Your Top Rhinoplasty Questions Answered

We get many rhinoplasty questions and concerns about our procedure. To help inform you more about what this surgery entails and how it can help you, we’ve answered some of the most common rhinoplasty questions that we get.

Is Rhinoplasty the Same as a Nose Job?

Rhinoplasty is the scientific name for a nose job. It refers to the surgical procedure to reshape the nose for practical or aesthetic reasons. You may also see rhinoplasty referred to as “nose surgery.”

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty can make breathing easier or improve the appearance of your nose. Some people have this procedure for both reasons.

Pronounced RIE-no-plas-tee, this procedure starts with a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. The consultation is a vital part of the procedure because you can discuss your expectations with the doctor. During this appointment, the physician can look at your nose and other facial features to determine how to best conduct the nose surgery to give you the best possible results.

Are You a Good Candidate to Have Nose Surgery?

Whether you are a good candidate for a nose job depends on multiple factors. For instance, many teenagers and those in their early 20s still have growing to do, impacting their nose’s appearance.

Because a plastic surgeon needs to evaluate your situation, appearance, goals, and physical condition first, you should schedule a consultation with a physician. The surgeon can tell you whether you are likely to get good results from rhinoplasty during this consultation.

What Types of Problems Can a Rhinoplasty Correct?

Some of the most common issues addressed with rhinoplasty include the shape of the nose. For instance, some people have a hump or lump on the bridge of their nose that they want to be smoothed out. Other people may have a bulge on the tip of their nose. However, some of our patients feel that their nose is out of proportion to their faces. Other concerns that rhinoplasty can address include uneven nostrils, a crooked nose from a former break, repairs to previous nose job mistakes, and breathing easier from a misshapen nose.

What Results Can You Expect from a Nose Job?

A nose job can dramatically change your appearance. Look over before and after photos of former patients to see the difference a rhinoplasty can make. However, you will not see major changes immediately. In fact, you must take care of yourself during the recovery process before you can see the final results.

Rhinoplasty Patient Results

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Rhinoplasty?

Recovery from rhinoplasty can require several months, up to a year. During this time, you will have some swelling. The worst of the swelling, though, will subside after two to three months. The remainder of the swelling will go away during the rest of the recovery time.

After the surgery, you will make regular visits to the surgeon throughout your recovery to ensure that your nose heals. The doctor will monitor your progress and look for any signs of possible complications.

How Long Do You Have to Wait to See the Finished Results?

While you may feel anxious to see results, remember that rhinoplasty will impact your appearance for the rest of your life. You must wait for all the swelling from the surgery to disappear before you can see how much better your nose looks. As noted, the swelling can take up to a year to subside, but as it goes down, you will slowly begin to see how much of a difference the surgery made in your appearance.

How Can You Prepare for a Nose Job?

To prepare for rhinoplasty, you must follow the surgeon’s recommendations about avoiding certain foods and medications in the days and weeks leading up to the procedure. Discuss all medications and herbal remedies that you take with the surgeon. You may need to stop some of these before the operation. For instance, you should not take aspirin or ibuprofen for two weeks before this or any other surgery to reduce the chances of excessive bleeding. Additionally, if you smoke, try to quit because smoking can reduce your healing rate. You should limit your intake of caffeinated drinks to reduce the chances of dehydration.

Also, let your surgeon know if you have any chronic health conditions. The surgeon may recommend blood tests or other screening procedures to ensure that you are ready to have a rhinoplasty.

Another way to prepare yourself for your rhinoplasty is by stocking up on supplies to keep you comfortable immediately after the procedure. These products may include ice to reduce swelling and to help treat dry mouth after the procedure.

How Can You Reduce Swelling After Nose Surgery?

This is a common question regarding rhinoplasty questions. Immediately after the surgery, you will have a splint on your nose. Keep this on as instructed to help keep the worst of the swelling at bay. Reducing sodium intake and using pain medication can also help to lower some swelling. Don’t put anything, including ice packs, directly on your nose after the procedure.

Typically, there is only some discomfort rather than pain following a nose job. But, if you feel the need to take pain medication, ask the surgeon for recommendations that will not interfere with the healing process.

Is Rhinoplasty Dangerous?

All surgical procedures come with inherent risks. However, if a plastic surgeon decides that you are a good candidate for a nose job, then they have decided that your benefits will be greater than the minor risks involved.

Complications that may happen with a nose job include bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, and numbness around the nose. These complications, however, are extremely rare and don’t happen to all patients.

When Can You Exercise After Rhinoplasty?

After a rhinoplasty, the surgeon will recommend that you take it easy for at least a week. After two to three weeks, you may return to gentle exercises, such as yoga, light jogging, or biking. However, if you play contact sports or do strenuous activities, you may need to wait six weeks or longer.

Connect with Us to Find Out More About Rhinoplasty or to Set Up a Consultation

While we hope to have answered all of your rhinoplasty questions, we also recognize that some people have more specific concerns about their cases. For example, you may want to know how to find the best “plastic surgeon near me” or what qualifications our surgeons have. Get the answer to these and other rhinoplasty questions that you may still have by contacting us online. However, if you want to find out whether you would be a good candidate for a nose job, feel free to set up an appointment for a consultation with us at Charlotte Plastic Surgery.