Common questions about nose surgery

Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is a popular plastic surgery procedure, with nearly 220,000 performed each year in the United States. If you’re unhappy with the size, shape or function of your nose, you may have thought about nose surgery. Here are some frequently asked questions about rhinoplasty:

What are good reasons to have a rhinoplasty? The appearance of the natural nose, sustaining a sports injury or accident that affected the nose, or even structural problems with the nose that affect your sleep and quality of life are why people seek this surgical procedure.

What is done during the surgery? The procedure takes about 1-2 hours. Incisions are made at the base of nose or inside nostrils. The bone and cartilage are sculpted into the desired shape. If nostrils are too wide, small wedges of skin are removed at the base to bright the nostrils closer together. Humps are removed with a chisel, nasal bones brought together to form a more narrow bridge. Cartilage may be trimmed to reshape the tip of the nose. The septum can be trimmed to improve the angle between the upper lip and nose. After everything is stitched up, a splint is placed to help the nose maintain the new shape as you heal.

What is recovery like? Recovery from rhinoplasty can be uncomfortable but not too painful. The Initially after surgery, your nose will be tender, your face will feel puffy and you may have a headache, but all can be controlled by pain medicine. Swelling and bruising around your eyes will be the worst for the first three days. After 1-2 weeks, dressings, stitches and splints will be removed. A smaller splint will be applied to further protect the nose for the next few weeks.

When will I be able to go back to work? Most patients are up and moving in two days. You can return to sedentary work after a week or so. Avoid strenuous activity for three weeks. You will need to avoid rubbing or hitting your nose and being gentle when you wash your face or wear makeup.

Our 3D imaging system can show you what the final results will look like so you can determine what’s best for you. Contact our office today at (908) 879-2222 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weinstein and learn more about nose surgery.

Posted in Rhinoplasty on February 14th, 2020

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