Recovery After Rhinoplasty By A Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon



Posted: Saturday, February 20, 2010

by Dave Stringham
LookingYourBest.com

Rhinoplasty patients are very specific on what they want especially when it comes to reshaping their nose. Usually they don't like the "width of their nose, the nasal hump", or the thickness of the nasal tip. The skin that separates the nostrils inside the nose is comprised of bone and cartilage. It may become twisted or deviated, either through birth, or as the result of an injury. Due to this deviation, the air flow pattern through the nose may be altered causing it to be hard to breathe. The nose may also appear to be crooked with a 'hump'.

Often, a surgical procedure used to correct breathing also improves its physical appearance. Nasal hump reduction, nasal tip refinement, width narrowing, and nose straightening are combined into one procedure. Nasal surgery is done entirely from within the nostrils to eliminate visible scarring. Achieving a more natural appearance is our goal. The approach to nasal surgery or rhinoplasty varies from individual to individual. Patients may have a specific area of the nose they want improved.

Ethnic characteristics must be respected when enhancing the appearance of the African-American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic or the Middle Eastern nose.

After the patient makes the decision to undergo rhinoplasty surgery, he or she will proceed with completing specified laboratory tests and a history and physical examination. The plastic surgeon will provide the patient with written preoperative and postoperative instructions, which are also discussed in their entirety. The patient will receive a medications list that may conflict with the use of anesthesia. In some instances a re-evaluation appointment is available to the patient prior to the date of surgery.

During this time before surgery, the patient should ask any more questions and concerns to the plastic surgeon and his staff. The patient arrives at the surgicenter or hospital on the day of surgery. The registered nurse will check-in and prepare the patient for rhinoplasty surgery. Your plastic surgeon and the anesthesiologist will meet with the patient prior to starting surgery.

Following the procedure, a small splint is applied to the nose for protection and to reduce swelling in the early postoperative period. This splint is usually removed between five to seven days after surgery; bruising is variable. Some drs do not use packing in the nose. After the rhinoplasty surgery, the registered nurse monitors the patient closely in the recovery room until he or she is fully awake. After the patient is ready to be discharged by the doctor, a friend or relative shall escort the patient home and stay with him or her for that same night. The patient will follow specific postoperative instructions as written and discussed with the attending nurse.

Although the patient may have some facial swelling and bruising during the first few days, there is minimal discomfort during the postoperative period. The patient will schedule a return visit with the plastic surgeon on the next day for a follow-up evaluation.

In the weeks, or sometimes months, following surgery, the patient may still experience some subtle swelling, especially in the tip. The final results of rhinoplasty may take up to one year or more to be completely apparent

--------

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures like rhinoplasty and tummy tuck surgery.
This Article has been viewed 425 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.