Article At A Glance
- Rhinoplasty can fix issues like bumps on the bridge, a crooked nose, or a droopy tip.
- Contact a surgeon who can tailor the procedure and desired outcomes.
More people are interested in what plastic surgery could do for them than ever before. A greater acceptance of cosmetic surgery combined with increased affordability and technological advances has resulted in an upturn in selective surgeries. The results of a good rhinoplasty, for instance, are everywhere. However, you may not notice them, since they fit so harmoniously with the person. The days of “surgical appearing noses” are over. Nevertheless, there’s still a lot of misinformation and mystery to the topic, often because societal stigmas stop people from talking about the details of the process.
Here, we’re taking a closer look at how rhinoplasty can transform the appearance, shape, and size of your nose, the impact it can have on your life, and what to know about seeking out rhinoplasty surgery in Chicago or elsewhere.
How Does A Nose Job Change Your Face?
It’s normal to think that changing one feature on your face isn’t going to make too much of a difference in your overall appearance. However, many clients who consider rhinoplasty do so because their nose is disproportionately disrupting the harmony of their face as a whole.
“Thrown off” look is a term often used to describe when a facial feature isn’t proportional, spoiling the harmony of the face. The shape and structure of the nose is mostly determined by your genetics and family traits. However, trauma and other outside factors can play a role in nasal deformity and obstruction. Unfortunately, there’s little that can be done non-surgically to change the overall facial proportions and shape of the nose.
It’s amazing how much a nasal bump or large tip can affect overall facial aesthetics and harmony. Rhinoplasty, or nose job surgery, changes the cartilage and bones on the inside of the nose, which can drastically affect the outer appearance. Aside from fixing facial balance, a cosmetic nose job can be used to address issues from large or upturned nostrils to a hooked nasal tip. Patients who suffer from interior structural issues that affect one’s breathing can also turn to rhinoplasty to help them breathe easier.
Additional Read: Will Rhinoplasty Surgery Affect Your Smile?
Could A Nose Job Improve Your Confidence?
Rhinoplasty surgery tackles the issues we don’t like about our noses. Nostril flaws, humps, bumps, issues with symmetry, and the size of your nose can all be corrected. However, many patients have found that it goes much further; improving their confidence.
The nose is located right in the center of the face and is considered a “focal point.” It’s also one of the features with which people most commonly take issue. By enhancing the shape of your nose, rhinoplasty can have some significant benefits.
Furthermore, a professional nose job can help many overcome injuries or deformities that have long plagued their confidence. As such, it can do a lot to restore your self-esteem. The emotional and mental benefits, not just the physical changes, can make rhinoplasty worth considering.
Types Of Rhinoplasty Procedures
Not all rhinoplasty procedures are the same because not all faces are the same. Also, different patients suffering from different nasal issues would have to be addressed with a surgical solution specific to their needs.
The two most common types of rhinoplasty are “open” and “closed”. However, here we’re going to define all of the surgical procedures that your surgeon might mention during your consultation:
Open Rhinoplasty
This is where incisions are made in the thin area of skin separating the nostrils (columella). The skin envelope is gently lifted away to give access to the bone and cartilage beneath. This is the most common approach in rhinoplasty and is used for major reshaping of the structures of the nose.
Closed Rhinoplasty
This is a “less invasive” procedure that involves separating the skin alone to remove, shape, or rearrange the bones and cartilage for minor nose reshaping. Although sometimes thought to be less invasive, this technique allows for less predictability.
Filler Rhinoplasty
Sometimes, a surgeon may recommend the use of injectable fillers. These injectable fillers (Restylane and Juvederm) are long-lasting, but not permanent, and can fill grooves in the nose, smooth out hard angles, and change the angle of the tip of the nose. This is sometimes termed, “non-surgical rhinoplasty”.
Secondary or Revision Rhinoplasty:
In some cases, a revision rhinoplasty, or secondary rhinoplasty, may be needed. This is usually to correct issues that have arisen after the first surgery or to make minor amendments where requested. Many secondary rhinoplasties are minor surgeries but some are very complex problems and may require an open procedure.
