Rhinoplasty

• Q: What’s a Rhinoplasty Procedure?
• Q: Why Should I Consider a Rhinoplasty Procedure?
• Q: How is Rhinoplasty Performed?
• Q: What Should I Anticipate After the Procedure?
• Q: Am I a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Q: What’s a Rhinoplasty Procedure?

Rhinoplasty, otherwise known as a Nose Surgery or a Nose Job, is a procedure performed to produce changes in the appearance, structure, and function of the nose. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip, or narrow the width of the bony portion of the nose and the nostrils. This operation can improve deformities associated with prior nasal injuries and help relieve some breathing problems.

This procedure is custom tailored for each individual patient’s needs. Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Rayham, will address your specific concerns and will provide you with detailed information to help choose specific approach to your rhinoplasty procedure. You may require reduction of the hump or augmentation of the profile of your nose, straitening of the bone or cartilage, or refining of the tip. There are times when your nasal irregularity has been caused by a prior accident or trauma or might be accompanied by breathing difficulties. In such instances your insurance policy may cover full or a part of the cost associated with your procedure.

Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure. It can be performed under either local (twilight sleep) or general anesthesia and lasts from one hour for a simple procedure to several hours for more complicated ones. Also, rhinoplasty can be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic surgical procedures. An individualized consultation is needed to select the procedure most appropriate for your needs.

It has been estimated that about 400,000 rhinoplasty operations performed each year, and it is considered to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States.

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Q: Why Should I Consider a Rhinoplasty Procedure?

• To bring a better proportion to the nose and overall facial features.
• To reduce the size of the nose that is too large or too wide for your face.
• To correct a hump on your nose.
• To reshape the tip of your nose.
• To straighten you nose.
• To achieve an overall refinement to you nose.
• To correct the deformity caused by prior injury.
• To get help with breathing difficulties.
• To treat inborn nasal deformities.

Q: How is Rhinoplasty Performed?

Dr. Rayham performs Rhinoplasty procedure in his offices or hospital setting in Manhattan/NYC, Brooklyn or Staten Island, New York. This procedure generally lasts from one to three hours. Depending upon the complexity of the operation it could be done either under local anesthesia with twilight sedation or a general anesthesia. Incisions are usually placed inside the nostrils, so that they are not visible upon completion of the operation. If the complexity of you nasal deformity requires a so called ‘open’ approach, a small incision will be placed at the base of the columella, or midline portion of the skin strip between the two nostrils. The cartilaginous and the bony portions of the nose will be accessed and changes will be made to improve the appearance of your nose.

Sometimes a septoplasty needs to be performed to open the passageways for an improved airflow and improvement of breathing difficulties. Septoplasty is removal of the portion of the cartilage from the septum, which is the dividing partition deep between the nostrils. The cartilage removed from the septum can be utilized to improve the shape of the tip or the profile of your nose.

A situation where you have already had a rhinoplasty before and need to have a revision, requires a procedure known as a Secondary Rhinoplasty. Secondary Rhinoplasty may take a longer time to perform, and usually requires an ‘open’ approach, although small modifications can be performed by a more simple ‘closed’ technique.

Our Manhattan/NYC, Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York practices also provides minimally invasive special rhinoplasty procedures for correction of the deformities of the nose and other facial soft tissues with the use of such fillers as Perlane®, JUVÉDERM™, and Radiesse®.

The decision of whether a closed or an open approach or an injection procedure will be utilized to perform your procedure or whether or not you will need a septoplasty will be dependent upon the complexity of the problem that needs to be addressed. Dr. Rayham will discuss with you all possible options and the best approach to reach your goals.

Q: What Should I Anticipate After the Procedure?

Upon completion of the operation you nose will be splinted and a gauze will be placed at the nostrils. Generally, there will be some swelling present immediately after the operation, however, it will disappear within a few weeks. A splint, bandages, and/or gauze are applied immediately following surgery to expedite the healing process and to minimize the movement of the nose. The splint will be removed in about a week time. There are usually no sutures that need to be removed. Dr. Rayham encourages his patients to refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery. Also, if you wear glasses, we will show you how to position and tape them in such a way to prevent undue pressure that may negatively influence your healing process. Although some minor pain is usually associated with immediate postoperative period, it can be effectively treated with oral medication and/or cold compresses. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk of potential problems by carefully following the post-surgical directions given by the surgeon.

If you live in New York or nearby, you can go home the day of your rhinoplasty procedure. Our out of town patients normally stay overnight in one of our recommended hotels and can be driven home or fly home the next day following their postoperative check-up with Dr. Rayham.

Q: Am I a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

You may be a candidate for a rhinoplasty if you have any of the above concerns and if you are in overall good health to undergo an operation. Click here if you’d like to email Dr. Rayham with a question or a concern.

We also encourage you to call us toll free 1-866-435-5357 or 1-877-Dr.Rayham (1-877-377-2942) to speak with Dr. Rayham or RR Plastix New York Plastic Surgery Center experienced office staff.