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Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is performed to change the size and/or shape of the nose. This reshaping is accomplished by carefully removing or rearranging underlying bone or cartilage.
Most cosmetic nose surgeries are performed because the patient desires an improved appearance. However, the surgery is frequently requested to repair injuries, to correct breathing problems or to minimize the increasing disfigurement of the nose that occurs as an individual ages.
The appropriate age for nose surgery depends on many factors. For children, cosmetic nose surgery should be delayed until facial development approaches maturity. This level of maturity is usually around the age of 16 for girls and 18 for boys. However, nose surgery may be performed at a younger age if a severe breathing problem is present. There is no upper age limit for nose surgery. Clients in their sixties and seventies elect to have this procedure with good results.
Since the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, a slight alteration can result in a more natural look that compliments other facial features. Technical refinements in surgical procedures allow consistently good results; however, patients must recognize that the goal of the surgery is improvement, not perfection.
During a consultation for nose surgery, Dr. English assesses the patient's age, height, skin thickness, ethnic background and configuration of other features such as the forehead, eyes and chin. Nose surgery is as much artistic in nature as it is scientific, so Dr. English strives to make each patient's nose fit his or her face. His goal is a natural looking nose rather than one that appears to have been operated upon. It is frequently necessary to correct a receding or protruding chin at the same time nose surgery is performed to provide harmony of the facial features. Combining these procedures may produce a more desirable effect.
| Before | After | |
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on an image to see a larger view and more before & after photos. |
Understanding the procedure
At English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center, cosmetic nose surgery is usually performed in the clinic using local anesthesia with I.V. sedation. The majority of incisions are made inside the nose where they will not be visible. In some cases, an incision is made in the area of the skin separating the nostrils and/or at the base of the each nostril (if narrowing the base of the nose is part of the procedure). Very fine, absorbable sutures are used to close the incisions. The sutures dissolve on their own, usually leaving an imperceptible scar.
At the completion of the surgery, a protective splint is placed on the outside of the nose and a small amount of soft absorbent material is placed inside the nose to maintain stability. The splint and absorbent material are removed in the clinic 6 days after the surgery.
Understanding the recovery
Swelling from the surgery usually peaks within 72 hours. Although the majority of the swelling resolves quickly, some will last for several months after the procedure. In general, the appearance of the nose continues to improve for a year or more after surgery. Bruising may develop in the face, particularly around the eyes. If it develops, it usually resolves in three to six weeks. The patient may also experience nasal congestion due to swelling which may last four to 12 weeks. Numbness or tenderness may occur in the nasal tip or upper lip and may continue for six to 12 months following the procedure.
Some activities are limited in the weeks after the procedure to allow optimal healing of the nose. Exposure to the sun, physical exertion, and risk of injury must be avoided. Coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose or sniffing should also be avoided the first few weeks after surgery. Contact lenses should not be worn for three to seven days after the procedure. Eyeglasses or sunglasses must be avoided for a minimum of six weeks to three months to prevent pressure on the nose as it heals.
Since resolution of the swelling may be asymmetric, the final result may not be seen for 12 or more months. It is particularly important to follow instructions after nose surgery to ensure the best results.
Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery office located in Little Rock, Arkansas (AR).
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