What is a nose reshaping surgery or Rhinoplasty?
The rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at improving the looks of the nose. There are several aspects the surgery can modify, for example: the length, the shape removing bulges or slumps, its relation with your face, the tip, the nostrils or asymmetries.
Even though these flaws are usually part of the family heritage, they can also be caused by an injury. When the aesthetic aspect is the focus, the whole structure of the face must be taken into account to maintain a good balance. It may be necessary to proceed with a chin implant or lip plumps.
The other possible cause to get a rhinoplasty is an abnormal breathing. In these cases, the reconstruction may be done alone, or at the same time that acosmetic surgery. It will be necessary to check all the possible causes of the breathing problem to focus on your safety.
Am I a good candidate?
Both when the focus is to improve breathing or the looks, this surgery is best done once the facial growth has been completed, that is to say in people over 15 years old. Patients cannot have a disease that endangers their lives, nor unstable medical conditions. They cannot smoke and must keep a positive mind, with realistic objectives in mind.
Short Description:
Procedure that reshapes the nose altering its size, angle, curves or proportions.
Are there other options?
The alternative to the rhinoplasty is the bioplasty, which consists in injections of hyaluronic acid or metacrilate in parts of the nasal area to model it. These results are temporary and in no case are as good as the ones achieved with a rhinoplasty.
What does the surgery consist of?
The consult with Dra. Robles will be aimed at educating the patient regarding every aspect of the surgery. This means the realistic expectations, risks, recovery time and how much the results will last. Once this interview is over and you’ve decided to follow every instruction Dra. Robles has given you will have taken a big step in order to preserve your safety during the process.
Before going into the operating room on the day of the surgery, Dra. Robles will mark and take pictures of the area to be intervened. After this, you will be anesthetized and sedated, and then the surgeon will be ready to start with the surgery. The surgery can be done through a closed procedure in which the incisions are done inside the nose or through an open procedure in which case the incision is done between the nostrils.
This surgery may be used either to reduce or increase the size of the nose with cartilage or other type of implants depending on the result desired. Once the internal structure of the nose has been modified, the nasal tissue and skin will be rearranged and the doctor will proceed with the stitches. You will be placed a splint and bandages to give the nose support until the healing begins. Initial swelling will last a couple weeks, but you will see the final results approximately a year from the surgery. During that period, you will see gradual changes on your nose.
How is the recovery from the surgery?
Once the surgery is over, you will be placed nasal plugs, a splint and external bandages to support and protect the new structure of the nose during the initial recovery. The initial healing may include swelling, bruises and headaches, which can all be controlled with the medication prescribed by the doctor and cold compresses.
Dra. Robles will advice you to avoid doing excessive efforts and to keep your head straight during the first few days. On top of that, you should not remove the bandages or plugs until you are told so. The success of the post-operation depends on you following these instructions.
Three days after the surgery, the plugs will be removed, but the splint will remain in place for another week. That’s when you will be able to go back to work if it doesn’t imply excessive efforts. Healing will continue for several weeks as the swelling wears off and you will start to see your new looks.
You will have to use solar protection during the following weeks and it will be of vital importance to protect your face if you do physical activities for 4 to 6 weeks.
What are the risks of the surgery?
The possible risks of this surgery are infections, bleeding or the breaking of nose blood vessels. There is always a minor risk related to anesthesia.
In some of the cases, it may be necessary to undergo a second surgery to achieve the desired results.
How long will the results last?
The results will appear gradually, and the definitive results will be seen after 6 to 12 months after the surgery. Commonly, the results of this surgery are permanent, however the cartilages, which are the support of the nose, are always growing and moving, which means there may be a minimum change in the results.
The final result will be measured to confirm that the balance of the new facial structure has been achieved. Once this is done, you will know that the procedure was a complete success.
What do I need to get the surgery done?
After all the details have been confirmed with Dr. Robles, you will be given some documents related to the procedure. There, you will find the informed consent for the surgery, which is a written statement that you’ve been fully informed of the surgery you are about to be practiced, as well as the risks involved. You will also be given a sworn statement of your medical history. Both must be read and filled when they are given to you, however you’ll sign them the day of the surgery on Clínica Robles.
In order to assure your safety and to be certain that the surgery will go without any complications, Dra. Robles will perform some routine pre-surgical tests, including blood tests, ECG, surgical risk tests, and whenever necessary an ultrasound scan.
It is of the utmost importance that you have all of the medication and other elements that Dra. Robles had asked you in previous consults. A fast recovery will depend on that. Medication varies according to the type of treatment or your medical history. This is why that information must be the trustworthy.
