What You Can Expect When You Get Rhinoplasty

If you have been thinking about getting a nose job, medically referred to as rhinoplasty, then you will have a lot of questions about the process and what you can expect. If you are too anxious to wait for your appointment to learn about the process and the recovery period, then this article will help to give you an idea of what you will go through during and after the procedure.

What to expect during the procedure

During the rhinoplasty procedure, incisions will be made in your skin so that the cartilage and bone are exposed. The surgeon will do their best to put the incisions where they will be the least noticeable after you heal. Most times, this means going through the inside of your nose if it is possible.

If they do have to make some incisions on the outside, they will try to make them along certain lines or folds where they will heal better without leaving noticeable marks on the outside of your face.

Depending on the desired effect you are trying to achieve with your rhinoplasty procedure, the surgeon will then either remove some of the cartilage and/or bone from your nose or they will add some. If they add tissue to help you achieve a fuller nose, then the tissue they use will either be tissue they removed from a part of your body or a synthetic tissue.

The surgeon will take care to shape your nose into the shape you want and then they will move the covering tissue back in place and stitch your incision closed. A splint will be put in place so your nose is protected and maintains its new shape better.

Recovering from rhinoplasty

The procedure usually allows you to go home the same day, but your surgeon may prefer you to stay one night in the hospital if the procedure was extensive or if there are any other reasons for a bit of extra concern.

You will be provided with pain medication to help get you through the roughest part of the recovery. Make sure you take the medication how it is prescribed. Don't wait longer than the prescribed time for the pain to set in before taking a pill and never take more than you are supposed to.

Don't be surprised when you look in the mirror and see that your face is bruised and swollen. This is to be expected. You ca help to control the swelling by putting ice packs on your face throughout the day.

You should schedule at least a couple days of healing time for yourself. During this period, you want to stay pretty still. Exercising, heavy lifting and other strenuous activities should be avoided until your surgeon clears you for such activities.

Now that you have a better understanding of what you can expect, you may feel better prepared to go in for the procedure. If you have more questions, talk to a doctor like William M. Parell, MD, PSC.

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