Rhinoplasty might be one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgeries, but it’s also a surgery that has a lot of misinformation or confusion swirling around it. Gathering as much information about the surgery as you can before making the decision to have it or not will not only help you be a well informed patient. It will also help you choose the best surgeon for the procedure, understand what it will or won’t do for you, and what you can expect from rhinoplasty.
It’s About Form and Function
Although there are nasal surgeries that are designed specifically to treat functional issues of the nose, such as septoplasty, which corrects a deviated, or crooked septum, and sinus surgery, which corrects issues in the sinus cavities, rhinoplasty has the distinction of being a procedure that can be done to correct issues of both form and function.
The surgery can improve the way your nose looks by reducing or increasing its size, by filling in a divot or removing a hump, or by setting a crooked nose straight. It can also be performed for functional reasons, such as to improve breathing difficulties, to correct a deformity a person was born with that is making it difficult to breathe or to repair an injury sustained later in life.
It’s One of the Most Challenging Surgeries
Rhinoplasty isn’t an easy surgery to perform, as the nasal passages are delicate and the nose itself is pretty small. It takes a skilled hand to be able to sculpt or alter the nose and to produce a result that is subtle and natural looking. When looking for a surgeon to perform rhinoplasty, you want to find someone who has years of experience with the procedure and who specializes in nasal surgery. Choosing a talented surgeon will cut down on the risk for complications or the need for a revision rhinoplasty.
It’s a Customizable Procedure
There are almost as many ways to perform rhinoplasty as there are people living on the planet. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but rhinoplasty is a very customizable surgery, meaning your surgeon will tailor it to meet your needs. That can mean that you have a combined rhinoplasty and septoplasty or rhinoplasty and sinus surgery combined. It can also mean that surgeon decides to do an open rhinoplasty on your nose instead of a closed procedure.
The changes you want made to your nose are also pretty customizable. A surgeon might make certain changes to a nose, or not, to help maintain a person’s ethnic identity, for example. Or, a surgeon might decide to make certain changes to the size or shape of the nose so that it better complements the other features of the person’s face, such as the chin.
Scarring is Usually Minimal
Whether you end up having a closed rhinoplasty or an open procedure, the upside is that scarring in either case is usually relatively minimal or concealed. During a closed rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes the incisions on the inside of the nose, so that when it is over and you’re healed, the scars are inside the nose, too. The incision made during an open rhinoplasty is typically beneath the columella, the partition that divides the nostrils, and is usually barely visible once you’ve healed.
Your Health Plays a Big Part in the Outcome
Before rhinoplasty, your surgeon will sit down with you and go over your medical history and current health. That’s because your health plays a big role in determining the success of your surgery. Having some conditions can put you a greater risk for complications during the procedure, so that your surgeon might recommend postponing the surgery until a condition is under control or cleared up. You don’t have to be in perfect health before rhinoplasty, but the more well you are, the better your results might be.
Insurance Might Cover It
Insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic procedures or surgeries performed for purely cosmetic reasons. If you’re having rhinoplasty to change the appearance of your nose, you will most likely have to pay for it out of pocket. But, many insurances make exceptions when rhinoplasty is performed for a medically necessary reason. For example, if you’re having surgery to reduce the size of enlarged turbinates or to otherwise improve your breathing, your insurance company might offer coverage. If you’re having functional rhinoplasty of any sort, it is helpful to look over your insurance policy to see if your plan will offer some or any coverage.
Schedule a Consultation Today
To learn more about the rhinoplasty procedure and the positive effect it may have on your life, plan your initial consultation now with the facial plastic surgeon who can help you to achieve your best results. Dr. Andrew Frankelis board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear Nose and Throat). He is exceptionally well trained in the field of nasal surgery and has been recognized for his original research regarding vasculature to the nose and rhinoplasty’s effect on it. Schedule your appointment today with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon to guarantee your best rhinoplasty results. Contact Dr. Frankel’s office, located at 201 Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, California, by calling (310) 552-2173.
