Nose Surgery | Rhinoplasty in Jacksonville at Obi Plastic Surgery

Rhinoplasty and Nose Surgery Techniques by Obi Plastic Surgery

Rhinoplasty | Nose Surgery  is a surgery implemented to reshape the nose for cosmetic reasons and also to enlarge nostril airways to improve breathing. Nose Surgery | Rhinoplasty in Jacksonville is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, and help relieve some breathing issues.

The Best Candidates for Rhinoplasty | Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal appearance, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Obi.

The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you’re physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

Before Rhinoplasty, these nose surgery patients have large, slightly hanging noses, with a hump and an enlarged tip.

Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes such as correcting birth defects or breathing problems. Age is also be a consideration. Dr. Obi does not perform nose surgery on young children or teenagers until after they’ve completed their growth years; around 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys. When considering nose surgery for your teenager, It’s important to make absolutely sure that they are firmly committed to receiving this procedure and that it is what they want.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

Given Dr. Obi’s safety record, the considerable care he takes in qualifying patients for surgery, and his private state licensed surgery center; The Samuel Wells SurgiCenter located at Obi Plastic Surgery, complications are highly unlikely. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of a complication. Patients can reduce risks of complications by being very honest during their initial consultations and closely following Dr. Obi’s instructions before and after surgery.

After surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin’s surface which can be addressed if necessary. There is no visible scarring at all with Dr. Obi’s Nose Surgery procedures because all work is performed inside of the nose; when an “open technique” is used, or when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils, incisions are made in areas that are hidden by the shape of your nose, and his skilled method of suturing combined with scar tape, and your careful adherence to his instructions after your rhinoplasty surgery will assure very minor hairline scaring that is virtually invisible.

Planning Your Rhinoplasty in Jacksonville

Good communication between you and Dr. Obi is essential. In your initial consultation, he will ask what you’d like your nose to look like, evaluate the structure of your nose and face, and discuss the possibilities with you. He will also explain the factors that can influence the procedure and the results. These factors include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.

Dr. Obi will also explain his rhinoplasty techniques and the anesthesia he will use, the facility where the surgery will be performed, the risks and costs involved, and any options you may have. Most insurance policies don’t cover purely cosmetic surgery; however, if the procedure is performed for reconstructive purposes, to correct a breathing problem or a marked deformity, the procedure may be covered. Check with your insurer, and obtain pre-authorization for your surgery. If coverage requires a medical recommendation or diagnosis that indicates a medical reason for your nose surgery, this can be provided by your family doctor.

Be sure to tell Dr. Obi if you’ve had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You should also inform him of any allergies or breathing difficulties you may be experiencing, if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs; and if you smoke.

Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Obi any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

Preparing For Your Rhinoplasty | Nose Surgery.

Dr. Obi will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for nose surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications, and washing your face. Carefully following these instructions will assure a smooth surgical experience.

While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days.

Where Your Rhinoplasty Will Be Performed

Dr. Obi will perform your nose surgery at the Samuel Wells SurgiCenter; our on-site state licensed Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Types of Anesthesia for Rhinoplasty in Jacksonville

Rhinoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and on what you and Dr. Obi decide.

With local anesthesia, you’ll usually be lightly sedated, and your nose and the surrounding area will be numbed; you’ll be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. With general anesthesia, you’ll sleep through the entire procedure.

The Rhinoplasty | Nose Surgery Procedure

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your goals. Finally, the skin is re-draped over the corrected or adjusted framework, (bone and cartilage) of your nose and carefully sutured.

For wide nostrals, Dr. Obi can remove small wedges of skin from their base, and reduce their size.

Depending on the purpose of your rhinoplasty | nose surgery and what will need to be done during your procedure, Dr. Obi will either perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, without the need for incisions on the outside of your nose, or an “open procedure” for more complicated cases. Again, if incisions and sutures are necessary, scars will be no more than a tiny hairline as we mentioned above.

When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your facial bone and cartilage support your new nose and maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints may also be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum; the dividing wall between each nostril.

After Your Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery

After surgery, particularly during the first twenty-four hours, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Obi. Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for the first day.

You’ll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks. However, some subtle swelling-unnoticeable to anyone but you and Dr. Obi-will remain for several months.

Dr. Obi removes the hump using a chisel or a rasp, then brings the nasal bones together to form a more narrow bridge. Cartilage is trimmed to reshape the tip of the nose.

A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. Dr. Obi will probably ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the inner tissue of your nose heals.

If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after a few days and you’ll feel much more comfortable. By the end of one or occasionally, two weeks, all dressings, splints, and stitches will be removed.

Getting Back to Normal After Your Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you’re entirely up to speed.

Dr. Obi will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They’re likely to include these suggestions such as: Avoid strenuous activity (jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations, and any activity that increases your blood pressure) for two to three weeks. And to avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned for eight weeks. Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics. Your nose is a flexible part of your body and while it is healing, you’ll have to be careful.

You can wear contact lenses as soon as you feel like it, but wearing glasses is not recommended until Dr. Obi gives you the all-clear. Once the splint is off, glasses will have to be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks and kept from applying any weight to your nose for six to seven weeks, until your nose is completely healed.

Dr. Obi will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the months after surgery to check on the progress of your healing. If you have any unusual symptoms between visits, or any questions about what you can and can’t do, don’t hesitate to call his office.

Your New Look

In the days following your rhinoplasty in Jacksonville, when your face is bruised and swollen, it’s easy to forget that you will be looking better. In fact, many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery, this is quite normal and should be anticipated when considering nose surgery.

But, rest assured that this stage will pass. Day by day, your nose will begin to look much better and your spirits will improve. Within a week or two, you’ll no longer look as if you’ve just had surgery.

After rhinoplasty surgery, your nose will be smaller, have a straighter bridge, a well defined nasal tip, and an improved angle between the nose and upper lip.

Still, healing is a slow and gradual process. Some subtle swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip. The final results of rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more.

Considering Rhinoplasty in Jacksonville?

Speak to one of Jacksonville’s leading plastic surgeons about your goals. Call (904) 399-0905 to schedule a free consultation.