Breathing Disturbances

Head and neck surgery can have serious consequences. For example, Joan Rivers “stopped breathing during a surgery on her throat” (Zupkus, 2014, pgh. 1). Getting surgery on one’s nose can cause a major complication with regard to breathing.

Infections

Infections like MERS are common in hospitals. It might be good to take extra precautions against spreading germs if getting the procedure done in a hospital. The doctors should make sure the operating room area is a sterile environment, which goes without saying.

Postoperative Deformities

It is possible that during this type of surgery, the flesh of the nose itself does not heal properly. This can cause postoperative deformities. Hopefully they are not serious. One can never be too careful.

Be aware that the risks of complication in getting nose surgery include having breathing disturbances, infections, and possibly even postoperative deformities.

References

Rettinger, G. (2007). Risks and complications in rhinoplasty. GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 6, Doc08.

Zupkus, L. (2014). Joan Rivers hospitalized following throat surgery, reportedly in stable condition. Retrieved 22 July 2015 at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/28/joan-rivers-hospitalized_n_5730092.html.

Rhinoplasty surgeons are different. Ensure that your plastic surgeon is ideal for your nose. They should have more than five years’ experience in the nose job field. An ideal surgeon is one that can perform advanced techniques such as open rhinoplasty. You could perform an extensive background research on your surgeon’s credentials. Ideally, your surgeon has to be certified either by the board of plastic surgery or otolaryngology.

While viewing the simulated results of your nose job, the surgeon has to show you before and after results of previously done rhinoplasty surgeries. By viewing this result, you can tell whether the surgeon is experienced or not. A bad nose job could not only make you look bad but could also affect your health since the surgery involves contact of the blood vessels. A wrong nose operation could even cause death. Ensure that your plastic surgeon is experienced before performing rhinoplasties.

Why is symmetry and proportionality important?

From the beginning of human history people always deemed certain individuals more beautiful than others. In recent years more and more research has centered on the idea of beauty and why some people are perceived to be more beautiful than others. Scientists discovered that in the vast majority of communities, symmetry, balanced facial features and a proportionate face play an immensely important part in what is viewed as beautiful. When considering any cosmetic procedure, and in particular cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery, patients often hope to achieve a more symmetrical nose, a prominent feature that work best with the proportions of their face.

Aesthetic factors in cosmetic rhinoplasty

The nose is one of the most prominent and defining characteristics of the human face. It is difficult not to notice a person’s nose as it is so centrally located on the face and because almost all communication happens with our mouths and eyes so attention is always focused on our facial features.

In some cases a disproportionate nose can upset the entire symmetry of the face ruining the overall harmony of our looks. One of the great advantages of Beverly Hills rhinoplasty is that it is able to restore this symmetry and often very minor tweaks can result in a profound improvement to the patient’s looks. In most cases it is possible to change the size of the nose, adjust the location and size of the tip and change the height and width of the nasal bridge. Other patients have noses that lean off center adding to unwanted asymmetry of the face while some patients suffer from humps on their noses. All of these problems can be addressed by a plastic surgeon carrying out rhinoplasty surgery.

The importance of pre-surgery consultation

While some patients have a very clear idea of what they would like to achieve by undergoing cosmetic surgery, it is important to remember that your plastic surgeon has performed numerous procedures and can advise as to the best course of action. Balance and proportionality is the foremost goal in any cosmetic surgery procedure and your surgeon can help to achieve the most harmonious results.

Beverly Hills Plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent will provide you with a full consultation prior to undergoing your plastic surgery. As a fully board certified plastic surgeon he is able to provide plastic surgery patients with the best possible options prior to undergoing any procedures.

The terms “open rhinoplasty” and “closed rhinoplasty” may at first appear to be confusing patients but in fact they only refer to two different surgical approaches to reshaping the tip of the nose. When performing open rhinoplasty the plastic surgeon makes an incision along the soft tissue separating the two nostrils (the columella) allowing the surgeon to access the inner bone structure and cartilage of the nose. A closed rhinoplasty does not involve an incision along the columella, all incision are internal.

