Rhinoplasty Procedure Steps

Various techniques can be used to perform a nose job or nose reshaping cosmetic surgery, which is clinically known as rhinoplasty.

The technique chosen will differ according to the unique needs of the patient to improve the nasal shape or size, or rectify functional issues, or both. Regardless, the steps involved in a nose reshaping surgery will remain the same.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient about the steps involved in the surgery. The surgeon may also show the patient images or a video of an actual nose job being performed.

The patient might feel less anxious once they understand what the surgery procedure entails. Judicious and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides rhinoplasty to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations across the landscape.

Pre-Operative Consultation

In any surgical procedure, including rhinoplasty, the consultation process forms an important base. During this process, the surgeon will seek to answer any questions or address any concerns that the patient may have about the rhinoplasty and the surgeon’s practice.

Furthermore, in the consultation process, the surgeon will evaluate the patient’s nasal and facial structure, skin type and thickness in the nasal area, and overall medical condition.

The surgeon will review the patient’s previous health records, and order diagnostic tests, if necessary. They may also show the patient before and after pictures and testimonials of previous nose plastic surgery patients. This will offer the patient insight into the procedure from another patient’s point of view and help in developing realistic expectations.

Individualized Surgical Plan

On the basis of the information from the consultation process, the surgeon will develop a customized surgical plan to meet the specific needs of the patient.

The plastic surgeon will ensure that there is a balance between the nasal and facial anatomy of the patient and their cosmetic goals and wishes. An individualized plan will enable the procedure to be minimally invasive and more efficient.

The surgeon will engage in a detailed discussion with the patient to understand the improvements that they are seeking and decide on either an open or closed rhinoplasty technique for the surgery. Other decisions such as incisions locations, anesthesia type, and surgical venue will also be made.

Surgical Procedure

Anesthesia

The surgeon will use local anesthesia with IV sedation or light general anesthesia for the procedure. The patient’s past medical records will help determine their candidacy for anesthesia. An anesthesiologist or a registered nurse anesthetist will oversee the surgery to monitor the patient’s reaction to the anesthetic.

Surgery

The choice of open or closed rhinoplasty will depend on the level of improvement in the nose shape or size that is required. The surgeon will remove, add or modify tissue from the nose area during the rhinoplasty. They may also use silicone implants or grafting in certain cases.

Open rhinoplasty is more invasive in comparison to closed rhinoplasty which is less invasive and does not create visible scars.

Focused cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas in this section of SoCal for rhinoplasty.

For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190. Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.

Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery Candidates

Most people who choose rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery are unhappy with the size or shape of the nose and wish to make their nose more proportionate to other facial features.

A smaller percentage of the nose reshaping surgery candidates comprises patients who suffer from breathing issues and discomfort arising from nasal structure abnormalities or nose injuries in the past.

Ideal nose surgery candidates are in good overall health and are aware of the risks associated with rhinoplasty surgery. They also have a positive mindset and realistic expectations from this procedure.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides rhinoplasty to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding locations in this region of The Golden State.

Characteristics of a Typical Rhinoplasty Candidate

A rhinoplasty candidate may have:

a nose that they feel is too big or too small relative to other facial features
a bump on the nasal bridge
a wide nose
a nose tip that protrudes, droops, or is enlarged
a bulbous tip
nostrils that are too pinched or flared
a nose that is off-center or crooked
an asymmetrical nose due to a nose injury
breathing issues because of abnormalities of the internal nasal structure (due to a deviated septum or related conditions)

Is Rhinoplasty Surgery Safe for Teen Candidates?

Nose reshaping surgery is one of the most sought-after procedures among teens today. It is vital for teen patients as well as their surgeons to assess whether rhinoplasty is the right plastic surgery option. The surgeon must make sure that the teen patient wants to undergo this procedure out of their own free will and not due to parental or peer pressure.

Surgeons usually recommend that girls should wait until age 14 or 15 while boys should wait for a few more years beyond that before undergoing a nose reshaping procedure. The nose growth would be complete for teenage candidates by this time.

Specific Goals

Rhinoplasty can help improve the nose’s size, shape, and appearance. Sometimes the plastic surgeon may suggest a chin implant to be inserted along with a nose reshaping surgery. This will enable the facial features to appear more balanced. Patients usually have the following requirements from a rhinoplasty surgeon:

Narrow the nose bridge
Narrow or widen their nostrils
Straighten their crooked noses
Reshape the nose tip
Change the angle between their upper lips and noses

In a majority of cases, the rhinoplasty surgeon places incisions within the nose or outside the nose in a discreet area. The goal of minimal scarring is a part of the broad objective of appearance enhancement while maintaining a natural look.

Ethnic Candidates for Rhinoplasty

People from Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Middle Eastern descent are common candidates for rhinoplasty. Individuals from these ethnicities usually have softer nasal contours. The surgeon will strive to preserve the uniqueness of the patient’s face in ethnic rhinoplasty.

Compassionate and dependable cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other towns and neighborhoods in this part of the state for rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty Risks and Safety

Rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery may seem like a minor nose reshaping procedure. However, it is a delicate surgery as it involves balancing the strategic relationship of the nose with other features of the face.

