Rhinoplasty, also known as nose surgery, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Every year, half a million people who are interested in improving the appearance of their noses seek consultation with facial plastic surgeons. Some are unhappy with the noses they were born with, and some are with the way aging has changed their nose. For others, an injury may have distorted the nose, or the goal may be improved breathing. But one thing is clear: nothing has a greater impact on how a person looks than the size and shape of the nose. Because the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, a slight alteration can greatly improve one’s appearance.
Successful facial plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your specific needs. Dr. Moreano is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed numerous rhinoplasty procedures for our patients in NYC. Dr. Moreano strives to offer rhinoplasty results that look beautiful and natural.
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Is Rhinoplasty for You?
As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Understanding nose surgery is also critical. The goal is to improve the nose aesthetically, making it harmonize better with other facial features.
Skin type, ethnic background, and age are important factors to be considered in discussions with your surgeon prior to surgery. Before the nose is altered, a young patient must reach full growth, usually around age 15 or 16. Exceptions are cases in which breathing is severely impaired.
Rhinoplasty can address a variety of aesthetic issues with the nose. Rhinoplasty is commonly performed to address a bulbous or hooked nasal tip, noticeable bumps on the nasal bridge, and large or asymmetrical nostrils. Rhinoplasty can be performed to address a specific issue with the nose or to completely redefine the appearance of the nose for patients who desire more dramatic results.
In some cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing through the nose due to issues such as an obstruction in the nasal cavity or a deviated septum that prevents proper airflow through the nose. In these cases, septoplasty can be performed to clear the nasal pathway to help improve breathing. Septoplasty does not involve making cosmetic alterations to the nose, but it can be combined with aesthetic rhinoplasty for comprehensive care.
Before deciding on rhinoplasty in NYC, ask your facial plastic surgeon if any additional surgery might be recommended to enhance the appearance of your face. Many patients have chin augmentation in conjunction with rhinoplasty to create a better balance of features.
Making the Decision for Rhinoplasty
Whether the surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. Many facial plastic surgeons are trained in both ear, nose, throat and facial cosmetic surgery, which provides you, the patient, with the highest level of training and expertise. Your surgeon will examine the structure of your nose, both externally and internally, to evaluate what you can expect from rhinoplasty. Your surgeon also will discuss factors that may influence the outcome of the surgery, such as skin type, ethnic background, age, degree of deformity, and degree of function of nasal structures.
You can expect a thorough explanation of the surgeon’s expectations and the risks involved in the surgery. Following a joint decision by you and your surgeon to proceed with rhinoplasty, the surgeon will take photographs of you and discuss the options available. Your surgeon will explain how the nasal structures, including bone and cartilage, can be sculpted to reshape the nose and indicate how reshaping the chin, for example, could enhance the desired results.
After conducting a thorough medical history, your surgeon will offer information regarding anesthesia, the surgical facility to be used, and the costs for the procedure.
Understanding the Surgery
The definition of rhinoplasty is, literally shaping the nose. First, incisions are made and the skin of the nose is lifted from its underlying bone and cartilage support system. The majority of incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. In some cases, an incision is made in the area of the skin separating the nostrils. Next, certain amounts of underlying bone and cartilage are removed or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. For example, when the tip of the nose is too large, the surgeon can sculpt the cartilage in this area to reduce its size. The angle of the nose in relation to the upper lip can be altered for a more youthful look or to correct a distortion.
The skin is then re-draped over the new frame and the incisions are closed. A splint is applied to the outside of the nose to help retain the new shape while the nose heals. The soft, absorbent material may be used inside the nose to maintain stability along the dividing wall of the air passages called the septum. Risk factors in rhinoplasty are generally minor, and your facial plastic surgeon will discuss these prior to surgery.
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Dr. Moreano did a nose job on my badly twisted nose. He truly is an expert in nose jobs. Other doctors that I saw refused to do my surgery because they said it was a big surgery. Dr. Moreano made me feel confortable and confident in his skills. The surgery was a total success. I love my new nose and my new look of my face. Dr Morea o is a nose expert. Go to him and you will see what I mean.
What To Expect After the Surgery
Immediately after surgery, a small splint will be placed on your nose to protect it and to keep the structure stable for at least five to eight days. If packing is placed inside the nose during surgery, it is removed the morning following the surgery. Your face will feel puffy, especially on the first day after surgery. Pain medication may be required. Your surgeon will advise you to avoid blowing your nose for seven days after surgery. In the immediate days following surgery, you may experience bruising and minor swelling in the eye area. Cold compresses often reduce bruising and discomfort. Absorbable sutures are usually used that do not have to be removed. Nasal dressing and splints are usually removed six or seven days after surgery.
It is crucial that you follow your surgeon’s directions, especially instructions to keep your head elevated for a certain period after surgery. Some activities will be prohibited in the weeks after the procedure. Sun exposure, exertion, and risk of injury must be avoided. If you wear glasses, special arrangements must be made to ensure that the glasses do not rest on the bridge of the nose. Tape and other devices are sometimes used to permit wearing glasses without stressing the area where surgery was performed.
Follow-up care is vital for this procedure to monitor healing. Obviously, anything unusual should be reported to your surgeon immediately. It is essential that you keep your follow-up appointments with your surgeon.
The Cost of Rhinoplasty
Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve nasal function or surgery for major deformities or injuries may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It is the patient’s responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage.
Rhinoplasty is a highly personalized surgical procedure. Various techniques and approaches are used based on the specific areas of the nose being addressed and the desired results. During your consultation, Dr. Moreano can go over the details of your rhinoplasty in NYC and let you know what the expected cost of your procedure will be. We can also go over the payment and financing options available to you.
Schedule a Consultation
Rhinoplasty is a complex surgical procedure that should be performed by a properly trained and experienced plastic surgeon. Dr. Moreano is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has undergone years of rigorous training. He can take the time to understand what your aesthetic goals are and will formulate a personalized surgical plan based on your needs. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment for your rhinoplasty in NYC, or call us at (718) 478-2852.
