An Introduction to Rhinoplasty

Nasal surgery (Rhinoplasty Surgery), the most common form of plastic surgery practiced in America today, is a procedure that alters the framework of the nose, manipulating the bone and cartilage structure and the skin to improve the appearance of the nose. It can be used to change the overall appearance of the face from one where the focus of attention was placed on the nose to one where the attention is drawn away from the nose and towards the eyes, a more natural, pleasing occurrence.  When the focus of attention is directed towards any other feature on the face other than the eyes, the face is said to be out of “harmony”. Rhinoplasty surgery, when performed correctly, improves the harmony of the facial features.

Common defects corrected through the use of rhinoplasty surgery include but are not limited to a nose that is too large, too small, crooked or may contain an unwanted hump, birth defect or other deformity. If the nose has been damaged by physical trauma, the surgery may be more intensive than a mere straightening or reduction and may involve an area wider than the nose to fully reconstruct the damage, but it is still rhinoplasty surgery.

Rhinoplasty surgery is a delicate, complex undertaking and should not be entered into without thorough investigation and due diligence.  You and your doctor should have many conversations about exactly what you want done and exactly how the doctor is going to accomplish fulfilling your request. Remember this: rhinoplasty surgery is both a science and an art, as is any plastic surgery. Any other surgeon has to be only competent -  a plastic surgeon has to be competent and have artistic talent. It is important that the finished product create a harmonious balance with the rest of your face, be natural looking and last forever as well as being medically sound.

Rhinoplasty is different from the surgical procedure used to repair a deviated septum to improve a patient’s breathing. Although the two are quite often done simultaneously and more often than not, a simple rhinoplasty is billed to insurance companies as a deviated septum repair, one has nothing to do with the other. Repairing one’s nose to improve aesthetic appearance and surgery performed on a deviated septum to improve breathing and air flow into the lungs are completely different procedures.  In the case of many rhinoplastic surgeries, the complete operation can be performed without any external incisions. And furthermore, many rhinoplasties are performed in the doctor’s office and the patient goes home after a short recovery period of several hours following the surgery, returning to work in a matter of a few days. A splint is placed around the outside of the nose for protection and is usually removed after about a week. With advanced surgical techniques, unless the reconstruction has been extensive, the need for “nose packing” to keep things in place after the surgery has been drastically reduced. There is typically some swelling after the procedure, however, after about one week your new nose will be completely presentable and most people find the return to their jobs goes smoothly and easily.