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Rhinoplasty

What is Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty, called “nose job” by many, is an elective cosmetic surgery performed by Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Raghu as an outpatient procedure.

Patients come to me from all over Southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Portage for nose surgery because I’m board-certified in plastic surgery and have demonstrated excellent results in nose reshaping procedures.

Three Reasons for Rhinoplasty or Nose Surgery

There are three primary reasons for rhinoplasty: aesthetic, medical, and trauma. Patients come to me for cosmetic nose surgery because they are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their nose. Some patients have a large bump in the nose, some people have a large bulb or droop at the tip, and still, others are unhappy with the size, in general, of their nose. These individuals undergo rhinoplasty to be happier with their appearance.

What Are Medical Reasons for Rhinoplasty?

Studies estimate that about 80% of people have a deviated septum. The nasal septum is the cartilage that runs vertically in the nose. When it’s off-center, it’s called a deviated septum. Depending upon the degree of deviation, patients can have trouble breathing through the nose; they may snore during sleep and are likely to have more frequent sinus infections. Repair of a deviated septum does not alter the shape or size of the nose, because the goal is to realign the septum to allow for easier breathing, not to reshape the nose. This type of nose surgery, called a septoplasty, is often covered by health insurance, while cosmetic rhinoplasty is not.

Does Rhinoplasty Fix a Broken Nose?

Michiganders of all ages love to exercise. Going nose-to-nose with the competition during high school and college football, soccer, and other games, competitive running, and other physical activities can result in a broken nose, as can car accidents and simply slips on the rug. Most rhinoplasty Michigan procedures to repair a broken nose are covered by insurance.

Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Healthy men and women aged 16 or older who have realistic expectations about their rhinoplasty results are good candidates for a nose job. It’s important to remember that nobody’s nose is perfect. However, we understand that the nose, being on the front of the face, is noticed fairly quickly so dissatisfaction with its appearance can impair self-esteem, particularly in teens. While a rhinoplasty won’t get Junior a date to the prom, it may make him less self-conscious, opening up a new world of opportunity with his peers.

Two Methods of Rhinoplasty

There are two methods to perform rhinoplasty: open and closed procedures.

The Open Rhinoplasty Procedure

In open rhinoplasty, an incision is made at the bottom of the nose through what’s called the columella, that little column of skin between the nostrils. This allows me an excellent view of the inside of the nasal cavity. It’s particularly useful in rhinoplasty Michigan procedures for patients who have protruding or bulbous nose tips, and/or tips that are irregularly shaped or twisted. While the open procedure does create an external scar, my meticulous rhinoplasty technique results in a fairly invisible scar following recovery.

The Closed Rhinoplasty Procedure

A closed rhinoplasty is the most common nose reshaping procedure because most noses can be reshaped through a closed approach. Besides a faster recovery, the second benefit of closed rhinoplasty is the lack of an external scar, as all incisions are performed inside the nose. Note that, even with the open rhinoplasty Michigan procedure, numerous incisions are placed inside the nasal cavity. The primary difference is that, in the open procedure, an incision is also placed in the columella.

You and I will discuss the type of rhinoplasty I believe will give you the best results—open or closed—during your private rhinoplasty consultation in one of our two Southwest Michigan plastic surgery offices.

Where Will My Rhinoplasty Be Performed?

All of my cosmetic surgery procedures, including rhinoplasty procedures, are performed in one of two local accredited ambulatory surgical facilities near my Southwest Michigan plastic surgery office. I always work with board-certified anesthesiologists, and many of the operating room staff at these centers have been working with me for the past 15 years. These same-day surgery centers offer you the safety of a hospital operating room without exposure to hospital-based bacteria, plus the benefit of a friendly, caring, and personalized experience.

How Is A Rhinoplasty Performed?

Prior to your procedure, I will “mark” your face with a special pen. Once the anesthesia has been performed, I will make incisions consistent with either an open or closed rhinoplasty. After making the proper adjustments in the cartilage and tissues, the incisions will be closed with very small sutures and packing will be put in place to provide support for the nose during healing. A protective dressing will be put on your nose and then you’ll spend some time in the recovery area before going home. You’ll need a friend or family member to drive you, since you’ll have been under general anesthesia.

Recovery From Rhinoplasty

Most of my Michigan rhinoplasty Michigan patients are more bothered by the packing than by postop pain but thankfully, the packing doesn’t have to stay in beyond a few days after the procedure. You should expect swelling, bruising and congestion, and will find that applying ice packs offers some relief as does sitting up in a recliner to sleep for the first week or so.

The swelling will start to go down the first week after your rhinoplasty procedure but you’ll have some swelling for months after the procedure, which is normal.

I’ll see you in the office within a day or two of your rhinoplasty and frequently thereafter to be sure your nose is healing as it should. Please do not smoke during recovery and be sure to avoid vigorous exercise until I let you know it’s OK. For the first year, please avoid any sports that can impact your nose: football comes to mind, but any contact sports, even wrestling with the kids or friends, can result in a blow to the nose.

Rhinoplasty is an extremely satisfactory procedure for my Michigan plastic surgery patients because it changes their appearance so much—in a positive way. They look better, breathe better and feel better with the results of their nose reshaping procedure. If you have concerns about your nose, please call my office or complete this private online consultation form to schedule an appointment. You’ll leave our private meeting with all the information you need, including prices, to make the right decision for yourself.

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