Rhinoplasty

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a term used to describe a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to re-shape the patient’s nose. It is often referred to as a, “nose job”. The idea of a rhinoplasty procedure is to enhance facial harmony, improve the proportions of the nose, and correct structural defects in the nose that may impair breathing. The term itself comes from the German term, “rhinoplastik”, which translates to, “changing the shape of the nose”. Within a rhinoplasty procedure, the incisions are made inside the nose, where they are not visible, or in more severe cases, they are made in the area of skin that separates the nostrils. The bone and cartilage is reduced and reshaped to create the new, more desirable structure.

At West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, our team is dedicated to meet the individual needs of our patients. We work with you and for you to achieve your desired goals and outcomes with your procedure. Contact Dr. Brian Evans today for more information about Rhinoplasty.

Who Is A Rhinoplasty Candidate?

Candidates for a rhinoplasty are the same as most medical procedures. You must be healthy, you must have full facial growth, you must not be a smoker, and you must have realistic goals for the outcome of your procedure.

1. Your face is fully developed.

We cannot perform a rhinoplasty on tissue and bone that is still developing and growing. It would get in the way of growth and development, your results could be catastrophic in distorting your face, and require further procedures to correct.

2. You must be healthy.

If you are physically healthy, your surgery will go smoother, your recovery will be quicker, and your results will be the closest to what you want them to be. Being in good physical shape will optimize your body’s processes and its ability to undergo the strain of a surgical procedure.

3. You must have realistic goals for your procedure.

A positive attitude has never hurt anyone, and it greatly benefits you in the context of your rhinoplasty procedure. There is no such thing as a perfectly symmetrical nose, and it’s important to remember that going into your procedure. A rhinoplasty can correct a bump in the bridge of your nose, uneven nostrils, and fix issues with the tip of the nose. It CANNOT create a “perfect” nose, as everyone’s face is asymmetrical to some degree.

Men and women of all ages benefit from rhinoplasty. It is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures out there and at West Hills Medical Center, our plastic surgeon takes your personal goals into account and decides the most beneficial method of performing the procedure for you and your facial structure. Call us today for a consultation!

How The Procedure Works

A rhinoplasty procedure is completely individualized. The way a surgeon approaches the procedure, the incisions they make, and what is done inside the nose is all dependent upon the individual’s goals and the structure of their nose pre-operation. Generally, you will be given anesthesia in the form of either intravenous sedation or simply general anesthesia. Intravenous anesthesia means that you will be hooked up to an IV, you will be sedated and awake during the procedure, with a numbed nose. General anesthesia means that you are asleep during the procedure.The decision between general and intravenous anesthesia depends upon the specifics of your procedure, and your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

The procedure begins with incisions inside each nostril, or sometimes an incision is made across the columella, which is the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. These incisions allow the skin over the nasal bones to be gently raised to give access to the tissue and bones of the nose to reshape the structure of the nose. Different surgical measures are taken for different results. A rhinoplasty can be used to straighten a deviated septum and projections inside the nose to improve breathing. It can be used to correct the nose size in relation to facial balance, the nose width at the bridge, nostril size, a nose profile with a visible bump, or any other nasal asymmetry. Each of these are done by taking cartilage from either the nasal bones, the ear, or the ribs, and placing it elsewhere to create a different shape. Cartilage can also be reshaped. For example, if the tip of the nose is a problem area, it can be reshaped to the ideal shape. In your initial consultation, you will discuss with your surgeon your goals and the ideal outcome of your procedure. With West Hills, you can be confident that you will be getting the best care possible. Check out our before and after photos for some of our amazing results, and call us today to schedule your consultation!

