Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job or nose reshaping, is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the proportion of your nose to the rest of your face and features. It can also be used to treat breathing problems caused due to defects in the structure of the nose.
What Can Rhinoplasty Treat?
Rhinoplasty can treat a number of issues. It can address the size of the nose in comparison to your face, extremely large or wide nostrils, a drooping or upturned nasal tip, a nose with a depression or hump on the bridge, and a deviated septum.
Treating a deviated septum requires careful analysis of the nasal structure in order to determine the best way to correct the breathing impairment caused due to the structural defect. In order to treat a deviated septum, the nasal structure is adjusted in order to ensure that the alignment is better.
Preparing for Rhinoplasty
It is advisable that rhinoplasty be performed only after a person’s natural facial growth and maturation has completed. You must be physically healthy to get this surgery done.
Before deciding to get the surgery done, talk to Dr. Martin and discuss your expectations from the procedure. He can analyze the structure of your nose and face and then create a surgical plan.
Prior to the surgery, you will also have to get a lab test done, stop smoking, and take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
How Rhinoplasty Is Done
The first step of the procedure is administering local or general anesthesia to keep the patient comfortable and free from any pain during the procedure.
The surgery may be performed through an open or closed procedure. If it is an open procedure, the incision is made on the narrow strip of tissue separating the nostrils, also known as the columella. In the case of a closed surgery, the incisions are made inside the nostrils.
Once the incisions are made, the skin covering the nasal cartilages and bones is carefully raised so as to gain access and reshape the nose (in the case of open rhinoplasty).
In some cases, cartilage grafting is done to perform the surgery, based on the type of results required. This cartilage comes from the patient’s rib, ear, or septum.
If the surgery is being performed to decrease the size of the nose, excess bone or cartilage is removed to achieve the goal.
In order to rectify a deviated septum, the septum is straightened and nasal projections are reduced to boost breathing.
Once the structure is modified as is necessary, the skin is redraped and the incisions are closed. The surgery typically lasts one to two hours, though in some cases, it may last longer.
After Rhinoplasty
Once rhinoplasty is complete, internal packing may be placed inside your nose. You may have to wear a splint and bandages outside the nose as well. These help in providing support and protection to your nose. The nasal packing may be removed within three to five days of the surgery.
There will be some swelling after the surgery, which will subside after a time. The results of the surgery are long-lasting.
Take the First Step
The first step to enhancing the appearance of your nose is arranging a consultation. Contact our office to schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Kurtis Martin, a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, and discuss your rhinoplasty.
