What is a rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is an operation to improve both shape and function of your nose. The goal of the procedure is to make you happy with the way you can breathe through your nose and to make your nose look more pleasing and less conspicuous.
Should I, Should I not?
If you are unhappy about the shape or function of your nose, you may choose a surgeon from [link find a surgeon] for a consultation. The following points may help you to feel better prepared.
Is Rhinoplasty an operation to be afraid of?
No, life-threatening complications almost never occurr during a rhinoplasty. Surprisingly, in most patients a rhinoplasty causes very little pain after the operation. Of course you should be prepared for more or less swelling around the eyes for up to a week or so and breathing may not be optimal during this time. These inconveniences largely depend on the way your body reacts to the procedure and of course on the technique used by the surgeon and his or her skill. However, rhinoplasty is considered to be the most difficult of all plastic operations in the face and the risk of a result that is less than ideal is therefore higher than with other procedures.
How do I find the best surgeon?
An excellent result in a happy patient of course speaks for a good surgeon and you may rely on word of mouth advertisement. In addition, you should discuss your wishes in great detail and expicitely ask the surgeon about the chances of precisely obtaining the desired outcome. Don’t hesitate to ask how often the surgeon finds another operation necessary to obtain a satisfying result and what the conditions would be, should the need for a second procedure arise. Remember that you may not require the most experienced surgeon if a simple procedure will satisfy your needs. Also note that even the most outstanding expert may have to redo an operation now and then. You will have found the right surgeon, if all your questions have been answered in a pleasant atmosphere of mutual understanding, if the surgeon precisely knows what you expect and you are well informed about the chances of getting the result you want. [link find a surgeon] will help you to find a European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery member near you.
Can I see what I will look like after the operation?
Yes, computer imaging can give you an idea of what your nose will look like. Some doctors offer computer imaging and others don’t. Those who are in favour of imaging find that it helps to precisely plan the operation and it is greatly appreciated by the patients. Those who dislike imaging are worried about raising undue expectations. Remember that the result will almost always differ somewhat from the computer generated outcome, regardless of the surgeon’s expertise.
What about the downtime after surgery?
This depends largely on what needs to be done, the technique used and, of coures, on your personal healing. Please ask your surgeon what you should respect before the operation and what you will be allowed to do afterwards. You will be told if you will have a cast or splint on your nose and how long it should stay on. In most patients, the eyelids are somewhat swollen and may be bruised for a few days after a correction of the bony nose and stitches on base of the nose may have to be removed. Most patients are back to work within a week or so.
The European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery thanks you for your attention and invites you to detail any additional information you would have liked to find on this page
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