Rhinoplasty is surgery that changes the shape of the patient’s nose. Doctors perform rhinoplasty surgery to improve breathing, change the look of the nose, or both. Continue reading to understand when rhinoplasty is needed and how it benefits a patient.
How Rhinoplasty is Done
In Rhinoplasty Surgery Near Me, a surgeon changes bone, cartilage, or skin in the nose. Rhinoplasty can change the shape and size of a nose, sometimes correcting birth defects or malformations from injuries.
Preparing for Rhinoplasty
Doctors will want to know the medical history of patients as well as their motivation and goals for surgery. The doctor will also complete an exam of the nose, both inside and out. He or she will order lab work to make sure the patient is healthy and able to undergo surgery. The doctor will also determine how much skin and cartilage will be removed or changed and think about the impact on breathing.
Someone in the doctor’s office will take pictures of the patient’s nose from different angles. Sometimes, doctors can use computer software to show patients how the nose will change to give the patient an idea of what to expect following surgery. If a patient has a small chin, the doctor may suggest chin augmentation since a small chin can make the person’s nose appear larger.
During Surgery
Patients are usually asleep with general anesthesia, although sometimes, if the augmentation is small enough, doctors may use local anesthesia. Rhinoplasty can be done either inside the nose or at the bottom of the nose. Usually, the surgeon will readjust the cartilage and bone when finished. After the surgeon makes the changes, he replaces the skin and tissue and closes the incisions with stitches. If the septum is crooked, the doctor will straighten it in hopes of improving breathing.
After Surgery
Following surgery, the patient must keep their head elevated higher than their chest. The nose might be congested from swelling or splints in the nose. Internal bandages will usually stay in place for one to seven days.
Results of Rhinoplasty
Only a few millimeters of a change in a nose can make a big difference in how it looks. Sometimes, however, a patient might want a bigger change than the surgeon achieved during the first surgery. Doctors often perform a second surgery to finish correcting the nose.
Rhinoplasty is not a simple operation. The nose is a complicated shape in the center of the face. Surgeons will only make small changes, but the changes can make major differences in the way someone looks and how they breathe.
Will Insurance Pay?
Sometimes, insurance will pay for part or all of a rhinoplasty. The doctor’s office can help obtain prior authorization from the insurance company, if needed. Sometimes an insurance company will pay for the part of the nasal surgery that is medically necessary but not the cosmetic portion. Patients need to understand the costs before going through the procedure.
Rhinoplasty can help patients breathe better and achieve an improved look. Understanding the process will help the procedure go more smoothly.
