Surgical Procedures - Facial Surgery

• Face Lift
• Nose Surgery
• Brow Lift
• Eyelid Surgery

NOSE SURGERY (RHINOPLASTY)

A surgical reshaping of the cartilage, bone and the soft tissues of the nose to produce a natural and pleasing appearance.

Rhinoplasty, one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It can also correct a birth defect or injury and help relieve some breathing problems. What can and should be done in your case will depend on a consultation with your surgeon. Please feel free to ask him about anything you don't understand. However the following introductory paragraphs will provide a general outline.

RIGHT FOR YOU?

Rhinoplasty can change your appearance moving it closer to your ideal and so improve your self-confidence. However it cannot change your looks completely or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, you must discuss and agree your goals with our staff. The best candidates for rhinoplasty are looking for improvement, not perfection. If you're physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic, rhinoplasty may be for you. With teenagers many surgeons prefer not to operate until after they've completed their growth spurt, around 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys. Reputable surgeons always consider a teenager's social and emotional adjustment and make sure surgery is what the individual wants, and not just what his or her parents want.

Some Risk

Choose a well-qualified plastic surgeon and any complications are likely to be minor. However, because individuals vary greatly in their reactions and in their ability to heal, outcomes are never completely predictable. After surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's surface. Usually these are minor but may be permanent. When rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose, there is naturally no visible scarring. And, even when an 'open' technique is used, or when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils, the small scars at the base of the nose are not usually visible. In about one case out of ten, a second minor procedure may be required, for example, to correct a slight deformity. These relatively rare problems are unpredictable and can happen even to patients in the hands of the most skilled surgeons.

PLANNING

Good communication between you and your surgeon is essential. He or she will ask what you would like your nose to look like, evaluate the structure of your nose and face, and discuss possibilities with you. Our surgeons can, if you'd like, manipulate your digitized image on a computer to graphically illustrate surgical goals. He will also explain the factors that can influence the success of the procedure including the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations. He will also explain the techniques and anaesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, the risks and costs involved, and any options you may have. Most private insurance policies don't cover purely cosmetic surgery; however, if the procedure is performed for reconstructive purposes, the procedure may be covered. Check with your insurer, and obtain payment authorization before any surgery. Also, be sure to tell your surgeon if you've had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose, even if many years ago. You should also inform him if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs, and if you smoke. Don't hesitate to ask our staff any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

PREPARATION

It's important you follow your surgeon's instructions on how to prepare for surgery. They will cover eating, drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications and washing your face. If you are a smoker, it's especially important that you stop at least two weeks before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with healing. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.

WHERE?

Our surgeons perform procedures such as rhinoplasties at one of the private London hospitals where they serve as a Consultant. They are usually done on an outpatient basis, for reasons of cost and convenience. Complex procedures may, however, require an overnight stay.

WHAT HAPPENS?

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though, of course, complicated procedures may take longer. The skin of the nose is separated from the supporting bone and cartilage which is sculpted to the desired shape using the technique your surgeon has decided on. The skin is then redraped over the new framework. Rhinoplasty can be performed from within the nostrils of the nose or by using an 'open' procedure where a small incision is added across the columella, the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. After surgery, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape.

AFTER SURGERY

For the first twenty-four hours after surgery your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache and you may have a dull headache, however, prescribed pain medication can control this. Plan on taking it easy with your head elevated for the first few days. You'll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase initially, reaching a peak after two or three days. Cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. In any case, you'll feel a lot better than you look. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so, although some subtle swelling - unnoticeable to anyone but you and your surgeon - will remain for several months. A little bleeding is common in the early days after surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. You will probably be asked not to blow your nose for a week or so to allow the tissues to heal. If nasal packing has been used it will be removed after a few days and you'll feel much more comfortable. By the end of one week, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed.

RECOVERY

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days of surgery, and able to return to school or sedentary work after just a week. It will be several weeks, however, before you're entirely up to speed. Our staff will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. For two to three weeks you'll be asked to avoid strenuous activity - jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations or any activity that increases your blood pressure. Avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned, for eight weeks. Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics. You can wear contact lenses as soon as you feel like it but, until your nose is completely healed, you must be careful with glasses. Once the splint is off, they'll have to be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks for another few weeks. Our office staff will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the months after surgery to check on your progress. If you have any unusual symptoms between visits, or any questions about what you can and can't do, don't hesitate to call.

HAPPY?

After surgery, when your face is bruised and swollen, it's easy to forget that you will soon be looking better. Naturally many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery - it's quite normal. Rest assured that this stage will pass. Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Within a week or two you'll no longer look as if you've just had surgery. Healing is a slow and gradual process, however, and some subtle swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip of your nose - and the final results may not be apparent for a year or more. Also the reactions of some of your family and friends may be unexpected. They may say they don't see a major difference in your nose or they may resent the fact that you have changed something they see as a family or ethnic trait. The answer is to keep in mind why you decided to have the surgery. If you've met your personal goals, then your surgery is a success.

Contact us for your facial plastic surgery consultation.

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