Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the
most common of all plastic surgery procedures.Rhinoplasty can
reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of tip or the bridge,
narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your
upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help, relieve some
breathing problems.If you’re considering rhinoplasty,
this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it
can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. it can’t
answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient
and the surgeon. Please ask your surgeon about anything you don’t understand.The
best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking
for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look if you’re physically
healthy, psychologically stable And realistic in your expectation, may be good
candidate.Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals
or for reconstructive purposes to correct birth defects or breathing problems.Age
may also be a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not operate on teenagers until
after they’ve completed their growth spurt-around 14 or 15 for girls,
a bit later for boys. It’s important to consider teenagers’ social
and emotional adjustment, too, and to make it’s what they, and not their
parents, really want.
ALL
SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK:
When rhinoplasty
is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and
usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complication,
including infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to the anaesthesia. You can reduce
your risks by closely following your instructions both before and after surgey.
Good communication between you and your physician is essential. In your initial
consultation, the surgeon will ask what you’d like your nose to look like,
evaluate the structure of your nose and face ,and discuss the possibilities
with you he or she will also explain the factors that can influence the result
. These factors include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the
shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your expectations.Your surgeon
will also explain the techniques and anaesthesia he or she will use, the type
of facility where the surgery will be performed, the risks and cots involved,
and option you may have. Most insurance policies don’t cover purely cosmetic
surgery; however, if the procedure is performed for reconstructive purpose,
to correct a breathing problem or a marked deformity, the procedure may be covered.
Check with your insurer, and obtain pre-authorization for your surgery. Be sure
to tell your surgeon if you’ve had any previous nose surgery or an injury
to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You should also inform your surgeon
if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties; if you’re taking
any medications, vitamins or recreational drugs; and if you smoke.Don’t
hesitate to ask your doctor any question you may have, especially those regarding
your expectation and concerns about the results.Rhinoplasty
can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent
of the procedure and on what you and your surgeon prefer. With local anesthesia,
you’ll usually be light sedated, and your nose and the surrounding area
will be numbed; you’ll be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive
to pain .With general anaesthesia, you’ll sleep through the operation.
THE SURGERY
Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated
procedures may take longer. During 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 problem
and your surgeon’s preferred technique. Finally, the skin is redrapped
over the new framework.Many plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty
from within the nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints
also may be placed in your nostrils .Other prefer an “Open” procedure,
especially in more complicated cases; they make a small incision across the
columella, the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils.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 placed in your nostrils to stabilize
the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
After surgery-particularly during the first twenty-hours-your face will feel
puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control
any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. Plan on
staying in bed with your head elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for
the first day.You’ll notice that the swelling and bruising around your
eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days.Applying
cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. In
any case, you’ll feel a lot better than you look. Most of the swelling
and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so. (Some subtle swelling-unnoticeable
to anyone but you and your surgeon-will remain for several months.)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 for a week or so, white the tissues heal. If you
have nasal paking,it will be removed after a few days and you’ll feel
much more comfortable .By the end of one or, occasionally, two weeks, all dressings,splints,and
stitches should be removed.In the days following surgery, when your face is
bruised and swollen, it’s easy to forget that you will be looking better.
In fact many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery-it’s
quite normal and understandable.Rest assured that this stage will pass. Day
by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirit will improve. Within
a week or two, you’ll no longer look as if you’ve just had surgery.Still,
healing is a slow and gradual process. Some subtle swelling may be present for
months, especially in the tip. The final results of rhinoplasty
may not be apparent for a year or more.
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