Rhinoplasty

Often referred to as “nose surgery,” rhinoplasty is designed to reshape a person’s nose by reducing or increasing its size. This procedure can help to create better balance, improve facial contour, and enhance appearance by:

Changing the shape of the tip or the bridge Narrowing the span of the nostrils Changing the angle between your nose and your upper lip Correcting a birth defect or injury

If you suffer from breathing problems, consult Dr. David Kim to learn if “septorhinoplasty” is an effective solution for your condition.

Ideal Candidates

Plastic surgery does not guarantee perfect results (even though your self-confidence may greatly improve after nose surgery). This is why it is important to evaluate your goals and expectations first. The best patients are those who are realistic in their expectations, physically and psychologically healthy, and willing to engage in discussion with their doctor.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kim can help you understand the benefits and possible risks associated with rhinoplasty. Teens may not be good candidates if they are still physically developing; emotional maturity and social adjustment are also important factors when considering rhinoplasty on teens.

During consultation, be sure to tell your surgeon if you've had any previous nose surgery or injury to your nose. He will also need to learn of any allergies or breathing difficulties in addition to the details of your medical history.

What to Expect From This Procedure

The main focus of rhinoplasty is to alter the bone and cartilage of your nose, because your skin and connective tissue essentially “hang” on a “frame” of cartilage and bone. During your surgery, small incisions are made on the inside of your nose, or in the columella (skin that separates the nostrils), before a selective amount of soft tissue is separated from the cartilage and bone. The surgeon will than alter the cartilage and/or bone to achieve your desired look; for example, bone may be removed or cartilage may be reshaped. During you consultation with Dr. Kim, you will learn which technique – “open” or “closed” rhinoplasty – is best to utilize for your surgery.

Rhinoplasty is typically performed while under general anesthesia or, depending on the type of nasal procedure, under local anesthesia with a sedative. The length of the surgery depends on the intricacy of the surgery. For instance, altering the size of the nostrils along with the nose can take about one to two hours, but surgery to correct a birth defect is known to last longer because it can be more complicated.

The final step of surgery is the reattachment of soft tissue. Your nose then will be held in place with a splint (similar in idea to splinting a broken arm); a plastic or metal splint will be taped to the outside of your nose, and smaller splints may be placed within your nostril to allow your new nose to heal properly.

Possible Risks of Rhinoplasty

All surgery places you at risk for complications, which even the best surgeons cannot plan for. Bleeding and infection are possible risks that may immediately follow surgery, while some of the long-term complications include red spots (burst blood vessels), scarring, and chronic nasal problems such as excessive drainage, dryness, or sinus headaches. Some of the rare risks include damage to the inside of each eye, a perforated septum (holes in the tissue that separate the nostrils), loss of taste, and permanent numbness to the teeth or top of the mouth.

Rhinoplasty may not correct all breathing problems or produce the desired results, which means an additional surgery may be needed. A second surgery may also be required to correct post-surgical problems, such as collapsed cartilage, obstructions, or polyps.

Rhinoplasty Recovery

After the anesthetic wears off, it is normal for a patient’s nose to ache and for the face to feel swollen. A headache and some bleeding may occur, but most of the pain can be controlled with medication as prescribed by Dr. Kim.

Over the next few days, bruises may form near your eyes. To help minimize this, you must keep your head elevated, even when lying in bed. A cold compress can also minimize the bruising. You will also be asked not to blow your nose, especially if smaller stints are placed in side of your nose.

Over the next few weeks, your splint is removed, although you might still have subtle bruising and a swollen nose. The actual amount of time required to completely recover depends on the extent of your surgery.

Dr. Kim is a board certified plastic surgeon with a private practice in the Los Angeles / Beverly Hills area. He specializes in rhinoplasty, facelifts, eyelid surgery and various areas within the cosmetic surgery field.

Other Cosmetic Surgery Procedures: