Rhinoplasty / Nose Surgery
After the eyes, the nose is perhaps the most prominent feature of the face because of its central position. Its location quickly makes concerns an individual may have with his or her nose a major concern, and also because of its location, the nose can affect how the rest of our face is seen, changing the natural harmony and balance of our combined facial features. Dissatisfaction with the way our nose looks can also quickly lead to self-consciousness and a lack of confidence and even begin to affect our relationships.
The nose, however, is a challenging area of the face to treat aesthetically. Even small augmentations can have a disproportionately large impact on a patient’s final results. It becomes crucial then to select a surgeon with extensive training and experience in rhinoplasty — augmentation of the nose — once you have decided to have a cosmetic procedure. Patients will obtain the satisfying results they deserve when they choose a surgeon who listens to and seeks to understand their concerns and goals and agrees with the type of augmentation that would best suit their face and express their personality.
Dr. Odinet’s focus on the best interests of his patients, both from a surgical and aesthetic standpoint, make him an ideal surgeon to consult if you are currently contemplating a rhinoplasty procedure. The surgeon stresses the importance of having realistic expectations of the results of surgery and ensuring that the most conservative yet flattering course of treatment is selected. Education is another main objective of the consultation process so that each patient can select their course of treatment with the utmost confidence.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty or nose surgery is a procedure which can reshape and permanently enhance the appearance of the nose. Dr. Odinet can customize every aspect of the surgery so that it corrects his patient’s pre-operative concerns and yields optimal post-procedure results. Dr. Odinet’s goal is to make conservative changes to the nose that can profoundly change not only the appearance of the nose but also the natural balance and harmony of the entire face, allowing each patient’s facial features to represent them in the most flattering way. The surgery can also improve functional problems with the nose, such as difficulty breathing, which may be caused by a deviated septum or other anatomical concern. In most cases, both aesthetic and functional issues can be resolved in a single procedure.
The Benefits of Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a versatile procedure which can be tailored to the individual needs of each patient. The surgery also has numerous benefits which are permanent and can be life-changing. They include:
- Enhancements to the shape, position or size of the nose
- Improvements to nose symmetry or other anomalies which can alleviate self-consciousness
- A closed rhinoplasty can reduce visible external scarring
- A relatively comfortable recovery
- Long-lasting results
Who is a candidate for rhinoplasty?
A rhinoplasty can improve several cosmetic and functional issues with the nose, including:
- Enhancing the shape, projection and rotation of the nose tip
- Augmenting the size of the nose to achieve better overall facial proportions
- Enhancing the overall nose symmetry and balance
- Improving or eliminating bumps or humps along the nose bridge
- Adjusting the width of the nose at its base to create better visual balance
- Adjusting the size or shape of the nostrils to improve symmetry
- Improving the nose profile to create more attractive facial contours
- Straightening or correcting the septum to open the nasal passageway and improve breathing
Besides having one or more of these symptoms, prospective candidates should be in overall sound health and should quit smoking for six weeks before and after surgery if they are smokers. Smoking can lead to unwanted complications during surgery and prevent incisions from healing properly during recovery. In addition, all candidates should have realistic expectations about the results of their surgery; Dr. Odinet will fully explain the procedure and its potential results to his patients during their initial consultation. In the hands of a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Odinet, rhinoplasty consistently improves patient concerns and provides outstanding and long-lasting results.
What Will Happen During Your Rhinoplasty Procedure
Dr. Odinet typically performs rhinoplasty, using general anesthesia at his AAAASF surgical center or in Park Place Surgical Hospital, in cases where an overnight stay may be advisable. Surgery can take between 90 minutes and three hours to complete, depending on the specific needs of the patient. The patient’s comfort and safety are a priority and define the location in which the surgery will occur.
In the case of open rhinoplasty, Dr. Odinet begins by making an initial incision to access the internal structures of the nose which need to be augmented. Depending on the patient’s needs, cartilage may be grafted from other areas of the nose or body (for example, from the ear) to shape the nose as desired or augment the structure of the nose. Existing cartilage or bone may also be filed or trimmed away to remove volume causing undesired bumps or humps.
After all necessary augmentations have been completed, Dr. Odinet will usually place packing materials or splints inside the nose to protect the area and maintain the nose’s new shape during the early days of the healing process. Patients may need to keep this packing in the nose for the first few days of recovery. They also should avoid blowing their nose for the first week or two after surgery to prevent damage to the surgical site.
Dr. Odinet will schedule several follow-up appointments at different stages of recovery to ensure that the healing process is progressing in a healthy manner. Most patients can return to their normal daily routines within a week or two weeks of their surgery, but they will need to avoid more strenuous exercise for up to four weeks to prevent injury to the healing surgical area.
Recovering from Your Rhinoplasty Procedure
Patients will remain in the recovery room for a brief observation period before Dr. Odinet discharges them. After the procedure, individuals should plan on having a friend or loved one drive them home; patients will not be able to drive themselves after surgery due to the anesthesia and pain medications. Dr. Odinet will recommend that each patient take at least a week off from work or other day-to-day responsibilities to focus on their recovery.
Swelling and bruising are natural results of surgery, and for this reason, many patients prefer to remain at home during the first few days of recovery rather than go out in public; patients will also still be wearing bandages during this time. Low-intensity physical activities are permitted during early recovery, but vigorous activity or contact sports should be avoided for several weeks more. After 12 weeks, patients will have recovered enough to take post-operative photos and begin enjoying their new look; however; a full recovery typically takes one year.
Your Rhinoplasty Results
During the first several days after your procedure, your results will be masked by bruising and swelling which are a natural by-product of your treatment, but which will quickly subside. Some residual swelling may last for up to a year, but after the first few weeks of recovery, patients can already begin to appreciate the results of their surgery, which are permanent. The full results of a rhinoplasty can take up to a year to reveal themselves, but the substantial improvements that patients experience in this highly-visible facial feature are well worth the wait.
Trust Double Board-certified Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Odinet With Your Rhinoplasty
The prominence of the nose on the face makes this feature crucial to the balance and harmony of your face and the expression of your personality. When you are ready to have your rhinoplasty, it is imperative that you select a surgeon with superior qualifications, training, experience and an artistic eye to perform your procedure. Patients trust — and return to — Dr. Odinet not only for his surgical skills but for the emphasis he places on ensuring each patient receives the most appropriate course of treatment and a look that will truly reveal their individual spirit. Dr. Odinet is board certified by both the American Board of Otolarangolgy and Head & Neck Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and his is the only physician dual-board certified in the Acadiana region. The results of a rhinoplasty go far beyond a look; they can invite greater self-confidence, happiness and satisfaction with life. Above all, Dr. Odinet’s mission is to perform your surgery of choice safely so you can enjoy your results in the best of health.
Schedule your consultation with one of our professionals today by calling (337) 234-8648 and securing your appointment date.