasty are those who have nasal concerns that they would like addressed through surgery. Rhinoplasty can target and fix:
- Nasal asymmetry
- Nasal humps or depressions
- Large or wide nostrils
- Enlarged, hooked or droopy nasal tips
- Damage resulting from previous injury
Those interested in rhinoplasty should have realistic expectations about what results they can expect. Patients should also be prepared to take time off from their daily schedule to allow for a quick and healthy recovery. It is important to note that although rhinoplasty is usually an aesthetic procedure, if you have functional or breathing concerns you should let Dr. Daines know and he will explain how you may also benefit from a simultaneous septoplasty, nasal valve repair, or turbinate reduction.
What Is the Difference Between an Open and Closed Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty can be performed as either an open (external) or closed (endonasal) procedure. Open rhinoplasty requires a small external incision along the skin that bridges the nostrils, known as the columella, to gain access to the interior nasal structure. This incision leaves a small, nearly invisible scar but allows surgeons to gain visibility of the internal structure of the nose to make more precise adjustments. During closed rhinoplasty, incisions are kept hidden within the nose, but surgeons do not have direct sight of the interior tissue. Closed procedures can make precise control and manipulation more difficult.
While doctors and patients have their own preferences regarding which type of rhinoplasty to perform, the option that is most likely to produce the desired results should always take precedence when making this important decision. While open procedures can produce a scar that may dissuade some patients from that particular option, they may be the best choice to produce optimal results. Closed rhinoplasty has its own advantages but is not always a viable option for each patient.
How Long Does Rhinoplasty Recovery Take?
The length of rhinoplasty recovery varies from patient to patient but lasts one to two weeks on average. In general, you will need to take about one week off from work and three weeks off from exercise and strenuous activities. Unlike other more invasive surgeries, rhinoplasty patients can resume their normal activities fairly quickly.
You may need to wear an external splint for the first seven to 10 days. Side effects include mild bleeding for the first 24 hours, swelling and bruising. Sleeping with an elevated head and using ice for the first 48 hours will help reduce swelling.
Closed procedures can often create less swelling and discomfort for a quicker recovery, but this is not always the case. In addition to the normal side effects, open rhinoplasty will also yield a small scar that will gradually improve over the course of several months. By the end of the first year, the scar will be very thin and unnoticeable or may have faded away almost entirely.
Overall, you can expect to enjoy the results of your rhinoplasty in about a week or two. Final results may not develop for a few months as residual swelling continues to diminish, but the shape of your nose following your procedure will be close to the final outcome after everything has finished healing.
How Do I Pick the Right Surgeon?
Picking the right doctor for any procedure is a crucial and personal part of the plastic surgery process. Patients should have a good relationship with their doctor, ensuring they trust themselves in the doctor’s care and that their chosen doctor is well-qualified to perform the specific procedure.
When undergoing rhinoplasty, make sure your doctor is board-certified. Dr. Daines is Double Board Certified in Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery) as well as Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and works exclusively on these specific regions of the body for an unmatched level of expertise and craftsmanship in facial plastic surgery.
When it comes to taking care of your body, you deserve the best care and treatment possible. If you would like to improve the size, shape, symmetry, and function of your nose through rhinoplasty, call Daines Plastic Surgery today at 949-397-6499 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Daines will sit down with you one-on-one and evaluate all of your concerns to create a tailored treatment approach specific to your needs.