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Rhinoplasty (Nose)

Rhinoplasty, or surgery to change the shape of the nose, can alter the nose in a variety of ways to achieve a patient’s aesthetic and functional goal. Because noses vary from face to face, depending on your facial proportions, ethnic background, skin type and other variables, it is important that you have a thorough and realistic expectation of your goals.

Meet with Dr. Moore

In your initial consultation, Dr. Moore will evaluate your health, discuss your medical history and carefully examine and assess your nose features. You will see “before and after” photographs of prior patients with similar noses. Dr. Moore will then review your goals and make recommendations based on his evaluation. The techniques used in rhinoplasty will be described in detail, and informational materials will be provided. Photos will be taken of your nose to document your results.

Be sure to inquire if there are additional facial procedures Dr. Moore would recommend to enhance the effect of your nose surgery. This procedure is often performed in combination with chin or cheek implants, balancing the proportions of a patient’s facial features.

To learn more about rhinoplasty and what Dr. Moore can do for you, please contact us today for a no obligation, consultation.

What to Expect

Pre-Operative
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN OR PRODUCTS CONTAINING THESE MEDICINES FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO SURGERY. Moreover, do not wear any eye makeup for two days before surgery.

Please shower the morning of your procedure, but do not apply deodorant, creams, lotions, powders or oil to your skin. Please do not wear jewelry or makeup, and do not bring valuables with you to surgery.

Day of Surgery
Rhinoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia. It lasts roughly one to two hours, unless performed with another procedure. Incisions are made after the anesthetic is injected near the eyelid.

Post-Operative
Most rhinoplasty patients are active within two days. Rest on the first day, keeping your head elevated. Your nose and head will ache, and your face will feel puffy at first. Dr. Moore will prescribe medication to help alleviate these irritations. After about three days, the swelling and bruising around your eyes will begin to diminish. For about a week, you will wear a small splint over your nose to protect and stabilize it. Your swelling should be virtually gone in about seven to 10 days (cold compresses can help reduce your swelling).

A small amount of bleeding is common during the first few days after surgery. You will also experience some stuffiness that may last a few weeks. Do not blow your nose during the first week, when your tissues are healing. Within 10 days, your dressings, splints and sutures will be removed, and you can return to normal activities. Strenuous activities (running, bumping or rubbing your nose) should be avoided for several weeks.

Pain medication will be prescribed. Report any pain not readily relieved by the medication. Here is some advice regarding post-operative care:

DO

  • Use ice compresses for the first three days
  • Sleep on your back, head elevated 30–40 degrees, for two weeks
  • Sit or stand as much as possible for the first three days
  • Wear a “mustache dressing” for the first 24–48 hours
  • Apply lipstick with a lip brush only
  • Brush upper teeth with your finger for the first three days
  • Open your mouth if you sneeze
  • Take a decongestant if you catch a cold (a decongestant may cause drowsiness, so do not take pain medication at the same time)
  • Bathe or wash hair normally

DON’T

  • Wear contact lenses for 10 days. You may wear eyeglasses if they do not pull on incision lines
  • Wear eyeglasses directly on the nose for about six weeks (this could permanently disfigure your nose!)
  • Drive while taking pain mediation
  • Bend or lift objects heavier than 20 pounds for two weeks
  • Apply makeup for 10 days after surgery
  • Tweeze eyebrows or use a salon hair dryer for one week
  • Put anything in your nose unless specifically directed by Dr. Moore
  • Sniff or blow nose until given approval by Dr. Moore
  • Use any nose sprays (other than saline spray)
  • Smile or grin excessively for the first 10–14 days
  • Eat chewy foods for one week
  • Participate in strenuous exercise for two weeks (no diving or skiing for two months; no contact sports for four months)

Risks

Risks of complications are quite low but do exist. Possible problems include infection and bleeding.

Insurance

Most health insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures. If you have problems with breathing, rhinoplasty is sometimes covered by insurance. If insurance does not cover your procedure and it is considered a cosmetic surgery, it may not be submitted later to insurance companies. In some instances, if you attempt to secure insurance reimbursement for cosmetic procedures, your insurance company may view it as fraud.

Costs

Your Patient Coordinator will provide you with a detailed, written estimate of fees for your procedure when you have your initial consultation at Cool Springs Plastic Surgery. Your “Estimate of Surgical Fees” will include: implants, surgeon’s fee, operating room and the anesthesiologist’s fee.

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