Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) in Wisconsin

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO HAVING A RHINOPLASTY SURGERY?

Rhinoplasty, often referred to as “nose surgery”, “nose job”, or “nose reshaping,” is the name of the procedure designed to improve deformities of the nose with plastic and reconstructive surgical techniques. The operation consists of carefully removing any “excess” bone and/or cartilage while rearranging or reshaping the remainder.

Each year, more than half a million men and women who are interested in improving the appearance of their noses consult with facial plastic surgeons. Nothing has a bigger impact on how a person looks than the shape and size of the nose. Because the nose is the most central and defining characteristic of the face, even a minor alteration can greatly improve one’s overall appearance. Rhinoplasty makes it possible to improve the appearance of a nose that may undermine your self-confidence and self-esteem. By changing how your nose looks, cosmetic surgery can help improve how you feel about yourself.

Dr. Parfitt is Wisconsin’s top Rhinoplasty Surgeon, performing rhinoplasty in Wisconsin at his Madison surgery center on a weekly basis since 1996. Dr. Parfitt provides extensive consultation time with computer imaging of surgical results to build your confidence and understanding prior to surgery. 

IS RHINOPLASTY FOR ME?

As with any elective surgical procedure, realistic expectations and good health are prerequisites. Men and women, over the age of 15 can be candidates for a nose surgery procedure. Since there is no specific size and shape that is ideal in rhinoplasty (nose job), the goal is to improve the nose aesthetically, making it harmonize and balance better with the proportions of other facial features.

The most common reasons men or women seek rhinoplasty to improve their facial appearance are concerned with one or more of the following:
– your nose appears too large or long for your face
– there is a bump on the nasal bridge when viewed from the side
– nose seems too wide when viewed from the front
– the nasal tip droops
– the tip is thickened or enlarged
– your nostrils are flared excessively
– previous injury has made your nose asymmetrical
– problems breathing causing sinus trouble

Ethnic background, skin type, and age are important factors to be taken into consideration when discussing rhinoplasty (nose job) options with Dr. Parfitt prior to surgery. The nose matures and reaches full growth usually around age fifteen or sixteen. Prior to this age, this surgery is rarely done. Exceptions are cases where breathing is significantly impaired.

YOUR RHINOPLASTY CONSULTATION

Your consultation with Dr. Parfitt will help you decide on the type of surgery that best addresses your concerns. He will determine if rhinoplasty is the best procedure to enhance the balance and overall appearance of your face. Many patients benefit by having chin augmentation at the same time as their rhinoplasty, creating a better balance of facial features.

If you are interested in rhinoplasty (nose job), your choice of a board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon is extremely important. During your consultation, Dr. Parfitt will examine the structures of your nose, both internally and externally, to determine what you can realistically expect from rhinoplasty. He will also obtain a medical history, so he can consider any medical conditions that may heighten any risk. In our Middleton location, for all patients considering rhinoplasty or chin augmentation, he will use dynamic computer simulation images to show different surgical options to achieve potential results.

Dr. Parfitt will weigh other factors that could influence the results of surgery such as skin type, age, degree of deformity, ethnicity and your expectations of surgery. He will explain how the internal nasal structures, including cartilage and bone, can be sculpted to reshape the nose and may also specify how reshaping the chin could improve the overall results. Once you and Dr. Parfitt arrive at a mutual understanding and trust, he will tailor a treatment plan that is best suited to you.

At your consultation you will receive detailed information of the following:
– Surgical procedure(s)
– Technique indicated
– Type of anesthesia
– Risks involved
– Middleton/Madison on-site surgical facility
– Additional surgery recommendations
– Scheduling and booking options
– Financing policies
– Surgical quote of costs involved

THE RHINOPLASTY (NOSE JOB) PROCEDURE

The nose surgery will be performed at our Madison on-site surgical facility. Twilight anesthesia, also known as IV sedation, is used for rhinoplasty procedures. Incisions are made mostly just inside the nose, where they are invisible, and the skin of the nose is lifted from the bone and cartilage that support the overlying skin. In some cases, an incision is made in the area of skin between the two nostrils at the base of the nose. Varying amounts of cartilage and bone are removed and/or rearranged to provide a new shape for the support structures. For example, when the tip of the nose is too big, Dr. Parfitt can remove some of the cartilage in this area to reduce its size. The angle of the tip of the nose in relation to the upper lip can be altered as well to achieve a more youthful look or to correct a downward distortion of the tip.

At the completion of surgery, a splint is applied to the outside of the nose to retain the new shape while the nose begins to heal. Absorbent, soft material may be used inside the nose to help mold the tip of the nose from the inside as well. Risk factors in rhinoplasty are generally minor, and Dr. Parfitt will discuss these prior to surgery.

RHINOPLASTY RECOVERY

Immediately following surgery, a small plastic splint will be applied to your nose to protect it and to keep the structure stable for at least six to eight days. Some light absorbent packing is placed inside the nose during surgery; it is removed the same day, before you leave the recovery suite.

Your face may feel puffy, especially the first day after surgery. Dr. Parfitt advises that you avoid blowing your nose for seven days after surgery. You may experience bruising and minor swelling in the eye area for the first few days following surgery. Cold compresses will reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Dissolvable sutures are typically used and do not have to be removed. The splint is usually removed seven or eight days after surgery.

You will be advised to keep your head elevated for a certain period of time following surgery. Some activities should be avoided in the weeks after the procedure. Straining exertion, sun exposure, and activities that risk injury to the nose must be avoided. If you wear glasses, special care must be taken to ensure that the glasses do not rest on the bridge of the nose. Tape can be applied in such a way that permits wearing glasses without placing undue pressure on the area where surgery was performed.

All patients are required to follow the post-operative instructions to ensure better healing and to reduce any possible complications.

RHINOPLASTY FAQs: