Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries across the country, and also one of the most complicated. It’s an involved procedure with an often-lengthy recovery; rhinoplasty is a permanent change not to be taken lightly! That’s why we’ve compiled this guide of the 3 things to know if you’re considering rhinoplasty.
One Size Does Not Fit All
There’s no such thing as a perfect nose! A specific style that looks great on someone else may look awkward or out of place with the rest of your features.
The state-of-the-art technology now available for rhinoplasty can sometimes dramatically reshape a nose, but the basic architecture will only change so much. And the truth is that your best nose is one that is in harmony with your other facial features. The best rhinoplasty results are those that maintain a natural appearance, not those that look exactly like an Instagram model.
Consultation is Essential
Selecting your facial plastic surgeon and consulting with them before your rhinoplasty is the most important step to making sure that your rhinoplasty meets your health and beauty goals. You should feel confident and fully prepared on the day of your surgery!
During the consultation, Dr. Burke Robinson will learn about your aesthetic goals and discuss any health or breathing improvements to be made to the nose during surgery. He will discuss any limitations to the surgery to help you maintain realistic expectations for your results and decide whether an open or closed rhinoplasty is best to achieve your goals.
Dr. Robinson is Double Board Certified in both Facial Plastics and Otolaryngology (the branch of medicine dealing with the ears, nose, and throat), and is well known in the Atlanta area for his success in precision rhinoplasty. He has experience in reducing and increasing the overall size of the nose, changing the shape of the tip or bridge, changing the size of the nostrils, and altering the angle between the nose and the upper lip. Schedule your consultation at Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery to meet with Dr. Robinson and learn if rhinoplasty is right for you!
Recovery takes Patience
Recovering from a rhinoplasty occurs in phases; patients should expect to take at least 10 days off from work and other social activities.
In the first 24 hours, you will most likely be unable to breathe through your nose. You will also experience discomfort (typically manageable with pain medication) and limited bleeding for these first few days. It’s crucial to avoid any trauma to your nose during the first week of recovery, which includes blowing your nose and wearing glasses or sunglasses.
Around day seven the cast or splint and any other surgical dressing is removed from the nose; your nose will still be swollen at this point but will reduce more rapidly over the next week. Finally, after a month, swelling should be down around 85%, and the new shape of your nose should be visible! Even good results may look disappointing at first, but stay patient, it can take up to a full year for a rhinoplasty to heal completely.
