Frequently Asked Rhinoplasty Questions
For Patients in Orlando and Winter Park, Florida
What is a rhinoplasty?
“Rhinoplasty” comes from Greek words that mean Nose and Shaping. (Think of rhinoceros and plastic.) It’s a type of facial plastic surgery that can remove the hump on a nose or a bulb from the end of it, change the overall shape, increase or reduce the size, correct an injury or a birth defect, narrow the width of the nostrils, and sometimes open the breathing passages to increase ease of breathing.
How long does a rhinoplasty take?
The procedure takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on what exactly is being done. It’s usually an outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia.
Should I do anything to prepare?
If you decide you want rhinoplasty nose surgery done, be sure and talk to your plastic surgeon in detail about what you expect or hope for, and listen to his advice as to what he thinks is possible. Dr. Greenberg will assess your whole face, your skin and bone structure, and factoring in your age and hopes, will explain what he can do. Be sure you understand what the plan is, the risks of this surgery, and how you can optimize your recovery time.
Your plastic surgeon will tell you how to get ready and will advise you as to food, smoking, medications and vitamins, and cleaning your face.
How is a rhinoplasty nose surgery done?
Dr. Greenberg will choose either a closed procedure or an open one, depending on what needs to be done. Those terms refer to where he makes the incision. In a closed procedure, the incisions will be inside the nostrils and in an open one an additional incision will be made across the columella (the little strip of flesh between the nostrils). Dr. Greenberg will discuss the different approaches and you and he will decide which one is best for you.
How long does it take to recover from a rhinoplasty?
Most patients are able to return to work after a week. You will have nasal stuffiness for several weeks but most of the pain will be gone after several days. Most of the bruising and swelling will subside after 2-3 weeks. It takes a full year for all of the swelling to resolve and for you to see the final result but you should see a significant change in your nasal appearance after one week.
Will there be a scar after a rhinoplasty?
The only visible scar is the additional one used with the open approach, however, it is usually hardly visible after a short period of healing.
What complications could arise with a rhinoplasty nose surgery?
The complications associated with rhinoplasty are similar to those associated with any surgery: infection, bleeding and abnormal scarring. In addition, specific risks include numbness of the nasal skin, development of small blood vessels around the nose and a nasal contour that you may not be totally happy with.
What is Revision Rhinoplasty?
This is the term for a second procedure that is sometimes necessary to modify the first one.
To learn more about your rhinoplasty options or to schedule your rhinoplasty consultation, please call or e-mail Orlando plastic surgeon Dr. Greenberg today. Dr. Greenberg serves nose surgery patients in Orlando and Winter Park, Florida.
