Rhinoplasty

For people who want a more proportional nose, rhinoplasty is a common plastic surgery procedure. Nasal surgery involves reshaping tissue and cartilage to balance nose shape and size with your other facial features.

Who Should Consider Rhinoplasty?

Those who benefit from rhinoplasty are unhappy about the proportions of their nose, but also have realistic expectations. Although perfection cannot be achieved much of the time, a variety of conditions can be addressed during rhinoplasty to produce a satisfying result:

• Large nose
• Crooked nose
• Hook nose
• Nasal hump
• Bulbous tip
• Wide nostrils

How Rhinoplasty Surgery Works

Plastic surgeons are currently performing two distinct methods of rhinoplasty: open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty.

• In a closed rhinoplasty there are only incisions inside the nose and all work is done up the nostrils.
• In an open rhinoplasty the incisions inside the nostrils are connected across the skin of the columella so that the skin can be pealed back and the structures of the nose can be addressed under direct vision.  Cartilage is trimmed and remodeled to produce a more proportional nose shape. 

What to Expect After Rhinoplasty

At the end of your surgery, a splint is made to help the bone and cartilage of the nose maintain their new shape. During the first 24 hours after rhinoplasty, your face may feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. Discomfort can be managed with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Rand. It is best to relax in bed during the first day of recovery, with your head elevated.

Swelling and bruising around your eyes will peak after about three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. Most of the swelling and bruising should subside within two weeks, but some minor (almost imperceptible) swelling may remain a few months.

Some bleeding can occur during the first few days after rhinopalsty, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. Dr. Rand will probably advise you to refrain from blowing your nose for at least 1 week. Postoperative visits will be scheduled to monitor your recovery and remove nasal packing, splints or stitches.

How to Proceed

Rhinoplasty is a relatively complex plastic surgery procedure. If you still have questions, Dr. Rand is an excellent person to consult with. If you are near the Bellevue or Seattle area, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rand to learn more about rhinoplasty.