You can choose your approach based on your surgeon’s experience and what kind of procedure you may want and what can best address your needs. When talking about changes to your nose during your consultation, feel free to inquire as to whether it would necessitate a closed or open surgery. An honest discussion with your surgeon will help you understand what is best for your goals and your nose.
Additional Read: 10 Common Misconceptions About Rhinoplasty
Preparing For Rhinoplasty Surgery
To ensure the best possible results, it’s important to understand exactly what your goals are and have good communication with your surgeon. For many people, it may be obvious that they don’t like their nose, but they have difficulty expressing what exactly is the problem. An experienced facial plastic surgeon can guide you on facial aesthetics and help determine what type of nose will compliment your face.
As such, it’s recommended that you arrange a consultation with an experienced rhinoplasty facial plastic surgeon. The best nose job surgeons are used to working with clients and helping them identify all the improvements that can be made, Ask if they can give you an idea of what your nose will look like after the treatment is finished.
An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon knows not only how to reshape a nose, but the issues of symmetry and balance that make a face attractive. He or she will consider ethnicity, sex, height, skin thickness, and facial proportions. They also know that every patient’s face is unique, and should be treated as such. That way, the surgery not only results in a “better nose” but a nose that’s a better fit for your face.
Before the surgery itself, you should stop smoking and avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements for at least 10 days. Inform your surgeon if you are on any medications so they can let you know if you need to stop taking them for a while before the surgery.
Recovering From A Rhinoplasty Surgery
A successful rhinoplasty goes beyond the procedure itself. If you want to ensure the absolute best results, then you must also listen carefully to your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions. An experienced surgeon will have excellent post-operative care instructions for you to follow. Recovery comes in different phases, and you have to be both patient and careful during these phases to make sure you get the best results.
During the first phase, which typically lasts a week, there will be a little pain that subsides over time. There will be bruising, swelling, bandages, and a splint that you have to wear. It can be a bit dramatic, but it all subsides over time. After about seven days, the surgeon will take the splint off.
You may still need another week before you can get back to work and daily life. During your recovery, you will also receive a range of instructions such as:
- No nose blowing
- Being careful when brushing your teeth
- No exercise
- No showers (take baths instead)
- No clothes that you have to pull over your head
- Don’t wear your glasses for a period of time
- No contact sports
In most cases, people return to work or school after 7-10 days. Still, it takes 6-12 weeks for the recovery to complete. There may be some residual swelling areas for up to a year after the surgery. It won’t be as noticeable as the swelling that directly follows the surgery and your visual results will start to resemble the final look.
Rhinoplasty is rarely the exact same treatment for all so your recovery experience may be different. Talk to your surgeon, who will be able to give you more specific instructions and realistic timetables.
Importance Of Picking An Experienced Rhinoplasty Surgeon
There’s a big difference between picking one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in Chicago and just choosing a doctor from the top Google or Yelp results. Usually, that major difference is experience and results. When looking at different practices, pay attention to the services they purport to offer. If they don’t offer a lot of expertise or information on rhinoplasty, it might be that it’s not a procedure they carry out all that often.
When looking for a doctor to perform a nose job, make sure you closely examine the surgeon’s website, call their office, and visit their practice in person. It should give you a good impression of their history within the industry, their education, their professionalism, and their training. Keep an eye out for those who specifically have a strong history of performing rhinoplasty. Ask to see before and after patient pictures. Be sure to pay attention to the quality of the photography. The photos should be taken with the same lighting, background, and distance. Anything else is sloppy. Make sure the patient examples show to you are similar to you in sex, age, ethnicity, and skin type.
To avoid any unwanted results, pick a rhinoplasty surgeon in Chicago that has performed the procedure on thousands of patients. That kind of extensive experience makes a big difference. Not only are experienced surgeons practiced, but they’ve worked with all kinds of faces and gained insight into what makes a face attractive in the first place.
Additional Read: Rhinoplasty Nose Job Surgery Cost in Chicago
Conclusion
The changes that rhinoplasty can make to not just a face, but to a mindset and a lifestyle, are not to be underestimated. The right surgeon and the right procedure can complement and transform a face, restoring true confidence and self-esteem. What could rhinoplasty do for you? What results do you want? A consultation with an expert rhinoplasty surgeon in Chicago like Dr. Douglas Sidle is a great first step.
