Charlotte
(704) 543-1110

Understand rhinoplasty, manage the recovery

Nose jobs becoming ever more common

Surgeons performed over 223,000 nose-reshaping procedures in America in 2016, up from just under 218,000 the previous year. Not all of these procedures were done for aesthetic reasons. Some of them were done to correct medical problems. For example, a deviated septum can cause sleep apnea, which can lead to snoring.

 

The important thing is to find the right surgeon to perform your nose job. Look for testimonials on sites like RealSelf.com to find the most highly rated rhinoplasty surgeon in your area. The best rhinoplasty surgeons are often asked to perform revision rhinoplasty, improving the work of other surgeons. You should also look for a surgeon with a state-of-the-art operating suite and computer imaging software to help you choose exactly how you want your nose to look. Look at the before and after photographs of rhinoplasty on his or her Web site, so you can get a sense of what to expect.

 

How rhinoplasty is done

The surgeon does most of his or her work on the cartilage and bone of the nose. Most surgeons prefer to do a closed rhinoplasty, in which the incision is made inside the nose in order to preserve the overall appearance of the face. But if necessary, the surgeon will do an open rhinoplasty, making an incision in the skin between the nostrils. In either case, no one should get a nose job until their nose is fully developed. This happens around age 15 in girls and age 17 in boys. Sometimes a nose job is accompanied by a chin implant, to make the nose look smaller by comparison. In most surgeries, you shouldn’t need nasal packing.

 

After surgery

After surgery, you should stay inside and avoid any strenuous exercise for a few weeks. You can expect a certain amount of swelling, some moderate bruising and maybe some temporary skin numbness. The bruising fades within a week to ten days, but the swelling can last for several weeks. There will be less swelling with a closed rhinoplasty than with an open one.

 

Charlotte’s most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon

Dr. Sean Freeman is the most experienced nose job surgeon in Charlotte, certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, or head and neck surgery. He has been a facial plastic surgery specialist since 1988. His rhinoplasty patients can usually return to regular activities after a week. An unusually high percentage of his patients are people who come to him for revision rhinoplasty after going to other surgeons in the Southeast. If you live in or near Charlotte and want a nose job, schedule an appointment or online consultation today.

Contact Dr. Sean Freeman at Only FacesCharlotte’s most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and top facial plastic surgeon, to schedule a consultation to find out what procedure is right for you. Call today.