Your Guide to Rhinoplasty Surgery
Popularly known as a “nose job”, the rhinoplasty is one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery. Your nose has a central place in your face and is one of the first things that people typically notice when they look at you. Anything different about its appearance can really have a negative impact on your overall face. The rhinoplasty procedure can help correct any aesthetic defects in your nose, as well as correct functional problems, or both.
Nose jobs have always been popular, but they have actually become increasingly popular as of late, largely due to the popularization of the procedure by many celebrities. What should you know about getting a nose job at our Miami clinic? How do you care for your nose after the procedure? And what is involved with the procedure itself?
Reasons for Getting a Rhinoplasty
The rhinoplasty is one of those procedures that people undergo for multiple reasons. It can be for cosmetic purposes, functional reasons, or a combination of both.
Functional Reasons
Some patients come to our cosmetic surgery clinic in Miami for rhinoplasty procedure due to a nose injury in which their nose has been bent or broken following some type of trauma like an accident. Other people may have difficulty breathing through their nose due to an obstructed nasal airway. This type of surgery is reconstructive, while most nose jobs are defined as cosmetic.
Cosmetic Reasons
An aging face is more than simply sagging skin and wrinkles. It has five components:
* Fix a hump at the nasal bridge
* Reshape the nasal tip
* Alter the length or width of the nose
* Alter the width of the nostrils
* Reposition and restructure the nose following a traumatic injury
* Change the size of the nasal airways to improve breathing
What should I expect at my appointment?
There are two basic types of rhinoplasties we do at our Miami cosmetic surgery center: open and closed procedures. A closed rhinoplasty is performed from the inside of the nostrils. In the case of an open rhinoplasty, Dr. Antún will be forming an incision on the nose.
A rhinoplasty procedure normally takes anywhere from 90 to 180 minutes, depending upon the precise technique being performed. Following your nose surgery, you may need to spend a night or two in the hospital. A splint will be placed over your nose and remain there for about one week.
Closed rhinoplasty procedures normally settle in about two weeks. If the nose needed to be broken to complete the surgery, some visible bruising will be evident for up to 10 days.
What should I expect after my rhinoplasty procedure?
As excited as you will be to begin living your life with a new nose, it is important to note that this is still a serious surgical procedure involving some downtime. Plan on missing about a week of work or school, which allows sufficient time for your swelling to go down. You can expect a bit of discomfort during the first few days after your rhinoplasty, but Dr. Antún can prescribe pain medication to help you become more comfortable.
It is not uncommon to notice some bruises around your nose and eyes, which typically resolves itself within a week or two. It may help to breathe through your mouth for a few days after your procedure, since nasal swelling can make breathing through your nose difficult.
In the first few weeks after your rhinoplasty, you may have some restrictions on your normal activities. You might receive a list of specific instructions at your appointment. But generally, it helps to avoid spicy and hot foods, and avoid blowing your nose during this time.
Will I be meeting with Dr. Antún after my surgery?
Dr. Antún will want to follow up with you after your surgery to see how you are progressing. During your first post-operative visit, he may remove your sutures and dressings. Although your nose will probably still be swollen, with some bruising, he can still obtain a pretty good idea of what your new nose looks like. This follow-up visit is also a great time to ask any questions that you may have about your recovery.
After this follow-up visit, and particularly once about three weeks have passed, you will likely begin feeling like your normal self again; however, keep in mind that the nose is quite sensitive. Do not rush the healing process. It can take quite a few months before you are completely recovered.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are considering having a nose job procedure, it is vital that you consult with a highly skilled Miami rhinoplasty expert like Dr. Antún. Provided that you have realistic expectations, and follow instructions for postoperative care properly, you should enjoy a safe and smooth recovery process.
Please contact the office of Dr. Antún to schedule your rhinoplasty initial consultation.