NOSE RESHAPING PROCEDURE

Normally performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia with sedation, rhinoplasty can last between one and two hours. Conventional rhinoplasty methods include the open and closed technique.

During an open rhinoplasty, an incision in the shape of a stair step or inverted V is made along the middle column of your noes that separates your two nostrils, and includes range of other incisions made inside the nostrils.

A closed rhinoplasty involves the same technique as an open rhinoplasty, except there are no incisions made on the exterior of the nose. With this technique, all incisions are made inside the nose.

After the incisions are made, the skin is lifted and the cartilage, bone, and tissue beneath is sculpted and reshaped to produce the desired result. To build up nose tissue in African Americans, Hispanics or Asians, implants, grafts, and/or cartilage can be used. The skin is then re-draped over the newly shaped area and secured with very fine stitches. Once the procedure has been completed, a splint may be placed to help your nose keep its new shape. Soft absorbent packing may be used inside the nose to sustain stability and reduce post-operative bleeding.

NOSE RESHAPING PREPARATION

During your consultation you should be very open: provide all of your medical history and list all of the medications, vitamins, and herbs you are taking (even if you don't think they're important).

Here are some tips that may help you reduce scarring, shorten your recovery time, and decrease your chances of complications:

• Discontinue using Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, St. John's Wort, and Vitamin E for one week before and a few days after your procedure. These act as blood thinners and could cause problems with blood clotting.

• Stop smoking for at least two weeks before and one week after surgery as nicotine can impair circulation and healing.

• Avoid excessive sun exposure including tanning booths, facials, steaming masks, and other skin irritants.

• Don't drink alcohol in excess for two weeks before or one week after surgery.

• Drink lots of water in the days leading up to your procedure.

To make your recovery easier and more comfortable, be sure to:

• Arrange for someone to take you home and to take care of you for at least the first day.

• Fill your prescriptions and place them within easy reach where you will be resting.

• Place a bed wedge by to keep your head elevated at all times.

• You may also want to allow your hair to grow out if it is short. This will help hide scars after surgery.

NOSE RESHAPING POST SURGERY

You should plan on resting with your head elevated for the first day. At this stage, you may have a headache and feel puffiness and pain around your nose.

Some bruising, swelling, and pain is expected for the first week or two, this can usually be reduced by cold compresses. You may also notice occasional bleeding for the first day or two, this will usually stop on its own. Any nasal packing you may have will be removed within a few days, while splnts and surgical dressings are usually removed within one week. Stitches will come out or will be absorbed on their own between four to seven days. Numbness on the tip of your nose may last several months and is to be expected. Pain medication will be prescribed to control the discomfort, however, if you begin to have severe pain, contact us immediately.

The recovery process is unique for everyone, but within a day of your rhinoplasty procedure, you should be up and walking around. You may bathe after surgery but do not remove your dressings. For the first week, you should plan on being out of work and away from your usual activities. Over the next couple weeks, your face may be bruised and you may want to consider using special camouflage makeup as you heal. For the next two or three weeks, your nose may be very sensitive and strenuous physical activities should be limited. Air travel, exercise, and sex can be returned gradually after two weeks. You should avoid the sun or any physical contact to your nose for about two months. If you wear glasses you will need to replace them with contacts or reposition them so they are not in contact with your nose for about six weeks.

Rhinoplasty is a permanent cosmetic procedure, however, your nose's appearance may change as you age. The appearance of your nose will improve over a period of up to one year after surgery and you should be able to keep results that you will love for a very long time.

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