Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, can change:
Plastic Surgery Associates also performs the procedure to correct birth defects or injuries, or help relieve breathing problems.
Nearly anyone in good physical and mental health is a candidate for nose surgery, though our surgeons prefer not to operate on teenagers until they are done growing.
There are two methods for performing the surgery:
The surgeon separates the skin of your nose from its bone and cartilage, then sculpts the cartilage into its new shape and redrapes the skin. The surgery usually takes one to two hours and is done on an outpatient basis. If your procedure is more complicated and requires an inpatient stay, the operation will be held at one of the local hospitals where our surgeons have privileges.
Be prepared to stay in bed with your head elevated the first day, and expect your face to feel puffy. Other possible side effects can include soreness in the nose and a dull headache. These can be relieved with pain medication.
You should be ready for minimal activity in a couple days and able to return to school or work after a week, as long as your work is not strenuous. The swelling and bruising around your eyes will peak after two or three days but should disappear within a couple weeks. We will remove all stitches, dressings and splints after one or two weeks.