When you meet with Gainesville, Florida plastic surgeon Dr. Greg Gaines, he will be sure to discuss the rhinoplasty surgery with you in full detail, explaining how it will be performed, what you should do prior to surgery, and the recovery period following surgery. He’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions and address all of your concerns as well so that you have the best possible understanding of what to expect.
While we won’t be able to go into full detail or address all of your concerns here online, we would like to touch on some basics about the rhinoplasty surgery and what patients can expect as they heal after surgery. Please note that these are just general words and examples, and your surgical experience and recovery experience may vary. This is particularly true if you undergo a full makeover that combines rhinoplasty with Gainesville, Florida eyelid surgery, a facelift, or other procedures.
The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who have issues with the contour or shape of their nose. These people should be in good general health and have a positive yet realistic attitude about what the surgery can accomplish. Patients who have certain respiratory conditions caused by the air passages in the nose area may also benefit from rhinoplasty. Most importantly, patients should not be coerced by someone else into getting this surgery performed.
Patients are put under general anesthesia before the surgery starts. The rhinoplasty surgery itself can be performed in different ways depending on the needs of the patient. One option is open rhinoplasty, which involves an incision made along the patch of skin between the nostrils (the columella). This incision allows surgeons easier access to adjust the structure of the nose. The other option is closed rhinoplasty, which involves incisions made inside the nose through the nostrils. While not all rhinoplasty surgeries can be performed this way, some can, and it reduces any possible scarring that may occur.
After the surgery has been performed, it’s very important that patients get a lot of rest, you’re your head elevated, remain well hydrated, and avoid any major physical activities. Blowing your nose or touching your nose needs to be avoided at all costs since this can have major effects on the appearance of your nose while it’s healing. If you wear glasses, you’ll want to hold them by hand so they do not rest on the bridge of your nose as this can also affect your healing. Swelling and discomfort are common in the first two days after surgery, though this can be managed using some pain relievers and careful use of cold compresses.
One week after surgery, patients will have any packing, stitches, or sutures removed. Bruising and swelling should have subsided a great deal by this point. You should be able to return to work and most normal activities by this point, but any major physical activities or lifting that causes pressure to rise in your head should be avoided for at least another week or two weeks.
To learn more about rhinoplasty and how it can benefit you, contact the Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Gainesville today.