Rhinoplasty (RIE-no-plas-tee) is surgery that changes the shape of the nose. The reason for rhinoplasty may be to change the appearance of the nose, improve breathing or both.
The upper part of the structure of the nose is bone. The lower part is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can change bone, cartilage, skin or all three. Talk with your surgeon about whether rhinoplasty is appropriate for you and what it can achieve.
Your other facial features, the skin on your nose and what you would like to change are considered when planning the procedure. If you’re a candidate for rhinoplasty, the surgeon will develop a personal plan for you.
Sometimes part or all of a rhinoplasty is covered by insurance.
complication
Aesthetic problems
One of the most common rhinoplasty complications is a new nose that the patient doesn’t love. For example, after an unsuccessful procedure, the nose may be over or under corrected, or the patient may possess a persistent bump, various deformities, a beak-like appearance, an irregular bridge, or a deformed, pinched or asymmetrical nasal tip. Or, the nose may simply appear unattractive or unnatural, causing the patient to feel distressed every time they look in the mirror. In many of these cases, the only solution is a complex revision procedure using cartilage grafts. Unfortunately the nose is so delicate and complicated even a revision may never correct a “botched” nose job.
To prevent this complication, Dr. Rahban brings two important skills to his rhinoplasty procedures: technical expertise and an artistic eye. This is critical because a rhinoplasty is equal parts art and science. As such, it requires an immense amount of finesse, as well as a refined technical approach that can ensure a successful outcome. In addition, Dr. Rahban will spend a considerable amount of time over two visits, going over the details of your nasal anatomy and he will help you determine what needs changing. He will not simply take your picture and Photoshop it, giving you an unrealistic perfect nose. He strongly believes that while this is a quick and easy consultation, it is one of the main reasons for dissatisfaction. He will be direct and tell you the truth, making sure you understand the limitations of your anatomy and whether your goals are attainable.
Bleeding and infection
These are very rare occurrences among Dr. Rahban’s patients, but it’s important to be aware of them. Whenever you have surgery, there’s a chance that you’ll experience severe bleeding and/or a serious infection. Fortunately, there are steps your surgeon can take to minimize these risks and ensure your safety. For example, Dr. Rahban will have you stop using medications, supplements and anti-inflammatories that may increase your risk of bleeding for two full weeks prior to surgery. To prevent an infection, he has you use a powerful antibiotic cream in your nose for a week prior to your surgery in preparation. In addition, he will administer antibiotics at the time of and after surgery, as well as provide you with detailed aftercare guidelines that will keep you safe and healthy as your nose heals.
Breathing challenges
This is one of the most life-altering rhinoplasty complications. Most cosmetic rhinoplasties entail making the nose smaller. This is often at the expense of the function of the nose. The nose is weakened and hence with time the nasal passage becomes compromised and results in poor breathing. This may manifest as snoring, exercise intolerance and difficulty sleeping. To prevent this from happening to his patients, Dr. Rahban uses a reconstructive rather than a reductive approach in all his rhinoplasties. That means that while he makes the nose more attractive, he does not do so at the expense of the structural integrity of the nose. He does this by being conservative in places that call for it and by adding support using cartilage grafts where he anticipates weakness. Not only will your breathing be unchanged, but in many cases he’ll actually improve this critical structure so that your breathing is enhanced after surgery.
