Rhinoplasty Procedure Overview
Rhinoplasty, not sure what it is? It’s a surgery that is done to the nose. Usually it is done by a plastic surgeon, maxillofacial, or other type of surgeon. It can be done to improve the way the nose appears or it can be done to help improve the nose’s function as well. If you don’t recognize the name, that’s because it’s often called a “nose job” or others know it as a nose reshaping procedure.
Why is a rhinoplasty done? Well, many people simply have one done to help achieve the aesthetic goals that they have. Essentially they aren’t happy with their nose and want it to look better. However, there are others that have it done to help treat breathing problems, to correct a birth defect, or even to correct a problem that happened as a result of a trauma.
There are a couple of different surgical approaches that can be taken when a rhinoplasty is performed. In some cases it is done under sedation, with local anesthetic, or it may be done with general anesthetic. Both closed and open approaches can be used for this procedure. In a rhinoplasty that is closed, the incisions are done on the inside of the nostrils. However, in an open one, there is another little incision that is made across the bit of skin that keeps the nostrils separated, which is known as the columella. Except for the small incision that may be at the base of the nose in the open rhinoplasty, the incisions cannot even be seen.
There are both primary and secondary rhinoplasty surgeries as well. The primary one is one that is being done for the very first time, no matter what reason it is being done for. The secondary one, which is also called a revision rhinoplasty, is one that is done to fix or revise the outcome from another rhinoplasty that was already done.
When it comes to recovery, usually patients are able to go right home after the surgery has been done. However, most patients end up taking steroids, antibiotics, and pain medications as well after the procedure has been done. Many people decide to stay home for a few days, although it’s fine to go out. Usually any external sutures are taken out in 4-5 days, and after a week the external cast can be taken off. The bruising can last a couple of weeks, and even over the first year, there can be some settling and shifting of the nose as the wound heals.
In most cases, a rhinoplasty is a procedure that is though to be quite safe; however, there are some complications and risks that can occur. In some cases, bleeding after the operation can occur, but this is rare. Infection can occur, but is also rare. Adhesions in the nasal cavity can occur, but they are also quite rare. Sometimes there can be a bit of numbness, but overall, the procedure is one that is fairly safe.
Rhinoplasty surgery and results:
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