Rhinoplasty
Description
- A procedure to change the appearance of a patient’s nose to reflect their individual ideal look and shape.
- A meticulous surgery that requires a total understanding of the underlying anatomy of the nose and a keen eye for facial aesthetics.
- Rhinoplasty can address several aspects that patients may not like about the appearance of their nose including:
- Too large/too small
- Crooked
- Noticeable hump on the top of the nose
- Wide nose
- Shape and projection of the nasal tip
- Shape of the nostrils
- Asymmetries between each side of the nose.
- Unhappy with previous results of Rhinoplasty surgery
Benefits
- More attractive nose
- Boost self confidence
- Improve facial harmony and balance
- Natural looking results
What To Expect
- Surgery is performed under general anesthesia and is done in an outpatient setting, meaning you go home the day of surgery
- The procedure itself usually takes about 2-3 hours, but this can change based on the complexity of the case and individual needs of the patient.
- Dr. Cho will make a very small incision at the bottom of the nose, that once it heals is barely noticeable. Through this incision she will separate the overlying skin of the nose to expose the underlying cartilage and bones.
- The cartilage and bone of the nose will be reshaped to achieve each patient’s individual goals for the appearance of their “new” nose.
- You will have packing in the nasal cavity and a splint on the outside of your nose. In most cases the packing is removed either on post-op day 1 or post-op day 2 and the splint remains in place for at least a week.
Ideal Candidate
- Patients who do not like the appearance of their nose
- Patients who are both physically and emotionally well
- Patients with reasonable expectations for the results of their rhinoplasty procedure
Consultation
- Dr. Cho will perform a focused history and physical of the face and nose
- This will include questions regarding:
- Previous surgeries to the face
- Previous use of non-invasive modalities/injections (eg. Botox, fillers)
- Previous trauma to the nose or face
- Any past issues with sinuses or being able to breath normally
- In depth discussion regarding the patients’ goals and expectations for surgery
- Thorough physical exam of the face and nose, specifically looking at:
- External shape and appearance of the nose
- Internal exam to look for any issues with the nasal septum as well as the inferior turbinate
- Pictures will be taken at the time of the initial visit to allow for surgical planning
- At the conclusion of the visit, if you elect to proceed with surgery you will meet with the patient care coordinator to discuss scheduling surgery as well as payment details.
Recovery
- You should expect to have a lot of swelling over the first 5-7 days after surgery, with the greatest amount being on post-op day 2 and 3.
- You will likely have a nasal packing place which will need to be removed within one to two days after surgery.
- You will also likely have a nasal splint in place which will not be removed until one week after surgery, sometimes longer depending on the complexity of the case.
- You may have some bloody drainage from the nose over the first 2-3 days but this should be only a small amount and resolve prior to the packing being removed.
- Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first few days.
- You will need to sponge bath your face while the external splint is in place.
- Most people can go back to work after their one week appointment
- Avoid any major physical activity such as sports or weightlifting until Dr. Cho gives you the approval to restart these activities.
- Most patients won’t achieve their final result for about 3-6 months after surgery due to residual swelling.
Cost
- The total cost of the surgery includes:
- The surgeon’s fee
- The facility’s fee
- Anesthesia’s fee
- We recommend for an accurate quote you come to the office and have a consultation with Dr. Cho to discuss your goals.
FAQs
- Will I still look like me? Absolutely. The goal of rhinoplasty should be to make small but impactful changes to your existing nose so that its more refined and in proportion to your face and complements ones ethnic and cultural background.
- When will I see results? You will see an immediate difference at your first office visit but final results can take up to one year to achieve
References
- Chung, K. C. (2020). Grabb and Smith’s plastic surgery. Wolters Kluwer.
Surgery is a big decision.
We are here to answer any questions you have and help you determine the right choice for you. If you are considering surgery, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cho today. She would be honored to discuss your goals and help you achieve the look you desire.