RHINOPLASTY:
Commonly known as a nose job, a rhinoplasty is a procedure performed in order to change the shape, size, and appearance of your nose. It may involve reducing a hump, straightening an otherwise crooked or broken nose, or making the tip of the nose smaller. If you are unhappy with the outward appearance of your nose and are looking for an improvement, a rhinoplasty procedure may be a good choice.
Is a Rhinoplasty Surgery Right for Me?
Before discussing the outside of the nose, there are two other important factors to evaluate; the inside of the nose and the chin. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose then there may be an obstruction of the air passage due to a twisted septum or enlarged turbinates. Surgery may be needed to clear the obstruction so that the airways do not become too small. The chin is another important factor in the aesthetic appearance of the nose. If the chin is small or weak, the nose may appear to be larger than it really is. In these cases, a chin implant is recommended to achieve better facial harmony.
The best candidates for a rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement in their appearance, not perfection. Dr. Nitta will help discuss your options to achieve a realistic expectation of your results. If you are a smoker, you are not a candidate for this procedure.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF RHINOPLASTY
Open Rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasty is usually reserved for people who need to have their nose majorly reshaped. An open rhinoplasty, one could say, is the “most serious” of rhinoplasties. The procedure usually involves incisions inside the nostrils, as well as one along the connecting wall between them (also known as the columella). From there, the skin and tissue is gently lifted, thus giving the doctor a better view and access to the structure of your nose.
Closed Rhinoplasty
Closed rhinoplasty is similar to the open procedure, though much less altering. In general, closed rhinoplasty is used for people who want to make minor tweaks and adjustments to the appearance of their nose, but not something that will immediately stand out. Unlike in open rhinoplasty, incisions are made only inside the nostrils, and then the skin and tissue are pulled back to allow the doctor to restructure and reshape the bone and cartilage, and thus craft the nose of the patient’s dreams. Unless you suffer from major issues with your nose, it’s most likely that the doctor will recommend a closed rhinoplasty.
Secondary Rhinoplasty
Sometimes, minor issues can occur after a nose operation, thus requiring a secondary intervention. This can either be done as an open or closed procedure, depending on how serious the issues that need correcting are. Secondary rhinoplasty is not something to worry about, as it’s quite normal. Also sometimes referred to as revision rhinoplasty, it’s sometimes used to correct issues that persist even after the initial intervention.
A Word on Filler Rhinoplasty
While often referred to as “rhinoplasty”, this procedure isn’t a surgical one, per se. In filler procedures, rather than reshaping the existing structure, the doctor will inject filler into the nose, to make it more even. For example, if your nose has an outstanding protrusion that upsets the symmetry, the doctor can add some filler, to make the nose seem more even. Filler rhinoplasty can be a good option for people who are considering getting an intervention on their nose, but aren’t quite decided about the permanent results. Since filler rhinoplasty is only temporary, such a procedure can help give you a general idea of what your nose could look like after an actual rhinoplasty.
Which Is Right for You?
It’s common to assume that your problem is immense and will need a lot of correction, but such an impression usually stems from self-confidence issues and may be disproportionate to the truth. But not to worry. During your initial consultation, Dr. Nitta will help you figure out which type of rhinoplasty is the right one for you. She will also work with you on designing the new shape of your nose, as well as on establishing some realistic goals for your nose operation.
The Procedure
IDr. Nitta generally performs a closed rhinoplasty, where all of the incisions are kept inside the nose, hidden from view. Occasionally, if the patient has a large asymmetric tip, or previous nasal surgery, a small incision at the base of the nose will be required. A skin incision is also required if the nostrils need to be reduced. Additionally, in a nose that has had surgery before, additional tissue from the ear or rib may be required.
Recovery
After the procedure, your nose will be packed and you will have a splint on the surface of your nose. The packing is removed after 5 days, and the splint after one week. Immediately after the splint is removed, your nose will begin to swell. You will be given flesh-colored tape to place on your nose. The initial swelling will decrease by about 70% in two months, though it will take at least a year before all of the swelling has resolved. The appearance of the nose will continue to change for about one year.
Patience is a virtue for this surgery, but for many patients, the resulting confidence in their improved appearance is well worth it.
Dr. Nitta is not only Board-Certified in Plastic Surgery, but she also is Board-Certified in Otolaryngology/ Head and Neck surgery, providing her the additional expertise and experience to perform your facial surgery.
If you’re interested in Nose Surgery in Orange County or Newport Beach, please call our office at (949) 722-6644 to schedule a consultation with Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Katharine C. Nitta today!
