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• Rhinoplasty
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• Eyelid Surgery
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• Ear Surgery

 

Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today. It can reshape, reduce or augment a person’s nose to achieve facial harmony and boost self-confidence. While rhinoplasty may be performed as a cosmetic procedure to enhance a person’s appearance, it may also be done as reconstructive procedure to correct a birth defect or an injury like a broken nose. Both functional and cosmetic concerns may be addressed by rhinoplasty surgery. Combining nose reshaping with septoplasty (changing the cartilage between the nostrils internally) can effectively treat certain types of breathing problems, including those caused by a deviated septum.

Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is an excellent procedure for achieving the following:

• Balance the size of the nose with the other facial features
• Modify the width of the nose at the bridge
• Improve the nasal profile, including removing humps or depressions
• Contour a nasal tip that is too large, "boxy," drooping or upturned
• Change the angle between the nose and the mouth
• Narrow and reshape the nostrils
• Correct asymmetry or deviation

Am I a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

The best candidates for rhinoplasty: 

• Are at least 13 years old;
• Have finished facial growth;
• Are generally healthy;
• Do not smoke;
• Are seeking rhinoplasty for personal reasons, not pressure from others; and
• Have realistic goals for the procedure.

 

How is the procedure performed? 

Dr. Kunkel performs rhinoplasty surgery in an outpatient surgery center with the patient under general anesthesia. The operation typically lasts 2 ½ to 3 hours. An open approach is used in which a small incision is made across the columella, the area between the nostrils. This allows direct sculpting of the bone and cartilage to help achieve an optimal shape and result. 

If the patient has a deviated septum, Dr. Kunkel will adjust the septum and often some of the other internal structures of the nose to help improve breathing. The tissues are re-draped and sutured closed.

What is the recovery from nose surgery like? 

For a short time after surgery patients may experience swelling and bruising, nose ache or a dull headache, bleeding, and stuffiness. They may feel like they have a “head cold” for three or four days. Most patients feel like themselves within a few days and many return to work in about a one or two weeks. A splint is typically worn over the nose for about 10 days. Any bruising that is present will last about 3 weeks. Contact lenses may be worn immediately, but glasses may need to be taped to the forehead for a while rather than having them rest on the nose.

The results of rhinoplasty become gradually apparent as the days pass after surgery and swelling recedes. Patients often feel swollen for a few months, but other people looking at them usually do not see much swelling after two or three weeks. The final result of rhinoplasty surgery may not be apparent for several months, perhaps even until a year, after surgery. Most people, however, have a pretty good idea of what their result will be after three or four months.

Will I like the results of my nose surgery? 

Patients with realistic goals for rhinoplasty are generally very happy with the new shape of their nose. The exact results depend on the patient’s nasal bone and cartilage structure, facial shape, skin thickness and age. 

What are the possible risks of rhinoplasty? 

All surgery has certain risks, like bleeding and infection, but complications from rhinoplasty are uncommon. Probably the biggest risk is the possibility that a person may not end up with the nose that she or he wanted. That’s where communication is important. Dr. Kunkel spends a lot of time with each patient, learning what that person hopes to achieve with rhinoplasty surgery. Clear communication provides better understanding for both the patient and Dr. Kunkel. Other risks include possibly having difficulty breathing through the nose after surgery, small bumps that may be felt through the skin, and visible scars.

Does insurance cover rhinoplasty? 

Insurance may cover a rhinoplasty when breathing problems exist or if there has been significant trauma in the past. Rhinoplasties performed for cosmetic reasons are not covered by insurance.

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