The surgery should ideally be performed by a highly qualified and expert plastic surgeon to mitigate the risks and avoid the need for revision surgery in the future.

During the pre-op consultation process, a committed surgeon will discuss the potential risks and side effects associated with a nose surgery with the patient to enable them to make a well-informed choice. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides rhinoplasty to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other cities and suburbs in this part of the country.

Potential Complications

Rhinoplasty generally involves some temporary side-effects that resolve by themselves some days after the procedure. However, in exceptional cases, one or more of the below-mentioned complications are possible:

Bacterial infection in the incision site during or post-procedure
Adverse response to general anesthesia or lidocaine local anesthetic
Problems in breathing through the nostrils
Chronic nosebleeds
Perforations in the septum
Fluid accumulation beneath the skin in the incision sites
Burst blood vessels
Unanticipated scarring after open nose surgery
Issues related to the nasal skin or disintegration of skin from bandaging or from grafting materials being exposed through thin skin, primarily if the surgeon has used synthetic implants
Inflammation within the nose causing nasal blockage
Asymmetrical nasal shape
Possibility of revision rhinoplasty

Mitigation of Risks

The patient should select a well-qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to minimize rhinoplasty risks. Plastic surgeons certified by the board typically follow best practices and quality standards, are up to date with the most innovative surgical techniques, pursue ongoing education and training, and adopt the latest safety protocols.

In addition, the patient should be willing to follow the surgeon’s pre and post-op guidelines diligently. This will mitigate the risks and lead to a safer and shorter recovery period. If the surgeon and patient share a relationship based on trust and transparency, it will favorably impact the results of the nose surgery.

The patient should be open to sharing their smoking and drinking behaviors as well as providing information on the meds, vitamins and herbal supplements that they currently use. This will help the surgeon provide instructions to make the procedure safer.

Scarring Risks

The risk of scarring is present in any surgery, including rhinoplasty. But if the surgeon uses the closed rhinoplasty technique, the scarring will occur only inside the nostrils and will not be noticeable from outside.

If a salient and accomplished plastic surgeon uses the open rhinoplasty technique, they would still make incisions in a manner that causes minimal conspicuous scarring.

Risk of Unsatisfactory Outcomes

In rare circumstances, the patient may feel that the results of the rhinoplasty are unsatisfactory or may suffer from functional issues such as problems breathing through the nostrils. These types of patients may require a revision rhinoplasty surgery to address these problems.

Astute cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Discovering Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery Recovery

Rhinoplasty can provide remarkable results for most people, but the recovery process is extensive and requires patience.

The initial recovery time for rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery is usually around one to two weeks. A nose job involves substantial changes to the nasal structure. Therefore, the body will require some time to recover and adapt to these changes.

The healing time after rhinoplasty surgery varies between patients based on various factors such as:

How extensive the surgical changes are
The kind of post-op care the patient receives
The general health of the patient before the nose reshaping procedure

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai provides rhinoplasty to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and surrounding communities and towns in this region of the state.

Post-Operative Care

Following rhinoplasty, the surgeon will provide the patient with detailed post-op guidelines. Rhinoplasty is a delicate facial plastic surgery procedure. Therefore, ideal outcomes depend on the patient’s ability to follow the post-op instructions dedicatedly.

It is wise for patients to enlist a family member or friend to assist them with certain chores immediately after the nose reshaping procedure. By following these guidelines, the patient can have a more comfortable recovery phase:

Drink plenty of fluids to stay well-hydrated
Use cold compresses to decrease inflammation
Get sufficient rest
Avoid vigorous exercises and strenuous activities

The Initial 48 Hours of Recovery

The patient is still under the effect of anesthesia during this time and may feel mild discomfort.

The surgeon may prescribe pain medications to the patient although some patients only require mild over the counter pain meds to manage the discomfort. Some issues that patients face after a nose reshaping surgery are as follows:

Headaches
Bruising
Swelling
Nosebleeds

It is appropriate for patients to get plenty of rest and keep their head in an upright position during the initial 24 hours after the rhinoplasty. The patient may experience a puffy face, pain in the nose, and a dull headache.

Nosebleeds are also common in the initial 48 hours of the recovery period. Patients should avoid blowing their nose during this time as it can affect the outcomes of the nose reshaping procedure.

Increased Comfort after One Week

During the follow-up consultation at around one week after the procedure, the surgeon will assess the patient’s progress. The surgeon will remove nasal packing (if any) and a splint and/or stitches. The bruising and inflammation would have subsided significantly by this time.

Most patients resume work and routine activities one week after the rhinoplasty procedure. However, patients must avoid any vigorous activities such as sports or weight lifting for two weeks after the nose job. Furthermore, they should not undertake any actions that could cause them to blow their nose for nearly eight weeks. It is not recommended to travel by air in the first week after the procedure.

Caring cosmetic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and other suburbs and towns in this part of The Golden State for rhinoplasty.

For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190.Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.

Location

West Hollywood

Dr. Roger Tsai Plastic Surgery
9201 W. Sunset Blvd. GF-1A
West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.276.1190

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