Advantages to Open Rhinoplasty

The most important advantage of open rhinoplasty is better visibility for the plastic surgeon. Once the trans-columellar incision is performed the nasal skin can be lifted up over the nose exposing the underlying structure of the nasal tip. The plastic surgeon can easily see where adjustments to the bone and cartridge have to be made. In addition, when performing an open rhinoplasty the nasal cartridge distortion is minimized which results in more precision and control from the surgeon.

Some plastic surgeons opt for closed rhinoplasty especially with patients whose nasal anatomy is more straight-forward and who do not require a drastic plastic surgical approach. However, it is important to remember that patients suffering from more complex problems such as twisted noses, cleft-lip deformity or problems following a previous rhinoplasty have a much better chance at success when opting for open rhinoplasty. The greater versatility, control and visibility allowed to the plastic surgeon during the procedure offsets the disadvantage of a possible minor scar after surgery.

Common Misconceptions about Open Rhinoplasty

One of the most common concerns with patients considering undergoing open rhinoplasty is whether they will be left with unseemly scars. However, it is important to know that the columellar incision is performed in a stair step shape which means that it is almost imperceptible after it heals. In addition, the incision is placed on the inside and narrowest portion of the colunella skin so that from the front and side views it is very unlikely that the scar will be visible.

Another concern is that open rhinoplasty is more invasive and can damage the cartilage. This is a complete misconception – when lifting the nasal skin over the tip the cartilage remains undisturbed allowing the plastic surgeon to make any necessary changes more precisely and with less trauma to the underlying structure.

The most important advantage of an open rhinoplasty is the greatly improved precision afforded to the plastic surgeon, making the final result better, while simultaneously reducing the long-term risks typically associated with a rhinoplasty.

To find out which form of nose plastic surgery is most suitable for you book a consultation with American Board of Plastic Surgery certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent.

Ethnic rhinoplasty is a plastic surgical procedure performed on African-American, Asian, Hispanic and Middle-Eastern patients. The goal of this plastic surgical procedure is to improve the appearance of the patient’s nose without losing the ethnic characteristics of the face.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeons performing ethnic rhinoplasty take into consideration the specific structural traits of ethnic nasal anatomy and offer plastic surgical solutions to aesthetic problems that can be very different to those of the Caucasian patient. In most cases the aim of this rhinoplasty surgery is to create a more harmonious and balanced look that work well with the patient’s facial features.

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent, offers consultation on all aspects of ethnic rhinoplasty and other nose related plastic surgery procedures.

Types of ethnic rhinoplasty

A fifth of all rhinoplasty procedures in the US are performed on ethnic minority patients. The uniting factor in these ethnic rhinoplasty surgeries is that the anatomy of the nose is different to that of the Caucasian ethnicity and these characteristics have to be taken into consideration when planning and performing the plastic surgery procedure.

Asians often have a fairly wide nasal base with wider nostrils and a rounded tip. The bridge of the nose tends to be lower and flatter. In most cases Asian patients are looking for an enlargement of their noses which can be achieved using the patient’s own cartilage. African American patients, similarly to Asians, are more likely to have a low nasal bridge, thick skin around the nose and wide nasal base and nostrils. In most cases African American rhinoplasty patients are hoping to raise the nasal bridge, narrow the base and sculpt the tip for a more chiseled nose.

Plastic surgery patients from a Hispanic background generally have noses that are short and broad with a wide nasal bridge and humps. Hispanic patients can benefit from removing any bumps and narrowing the nasal bridge. Middle-Eastern patients’ noses are characterized by a drooping nasal tip and dorsal humps. Removal of the humps and the sculpting and narrowing of the nasal tip is often the course suggested to Middle-Eastern patients.

