Maybe you've been dreaming of having this surgery your whole life. Or, maybe you just recently injured your nose and need to have it repaired.
Whatever the reason, you've decided you want to make an investment in your own happiness! You love your face with all its flaws, but you've decided that you deserve to treat yourself.
Well, you're not alone. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 217,979 nose reshaping procedures were performed in 2014. That makes rhinoplasty the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US.
So, you're ready to have your surgery, you're in good company and, most of all, you're excited. But maybe you're starting to wonder what exactly your rhinoplasty will be like.
Although everyone's experience with rhinoplasty is slightly different, here's a guide to some of the things you can definitely expect from the beginning to the end of your experience at Handal Plastic Surgery.
The Initial Consultation
First off, you will meet with the doctor to discuss procedures and your individual goals.
You can think of this meeting as a first date. It's a chance for both you and Dr. Handal to get to know each other and determine if you will make an effective team. For a successful rhinoplasty, you will both need to be a good fit.
Health Evaluation
During this first meeting, Dr. Handal will take your medical history to determine whether you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty. This is done to evaluate factors that might slow down your recovery or increase your risk of complications. You'll be asked specific questions about health considerations like smoking and medications.
After determining that you're a good candidate for rhinoplasty, the next thing the doctor will do is examine your nose.
Dr. Handal will be looking at everything from its shape to the skin, to the septum of your nose. He may also measure and take pictures of your nose and face.
Your Goals
Sometime during your initial consultation, Dr. Handal will want to find out what outcome you expect from your rhinoplasty.
Do you want a total transformation, or do you want the results to be more subtle? Do you want your nose to look like Jessica Alba's?
It's important that you are clear about what you hope your surgery will achieve. This way, you and your doctor will be on the same page.
Ultimately, the fabulous part about having a rhinoplasty is that it will enhance the natural beauty and symmetry of your face.
Surgery Options
There are several different types of rhinoplasty. Hooked noses, for instance, require an entirely different procedure from deviated septums, or crooked noses.
Dr. Handal will discuss surgery options and recommend a course of treatment for you. He may also provide you with 3-D models so that you can see what you will look like post-recovery.
Ultimately, you will decide together what course to take.
Logistics
You'll discuss finances and be given instructions on how to prepare for the surgery. After that, you and Dr. Handal will check your calendars and choose a date for your surgery!
Preparation
In the weeks leading up to your surgery, you will need to take several steps to prepare.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from our outpatient surgery center. It can also be helpful to have someone stay overnight to help you with everyday tasks.
Procedure
Today's the day! You're sitting in the leather operating chair, feeling excited but just a little bit nervous.
Don't worry. To some extent, every patient feels this way before surgery. The important thing to remember is that rhinoplasty is a safe procedure with few long-term complications, as long as it's performed by a qualified surgeon.
First off, you'll be put under either local or general anesthetic. If you're under local anesthetic, you'll be groggy (but not fully asleep). With general anesthetic, you'll receive painkillers and sedatives through an IV.
Either way, you really won't feel a thing.
The actual procedure will vary quite a bit, depending on what treatment plan you and your doctor chose. Generally, rhinoplasty procedures can be divided into two types: "open" or "closed" technique.
The open technique involves an incision to the columella, a tissue on the outside of the nose. Although this procedure can result in more scarring, it is sometimes a better option for more extensive surgeries.
The closed technique is Dr. Handal's specialty. The closed technique involves incisions exclusively inside your nose via your nostrils. This method is more preferred because it completely avoids external scarring.
You can expect your surgery to be over in just a few hours. Generally, it won't take more than two!
Recovery
When you wake up, you'll have a nose splint and gauze packing below your nostrils. Your face will be puffy, but you'll probably only feel a dull ache.
At home, you'll be taking prescription pain meds for the first stretch. Just a day or two later, you can probably switch to an over-the-counter painkiller.
Five to seven days after your surgery, you may have to return to Dr. Handal to have your stitches/splint removed. More likely, the doctor will have used a thread that will dissolve on its own.
After a while, you'll probably notice some bruising and swelling in the eye area. This will go down soon with the help of rest and cold compresses.
It'll be tempting to throw on a pair of designer sunglasses and start showing off your beautiful new nose. But until you're completely healed, you should avoid wearing glasses or doing anything that might put pressure on your nose.
With proper care, the swelling should be almost completely down by the end of two to three weeks.
Typically, you'll be able to return to work within two weeks of your surgery.
Results
You have the nose you've always wanted! The process was surprisingly quick and painless, and you're thrilled with the results. Now your only question is, why did I wait so long to have this done?!
It's a question a ton of people have asked after having their nose job. In fact, studies have found that rhinoplasty patients have a satisfaction rate of over 80%.
Chances are, you're going to absolutely love your new look. Past patients have raved over Dr. Handal's work, and you will too! Schedule your initial consultation! Contact us!
