Plastic Surgery Chronicle

Archive for the ‘Rhinoplasty’ Category

If your surgeon has given you prescriptions for pain relievers and antibiotics, get the prescriptions filled in advance so that you have them ready when you get home. Take the antibiotics on time and take them for as many days as you are instructed to.

Don’t try to tough it out by not taking pain relievers. If you need them, take them. You will use less pain medication if you take it when the pain starts rather than waiting for the pain to be unbearable. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you had a Rhinoplasty surgery recently? Planning to have one in near future? Either, you’ll most likely want to know more about after surgery recovery.

During rhinoplasty recovery, you will be swollen at least minimally for several months, but the bulk of the swelling will dissipate within   the first 2 to 4 months. Patient personally had noticeable swelling for at least 6 months and their nose continued to change well after a year postoperatively.
Keep in mind that most other people will not notice any swelling after a month, but you will notice it, especially in photos. The tip of your nose may twist, turn up, and look very crooked for several months, so if you are not satisfied with your nose at first, be patient. The tissue in the tip stays swollen the longest. You may indeed have the nose you desire, but it may not be apparent for 10 months to a year.

Rhinoplasty After Surgery

If you decide you need to have a rhinoplasty revision, most surgeons want you to wait at least 9 months after your first surgery before they will do anything. This gives time for all the tissue to settle down and will give you a better idea of how your nose actually looks.

It is possible you may need a slight revision, so don’t get depressed. Go into this revision procedure with realistic expectations. You cannot think that you are going to get the exact nose someone else has or that it will look good on you if you get it. No matter the skill and expertise of your surgeon, your cartilage may heal completely different than the other patient’s, so please consider this before undergoing any rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is very rewarding and even slight changes in your nose can bring your whole face into balance and a better look, which can give you a substantial boost in esteem.

What sort of surgeon is preferable?

It’s believed that ideally you want an ear, nose and throat surgeon with training in facial plastic surgery. Someone who only has experience in plastic surgery can make your nose look more beautiful but they may not have any idea of the internal function of the nose. There is no point in having a good-looking nose if you can’t breathe through it.
Surgeons with Double-Board or those who are Board-Certified for cosmetic and facial surgeries would be your best choice since their board acceptance shows they have passed all related test and are aware of all aspect of rhinoplasty procedure. Read the rest of this entry »

Rhinoplasty can be performed under a general anesthetic, sedation, or with local anesthetic.
Initially, local anesthesia, which is a mixture of lidocaine and epinephrine, is injected to numb the area and temporarily reduce vascularity. There are two possible approaches to the nose:

• closed approach.
• open approach.

In closed rhinoplasty, incisions are made inside the nostrils. In open rhinoplasty, an additional inconspicuous incision is made across the columella (the bit of skin that separates the nostrils). The surgeon first separates the skin and soft tissues of the nose from the underlying structures. The cartilage and bone is reshaped, and the incisions are sutured closed. Some surgeons use a stent or packing inside the nose, followed by tape or stent on the outside. Read the rest of this entry »

Primary rhinoplasty refers to first-time rhinoplasty whether it is performed for aesthetic, functional, or reconstructive purposes.

Revision rhinoplasty, also known as secondary rhinoplasty, is a nose operation performed to correct or revise an unsatisfactory outcome from a previous rhinoplasty.
There are two main reasons for performing secondary rhinoplasty. Patients often seek secondary rhinoplasty to correct a cosmetic deformity of the nose. A patient may be unsatisfied with all or part of a previous “nose reshaping.”.
A nasal fracture may not have been reduced enough, or too much. A prominent or bulbous nasal tip may have not been addressed appropriately, or over-aggressively. The nose may looked pinched, it may look like a parrot’s beak, or like a boxer’s nose. There are many ways in which previous nose surgery may have left a nose aesthetically unappealing to a patient. The second reason is functional. The original nasal surgery may have been carried out to help with difficulties in breathing, and the outcome may have been unsatisfactory. Alternatively, the original surgery may have been performed for cosmetic reasons, but may have disrupted a normal physiologic mechanism involving the inspiration or expiration of air, making it difficult to breathe. Read the rest of this entry »

