Plastic surgery is a popular option for people looking to improve their bodies, and cosmetic nose surgery is one of the most sought after treatments. This type of surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, can adjust the shape, size, and alignment of the nose, and it is sometimes performed to resolve breathing problems. At Keller Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara, CA, we design a custom surgical plan for each patient.
How Does a Rhinoplasty Work?
Nose reshaping surgery is performed under anesthesia and involves making incisions that allow us to reshape the bone and cartilage. If the patient’s goal is to reduce the size of the nose, we may remove some of the bone or shave existing bone down. To add definition or widen a nose that appears too narrow, we may use a grafting technique. There are two basic types of nose surgery, each of which involves a slightly different approach to incisions.
Closed Rhinoplasty
This version of nose surgery involves small incisions inside the nostril, which give us access to the interior of the nose. This is a less invasive surgical approach, and because the incisions are made inside the nose, there is no visible scar tissue.
Open Rhinoplasty
In surgeries where a more extensive reshaping of the nose is desired, an incision will be made in the skin that divides the nostrils, just beneath the nasal tip. This approach gives us greater access to the bone structure. Any scarring is hidden beneath the tip of the nose and is generally not visible.
After surgery, we may put packing in the nose and put a small cast on it to speed healing and help the nose retain its new shape. Nose shaping surgery usually lasts an hour or more and is performed on an outpatient basis. That means you’ll be able to recover in the comfort of your own home.
What Cosmetic Issues Can This Surgery Address?
This type of surgery can alter the proportion, shape, and alignment of the nose so that it is in harmony with the rest of the patient’s facial features. It can shorten a nose that appears overly long, slim down a nasal tip that appears too bulbous or fix nostrils that flare too much. We can even straighten a crooked nose and remove the bumps that some patients have on the nasal bridge.
This surgery is also performed on patients struggling with sinus or breathing problems. In those cases, the surgery restructures the nose to resolve those problems.
What Is Recovery Like?
Most patients take about a week off of work as they recover. We recommend that patients take several precautions during the days after their treatment, including sleeping with their head elevated, taking extra care with the upper lip and nose when brushing their teeth, and bathing instead of showering so that the bandages don’t get wet. We also suggest wearing shirts that button-up rather than go over the head to avoid jostling the nose.
We ask patients not to wear glasses or sunglasses during their recovery because glasses put subtle pressure on the nose. Strenuous exercise should also be avoided until we give you the all-clear.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
As soon as your cast comes off, you’ll see the improvement in your nose, and your results will continue to develop over the next few months. It can take some time for your cartilage and muscles to settle after surgery, but your final results will be evident within a year.
Will My Results Be Permanent?
Yes. This surgery permanently alters the structure and look of your nose, and your results will last you a lifetime.
What Advantages Are Associated With Rhinoplasty?
It Harmonizes Your Facial Features
Whether you’re looking to slim down a large nose or simply refine the shape of your nostrils, this surgery can subtly improve the look of your overall face. The nose is one of the largest features on the face, and when it is well-shaped and in proportion with the other features, it can harmonize and balance the face.
It Can Help With Breathing
Because this treatment reshapes the nose and clears nasal passages, some patients find that they can breathe more deeply after surgery. You also may find that you’re less likely to snore. Even if you aren’t seeking this treatment out because of obstructions in your nasal pages, your breathing may still benefit from this surgery.
It May Help With Sinus Problems
This treatment can also help with the congestion and achiness associated with sinus trouble.
It’s a Custom Treatment
Every nose is a little different. And every patient’s concerns are a little different. The great thing about nose reshaping surgery is that it be customized for each patient. Whether you want to shrink the size of your nose, increase it, or simply reshape and refine it, we can develop a surgical plan just for you.
Renewed Confidence
Most of our rhinoplasty patients have disliked their noses all their lives. It’s frustrating when one of the most prominent features on the face is misshapen or not sized appropriately. This surgery can help you put those troubles behind you. It can help you feel great about yourself.
Am I a Candidate?
You’re Bothered by the Look of Your Nose
Most patients seek out this surgery because they’re embarrassed about some cosmetic aspect of their nose. Maybe your nose has always been too large for your face, or perhaps it’s crooked. In many cases, the nose has been this way since birth. In other cases, the patient has experienced a traumatic injury or a serious illness that has impacted the shape and look of the nose.
