Rhinoplasty Surgery

What to expect From Rhinoplasty Surgery

If you are ready for the rhinoplasty surgery, you will go through bruising and swelling, and may not like how your nose looks up to 3 weeks. But the end result will help you look youthful and healthy.

Looking For A Rhinoplasty Surgeon

The first thing you need to do if you want a rhinoplasty is to search for the right rhinoplasty surgeon. There are many doctors out there. But, the way to search is by going through the credentials of the rhinoplasty surgeon. When you find someone who you like and is an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon make a consultation. Rhinoplasty Guide has made this process easier, just use our search feature to find a rhinoplasty surgeon near you!

Always remember, if your friends recommend someone just because they did such a wonderful job on your friends nose, DOESN'T mean your rhinoplasty will go the same way.

Rhinoplasty: The Consultation

A good idea to bring to the consultation is a magazine picture of what you would like your nose to look similar to, this way the rhinoplasty surgeon will have an idea at what you're looking for and help you reach your goal.

Most rhinoplasty surgeons offer free consultations, however some do charge. Also, some insurance companies will help pay for the consultation if the reason your having the rhinoplasty procedure is for health purposes. In some other cases, insurance companies may cover a portion of the cost of the rhinoplasty procedure if it is done in conjunction with procedures to help the patient breath better and solve respiratory problems.

At the consultation the rhinoplasty surgery will examine your nose, and will talk about the different kinds of techniques there are for the rhinoplasty procedure. Many surgeons now days use computer imaging to show the patients what their noses will look like after the rhinoplasty surgery. From this consultation you as the patient will learn more about your doctor.

To help determine if a rhinoplasty surgeon is right for you, you should ask the doctor some basic questions such as:

What is the track record of happy patients who have had rhinoplasty performed by you?
What are the doctor's credentials?
How long have you been performing the rhinoplasty procedure?
How many times a week do you perform the rhinoplasty procedure?
How often do the patients ask for revision rhinoplasty?

Make sure this is the right surgeon for you BEFORE setting up the appointment for rhinoplasty surgery.

Rhinoplasty: The Night Before The Procedure

After finding the right rhinoplasty surgeon and setting up the appointment for the procedure it is important to follow the steps the doctor set up for you. Some doctors require you to take vitamins a few weeks before the procedure. All doctors require you smoking at least two weeks before the procedure. Before any procedure you cannot eat or drink starting at 10 pm the night before the procedure.

Rhinoplasty: The Day Of The Procedure

After getting to the outpatient hospital where most rhinoplasty procedures are performed the doctor will get you in a hospital gown and in a bed awaiting the rhinoplasty procedure.

At this time the anesthesiologist will make his or her way into the room and get ready to give the anesthetics. The anesthetics will be the same as what the doctor and patient discussed during the consultation. The doctor will either use general or local aesthetics with sedation. Both anesthetics used do require an IV put in.

Rhinoplasty: The Procedure

After the anesthetics have put you to sleep the doctor will begin the reconstruction of the patient's nose. The doctor will use the technique that was talked about during the consultation. The doctor will most likely use the closed procedure or the open procedure. The closed procedure is within the nose, and the open procedure is on the surface of the nose.

The doctor may need to break the nose to fix the nose. However, when we say break it's not a typical broken bone like a leg or an arm. It's more of adjusting the bone of the nose. If the doctor doesn't need to break the nose bone then he will just be adding or removing cartilage.

The entire procedure will generally be between 1 to 3 hours long. But, remember that each rhinoplasty surgery is different and could take longer.

Rhinoplasty: Recovery After The Procedure

When waking up after the rhinoplasty procedure the patient may feel discomfort. On the nose there will be a splint covering the nose and small tubes will be placed on the nostrils to help drain excess fluid.

If you had the closed procedure there will most likely be tubes in the nostrils to support the internal part of the nose and to help make it heal faster. Although this may feel uncomfortable do not remove anything off the face without permission from the rhinoplasty surgeon.

The draining tubes will most likely be removed before you leave.

Rhinoplasty: Leaving The Hospital

Because the rhinoplasty procedure is an outpatient procedure the patient will be able to go home the same day of the surgery. The patients must bring someone who can drive them home from the hospital and have someone stay with them for at least the first 24 hours after the rhinoplasty procedure. Coming home you may have a drip pad taped beneath the nostrils just in case there is any extra fluid dripping.

Rhinoplasty: Bruising and Swelling

Swelling and bruising around the nose and on the face is expected. The patient may even feel stuffed up like having a cold. It is also not uncommon to have black eyes immediately after surgery. To help bring down the swelling on the face the patient may want to sleep upright for the first few days after the rhinoplasty procedure. To help with the bruising there are different creams that can help make the bruising go down.

Remember to eat soft items for the first few days after the rhinoplasty procedure. Always remember to stay hydrated! The doctor can prescribe pain medication if the patient feels it's needed after their rhinoplasty surgery. The swelling will go down the first week after the rhinoplasty procedure, but the bruising can linger a little longer.

Important Rhinoplasty Tip

Stay clear of the sun! The UV rays will not help heal the nose. Stay away from the sun to help the healing process. Three weeks after the rhinoplasty surgery you can start going out more and be in the sun, but to always remember put sunscreen on the nose. By putting the sunscreen on it will make sure that the scars from the rhinoplasty surgery heal light and won't change the pigment of the skin.

Rhinoplasty: Going Back To Regular

One week after the rhinoplasty procedure the patient will be able to go back to their regular routine. But, remember not carry anything heavier than 20 pounds. The patient can return to regular exercise 3 to 6 weeks after the rhinoplasty procedure.

Rhinoplasty: The Results

Six months after the rhinoplasty procedure the patient will be almost fully recovered. At this time there will be no swelling, very light bruising, the patients will be back to their full time schedule. The patients will notice the change and will love the procedure.