Rhinoplasty
Orange County, CA
Rhinoplasty is a surgery that is used to change the shape of a person’s nose to improve its functionality, appearance or both. The surgery can be performed for medical reasons like fixing a patient’s breathing problems, which can be caused by disfigurement, birth defects or trauma. Dr. Bivens is a board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive nose surgery. Fill out a form or call us to find out if you are a candidate for the procedure.
- The latest in Rhinoplasty techniques and procedures
- Compassionate care and customized procedures
- Board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years experience
Who Is A
Candidate For Rhinoplasty?
People who are unhappy with the appearance of their nose can opt for rhinoplasty to change the shape. Additionally, people who have difficulty breathing can use rhinoplasty to fix the problem, which will allow them to breathe more easily. People who have been in accidents can also use rhinoplasty to fix their nose.
Preparing For A
Rhinoplasty Procedure
Regardless of their reasons, once a person has decided to undergo rhinoplasty, the first thing that they need to do is to schedule an appointment with their plastic surgeon to discuss the procedure. During the meeting, it is important that they let the surgeon know of their concerns about their nose and the results they are looking to achieve. If this is the first time a person is undergoing rhinoplasty, they should ask all questions regarding the procedure, how to prepare and what to do after so they are well informed before they proceed.
During the meeting, the plastic surgeon will evaluate the patient’s face and explain how the changes will affect their appearance. The evaluation will also let the surgeon and the patient know if the expectations are realistic or not. The patient’s overall health will also be a factor in determining if the procedure will be possible or not.
To help the patient understand the options that are available to them, the plastic surgeon will take pictures of their face at different angles then use computer software to show the patient the types of results that are possible.
Surgery will be scheduled once the patient and surgeon have gone over the expectations and the surgeon has determined the patient is in good health. The patient will need to bring someone along with them to drive them home following the procedure.
What To Expect
During Surgery
The surgeon will administer local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the complexity of the surgery and the doctor’s preference, which will be discussed before the procedure begins.
With local anesthesia, the patient will be sedated and their nose will be numbed so they are relaxed and do not feel pain during the surgery. With general anesthesia, the patient will be asleep through the entire operation.
During the surgery, the surgeon will make cuts within the nostrils. In more complex cases, the surgeon may also make cuts on the base of the nose. Once the cuts have been made, the surgeon reshapes the inner bone and cartilage to improve the appearance of the nose.
Before & After Photos
After the
Nose Surgery
Once the rhinoplasty has been completed, the surgeon will advise the patient to get some rest and sleep with their head raised higher than their chest to reduce the swelling and bleeding. Patients may experience congestion from the swelling or the splints placed inside the nose during surgery.
The internal dressings will remain in place for anywhere from one to seven days after surgery. The surgeon will also apply a splint to the patient’s nose for protection and support –– this is usually kept in place for about a week.
Bleeding and excess mucus is common for the first few weeks after surgery. If the bleeding or mucus is excessive, the surgeon will place a piece of gauze under the nose to absorb the drainage, and the gauze will need to be replaced as directed by the surgeon.
Things to Avoid
To reduce the chances of excessive bleeding and swelling after rhinoplasty, the plastic surgeon will advise against doing any of the following:
- Strenuous activities such as aerobics and jogging
- Taking showers while the bandages are still on –– take baths instead
- Blowing of the nose
- Limit salt intake, as it increases fluid retention and can increase swelling during recovery
In Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is a great way to fix problems you have with your nose and can improve the appearance of the nose as well as its functionality. If you have an injury to your nose or you are conscious of the way it looks, schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon to go over your treatment options.