Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is an elegant plastic surgery procedure that improves appearance while in many cases restoring airway function. For women, it means feminizing the nose by reducing the hump, reducing the tip, and narrowing the base. These are not universal principles; however, as the goals of patients differ, and the surgical plan must be modified accordingly. For example, a patient with a weak nasal bridge may need the nasal dorsum augmented. Another example is the older patient with a droopy nasal tip who would benefit from nasal tip elevation. Maintaining ethnicity is a priority. The overall goal for the typical female face is to not only have the nose beautifully proportioned, but to also make the nose a non-dominant feature of the face, so that attractiveness of the eyes can be emphasized. These cosmetic refinements go hand-in-hand with any needed functional improvements such as correction of nasal airway obstruction by straightening of the septum and/or reduction of the inferior turbinates. For men, restoring a straight nose and airway patency after trauma is a typical request.

Modern technology has allowed patients to view realistic virtual images of what they will look like following a rhinoplasty. Dr. Lindsey offers Vectra Imaging which allowspatients to see the results of proposed changes. It is Dr. Lindsey’s opinion that this technology is highly accurate and affords the potential rhinoplasty patient the opportunity to participate in the planning process.

Rhinoplasty is outpatient surgery under general anesthesia. As with other facial surgeries, pain is typically low. The most common complaint is having to mouth breathe while the internal nasal splints are in place. The internal nasal splints, which hold the nasal septum and the overlying cartilages straight during the initial healing process, are removed on postoperative day 3. The external nasal splint, which holds the nasal bones and cartilages in place, lasts longer and usually falls off spontaneously by postoperative day 5-7.

Many of Dr. Lindsey’s rhinoplasty patients return to work at a desk-type job after 2-3 days following surgery, although this is with the external nasal splint still in place. For patients who wish to be more discreet about their rhinoplasty, waiting a full week will allow return to work with no splints. At that time there is typically minimal visible sequelae of surgery other than mild nasal swelling or light bruising of the lower eyelids which can be camouflaged with makeup.Aesthetic improvements can usually be seen as soon as the external nasal splint comes off, but the final result may take up to 6 months to see.