Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Why Rhinoplasty?
Facial harmony is the key to beauty. A nose that is too big, too wide, too droopy, or too crooked upsets this harmony resulting in a displeasing appearance. The goal of nose surgery or rhinoplasty is to reshape a nose in order to achieve facial balance. It does not promise to give you a certain nose because that particular nose might not be achievable with your existing nasal structures. Therefore, it is essential to understand that nasal surgery performed by any surgeon has limitations. My goal is to improve your facial appearance and not necessarily change other people’s perception of you.
Measures before Rhinoplasty
The earliest acceptable age for having rhinoplasty is after completion of the growth spur- around 14 or 15 for girls, and a bit later for boys. Before undergoing surgery your surgeon will inquire about any history of allergies, nasal breathing problems, sinus disease, or nasal fracture. If you have a history of breathing difficulty through your nose or sinusitis it is treatable by medications or surgery. The surgical treatment will help open the nasal airway passage as well as help drain sinuses. Most health insurances cover this treatment but none cover cosmetic surgery. After examining your nose your surgeon will discuss at length your options, answer your questions, and will help you with your decision.
Rhinoplasty is performed by two general methods: an open or closed technique. The open technique makes an incision over the columella or the vertical strip of the nose that separate the nostrils. The nose in completely opened enabling the surgeon to view and alter the underlying structures. The closed technique does not place any visible scars on the nose but makes its incisions inside the nostrils. Although I do perform both of these techniques I favor not placing any visible incisions on the nose. Surgery is done on an outpatient basis. It takes approximately two hours, during which time you are monitored and made comfortable by an anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthetist.
When surgery is completed, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. After surgery, especially during the first 24 hours your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. At this time it is helpful to sleep with your head elevated and with a cold pack over your eyes in order to reduce swelling and bruising. After a week I usually remove your splint and start you on a series of massage exercises designed to help reduce nasal swelling. You should refrain from any activity that will raise your blood pressure or your pulse during the first two to three weeks. You can wear contact lenses but should not let the footpads of your glasses rest on your nose for the first three weeks. During this time you might have a stuffy nose, which will go away. Do not blow your nose during the first three weeks because this could induce a nosebleed. Most plastic surgeons agree that it takes approximately six to twelve months for the nose to heal and to reach its final shape and form. So be patient and have realistic expectations.
Rhinoplasty like any other procedure carries certain risks and potential for complications. There is a risk of infection but giving you antibiotics during and after surgery minimizes this. There is about a 10% risk of a nosebleed within the first few weeks after surgery. Keeping your nose from getting dry, especially at night, and refraining from strenuous activities will help minimize this. Your surgeon will also give you instructions to help stop a nosebleed, if it occurs after surgery. Areas of the nose and especially the tip might become numb with surgery. This is normal and it usually gets better with time. Since no two halves of a person’s face or nose are identical to begin with, after surgery you might notice minute differences between the two sides of your nose, as well. On this note, you can observe that the shape of a person’s nostrils is not identical. After surgery, their exact form may not be identical either, even if the surgery is designed to reduce the size of nostril opening. Furthermore, depending on the structure of the nose and whether a person has had previous nasal surgery a small group of patients might expect to have further surgery in order to accomplish their goals.
In conclusion, nose surgery can provide a person with a more balanced and pleasing look.
During your consultation Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for rhinoplasty, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of rhinoplasty available in our photo gallery.
Los Angeles famous Dr. Younai is a board certified plastic surgeon who receives patients at the California Center for Plastic Surgery from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.