Rhinoplasty refers to any surgery that alters the nose’s shape. The most common reason for rhinoplasty is elective surgery for optimal nose shape, but the surgery is also performed after accidents or injuries to restore the nose’s original look and shape. The procedure is relatively safe and straightforward when you visit the right Denver doctor.

Since the nose is such a central structure to your face it contributes significantly to the overall balance of your facial looks.

Below is our handy guide for patients to discover more about rhinoplasty.

Who is a candidate for rhinoplasty?

Anybody who is concerned about the appearance of the nose may consider rhinoplasty.  Sometimes people have had prior injuries or trauma to their nose is crooked or deformed. Other times the patient simply has some features they want softened such as a prominent bump or wide nasal tip or droopy nose or even a flattened nose. Patients like these are good candidates for rhinoplasty. However, the option is also available to people who wish to improve their appearance.

Is Rhinoplasty Safe?

Our surgeons perform the rhinoplasty procedure with patients under general anesthesia, meaning the procedure is done in a well monitored environment to keep you as safe as possible. The patient goes to sleep, and they wake up several hours later.

It is usually necessary to take a 7-10 day break from school or work. This also helps to give any swelling time to decrease. Minor bruising under the eyes is common and not a cause for concern.

How Does Rhinoplasty Work?

The nose is made up of skin, bone, and cartilage. Rhinoplasty may involve one or all three of these components. An incision is first made under the nasal tip or inside the nostrils, and the surgeon begins to work according to the personalized plan for the patient, reshaping the structures of the nose to their desired appearance.

Recovering from Rhinoplasty

Nearly all patients recover fully from a rhinoplasty and return to their usual activities in short time.  While there is visible swelling in the beginning most people feel they look socially acceptable and return to their usual activities sometime in the second week. Nonetheless, The nose continues to heal over months and some minor residual swelling may last for up to a year.

Other Benefits of Rhinoplasty

Aside from improved personal appearance, many patients report dramatic improvements in their breathing after the surgery. Opening up the airways can make a huge difference in a person’s ability to breathe properly. Many patients didn’t even realize how impaired their breathing had been due to their nose structure.

Nasal obstruction, the term for problems breathing through the nose, causes sleep apnea, snoring, and undermine cardiovascular performance during exercise. By correcting the shape of the nose with rhinoplasty, many of these problems disappear after surgery.

Give our team at Associates of Otolaryngology a call today so we can arrange your time to visit us to discuss your rhinoplasty. We listen to our patients’ concerns and design an individually tailored plan for everyone who comes to our office. Our goal is to provide our patients with the highest quality, safest, most effective nose job possible.