The purpose of a rhinoplasty is to give your nose a more pleasing appearance. This can entail the removal of a bump, adding a more refined tip, or making your nose smaller overall. There are many variables in nose surgery, and Dr. Martin Moskovitz and his team in Paramus will carefully discuss your particular case in detail at your consultation.
Pre-Operative Care for Nose Surgery
A pre-operative assessment will be done to document any airflow problems with your nose before the rhinoplasty. A deviated septum or enlargement of your nasal tissues may need to be treated. Photos will be taken and a careful and in-depth discussion of your concerns will follow any rhinoplasty surgery. It is important to fully understand what it is about your nose that bothers you.
No aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar drugs should be taken within two weeks of the nose surgery. These medications can cause serious excess bleeding during and after the operation. If you have any questions about drugs you are taking, including over the counter preparations and natural herbs, please call us at (201) 225-1101.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight of the night before your surgery. This includes coffee and juice in the morning. Oral medications can be taken with a sip of water.
Nose Surgery Operation
As mentioned earlier, there are many variations in rhinoplasty surgery. The operation is done in the hospital in either a "closed" or "open" fashion.
In a closed rhinoplasty, an incision is made inside the nose, often in both nostrils, and the skin lifted as needed with all manipulations performed through the small incisions in the nose.
In an open approach, the incisions inside the nose are joined across the base of the nose with a small external incision. The skin is then lifted and the operation proceeds. The main difference post operatively will be a small (ΒΌ inch) outer nasal incision.
In most cases, the nasal bones will need to be fractured to provide a natural result.
At the conclusion of surgery, a splint is applied to keep the broken nasal bone in place while it heals. Packing and splints may be required inside the nose depending on how muck work is done on the septum.
Rhinoplasty Post-Operative Care
The packing, if placed, will come out the next day and the splint(s) will be removed after 1 week. You will wear the outer nasal splint at night for two more weeks so you do not do any damage rolling over in bed.
You should not blow or pick at your nose during the first week.
Saline spray can be applied to moisten the area as desired.
There will be significant bruising and swelling over the first week. The swelling should be nearly gone by two weeks and the bruising by four weeks. By one month you will see what your "new" nose looks like, though small changes will continue to occur. It is important to remember that full healing of a rhinoplasty takes about 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a rhinoplasty?
A rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape the nose. This procedure can increase or reduce the size of the nose, narrow the span of the nostrils or change the bridge or tip of the nose. Sometimes this procedure can also correct breathing problems.
What are the benefits of this surgery?
A rhinoplasty should improve your appearance and make your overall facial features more harmonious.
What are the risks associated with this surgery?
As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection, bleeding, and scarring. Dr. Moskovitz will inform you of risks prior to surgery.
What do I need to do before surgery?
Please confirm your pre-operative appointment with our office. At this visit, you will undergo a history and physical examination and Dr. Moskovitz will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding your surgical procedure. The surgical fee will also be collected at this visit.Pre-operative laboratory tests (blood work) will be done at least one week before the operation.If the procedure is to be done at the hospital, you will be sent to the hospital for a pre-operative interview with an anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist will review your medical history with you and determine what type of anesthesia is most appropriate. Any laboratory (blood work) or diagnostic examinations will also be performed during this visit. The hospital and anesthesiology fees will also be collected during this visit.Please arrange to have someone drive you home and to receive post-operative surgery instructions. Do not eat or drink anything, (this includes coffee, candy and chewing gum) after 11:00PM the night before surgery. Avoid aspirin and smoking for two weeks before and after the surgery.
What type of anesthesia will be used?
There are several types of anesthesia but the most common forms are general anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care. With a general anesthetic, you will be asleep during your surgery while with monitored anesthesia care or MAC, you will be given medications to relax you and the incision location will be anesthetized. An anesthesiologist will carefully monitor you during surgery. This type of care minimizes risks and maximizes comfort.
What happens during the surgery, and how is the surgery performed?
A rhinoplasty, depending on how complicated the procedure is, usually takes one to three hours to complete. During the surgery, the framework of the nose, which consists of bone and cartilage, is separated from the skin of the nose. The incisions for surgery are usually placed inside your nose to keep then well hidden. A splint will be applied after surgery to help maintain the new shape of your nose. In some circumstances, nasal packs or soft plastic splints may be placed in your nostrils.
How long will I be in the hospital?
Your rhinoplasty is usually done on an outpatient basis and may be performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. You will be permitted to go home after a few hours.
How will I look and feel after surgery?
Your nose may ache and you may develop a headache during the first twenty-four hours after surgery. You will have pain medication which should alleviate most pain and discomfort. Your face may feel puffy for several days. If packing was placed in your nose you will feel "stuffed-up" during that time. The bruising and swelling around your eyes will peak after two or three days. You can use a make-up concealer a few days after your surgery to hide bruising if you desire. There will be some swelling for 2-3 weeks. Dr. Moskovitz will instruct you on how to apply a cold pack to help reduce swelling and help you to feel better for the first 24-48 hours. If there are stitches, they will be removed four to seven days after surgery. If packing is used inside the nose it will need to be removed one to three days after surgery. Nostril splints may remain in place for one week as will the splint/cast on top of the nose.
Will there be scars?
When the incisions are placed inside the nostrils, they are totally hidden. If a small incision is placed outside the nose, it should heal to be almost invisible.
When can I expect to return to work and resume normal activities?
You should be able to return to work within a week to ten days after your surgery. You should be able to resume most normal activities within three weeks.
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