Does this outfit make my nose look big? How can an outfit make your nose look big you ask, well it can’t. But the cartilage underneath your skin can make your nose look big. Contouring the cartridge of the nose is called a Rhinoplasty, yes a “Rhino”plasty (like the animal) and this is one of the most popular procedures that Dr. Spiegel performs daily.
There are many concerns that patients have when coming to a plastic surgeon's office and the nose is one of the most important. (It sits in the middle of your face after all!) Depending upon your requests, nose shaping usually takes only 1-2 hours and can make a huge impact on how you look. Many patients come in and want a very specific “slope nose” like a movie star and some want a very “subtle change” similar to a family member. No matter what your request is Dr. Spiegel can customize your surgery based upon your requests.
Do you have trouble breathing or snoring? If you have difficulty breathing through your nose the first part of surgery is a Septoplasty. The septum as in “septo” plasty is a structure in the middle of the nose that separates the nose into two sides (left and right). If the septum is twisted or “deviated” it can reduce airflow through one or both sides of your nose. Working through your nostrils Dr. Spiegel can straighten the septum in a way that
should allow patients to breathe much more easily. This procedure is usually covered through insurance however a Setopplasty will not affect the look of your nose; this is a common misconception.
Now on to the fun stuff! After Dr. Spiegel ensures that your nose is perfectly straight and functional on the inside, he then starts to work on the outer portion of the nose. At this time he may even refer to photos that patients can bring with them into the operating room of outcomes they like. Some patients find these photos in magazines and some bring photos of their sister or brother of whom they look similar to.
There are two areas of the nose, the bridge and the tip. The bridge is the most common concern as that is the area that will look bumpy or twisted if there is ever an injury to the nose. Most of the time if patients want the bridge contoured, Dr. Spiegel can make a scarless incision on the inside the nose to access the bridge. During this procedure, Dr. Spiegel can gently contour the bridge to look symmetrical, straight and aesthetically pleasing. If your concern is the tip, Dr. Spiegel can also contour that area by making a fine incision at the tip of your nose (an area called the columella).
The biggest question on your mind as you read this is “How is the recovery?” My answer to you is; the recovery is not fun. Imagine having a bad sinus infection; the pressure, the annoying feeling of wanting to blow your nose, having to sneeze but not being able too…these are all very annoying sensations. This is similar to what patients experience as they heal. Pain usually isn’t a factor and is well managed by a pain medication that we will prescribe to you at your pre-op but that annoying “pressure feeling” may stick around for about a week. After your week recovery, you will have the cast that is holding your nose in place, removed and you can see your result!
Some common misconceptions about Rhinoplasty surgery is that after 1 week, you nose will be perfect. This is not true. Rhinoplasty surgery can take up to 1 year to fully heal. This isn’t to say that after 3 months you won’t love your result but it does take time. You have to be patient with any cosmetic surgery, there is no such thing as an instant result with anything, you have to keep a positive attitude and know that in time you will eventually achieve your version of perfection but not without time for your body to fully recover from your surgery. That’s why we call you “patients” because during your healing you have to be patient to see your beautiful outcome.
If you think that a Rhinoplasty is right for you, make sure your surgeon is board-certified and research, research, research! Of course, you can’t believe everything you read online so it’s good to ask your surgeon to speak with a past patient to get another perspective and you can even get helpful hints about the recovery. Most practice coordinators will be able to connect you with a patient who has permitted them to have future patients call them. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable with your surgeon so by getting another perspective you can make an educated decision as to what’s right for you.
