Do you have difficulty breathing through your nose? Does it feel like your face isn’t in harmony due to how your nose looks? These are some of the reasons that someone may undergo a rhinoplasty.

At Maryland ENT, we offer high-quality treatments for children and adults in otolaryngology. Whether you want to improve the appearance of your nose or are struggling with hearing problems, our experienced team can help.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that changes the appearance of your nose. As not every cosmetic surgeon is the same, you may undergo a secondary or revision rhinoplasty if you’re unhappy with a previous rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty works by changing the bone and cartilage that make up the nose’s framework. Although rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure, it’s still meant to be permanent.

Why Would Someone Consider Getting Rhinoplasty?

There are several reasons why someone would consider rhinoplasty beyond wanting a more aesthetically pleasing nose. You may think about having rhinoplasty if:

  • You’re looking to enhance your facial harmony
  • The proportions of your nose don’t match the rest of your face
  • You have an asymmetrical nose
  • The profile of your nose has visible humps or depressions at the bridge
  • The nasal tip is enlarged or drooping, turns up, hooked, or bulbous
  • Your nostrils are wide, turn up, or look too large
  • The width of your nose at the bridge or the size and position of your nostrils bothers you
  • You have a deviated septum and have difficulty breathing
  • You have swollen and enlarged turbinates
  • The middle vaults (side walls) of your nose have narrowed or collapsed

The first step toward undergoing rhinoplasty is to schedule an appointment for a consultation at Maryland ENT with Dr. Abraham Gol. 

How Do I Know if I’m a Good Candidate for Getting Rhinoplasty?

Not everyone is a good candidate for rhinoplasty. As with any surgical procedure, it’s critical that you undergo the procedure for yourself.

Changing the way your nose looks should not be about fulfilling someone else’s desires or looking like an ideal version of yourself. You may qualify as a good candidate for rhinoplasty if:

  • Your face has finished growing
  • You are in good health
  • You don’t smoke
  • You have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve

If you have any questions or concerns about rhinoplasty, ask them during your consultation. It’s a good idea to feel confident, informed, and in control going into your procedure.

Maryland ENT’s board-certified otolaryngologist Dr. Gol will answer your questions, ensuring you know how rhinoplasty works, what to expect during the procedure, and other pertinent information.

What Your Consultation for Rhinoplasty is Like

During your rhinoplasty consultation, we’ll go over your goals of having the procedure. These will include your appearance, breathing, and how rhinoplasty will improve them.

We’ll also discuss your complete medical history, any drug allergies you may have, and previous medical treatments and surgical procedures you’ve undergone. Be as forthcoming as possible, as our Maryland ENT staff needs a complete picture of your health before you can have a rhinoplasty.

If you have difficulty remembering what you take, bring a list of your current prescribed medications. Besides medications, we’ll ask about vitamins, any supplements you take, and your current drug and tobacco use.

Another component of the consultation will involve examining and measuring your face. You may have photos taken of your face and nose.

You’ll also discuss what your nose will likely look like after rhinoplasty based on the available options for reshaping. These options are entirely dependent on each patient and the anatomy of the nose.

Your surgeon will make recommendations and explain what to expect with rhinoplasty. As rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure, there are complications and risks associated with it, which Dr. Gol will go over with you during the consultation.

Although the chances of these occurring are very low, it’s vital to be as informed as possible before undergoing any procedure.

What to Expect When Having Rhinoplasty

When having rhinoplasty at Maryland ENT, our team will do everything to make sure you’re comfortable. Before the procedure begins, you’ll receive anesthesia, which is an IV or general anesthesia.

After receiving anesthesia, your surgeon will begin your rhinoplasty procedure. There are two kinds: a closed procedure or an open procedure.

With a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are hidden inside the nose. With an open rhinoplasty, your surgeon creates an incision across the columella.

The columella is the narrow strip of tissue that separates your nostrils. With the incisions, your surgeon will raise the cartilage and nasal bones to gain access and reshape the structure of your nose.

With a more prominent nose, your surgeon can reshape it by removing bone or cartilage or adding cartilage grafts. These often come from the septum of the nose.

If you’re correcting a deviated septum during rhinoplasty, your surgeon will straighten it. They will also reduce projections in your nose to help you breathe better.

Once the nose’s structure has been sculpted and reshaped to achieve the desired results, your surgeon will move any nasal skin and tissue back into place. After this, they will close the incisions.

You may need additional incisions placed in the natural creases of the nostrils if their size is being altered.

Once the rhinoplasty procedure is over, you’ll have a splint and packing placed inside your nose. You may also have a splint or bandages placed on the outside of your nose to help support and protect new structures created during the procedure.

After rhinoplasty, you’ll go to a recovery room where your surgeon will discuss how to take care of your nose as you heal before a friend or family member drives you home.

Recovering After Having Rhinoplasty

The recovery process after having rhinoplasty is a crucial component of having a successful procedure. Your nose may feel sore or swollen, and you may be more tired than usual due to anesthesia.

Initial discomfort from the procedure may last five to seven days, but you should continue improving each day. If you’re in a lot of pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medication.

The best thing to do in the days following your rhinoplasty is rest and relax. The initial swelling will decrease after a few weeks, though you may notice it takes up to a year after rhinoplasty for your new nasal shape to finish refining. Swelling will slowly dissipate in the first four to six months of recovery.

It’s normal if the appearance of your nose gradually changes as it evolves to its final outcome. You may continue to notice swelling that comes and goes in the first year of recovery after rhinoplasty, especially in the morning.

You’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments at Maryland ENT to have stitches and splints removed and ensure you’re healing as you should in the first year following rhinoplasty. After you’ve finished recovering from rhinoplasty, your results will be permanent, leaving you with the nose you’ve always wanted.

Learn more about rhinoplasty and if it could be right for you by scheduling an appointment at Maryland ENT in Baltimore, MD, now!