Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Cosmetic nasal surgery: Incisions, Recovery

Nose Surgery

Cosmetic nasal surgery is more popular than ever. People are seeking cosmetic nasal surgery for a wide range of reasons. It can help people who feel that their nose is too small, too large, too long, too short, too wide, too narrow, too prominent, too flat, or crooked.

The potential for cosmetic nasal surgery seems boundless. Because each nose is different, the surgical plan for refining the nose is highly specialized according to the patient’s anatomy, desires, and other facial features. It involves a combination of refining, rearranging, augmenting, or reducing the underlying bones and cartilage of the nose to achieve the desired refinement.

Incisions

Most of the incisions are inside the nose and are, therefore, not visible. In some cases, your plastic surgeon may recommend a small incision under the nose to facilitate the surgery and optimize your result. When this small incision is used, the surgery is referred to as "open rhinoplasty". Even though this incision involves a small scar under the nose, it is minimally visible.

Recovery

Cosmetic nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is most commonly performed as an outpatient procedure. You may be awake or asleep during the procedure, depending on the preference of you and your plastic surgeon. Light packing may be placed in your nostrils to prevent bleeding following surgery and is usually removed with a day or two. Discomfort is mild to moderate and is controlled with prescribed pain medication. Swelling is variable and can last from one week to one month or longer. Sleeping with your head elevated for the first several nights following surgery will significantly diminish the swelling. Bruising usually resolves within one to two weeks. Most are able to return to work within one to two weeks and resume exercise within a month.

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