What To Expect With Your Procedure

The rhinoplasty procedure is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning there’s no stay overnight. Your procedure, as stated above, will be done with either general anesthesia or intravenous anesthesia. You will have the procedure done, and then you’ll be monitored in the post-anesthesia recovery area until you are well enough to go home. Do not drive yourself home. Make sure that you will have someone arranged to drive you. Because the after effects of anesthesia are not guaranteed, it’s best to make sure you are not behind the wheel and taking the utmost safety precautions. Most rhinoplasty patients are able to manage their pain with aspirin and cold compresses. Many patients report no significant pain at all. However, medications can be given as needed for post-operative discomfort. Also, you will have bandages, gauze, and sometimes a splint is placed in the nose for extra support as it heals. Patients often report difficulty breathing through their nose. This is due to a combination of swelling following the operation, as well as the materials inside the nose used for support. Soft nasal supports can be placed to combat the difficulty breathing that many patients experience. The most important key to a successful procedure and recovery is to follow the guidelines set up by your doctor. With West Hills, our care is personalized to your procedure and your needs. Call us today to set up your consultation.

Risks of Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty has some of the same general risks as any other surgical procedures. That being said, of all cosmetic procedures, rhinoplasty is one of the least risky. The risks associated with a rhinoplasty include:

Risks associated with anesthesia

Infection

Poor healing

Scarring

Change in skin sensation

Hole in the nasal septum- treated with additional surgery

Difficulty breathing

Unsatisfactory results

Skin discoloration

Swelling

Possible revisional surgery

To limit your risks, listen to your doctor. Follow their directions pre and post surgery, and your risk of complications or other problems will be reduced dramatically. Contact us at West Hills today for an individualized consultation!

Recovery

The specifics of recovering from your procedure are dependent upon your face, and the details of how your procedure is performed. A splint and/or packing may be placed inside your nose, as well as bandages placed on the outside to protect the sutures while they’re healing. It’s important to leave all of that on for as long as your doctor tells you to. Swelling will come and go as you go along the healing process, and your final result may not come into effect until up to a year after the procedure as your face adjusts to the changes made during your rhinoplasty. After your procedure, your face will feel puffy, especially the first day following the procedure. It is common to develop swelling and bruising surrounding the eyes. This will go away in the first week after surgery. Ice or a cold compress will help with the swelling, bruising, and the discomfort. The sutures inside the nose are generally absorbable, so you will not need to worry about having them taken out. Any external stitching will be removed after five to eight days. Post surgery, while your sutures are healing, it’s important to remember to avoid blowing your nose, or adding any pressure or impact to your nose. Often, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure, activity that would increase your risk of injury, and wearing glasses. Avoid strenuous physical activity three to six weeks following your procedure. Social activities can be resumed within two weeks of your surgery. Your results will be long-lasting. It may take up to a year for your final results to appear as your nose adapts to the procedure, heals, and is refined. You will notice gradual changes in your nose’s appearance as time goes on as it becomes the permanent result.

According to plasticsurgery.org, good questions to ask your rhinoplasty surgeon prior to your procedure are:

• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?
• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
• Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my nose to look over time?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my nose surgery?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Going into your procedure, it’s important to get as much information as possible. Make sure you know every detail and are comfortable and confident with your surgeon, and with what your procedure will look like. Contact us at West Hills today for a consultation! Dr. Evans will work to give you the best results, and the smoothest recovery. With us, you’re in good hands!

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Brian Evans is the head of the plastic surgery team at West Hills Hospital and Medical Center. He is a highly respected member of the medical community. He graduated from Cornell University in New York, and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Evans started his practice in California with the desire to enhance his patients’ natural beauty, and making sure his patients look natural and not like they have gone under the knife. He focuses on transformations that are dramatic, but as natural-looking as possible. He believes that features can best be improved with a combination of surgical and non-surgical measures. His team provides patients with the most comprehensive care to address their every need. The team provides everything from liposuction to laser hair removal.

ASPS Certified Surgeons

With an ASPS Certified surgeon, you’re in good hands. According to plasticsurgery.org, if your surgeon is board certified, it means that they have:

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS)
Complete at least six years of training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
Graduate from an accredited medical school
Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety, each year
Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities

At West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, our plastic surgeon Dr. Evans is board certified. He is dedicated to giving you the results you’ve always wanted. Don’t go another day being dissatisfied with your nose! Call us today for an initial consultation with Dr. Evans!