+ +

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Dr. Jeffrey Raval is known among Denver facial plastic surgeons as The Nose Guy. Highly regarded for his rhinoplasty surgeries, in particular for his revision rhinoplasty surgeries which are far more complex because of inherent scar tissue, Dr. Raval corrects any number of malformations or issues with the nose.

Rhinoplasty is the second most common facial plastic surgery procedure performed on more than 200,000 people a year. As the most defining characteristic of the face, a slight alteration can greatly improve one’s appearance.

The Procedure

Typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, rhinoplasty methods included the open and closed technique which differs. During an open rhinoplasty, an incision in the shape of an inverted V is made along the middle column of your nose that separates your two nostrils and includes various other incisions made inside the nostrils. A closed rhinoplasty involves no incisions on the outside of the nose.

The skin is lifted and the cartilage, bone and tissue underneath is sculpted and reshaped to produce the desired result. To build up nose tissue in African American, Hispanic or Asians, implants, grafts and/or cartilage can be used. The skin is then re-draped over the newly shaped area and secured with very fine stitches. Once complete, a splint of soft, absorbent material may be placed to help your nose keep its new shape and nasal packs or soft plastic splints can be placed inside to stabilize the septum.

Post Surgery

Plan on resting with your head elevated for the first day. Even so, you may have a headache and feel puffiness and pain around your nose. Expect some bruising, swelling and pain for the first week or two, usually relieved by cold compresses. You may also notice some bleeding for the first day or two, this will usually stop on its own. Any nasal packing you may have will be removed within a few days and splints and surgical dressings are usually removed within one to two weeks. Stitches will be removed or be absorbed on their own in a week to 10 days. Numbness on the tip of your nose is expected and may last several weeks. Swelling may linger for as long as two months. Pain medication will be prescribed.

The recovery process is different for everyone, but within a day of your rhinoplasty you should be up and walking around. You may shower on the second or third day and plan on being off usual activities for a week. Over the next couple of weeks your face may be bruised and you may want to consider using special camouflage makeup. For two to three weeks your nose may be sensitive and strenuous physical activities should be limited. Return gradually to lifting, air travel, exercise and sex while avoiding sun or physical contact to your nose for about two months. If you wear glasses, replace them with contacts or reposition them so that they do not rest on your nose for six weeks. Rhinoplasty is a permanent procedure, however, you nose’s appearance may change as you age. The appearance of your nose will improve over a period of many months.

+ +