How Rhinoplasty Is Performed
You have made the decision to have rhinoplasty surgery.
The decision may not have been an easy one, but you feel as though the time has come where you need to have the procedure done.
Whether the decision was made from a functional standpoint (breathing issues) or a cosmetic one (misshaped nose, size adjustment, etc.
), you are ready to take the next step.
Beyond ascertaining the price of your surgery, your next biggest question may be of just how the surgery is performed.
Below are high level steps on how a rhinoplasty surgery takes place.
Anesthesia Rhinoplasty can be performed either by IV sedation or general anesthesia.
Talking to your doctor prior to your surgery will help you know which method will be used.
The drugs or gases administered for your procedure will help relieve pain while altering your consciousness.
Many people refer to anesthesia as "being put under".
Incisions are Made If your incisions are made inside of your nose, then your procedure is a "closed" procedure.
Closed surgical procedures leave a patient with no visible scars.
Although the incisions are made inside the nose, there may times where some exterior incisions underneath the nose or at the side of the nostrils are needed.
This is especially true for patients that are having extensive work performed or alterations needed to the tip of the nose, or when the size or shape of the nostrils need to be addressed.
Cartilage and Bone Removed If a patient has a "hump" in their nose they would like removed the bone is smoothed down by special surgical instruments.
In other occasions, the bone is not altered, but pieces of cartilage is removed or either rearranged.
Rearranging or removing cartilage from the nose can help reshape the nose to its desired appearance.
Lastly, if a patient wants to "build up" a nose that is too flat, then the use of bone or cartilage grafts may be required.
Talking through your options with your doctor will help you understand what strategy, and why that strategy will be taken.
If excess skin is remaining due to the nostrils being narrowed or the nasal tip being shortened, that skin will be removed.
Nasal Bandage Depending on the type of rhinoplasty performed, your bandages may be altered.
Once your incisions are made with sutures and gauze, you may receive a splint on the new nose in order to protect it, and to promote proper and healthy healing.
Again, this is all dependent on the type of rhinoplasty you receive.
Talk to your doctor about post-operative care.
The decision may not have been an easy one, but you feel as though the time has come where you need to have the procedure done.
Whether the decision was made from a functional standpoint (breathing issues) or a cosmetic one (misshaped nose, size adjustment, etc.
), you are ready to take the next step.
Beyond ascertaining the price of your surgery, your next biggest question may be of just how the surgery is performed.
Below are high level steps on how a rhinoplasty surgery takes place.
Anesthesia Rhinoplasty can be performed either by IV sedation or general anesthesia.
Talking to your doctor prior to your surgery will help you know which method will be used.
The drugs or gases administered for your procedure will help relieve pain while altering your consciousness.
Many people refer to anesthesia as "being put under".
Incisions are Made If your incisions are made inside of your nose, then your procedure is a "closed" procedure.
Closed surgical procedures leave a patient with no visible scars.
Although the incisions are made inside the nose, there may times where some exterior incisions underneath the nose or at the side of the nostrils are needed.
This is especially true for patients that are having extensive work performed or alterations needed to the tip of the nose, or when the size or shape of the nostrils need to be addressed.
Cartilage and Bone Removed If a patient has a "hump" in their nose they would like removed the bone is smoothed down by special surgical instruments.
In other occasions, the bone is not altered, but pieces of cartilage is removed or either rearranged.
Rearranging or removing cartilage from the nose can help reshape the nose to its desired appearance.
Lastly, if a patient wants to "build up" a nose that is too flat, then the use of bone or cartilage grafts may be required.
Talking through your options with your doctor will help you understand what strategy, and why that strategy will be taken.
If excess skin is remaining due to the nostrils being narrowed or the nasal tip being shortened, that skin will be removed.
Nasal Bandage Depending on the type of rhinoplasty performed, your bandages may be altered.
Once your incisions are made with sutures and gauze, you may receive a splint on the new nose in order to protect it, and to promote proper and healthy healing.
Again, this is all dependent on the type of rhinoplasty you receive.
Talk to your doctor about post-operative care.
