BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON IN RENO

Sometimes the nose is too small and needs to be built up using your own cartilage or in some cases a nasal implant. As with so much of plastic surgery, your starting anatomy defines your range of opportunity. For example, a really large nose has too much skin to be made into a tiny nose without risking deformity. We spend a great deal of time teaching and establishing realistic expectations to be sure our patients will be happy with their rhinoplasty. Dr. Dahan’s goal with every rhinoplasty is to achieve a natural, attractive result where most people will assume the patient was born with a beautiful nose.*

After surgery, particularly during the first 24 hours, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel better. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within one to two weeks. A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks.

Plan on having your head elevated for the first few days. You will be asked not to blow your nose for a week and avoid wearing eyeglasses for a couple of weeks. If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after 1-3 days and you’ll feel much more comfortable. By the end of 7-10 days, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed.

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within 1 to 2 days, and able to return to school or sedentary work within 7 to 10 days following surgery. It will be a couple of weeks, however, before you feel completely normal. You will have to avoid contact sports for at least 6 weeks and should protect your nose from the sun.

Rhinoplasty is considered a relatively safe procedure. The possible risks associated with rhinoplasty are usually very rare.* These risks, when they do occur are usually minor. These may include:

• Infection.
• Nosebleed.
• Reaction to anesthesia.
• Numbness around the nose.

The rhinoplasty procedure begins with the plastic surgeon applying an anesthetic to ensure you experience no discomfort. It can either be general anesthesia or an intravenous sedative. The plastic surgeon will recommend the best course of action, depending on your medical history.

Once an anesthetic has been chosen, the next choice is whether you’ll receive an incision that is hidden within the nose or have an open incision. An open incision is made across the columella, the tissue that links the nasal tips to the base of the nose. Regardless of the incision, the skin between the bones and cartilage is raised as a way to reshape the structure of the nose.

In most cases, the procedure itself isn’t painful due to the anesthetic. After the surgery, however, it’s normal to experience mild pain, tenderness and discomfort. If you experience any excruciating pain or symptoms, contact the doctor immediately.

After the surgery is performed, it can take up to 10 days before you can return to your daily activities. However, it is possible for the recovery period to last as long as three months. There are also a few ways you can help speed up recovery by using cold compresses, eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and avoiding any strenuous activities.

Although a rhinoplasty is meant to improve the appearance of your nose, it also has another benefit: improving the way you breathe. In fact, this is a very common reason why people get a rhinoplasty done. Because the nose is being restructured, the nasal passages are relieved of any blockage, making breathing easier. Rhinoplasties are a common treatment for severe deviated septums.

The appearance of your nose after a rhinoplasty will depend on the surgeon who performed it. A board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon can produce results that aren’t noticeable. A less-experienced plastic surgeon, however, can cause the nose to look unnatural, such as appearing upturned.