Nasal Surgery
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty surgery can dramatically improve the appearance of the nose and face. Unlike many surgeries intended solely to make clients look younger, the rhinoplasty can improve any individual's appearance — softer, younger, more feminine, and friendlier for women; more handsome and youthful for men. Rhinoplasty improves the external appearance of the nose while preserving or improving satisfactory nasal breathing. This surgery is often combined with other facial surgery to restore optimal balance to the face.
Procedural Illustrations [Click to enlarge +]
Procedure
Noses can be complicated in terms of anatomy, appearance, surgical changes, and outcome. Dr. Payne's experience and his certification in Ear, Nose and Throat have helped him become very adept at performing nasal surgery. In his extensive preoperative discussions with clients, he addresses the client's complaints with their nose and then provides an overall picture about the subtleties of nasal surgery to help determine a surgery plan. Dr. Payne uses a computerized imaging system to help educate his clients about potential postoperative appearance. Clients can see Before and After images of other clients who have undergone similar surgery as well.
This surgery may be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or under general anesthesia. All surgery is done at Dr. Payne’s MediCare and California State Certified Pueblo Nuevo Surgery Center located within his office.
Rhinoplasty surgery may be done closed (no external nasal incision) or open (small incision across the columella on the underside of the nose). Through these incisions, the internal nasal anatomy is accessed and corrected. Surgery on the inside of the nose is aimed at preserving or improving nasal breathing. This can include modification of the septum and the structures on the lateral nasal wall such as the inferior turbinates. It sometimes includes other surgical maneuvers designed to open up the nasal passages.
The external portion of the rhinoplasty includes modification, often reduction, of the bridge (dorsum) of the nose and treatment of the nasal tip. The surgery aims to providing a pleasing appearance for both areas and balance between the two. The bony nasal pyramid is often narrowed in order to correct excess width of the nasal base or other problems. The length and projection of the nose can be changed. The nasal openings may be modified. Sometimes the use of cartilage, fascia, bone or other materials within the nose may be required in order to achieve the desired appearance. Large noses can be reduced, small noses can be enlarged, and crooked noses can be straightened.
Results
These operations tend to be fairly permanent. The human face, including the nose, continues to change as the rest of the body ages, but the need for additional rhinoplasty surgery is unlikely. All incisions are well hidden and mostly located within the interior of the nose. These scars typically become invisible within a few months after surgery.
Sometimes nasal surgery needs to be combined with other facial surgery for optimal cosmetic improvement. Occasionally rhinoplasty clients benefit from chin modification, including reduction or augmentation, which can affect the appearance of the nose as well as the jaw line and neck.
After the Surgery
Rhinoplasty surgery is not painful. The internal nose is sometimes packed for a few days after surgery along with a splint over the outside of the nose. If bone work is required as a part of the rhinoplasty, clients should anticipate some bruising and swelling, particularly to the lower eyelids and cheeks. Camouflage makeup is available to all clients.
Each client will be given detailed postoperative instructions. Appropriate medications are provided. Dr. Payne calls each client the night of surgery and the morning after, and clients are seen one to two times per week until they are well healed.
Most rhinoplasty clients take one week off work. By closely following the postoperative instructions, most clients can look good within two to four weeks of surgery. Normal lifestyles may be resumed quickly after surgery, with exercise beginning within a week or so.
