Nasal Surgery (Rhinoplasty) — Alabama Plastic Surgery

The nose is the face's most prominent feature and the one a good number of men and women would most like to change. If you are unhappy with your nose, you can transform it with nasal surgery called rhinoplasty. If breathing is a problem, rhinoplasty can be combined with septoplasty to correct the interior chambers of your nose to effectively restore the capacity to breathe freely.

How is the rhinoplasty procedure performed?
What will my recovery be like?
What features of the nose can be changed?

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How is the rhinoplasty procedure performed?

Rhinoplasty is reshaping the nose. It can be performed on an outpatient basis or in a hospital. Anesthesia used can either be local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Most incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. The skin and tissues of the nose along with the underlying bone and cartilage are sculpted by the surgeon to your desired new shape.

For example, if your nose is too large your surgeon may sculpt away cartilage to reduce its size. Noses that point up or droop down can be redirected by trimming the septum, which divides the two nasal passages. Skin can be removed from both sides of the nostrils at the center to narrow the base of the nose. Sometimes the contour can be improved by adding tissue.

What will my recovery be like?

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and active within 2 days. Your first day should be spent in bed with your head elevated. You will wear a small splint over your nose to protect it and keep it stable for a week or so. Your nose and head will probably ache and your face will feel puffy. This discomfort can be alleviated with medication prescribed by your surgeon. After about 3 days, the swelling and bruising around your eyes will begin to subside; it should be almost completely gone in about 2 weeks. Cold compresses applied to the area will help reduce the swelling.

Some bleeding is common the first few days after surgery, along with some stuffiness that could last a few weeks. It is recommended that you not blow your nose during the first week while the tissues are healing. After 10 to 12 days, all dressings, splints and sutures should be removed and you can return to a normal life. Strenuous activities and rubbing your nose should be avoided for several more weeks.

You will experience a significant reduction of swelling and the final results will begin to take shape over the next few months.

What features of the nose can be changed?

Patients are interested in changing the shape of the profile, width, tip or the nostrils. All of these can be corrected with rhinoplasty. In addition to taking out undesirable bumps, the surgeon can make the nose more diminutive or larger; more narrow; shorter or longer; or more symmetrical to your face. The goal is to give you a natural looking nose that is well suited to your face and more aesthetically pleasing.

If you would like to find out more about rhinoplasty, or nasal surgery, from our Birmingham, Alabama cosmetic surgeons, feel free to contact us today.