Rhinoplasty is the second most common plastic surgery performed in the U.S. Rhinoplasty can refine the tip, decrease a bump, or make the nose more narrow. Dr. Michael J. Lee believes that rhinoplasty is about restoring balance t refining the appearance of the nose. If you are considering rhinoplasty, Dr. Lee has training and experience with an emphasis on natural results.
Patience is sometimes needed when it comes to the final result. The cartilage underneath the nose can be changed immediately but the skin that lay on top of the cartilage can take time to adapt to its new structure.
A good candidate for rhinoplasty is someone who is in good health with realistic expectations.
If you have already had nose surgery or had a recent injury to the septum, you will want to wait until the healing and swelling has improved.
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgery and takes about two to three hours to complete. Significant pain is unusual. Most pain subsides after one or two days. Swelling underneath the eyes can occur as well as swelling in the tip. This swelling will decrease dramatically within the first 5-7 days. Most people can return to their normal activities in one week.
What is the difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty?
Rhinoplasty and septolasty are often performed together. Septoplasty is a procedure to remove portions of the septum to improve breathing. The septoplasty can be performed without changing the appearance of the nose and the incisions are inside the nose. Septoplasties are most successful in individuals who have breathing problems as a result of a deviation in the septum as the cause of their breathing problems.
Rhinoplasty can be performed at the same time which allows one anesthesia and one recovery. Many times, insurance will pay for the operating room time and anesthesia fees associated with the septoplasty which can decrease the overall cost.
Closed versus Open Rhinoplasty
Closed rhinoplasty is performed through incisions inside the nose. Open rhinoplasty is performed with an incision at the bottom of the nose.
Closed rhinoplasties tend to have less immediate swelling and have no external scars. However, this means that there is a higher degree of difficulty.
Dr. Michael J. Lee usually suggests a closed rhinoplasty when changes are related to a bump on the bridge of the nose and minimal changes need to be made to the tip. Otherwise, an open rhinoplasty is performed to allow better visualization and a better chance at correcting the deformity.
Rhinoplasty Revision
A secondary rhinoplasty can be performed around one year from a previous rhinoplasty. This surgery usually has more risks because the skin and cartilage are scarred.
The chance of success lie in the proper diagnosis for the reasons that a problem is still present. It can stem from an uncorrected problem or may be caused by the previous surgery.
Often, additional cartilage and support is needed and the cartilage is taken from the septum, back of the ear or asmall portion of the rib.
Dr. Lee has performed many revisions and has experience with using additional cartilage and with correcting noses that have had more than one previous surgery.
Before and After Photos
