Restore Balance to Your Face with Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping was one of the top five plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S. in 2015, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. There were 218,000 rhinoplasty surgeries performed during that year alone. One reason this procedure is requested so often is the fact that rhinoplasty offers a myriad of cosmetic benefits that can have a profound impact on the appearance. Check out these reasons to consider rhinoplasty and what you can expect if you move forward with the surgery.
Benefits of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty goes beyond simply reshaping the nose into a more attractive contour. By changing the size or position of this central feature, you can bring balance and proportion to the entire face. Specific benefits of rhinoplasty include:
- Removing a bump from the bridge of the nose
- Creating symmetry between the nostrils
- Straightening a crooked bridge
- Correcting the shape and size of the nose tip
- Enhancing the shape or contour of the nose
- Bringing proportion to the forehead, chin and cheeks
For some rhinoplasty patients, this surgery can bring functional benefits as well as cosmetic ones. For example, straightening the bridge and nasal septum might also improve breathing and opening the nasal passageway may reduce snoring.
Rhinoplasty may also be performed with other procedures to further enhance the results. For example, it is common to do rhinoplasty with chin or brow augmentation to round out the facial contours more evenly. Some patients that assume their nose is the cosmetic problem may be surprised to discover the size of the nose is actually emphasized by a weak chin or sloping forehead. By making adjustments to both areas, Dr. Rappaport can achieve an even better aesthetic result.
About the Procedure
Rhinoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure may be done using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Most rhinoplasties take an hour or two to complete.
During the procedure, Dr. Rappaport will usually make incisions inside the nasal cavity, known as a closed rhinoplasty. However, some patients will also require an incision across the tissue between the nostrils, known as an open rhinoplasty. Through the incisions, tissue and cartilage is removed and reshaped to create the final aesthetic result.
Recovery and Results
After rhinoplasty, patients may find themselves bruised, swollen and stuffed up. Oral medication will help maintain comfort in the first few days after surgery. Most patients are able to return to regular activities as soon as they are comfortable with their appearance. Bruising and swelling may take a number of weeks or even months to disappear completely, but most patients are able to cover up the effects with makeup after just a few days.
The results of rhinoplasty may take some time to become fully apparent, since it can take a number of months for the swelling to be gone completely. Once those results develop, they will be permanent.
Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery option that can have a profound effect on your entire appearance. When you decide you want to move forward with the procedure, it is important to find a plastic surgeon that is experienced in all types of rhinoplasty techniques to ensure the best possible results. Dr. Rappaport has performed numerous rhinoplasties and revision rhinoplasties for patients that were unhappy with the results of their first procedure by another surgeon.
To find out more about rhinoplasty or see if this is the right procedure for you, contact Houston Center for Plastic Surgery at (713) 790-4500.
