Nose jobs are nothing to be ashamed of
Getting a nose job or rhinoplasty should not be thought of as an act of vanity. A damaged or misshapen nose can not only harm your appearance, but lead to insecurity in social situations. There are also medical reasons for seeking rhinoplasty. A deviated septum, for example, can cause sleep apnea. By obstructing breathing during sleep, it can lead to snoring, which can cause frequent interruptions in sleep for yourself and anyone nearby. Over time, this can have a severe impact on your health.
The basics of rhinoplasty
Nose jobs are done to smooth the contours of the nose, adjust the size and direction of the tip or to repair a deviated septum. The septum is the part of the nose between the nostrils. Sometimes a rhinoplasty is accompanied by a chin implant, to give balance to the face. Rhinoplasty should not be performed until the nose is fully developed.
To change the shape of the nose, the surgeon adjusts the cartilage and bone under the skin. To preserve the overall appearance of the face, the surgeon will usually do incisions inside the nose. This is called a closed rhinoplasty. If the surgeon needs to make an incision in the outside skin, he or she will most likely make it in the skin between the nostrils. This is an open rhinoplasty.
After surgery, you can expect a certain amount of swelling, moderate bruising, and possibly some temporary skin numbness. The bruising fades within a week to ten days, but the swelling can last for several weeks. There will be less swelling with a closed rhinoplasty than with an open one. If you are not satisfied with the results, you may seek revision rhinoplasty to further improve your nose, but it is best to wait at least a year before doing this.
Finding a good rhinoplasty surgeon
When choosing a surgeon to perform your nose job, look for someone who has a state-of-the-art operating suite for operations and whose Web site has plenty of before and after photographs of nose jobs, so you can get a sense of what to expect. Another tool a rhinoplasty surgeon should have is computer imaging software to help you choose exactly the right look for your nose. You will want someone who can give your nose a thorough examination and figure out the best procedure.
Dr. M. Sean Freeman is Charlotte’s top rhinoplasty surgeon, certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, or head and neck surgery. He has been a facial plastic surgery specialist since 1988. Many patients come to him for revision rhinoplasty after going to other surgeons. If you live in or near Charlotte and want a nose job, schedule an appointment or online consultation today.
Contact Dr. Sean Freeman at Only Faces, Charlotte’s most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and top facial plastic surgeon, to schedule a consultation to find out what procedure is right for you. Call today.