Rhinoplasty

At their practice in San Luis Obispo, Dr. Bruce One and Dr. Melanie Two specialize in nose surgery (rhinoplasty) for people who want to look better, breathe easier, or both. As the central feature, your nose is integral to the appearance of your entire face. It can enhance your beauty, or it can detract from other attractive features. Our surgeons understand that even subtle changes to your nose can make a significant difference in how others perceive you, and how you feel about yourself.

The “nose job” is a popular choice made by hundreds of thousands of Americans each year, yet many fine plastic surgeons choose not to perform it due to its complexity. Our surgeons, however, enjoy the challenges of nose surgery. They’ve earned their reputations as some of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the world.

Rhinoplasty in a Nutshell

Rhinoplasty can change the size and shape of the nose, revise the nostrils, or adjust the area between your nose and your upper lip. Our surgeons routinely correct issues including:

• A dorsal hump
• Overprojected, underprojected, pinched or bulbous tip
• A nose that is too long, wide, or crooked
• Wide or flared nostrils

The procedure is also performed to improve breathing, correct congenital deformities, or restore nose appearance and function after injury. Nose surgery offers a person the ability to make a minor correction to their nose, or transform the look of their face by reshaping the nose in a more significant way.

Answers to Your Questions About Rhinoplasty

If you’re considering nose surgery, you probably have many questions. Our surgeons have heard just about every nose surgery question imaginable. To help you make an informed decision about your own rhinoplasty, we’ve provided many of the answers you’re seeking here.

Am I a candidate for rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is performed for adults of all ages and can be appropriate for many young adults and teenagers. A teen’s nose should be finished growing prior to nose surgery. Ideal candidates would like to improve their look but aren’t in search of the “perfect” nose. We specialize in nose surgery that improves the balance of the features without changing the unique character of the face.

Nose surgery can be performed as either a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure. Cosmetically, many candidates don’t like the size or shape of their nose or feel that the nose is out of proportion with the rest of the face. Reconstructive patients often seek to correct birth defects or improve their ability to breathe. Another significant percentage of our patients are people who have had unsatisfying results from a prior nose surgery elsewhere and need revision rhinoplasty. Whatever your reason for wanting to change your nose, rhinoplasty is often a satisfying surgical solution.

What can I expect at my consultation?

During your consultation at our office in San Luis Obispo, you will have your surgeon’s undivided attention, and plenty of time to discuss your goals and have all of your questions answered. Additionally, you will be offered the chance to review a large selection of nose surgery before-and-after photos. Hopefully, you will view your consultation as not only your opportunity to learn a great deal more about rhinoplasty, but also about your doctor.

Of course, we’ll also want to learn more about you. To this end, you will be asked to share your medical history, as well as any medications or supplements you’re currently taking. Most importantly, your surgeon will spend time getting to know you and understanding your motivations and expectations for your rhinoplasty.

Your surgeon will evaluate your nose and discuss surgical options with you based on what you would like your nose to look like after surgery. Often, it is helpful to bring along pictures from magazines or other sources. Your surgeon also uses state-of-the-art VECTRA® 3-D imaging technology to show you what you might look like after surgery. This is an invaluable tool that helps the two of you come to a shared understanding of your goals.

Your surgical options may depend on such factors as:

• Structure of nasal bones and existing shape of cartilage
• Overall facial contour and “fit” of the nose with the face
• Thickness and condition of the skin covering the nose
• Your age and health

Other topics of discussion at your consultation may include details about the specific technique that will be used, risks and recovery, and costs associated with the procedure. When rhinoplasty is performed to correct a breathing problem or for other reconstructive purposes, it may be covered by health insurance. Dr. X can provide more detail during the consultation.

How Is rhinoplasty performed?

Rhinoplasty incisions can be made inside the nostrils–called a closed rhinoplasty–or across the strip of skin in between the nostrils–called an open rhinoplasty. Through the incisions, your surgeon is able to sculpt the bone and cartilage that form the internal framework of the nose. He or she takes a conservative approach and tailors the reshaping to your desired result.

When the procedure is completed, your surgeon places a splint over the nose to support its new shape. Unlike some surgeons, our doctors do not use nasal packing, which greatly improves your comfort after surgery. Most nose surgeries are completed in 1 to 2 hours.

What are the risks involved?

At The Aesthetic Center, your satisfaction is the goal, but your safety is the number one concern.

Being completely honest with your surgeon about your medical history, family health background, and any medications you might be taking, as well as strictly adhering to the detailed pre- and post-operative instructions provided to you, can minimize risks such as an adverse reaction to anesthesia, infection, and bleeding. You’ll be asked to quit smoking several weeks prior to surgery, and to avoid certain medications and supplements which can increase bleeding.

As with any surgery, rhinoplasty may involve complications, such as infection, nosebleed, or a need to perform a revision procedure due to uneven healing. Scarring is not generally a problem following this procedure, because incisions are placed either inside the nose where they are not visible or underneath the tip of the nose, where they are almost undetectable.

What is recovery from rhinoplasty like?

Before the surgery, make arrangements for a friend or loved one to drive you home the day of your procedure. Ideally, this person will be able to stay with you for at least a day after your procedure to help you with daily activities while you recover. To summarize, here is an approximate timeline for recovery:

• First 24 hours – Rest and keep your head elevated.
• First 48 hours – Swelling, discomfort. headaches, bruising, and nosebleeds are all normal
• 7 to 10 days – Splint and stitches removed; significantly improved comfort
• 1 to 2 weeks – Most bruising and swelling resolved; return to work
• 3 weeks – Exercise and strenuous (non-contact) activities can be cautiously resumed
• 6 to 7 weeks – You may resume wearing glasses
• 6 weeks to 1 year – All swelling resolved and final results visible

Discomfort and swelling are often most pronounced for the first few days after your procedure, though medications prescribed by your surgeon will help minimize discomfort. Cold compresses can be used to help reduce bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes.

Slight bleeding often occurs for up to a week after the procedure, and while your nose may feel stuffy, you need to avoid blowing your nose for about a week to ensure tissues heal properly.

What’s the next step?

If you’re convinced that you want to undergo rhinoplasty, or if you just want more answers than what you’ve found here, the next step is to request a consultation online or call The Aesthetic Center (866) 374-3762 to speak directly with a member of our team.