Getting the Facts about Nose Surgery
According to the most recent statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 217,000 people underwent nose reshaping surgery, or rhinoplasty, in 2014, making it the most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedure. Since it has always been our goal at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. to make sure our patients have all the most up to date information about their plastic surgery procedures, here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about rhinoplasty.
Am I a candidate for rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty may be performed on a wide variety of ages and ethnic groups, and is actually the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedure on patients under the age of 30. Still, rhinoplasty surgery is intricate and complex and it can be difficult to predict how the nose may grow and change over time, so surgery on younger rhinoplasty patients whose faces are not fully grown requires an extremely skilled and experienced plastic surgeon specialized in procedures of the nose and face. Taking into account the patient’s health and expectations, as well as their physical and emotional maturity, is crucial to maximizing patient satisfaction and minimizing the need for revisionary rhinoplasty.
Will nose surgery make it easier for me to breathe through my nose?
Rhinoplasty isn’t always cosmetic. A large percentage of nasal surgeries are performed to restore and repair damage from illness, injury and congenital defects. Breathing disturbances caused by distortions of the internal structures of the nose are often correctable at the same time as appearance is improved, either by turbinate surgery, resection of fracture, or septoplasty for a deviated septum. An experienced plastic surgeon like one of the board certified plastic surgeons at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, can often improve breathing through the nose with rhinoplasty.
What sort of recovery should I expect after my rhinoplasty?
After nose surgery patients generally need to wear nasal dressings, consisting of adhesive strips and a thermally activated, custom-fitted plastic splint. These can generally be removed, along with any nonasorbable sutures, within 5-7 days. Moderate swelling and congestion may persist for up to six weeks, possibly making breathing difficult, while mild edema around the nose and eyes can, in some cases, take up to one year to completely resolve, although approximately 75% will be gone by the time the splint is removed. Results will vary from patient to patient. The results of the surgery will slowly become more evident as the nose heals and becomes more refined over the following months.
What are some possible “side effects” of nose surgery?
In a study published in the February 2014 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery it was reported that some patients have experienced a change in the quality of their voice as a result of rhinoplasty surgery. These changes are generally so subtle that only a trained musical expert can detect them, but the possibility has dissuaded some professional vocalists from undergoing the procedure. Additionally, some patients have also reported a temporary loss of smell and taste after rhinoplasty. In all but the rarest cases, this problem goes away after 3-6 weeks. Results will vary from patient to patient.
If you are interested in learning more details about one of the procedures we perform at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C., contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices to schedule a consultation. Additionally, we are proud to provide a variety of options for financing, including CareCredit® and Alphaeon®, in order to assist you. Please contact us with any questions you may have concerning the financial planning of your procedure and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news.
