Rhinoplasty is very popular, not to mention very talked about, what with all the pictures of celebrity transformations on social media. All of this can make it seem so simple: Consult with a facial plastic surgeon, have the operation, and enjoy your new nose.
The reality is, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Below, the team at Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics details five things no one tells you about rhinoplasty.
#1: Results Aren’t Immediate
Some less-invasive cosmetic procedures are one-and-done: You have the procedure, wait out the recovery time, and you’re finished.
Rhinoplasty isn’t always so simple. While the stated recovery time is usually around two weeks, the underlying structures of the nose may take up to a year to fully recover and in some cases even longer to finish “remodeling.” And while it’s uncommon, there are some circumstances under which your surgeon would need to perform additional surgery to “touch up” your nose job. You can lessen the chances of needing a second rhinoplasty procedure by choosing an experienced, highly trained surgeon such as Dr. Grant at Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics.
It is also important to note that the nose you see initially is unlikely to be the one you end up with. This is because it can take several months for bruising and swelling to fully subside.
#2: No Glasses for a While
It’s true — you’ll need to refrain from wearing glasses for at least a few weeks. Most surgeons recommend that you avoid wearing glasses for up to six weeks. The reason is simple: Undue pressure on the nasal bridge may affect your healing nasal bones.
If you need to wear glasses, don’t worry. No harm can come from wearing glasses atop your cast and nasal splint. With the cast off, however, you’ll need to avoid glasses for up to six weeks unless your doctor can give you some type of a protective barrier to place between the nose and the frame of your glasses.
#3: Tape Up
You’ll finish your procedure a bit wrapped up, and for good reason: You don’t want your delicate nasal bones to move around in those crucial first days. It’s normal for you to wear your nasal splint for at least one week after surgery — your surgeon will provide you with appropriate post-care instruction.
#4: Every Procedure Is Different
Rhinoplasty is as much art as it is science. Your surgeon can show you computer-generated models of your future nose, but it’s important to remember that plastic surgery is not an exact science. Modern projections are quite accurate, assuming you choose a skilled surgeon, but the end result is never a total guarantee.
#5: Yes, You Can Get a Temporary Nose Procedure
For some minor cosmetic issues (humps, minor asymmetry, and so on), a non-invasive procedure may yield beautiful but temporary results. Non-surgical rhinoplasty uses an injectable cosmetic filler to mimic the effects of a more traditional nasal operation. These injectable solutions can sometimes last up to one year, but bear in mind that there are some unique risk factors to having filler injections on areas of the nose. These risk factors can be quite serious, so you need to make sure these risks are discussed with you before having nasal filler injections.
Contact Us Today for a Consultation
Interested in learning more about rhinoplasty? Contact the team at Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics to schedule an appointment with our board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