Your Nose Is Fully Formed
This surgery can only be performed on patients whose nasal bone structure is fully formed, which means it is not suitable for children or young adolescents. Girls, who develop a mature bone structure sooner, can sometimes have this surgery as soon as the age of 15. Adolescent boys usually aren’t candidates for this surgery until they are 17 years of age or older.
You’re Healthy
The best patients are in good overall health and are not pregnant. It also helps if you don’t smoke.
You Have Realistic Expectations
Patients should be realistic about the outcome of this surgery. It will improve the look of your nose and harmonize your facial features, but it won’t completely overhaul your appearance or resolve body image issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Nose Be Broken During Surgery?
Whether or not your nose is broken depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. If we’re trying to remove a hump from your upper nose, your surgery may include an osteotomy, where we’ll use a special tool to break the nose in a controlled way. By breaking the bone, we’ll be able to reposition the nose so that it’s narrower. If an osteotomy is performed, it will not increase your recovery time.
We’ll discuss your surgical plan with you in advance, so you’ll know in advance if an osteotomy will be performed.
Why Is This Surgery So Popular?
Rhinoplasty is popular because it gives patients control over their appearance. If your nose has long bothered you, this surgery gives you the ability to refine it in a way that you’re happy with. The medical benefits associated with this treatment, including improved breathing and the alleviation of sinus problems, also contribute to its popularity. Rhinoplasty has been around for a long time, and our practice has performed it to the satisfaction of many clients.
How Does This Surgery Compare to Septoplasty?
Septoplasty focuses exclusively on straightening the septum, which is the tissue that separates the two nostrils. Septoplasty is performed to improve a patient’s breathing.
Will My Nose Piercing Be a Problem?
Having a nose that’s been pierced won’t disqualify you from surgery, but you’ll need to remove the piercing and we’ll ask you not to put it back in for a week or so after your procedure. Depending on the extent of the surgery and where your piercing is, it’s also possible that the tissue where your piercing is will be removed completely. If this happens, you’ll be able to have your nose re-pierced once you have fully recovered.
How Dramatically Can My Nose Be Changed?
The flexibility of your cartilage and the thickness of your skin both determine how much of a change we can make in your nose. The elasticity of your skin, and its ability to conform to a new shape, is another important factor. Before your surgery, we’ll give you an idea of how much of a change you can expect. We’ll also take into account your goals and how much of a change you’re looking for.
Will I Be Able to Blow My Nose After Surgery?
We usually ask patients to refrain from blowing their nose for a week or so after surgery. This is because blowing the nose can strain the nasal passages as they are healing. If you feel the urge to sneeze, try to sneeze with your mouth open, which will minimize the pressure on the nasal passages. We’ll also ask you to avoid heavy lifting after surgery because that can also strain the nose.
What if I Have a Runny Nose on the Day of My Surgery?
If you have a cold, we’ll likely need to reschedule your surgery. Inflammed nasal passages could pose complications to your procedure.
What Other Facial Surgeries Do You Perform?
Our practice offers several different facial surgeries, including facelifts, neck lifts, and brow lifts. We also perform blepharoplasty, which improves the appearance of eyelids by removing extra tissue and skin. Cheek augmentation and facial liposuction, which gets rid of excess fat from the chin and neck, are also among the services we offer.
Will My Nose Have an Artificial “Operated” Look Afterwards?
No. You don’t have to worry about looking operated on after your surgery. We’ve been performing this treatment for many years and we can offer patients natural results. You won’t look artificial, you’ll simply look like a better version of yourself.
I’m Interested. What’s the First Step?
If you’re interested in pursuing nose reshaping, the first step is to schedule a consultation at our practice. We’ll evaluate your nose and talk with you about what you’re hoping to accomplish. We’ll work with you to determine if rhinoplasty is the best step for you.
Ready to Get Started?
Are you ready to take action and finally fix the nose that has been bothering you? There’s no reason to delay any longer. Call Keller Plastic Surgery in Santa Barbara, CA, and schedule your rhinoplasty consultation today!