With years of experience behind him, board certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent is happy to consult on all forms of rhinoplasty and other plastic surgery procedures.

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgical procedure that allows a plastic surgeon to reshape and correct the functionality and appearance of the patient’s nose. Nose plastic surgeries can reduce the size of the nose, change its angle or shape, smooth out bumps and alter the tip of the nose and a number of other corrections. It’s all about getting the proportions right.

Who Needs Rhinoplasty?

In some cases nose plastic surgery is necessary to improve the patient’s breathing by correcting or eliminating structural problems. Nose surgery is also recommended after injuries or traumas that leave the nose broken or in need of reconstruction. The surgery often involves removal of bone or cartridge but sometimes tissue is added to the nose (this can be from another part of the body or a synthetic material).

Rhinoplasty is one of the most widely performed plastic surgeries in the world with more than half a million nose plastic surgeries performed every year. As the nose is one of the most prominent and central features of the human face altering its appearance can result in truly dramatic transformations and can achieve an overall more balanced, symmetrical look.

Nose Surgery – Step by Step

As with all surgical procedures all nose surgeries are preceded by an in-depth medical consultation where the patient has a chance to talk to the plastic surgeon about his or her wishes and possible problems concerning the appearance or functionality of the nose. It is good to keep in mind that while an idea of the “perfect nose” can be a good starting point, it is the plastic surgeon’s job to present the patient with what is a realistic outcome for the planned procedure.

As a double certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Warren Lent can provide patients will all the information they need before undergoing nose plastic surgery.

It is possible to perform rhinoplasty under both general and local anesthesia but patients should keep in mind that if they opt for the lower risk local anesthetic they will hear all the noises produced by the plastic surgery.

At the start of the surgery small incisions are placed inside the nose and when necessary on the outside as well. These incisions are very well camouflaged. The plastic surgeon then proceeds to remove excess bone or cartilage or where needed add extra tissue. The size and shape of the nose is altered and various parts of the nose can be remolded (such as the tip or the bridge of the nose). It is also possible to change the angles of the nose in relation to the forehead or the lips by altering the underlying support structure. The goal is always to make the various parts blend in a way that is harmonious and well proportioned.
Work inside the nose can be done, at the same time, to improve breathing through the nose. Attention is placed on straightening the wall that divides the nose, called the septum. Additionally, other enlarged structures such as the turbinates, the natural tissue inside the nose that warms and moistens air, can be reduced when they cause blockage.
After all the internal changes have been made the skin is re-draped over the newly formed nose and the incisions are closed. Usually a small splint is placed on the nose to help maintain its shape and to help reduce any future swelling.

The length of rhinoplasty plastic surgery procedures varies greatly depending on how complicated and extensive the surgery is. Some procedures can take as little at 45 minutes while others require several hours in the operating theatre. Following the surgery most patients are able to go home on the same day but in some cases they are advised to stay one night in the clinic. The recovery period for rhinoplasty patients is relatively long. Immediately after the procedure the patient will experience some pain and discomfort but this subsides significantly after one week when the cast is removed. After a further couple of weeks the swelling goes down considerably and after two to three months only the patient will be able to detect any swelling. The final result of the rhinoplasty can take up to a year to take shape.

Possible Risks and Complications

The possible risks and complications, as with any plastic surgery procedure, will very much depend on the extent and type of the “nose job” performed. In a reduction rhinoplasty, where bone or cartridge is filed away, some patients may experience reduction or loss in sense of smell. Scarring within the nose can also effect sense of smell and give a feeling of a blocked nose. Infections can also occur and patients should be aware of any separate risks surrounding anesthesia. Finally, but very importantly, some patients can feel that the final result of the plastic surgery does not match their expectations. This predominantly occurs shortly after surgery when the final shape of the nose is not yet apparent and the swelling surrounding the area distorts the angles of the nose.

For further information about nose plastic surgery arrange an appointment with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent.