Good News for the Old Nose: Rhinoplasty
Few parts of your body are as obvious as your nose. It is literally the centerpiece to your face. And for many of my patients, the nose, well… it could benefit from some outside guidance.
What is a Rhinoplasty?
A rhinoplasty or “nose job” is one of the most technically and artistically challenging plastic surgery operations and is one of my favorite procedures. Rhinoplasty requires that many factors be taken into consideration when evaluating a patient for the procedure. Considerations include not just the nose itself, but the surrounding facial structures and what, if any, structural modifications would benefit as a result of the operation (clearer breathing passages, for example).
Changing the shape and appearance of your nose can have a dramatic affect on your overall appearance and can be quite gratifying. (Admittedly, I take considerable pride in reshaping a patient’s nose – the results are obvious and my patient is typically beyond satisfied.)
You’ll find more details about rhinoplasty, including how long the procedure takes and recovery time, here. You can also view a series of before-and-after photos of several procedures by clicking here.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
A rhinoplasty can be performed in an “open” or “closed” fashion. With open rhinoplasty, an incision is made on the under-surface of the nose and the tissue is elevated from the underlying cartilage, allowing direct visualization of the nasal structures. The structural formation can then be modified to the desired appearance.
In a closed or endonasal rhinoplasty, incisions are made only to the interior of the nose. There is decreased direct visualization of the nasal structures with this approach, but it has the benefit of diminished nasal swelling following the procedure. For some, reducing the post-operative discomfort can play a deciding role in which procedure suits them best.
There are many debates within the plastic surgeon community over which approach is superior. In reality there is no right answer. Rather, it’s based upon personal decisions that you and I would discuss at length prior to surgery. Determining factors include your individual anatomy, appearance desires, and your overall goals (both aesthetic and functional). Those in combination with my operative plan will ultimately indicate the best approach.
If you have concerns regarding the appearance of your nose and are interested in a consultation, please call (775) 398-4600 to schedule an appointment.