Selecting the right plastic surgeon for your needs is an equally stressful choice to make. Below are some tips and items to consider when choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

When selecting a rhinoplasty cosmetic surgeon, serious care should be given to finding out as much as possible about the doctor. It is of course important to select a surgeon who is experienced in performing plastic surgery of the nose, and who has a reputation for achieving patient satisfaction and success.

• Check Plastic Surgeon’s Credentials
  It’s a good idea to call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (toll-free at 1-888-4-PLASTIC, or 1-888-475-2784) to get a list of surgeons in your area who perform a certain procedure and are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
  Plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have graduated from an accredited medical school, completed at least five additional years of residency (typically three years of general surgery and two years of plastic surgery), practiced plastic surgery for at least two more years, and passed comprehensive exams.
• It is recommended that you choose a board-certified surgeon because certification means that the doctor successfully completed an approved educational program and met board certification requirements, including an examination to determine his or her ability to provide quality medical care.

• Ask your plastic surgeon to show you before-and-after photos of patients who have undergone cosmetic surgery.
• You should feel comfortable asking questions about your cosmetic surgery procedure so that you can make an educated final decision regarding your surgery.
• Research, Research
  n addition to asking friends and family who have had experience with a plastic surgeon, ask if they know of anyone else who has been to one.
• Narrow Down Your List
  Now you can probably cut out any of the plastic surgeons who were not suggested, or that you were warned about in your researching phase.
• The Free Initial Consultation
  You should treat this meeting like further research. Do not make a commitment with any one doctor until you have consulted with each on your final list of possibilities.
• Rest, Reflect and Decide
  Take a few days off and try not to think about your plastic surgery. Let the information sink in. After the third or fourth day, look over your notes and reflect on your experiences with each plastic surgeon. By then you should be happy and confident with your decision, and able to select the absolute best plastic surgeon available to you.

Selecting a Plastic Surgeon for your rhinoplasty procedure is a personal and important decision. In Orange County – at the leading edge of plastic surgery procedures and techniques – Choosing OC Cosmetic Surgery Clinique could be you smart decision. OC Cosmetic Clinique is home to higly skilled Cosmetic Surgeon in different fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery.

There can be some complications also, for instance: abnormal shape of the nose (it can be a mistake made during the rhinoplasty surgery or if the patient doesn’t keep head elevated enough or sleeping on one side only, it can be corrected by secondary surgery, often the implant is used), anesthesia reaction, asymmetry, bleeding (it can occur for up to four weeks – the nasal packing may be used to contril it), infection (pain, redness, swelling), loss of smell, sinusitis, slow healing, toxic shock syndrome, wound infection (using an implant increase the chance of infection) , visible scar, risk of smoking (if the patient smokes, he/she can have difficulties during the healing process. Patient may feel the lack of oxygen needed to tissues and this increases the risk for slow healing). If surgery is performed by really qualified plastic surgeon it’s rare case for complication to appear after the rhinoplasty procedure. On the other hand all surgeries have therisk of complications. The part of healing process also depends on the patient. He or she must follow all the instructions which were given.

It’s usually recommended that activities which could result an injury should be avoided for six weeks. Be patient – clear rhinoplasty results can be seen a week after surgery or even later. So don’t start to regret for your choise to do the rhinoplasty operation if the results don’t unjustify your expectations. It is long period of healing – the final results will be seen after the 4-6 months. After the several weeks surgeon will give you recommendations for resuming your normal activities.

