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Patients Articles
COSMETIC
RHINOPLASTY: MORE OFTEN QUESTIONS AND RECOMMENDED CARES
The purpose or aim of nasal cosmetic surgery is to extol your
grace and hide or correct any defect. If you’re expecting a
miraculous transformation from the aesthetic surgery, you’ll
be disappointed.
Aesthetic surgery is a mixture of art & science, and it is not
an exact science because numerous factors are involved (skin
types, scar characteristics, hormonal factors, etc.) over
which the surgeon does not have an exact control.
The results of nasal surgery can be more predictable in some
cases than in others depending on the thickness and shape of
the bones and cartilage, facial angles, age, etc. Every nose
has a special & different combination of anatomic factors that
will have an influence on the results of the surgery. No two
noses are the same. Therefore, no two surgery results will
ever be exactly the same.
The nose is one of the most important elements of facial
balance and sometimes an alteration in its size & shape must
be accompanied by other suitable changes to facial structure
in order to obtain good results. The other changes are often
done to the tip of chin or the jawbone a changing another
susceptible factor.
During the consultation, your structure will be evaluated and
you’ll receive the appropriate recommendations.
Now let’s answer the most frequent questions regarding
rhinoplasty:
Are there any complications after a nasal surgery?
Yes, although complications normally are not serious. The most
common is nose bleeding after surgery. This can be annoying,
but rarely is it serious and generally amendable with
conventional treatment.
There are almost never infections. But if they do occur, they
can be treated with antibiotics.
Occasionally a second operation, called a “retouch”, can be
done in order to correct small failures from the first
surgery. You must remember that is better to be conservative &
not aggressive with surgery.
Why are photographs so important before surgery?
Photographs are perhaps the most important document for
evaluating your facial details. The surgeon consciously
examines them as they reveal each detail of your face. They
also help to evaluate your facial structure in its entirety.
As I said before, no two noses are the same. That’s why you
shouldn’t be misled by another person’s before and after
pictures of surgery. Your photographs will be kept into your
clinical history and no one else will see them.
Are there going to be external scars?
Nasal surgery is done with incisions or cuts inside the
nostrils where they are invisible. Occasionally, small
incisions can be made on the base of nasal holes to reduce
their size. If it’s necessary in your case, we will explain it
to you in detail.
How long does the surgery lasts?
It will last as long as necessary in order to be perfect, but
the average time is not longer than one hour. If chin surgery
is requested at the same time, it will last about an
additional 10 or 15 minutes.
How long do I have to remain in clinic?
Generally, not more than 4 hours after surgery. Meanwhile, my
trusted personnel will make you feel comfortable.
When are the stitches removed?
If there are external stitches, as with nostril size
reduction, they will be removed after 4 days. If there is no
reduction of nostril size, stitches are internal and they
dislodge by themselves.
What happens during the post-op stage?
You must always remember that before seeing the results you
must go through a stage in which you’ll look swollen or with
small purple areas. This stage lasts about 7 to 10 days.
You’ll need some time to identify with your new look and about
6 to 8 months must pass in order to see the definitive
results.
The key to a
fast recovery is to collaborate, which means following exactly
what the physician advises.
Recommendations:
Do not eat hot, spicy foods - for example: hot chili pepper (ajì)
Do not touch your nose without a reason.
Do not make wry faces or grimaces that force your features or
disfigure them.
Do not chew gum if the chin has been operated on.
Do not drink liquor until consulting your physician.
Do not smoke cigarettes until your physician allows you.
Do not look at yourself constantly in the mirror.
Remember that confidence and faith in your doctor will allow
you to get an ideal evolution after the procedure.
If you have any other questions, make sure your surgeon
answers them.
Often, the well-meaning friends are not the most adequate
information source. Find out everything that you need to know.
A well-informed patient is a happy patient.
Daniel Peñafiel S. M.D.
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