Women’s Institute of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Offers Rhinoplasty

The nose is a facial feature that many people are commonly dissatisfied with. They might believe their nose is too crooked, too large or just not the right shape. Rhinoplasty, or a “nose job,” is one of many  procedures performed at Womens Institute of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery. Rhinoplasty is popular among both women and men.  Although the procedure can be performed for purely cosmetic reasons, it’s also performed to repair breathing problems or correct birth defects.

Considering Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, like any cosmetic procedure, isn’t for everyone. A patient considering a nose job should realize that it will not be a magic cure all. It’s important that patients have realistic expectations for the procedure and that they not expect it to fix all of their problems.

Your health and age are important as well when considering rhinoplasty. Surgeons will typically not perform the procedure on very young people who are still growing. It’s possible for a person to grow into her nose as a teenager, for one thing. If the procedure is performed too early, the effect might be damaged as the face continues to grow.

It’s recommended that patients who want surgery to alter their nose not smoke. Being in a good state of health is also important to reduce any risks during the procedure. Taking certain medications can also increase complications and risks, so having a consultation with the surgeon before surgery is an essential step.

Consultation

An initial consultation should take place before the surgery. The consultation allows the patient and surgeon to get to know each other and to determine if the procedure and relationship will work out. During the consultation, the patient should tell the doctor of any medical issues and medications she might be taking. The doctor will examine the patient’s nose, provide her with information on the surgery, and give her an idea of the final result.

The Procedure Itself

Rhinoplasty is performed while a patient is under general anesthesia. There are two ways to perform the procedure. A closed rhinoplasty does not leave any visible scars, as all incisions are made inside the nose. If a patient undergoes an open rhinoplasty, the incision is made on the tissue that separates the nostrils.

During the surgery, the doctor reshapes the nose by removing or adding pieces of cartilage to the nose. If the purpose of the surgery is to fix a deviated septum, the surgeon will straighten the septum. After the nose is re-shaped, the skin is draped over it once again and any incisions are closed. A splint will be placed next to the nose to hold it in place as it heals.

Recovering

The recovery process can take up to a year following rhinoplasty. Over that time, the nose will slowly change, until it is ideally the shape and size the patient wanted. Although subtle changes take place over 12 months, most people are able to resume normal activity after a few weeks or months, according to the surgeon at Womens Institute of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery.