Useful Tips When Considering Rhinoplasty Facial Plastic Surgery
Because many people are not satisfied with the size, shape or length of their nose, the desire to improve the contour can lead them to one of the most popular procedures in facial plastic surgery in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), well over 300,000 women and men underwent rhinoplasty in 2008. For a more positive experience, your doctor should address all of your questions and concerns before you decide if this procedure is right for you.
As with any type of facial plastic surgery procedure, the best candidates for nose surgery are those who want a general improvement in their appearance, not perfection. A person should be in good physical and mental health, and have realistic expectations before undertaking any type of aesthetic plastic surgery. It is important to remember that most surgeons won’t perform surgery of the nose on a patient until they have finished growing. This is typically at age 17 or older for males and 16 or older for females.
Reconstructive surgery of the nose usually takes around one to two hours and is performed under a general or local anesthetic. You may have it at a hospital or at an outpatient surgical center. Nose surgery can be performed one of two ways; either through an open or closed technique. It will depend on your condition and what your surgeon prefers.
The open technique can give the good results if the plastic surgeon performing the procedure has good visibility of the internal structure of the nose. Small surgical incisions are made inside the nostrils and across the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
The closed technique can be completed almost without any scarring. It is favored by many doctors because it doesn’t require an external incision. If the closed technique is performed, the healing time is relatively quick, though swelling can be more prominent and may take longer to go away than with the open technique.
The possible risks and complications are typically minor with surgery of the nose, though all plastic surgery procedures carry side effects and risks. These can include numbness, infection, a negative reaction to anesthesia, excessive nose bleeding, the need for a another procedure, swelling, bruising and delays in healing.
Regardless of which surgical technique is used, after it is done, a splint is applied and the nose is packed lightly with surgical gauze. Changing the gauze bandages a few times each day during the first few days following cosmetic plastic surgery is important because you may have some minor bleeding. Within a few days, most patients are able to resume light activity, but do keep in mind that it could take several weeks before the nose is completely healed.
When it comes to choosing the right doctor for your procedure, be sure to find someone you can trust because facial plastic surgery is a very big deal. Most people choose their doctor based on recommendations from a friend or relative. It is always a good idea to meet with a few plastic surgeons before making your final decision. The initial consultation is the perfect time to learn of the risks and complications of plastic surgery, as well as to ask any questions you may have about a procedure you are considering.
