San Diego Rhinoplasty

'Rhinoplasty' is a technical name for nose surgery. It is performed to give a shape to the nose, which may include reducing or increasing the size of the nose or change the shape of the tip, narrow the span of the nostrils, a birth defect or injury, change the angle between the nose and upper lip or help relieve some breathing problems.

The procedure starts by sedating his/ her nose and the surrounding area is numbed. The skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting is based on the type of problem. If the treatment is performed within the nose, the incision is made inside the nostrils. Or if it is a 'open procedure', a small incision is made across columella, the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils.

A splint will be applied to help the nose to maintain the new shape when the surgery is complete. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also may be placed in the nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.

When proper medication is given, the puffyness feeling, nose ache and dull headache experienced after the surgery is overcome.

At first after two to three days, there may be increase in swelling and bruising around eyes. To reduce these effects, cold compression application may be used. But these effects will gradually come down within two weeks. Still healing is a slow and gradual process.

When Rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. A minor complication that can be associated where the small blood vessels burst and as a result tiny red spots appear on the skin' surface. Though this is considered as minor, this may become permanent. There is always a possibility of infection, nosebleed or anesthetic reactions.