These suggestions include:

1. Avoid sport activities (swimming, playing sport games) also those activities that increases your blood pressure ( for eg. Sexual relations) for more than two weeks.
2. DON’T rub the nose or getting it sunburned (eight weeks). Be careful while washing the face and hair also be gentle using cosmetics.
3. If you have poor eyesight you can wear contact lenses, but glasses are another case. It’s not good to wear glasses when the splint is off. It is possible only then your nose will completely heal.

Your surgeon will give you frequent visits during several months after nose surgery. It’s necessary for checking on the progress of your healing. If you have any unusual symptoms or any questions, don’t be afraid to call your doctor for the consultation.

Fewer surgeries

In the United States, rhinoplasty business has declined dramatically since 2000, when doctors performed nearly 400,000 operations.

Breast augmentation reigns as the most common surgical cosmetic procedure, but nose reshaping is a close second with 279,000 nationwide in 2008, the latest figures available from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

“Rhinoplasty is a very difficult operation to do well,” said Kridel, a former president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. “Some people say ‘I don’t ever want a rhinoplasty because you can always tell it’s been done.’ Well, that’s because you’re only seeing the bad ones. The good ones are the natural ones and you never know.”

Not naming names

Plastic surgeons readily admit that discussions about global beauty and sessions titled the “Latin American & Mestizo Nose” lean on stereotypes based in certain generalities. They also refuse to name the celebrities and bold-faced names they’ve worked on, citing patient confidentiality.

Achieving a nice nose through surgery is a matter of mathematics and biology, said Adamson, a renowned head and neck surgeon from Toronto.

Rhinoplasty (or nose refinement surgery) is the most intricate cosmetic surgery performed today. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury and help relieve some breathing problems.
The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement in the way they look, are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and have realistic expectations.

During the initial consultation, Dr.Tavoussi will evaluate the structure of your nose and face and discuss the possibilities for enhancement with you.

Dr. Tavoussi will also explain some factors that can influence the procedure and results. These factors include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.

Be sure to tell Dr. Tavoussi if you have had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose. You should also inform dr. Tavoussi if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties, if you are taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs and if you smoke.

Dr. Tavoussi will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications and washing your face. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery, the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and dr. Tavoussis preferred technique. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

Have a look at Rhinoplasty Overview to learn more about Rhinoplasty and fins asnwers to your most probable questions regarding Rhinoplast

After the surgery:

After surgery, especially during the first twenty-four hours, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by the surgeon. Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated for the first day.You will notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks.Minor bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. The surgeon will ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the tissues heal. After 7 to 10 days, all dressings and stitches will be removed.Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or work a week following surgery. Dr. Tavoussi will give you specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities, but generally you should avoid strenuous activities for two to three weeks. You should also avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned. Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics.
Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Even though it will take months for the final results to emerge, you will be able to enjoy your new look a week or two after surgery.

Things to to be cautious about after surgery:

To further decrease the chances of bleeding and swelling, your doctor may ask that you follow these precautions for several weeks after surgery:

• Avoid strenuous activities such as aerobics and jogging.
• Don’t swim.
• Don’t blow your nose.
• Avoid foods that require heavy chewing.
• Avoid large facial expressions, such as smiling or laughing.
• Brush your teeth gently to limit movement of your upper lip.
• Wear clothes that fasten in the front; don’t pull clothing, such as shirts or sweaters, over your head.
• In addition, don’t rest eyeglasses or sunglasses on your nose for at least four weeks after the surgery, to
• prevent pressure on your nose. You can use cheek rests, or tape the glasses to your forehead until your nose has healed.

Also, avoid exposing your skin to the sun for two to three months after surgery. Too much sun may cause permanent irregular discoloration in the skin of your nose.

Some temporary swelling, black-and-blue discoloration of your eyelids and numbness can occur for two to three weeks after nasal surgery. Rarely, this may last up to six months, and subtle swelling may take a year to resolve entirely. Ice packs or cold compresses can help reduce swelling and discoloration around your eyes.

Because of the slow healing process, you might not see the final results of your surgery for up to a year.