Refine your nose to enhance your facial contours
Refine your nose shape to achieve more aesthetically beautiful facial contours. Careful consideration of your age, anatomy, cultural background, and goals is combined with advanced surgical techniques to improve the appearance of your nose. A natural-looking rhinoplasty can enhance the overall aesthetic of your entire face.
Any healthy adult with a desire to improve the appearance of their nose may be a candidate for rhinoplasty. Candidates may also be seeking improvement in nasal function, such as opening the nasal airway on one or both sides of the nose. Most importantly, candidates should desire improvements to the appearance of the nose that will look natural and aesthetically harmonious with their other facial features.
Rhinoplasty is a highly specialized procedure and can address all parts of the nose. Depending on the correction desired, the incisions may be hidden inside the nostrils or at the base of the nose (along the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils). Surgical correction of the nose tip, bridge, nostril shape, nostril size, and even the septum inside the nose can all be performed to refine the appearance and function of the nose.
You should be in good health prior to undergoing this surgery. We may request that you visit an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor to evaluate any nasal breathing or airway concerns. If you are receiving treatment for any chronic health conditions, you will need to request clearance from your primary care physician. You may also need to get an EKG and basic blood work to evaluate your health in anticipation of a successful procedure and healthy recovery. You will also need to plan for adequate time off work and arrange for assistance during your recovery.
Most patients can expect approximately 2 weeks of downtime after rhinoplasty. Often, packing and bandages will be applied to protect and support the nose during the first week of recovery. Through the second week of recovery, patients can expect bruising and difficulty breathing through the nose. Sleeping at an incline and using ice packs as directed will help to minimize swelling and bruising. Sunglasses can be worn throughout recovery to disguise bruising. Swelling will subside significantly within 3 to 4 weeks, but some minor swelling may persist for several months.
The incisions for rhinoplasty may be hidden inside the nostrils or placed at the base of the nose along the narrow strip of tissue between the nostrils. The incision location will depend on the correction needed. When an external incision is used, the resulting scar is quite small and hidden in a natural crease. External rhinoplasty scars should fade significantly over time.
Rhinoplasty results can look incredibly natural when performed by an experienced surgeon. I will work with your natural anatomy to gently and subtly refine your nose so that it looks aesthetically beautiful and balanced with your other facial features. I will carefully consider your age, cultural background, anatomy, and goals in determining how to yield optimal, natural-looking results.
Correction of the nasal airway passages is possible with rhinoplasty surgery. If a deviated septum or tissue asymmetry is interfering with your ability to breathe naturally, rhinoplasty can open your nasal airways and help you breathe more easily through your nose.
Rhinoplasty results will initially be hidden by swelling in the soft tissues. A marked difference in the appearance of the nose can usually be observed after three or four weeks. Because tissue swelling can take up to one year to completely resolve, the final contour of the nose may not be visible for several months to one year.
Stephenie Poris, MD sees patients at both the Orlando and Winter Park offices.
