There are many functional and aesthetic reasons why someone chooses to undergo rhinoplasty, or nose surgery. Often it’s to change the size and shape of the nose and tip or bridge of the nose. Sometimes nose surgery is performed to relieve breathing problems, correct birth defects or repair injuries. No matter the reason, rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures that offer a lot of benefits. Read on for five things you should know about this surgery.
Nose surgery doesn’t always affect appearance. If you have a deviated septum or another irregularity that is affecting breathing, you can have a functional rhinoplasty, which consists of small alternations to the nose, preserving the size and shape. If you have aesthetic concerns in addition to breathing problems, your doctor can change the look of your nose as well.
There are two methods for performing nose surgery. With the closed technique, incisions are made inside the nose. With the open technique, small incisions are made across the two nostrils. Your surgeon will discuss the type of surgery that will be performed on you.
You’ll notice minimal to no scarring. Closed procedures don’t produce visible scarring, and the small incisions made during open procedures won’t be noticeable to most people once fully healed.
Revision rhinoplasty can correct previous surgical outcomes. If you don’t like results from a previous nose surgery or have injured the nose after surgery, you can get revision surgery. This procedure does require extra care around the scar tissue. It’s important to choose a surgeon who is skilled in primary and revision rhinoplasty techniques to give patients the results they desire.
You can usually return to work in a week, unless you do strenuous work. Nose surgery is outpatient, so you will return home shortly after surgery. You will feel mild to moderate discomfort for the first few days. The majority of swelling resolves three weeks after surgery.
Nose surgery can be life-changing, improving your look and self-image with permanent results. If you are interested in a consultation to discuss nose surgery and you live in the Washington, D.C., area, call our office at 202-785-4187 today.