In many cases the rhinoplasty procedure can be performed with no external incisions. If the nose requires advanced tip sculpting, or reconstruction of the middle third of the nose, you may be a candidate for "Open Rhinoplasty." The open approach involves making a short incision along the bottom part of the nose which allows direct visualization of the nasal components. This open rhinoplasty incision generally heals with an imperceptible scar which is of no concern to the patient. An experienced facial plastic surgeon is equally comfortable with an "open" or "endo-nasal" approach, and your plastic surgeon will choose whichever approach best suits your nose.

The rhinoplasty procedure may take from one to three hours, and is usually performed on an outpatient basis at a fully staffed, AAAASF certified surgical facility. Most rhinoplasty patients will go home the afternoon of their surgery, however some who travel a distance prefer to stay overnight in a nearby hotel. Anesthesia for facial plastic surgery is usually a general anesthesia or IV sedation, depending on patient preference and length of the procedure.

Upon awakening from surgery, your nose will be covered with a firm external splint, which functions to hold the nasal bones in place and to protect the nose. The splint will remain in place for one week. While pain is normally quite minimal, all patients receive pain medication, as well as a brief course of antibiotics and medication to reduce swelling. Breathing is generally stuffy the first night, but the next day you will return to your plastic surgeon's office for a brief post-op visit and a small bit of gauze is removed from the nostrils. You should then be able to breathe comfortably.

Many patients are able to return to work or school after two to three days, however most prefer to take a week of vacation around the time of surgery. While you should expect some post-surgery swelling and occasional bruising after rhinoplasty, your nose will be very presentable at one week. Post-operative swelling or edema will largely resolve over the first month, however you may notice subtle changes for up to 3 months and occasionally up to one year after surgery.

Plastic surgeons often encounter patients for whom the primary concern is breathing well through their nose, rather than the way they look. In these cases, the rhinoplasty procedure may be more "reconstructive" than cosmetic; however, the two can also go hand in hand.

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in La Jolla, California and plastic surgery procedures like rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, liposuction, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, and breast augmentation.

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