 |
Incisions
are made inside the nostrils or at the base
of the nose, providing access to the
cartilage and bone, which can then be
sculpted. |
Rhinoplasty
is a very
common cosmetic procedure to reshape the nose.
Rhinoplasty is often performed with a septoplasty as
well as other reconstructive nasal procedures. It is
best to wait until after the age of 16 to have nasal
surgery, to allow the nose to finish growing.
Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic
correction of the nose, however; reconstructive
procedures related to breathing problems may be
considered medically necessary. To verify if the
procedure is approved by your insurance company, a
letter will be sent to your insurance carrier prior to
surgery to determine benefit
|
|
| The
surgeon removes a hump using a chisel or a
rasp, then brings the nasal bones together
to form a narrower bridge. Cartilage is
trimmed to reshape the tip of the nose. |
Trimming the septum improves the angle
between the nose and upper lip. |
With every surgery
there are possible risks and complications:
Dr. Yaker performs many nasal surgeries successfully
each year. However; there are risks associated with
this surgery. Possible complications following surgery
include infection, bleeding, poor healing, and
reaction to anesthesia. Smokers should stop smoking 2
weeks before surgery and continue not smoking for 2
weeks after surgery. Smoking can increase the risk of
complications during the healing process.
 If the
nostrils are too wide, the surgeon can remove small
wedges of skin from their base, bringing them closer
together. |
 To
improve the nasal airway, the shape or position of the
septum may be altered. Or, the deviated portion of the
septum may be partially removed. |
About the surgery:
The surgery will be performed at the hospital or our
on site AAAASF certified ambulatory surgery center
under general anesthesia. Dr. Yaker can reduce or
increase the size of the nose, widen or narrow the
bridge and nostrils, and if needed improve the
distance between the nose and the upper lip. Dr. Yaker
works to balance the nose with the rest of your facial
features. Prior to surgery Dr. Yaker will discuss with
you during consultation the changes that will be made
to your nose. If Dr. Yaker is able to perform a closed
procedure, he will make all of the changes through the
nostrils. Should an open technique be required, a
small incision is made across the columella, the area
between the nostrils. If the nostrils are to be made
smaller, there will be small incisions at the base of
the nostril. The scars from these small incisions will
fade over time. Surgery usually takes one and a half
to three hours, depending on the extent of the
surgery. A splint will be placed on the nose to help
hold the new position during the healing process. The
splint will stay on for 5-7 days following surgery.
 |
|
| After
surgery, the patient has a straighter
bridge, a well defined nasal tip, and an
improved angle between the nose and upper
lip. |
A
splint made of tape and an overlay of
plastic, metal, or plaster is applied to
help the bone and cartilage of the nose
maintain their new shape. |
Illustrations
above are courtesy of
ASPS (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
(The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.)
Pre-Operative
Instructions
For Rhinoplasty
2 Weeks Before
Surgery:
- Do not take aspirin
or ibuprofen products (You may take Tylenol)
- Do not take any
diet pills or similar appetite suppressant
medications, (i.e. Metabolife)
- Do not take any
herbal preparations (i.e. St. Johns Wart)
- Do not take vitamin
E
- Do not smoke
Products Needed at
Home:
Fill your
prescriptions given to you during your pre-op visit:
- Percocet, Lortab,
Dilaudid, or Darvocet is for pain
- Keflex is an
antibiotic (You will need to take all of these as
directed)
- Diazepam is a
muscle relaxer
- Extra-strength
Tylenol
- Q-tips
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Saline Nasal Mist
Spray - Over the counter brands are fine
- Benadryl 25 mg -
For Occasional Itching
The Night Prior to
Surgery:
- Eat a bland meal -
Nothing Spicy
- Take a Pepcid AC
- Take one Diazepam
to help you sleep if needed
The Day of Surgery:
**Eating
or Drinking Prior to Surgery Will Result in
Cancellation of the Surgery**
- Wear loose
clothing, something very easy to put on after
surgery. Wear a top that buttons or zips in the
front. Do not wear jeans or tight clothing.
- Do not wear
make-up.
- Men - shave as
usual.
- Leave all jewelry
and valuables at home.
- The person caring
for you after surgery will need to stay with you
for at least 48 hours.
Post-Operative
Instructions
for
Rhinoplasty
Medications:
- Take your pain
medications for the pain. Take one every 4-6 hours
for the pain if needed. Do not take it on an empty
stomach. Most patients take their pain medications
for 2-4 days after surgery, and if needed longer.
- Take the
antibiotics as directed until they are all gone.
- Sometimes patients
will develop a yeast infection from the
antibiotics, if this occurs call the office.
- Should you become
constipated, you may use an over the counter stool
softener. If you do not have relief from your
stool softener, call the office.
- Should you have
nausea, a prescribed Phenergan suppository should
help.
- The pain
medications can cause nausea, itching, and
constipation. When possible taking Tylenol is
preferable.
- If you have
itching, take Benadryl 25 mg one tablet every 4-6
hours as needed.
- Remember no aspirin
products until 2 weeks after surgery.
Other Things To
Remember:
- If you feel you are
in an emergency situation, please call the office
at any time. Our phones are answered 24 hours a
day. These calls include: abnormal bleeding,
abnormal swelling, or a temperature over 101
degrees. Other calls should be made during
business hours Monday - Friday 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
- Keep the splint on
the nose dry.
- You may wash your
face very gently around the nose, but do not get
the splint wet.
- Sleep on your back
with 2-3 pillows behind your head, elevating the
head for the first few days.
- Do not bend forward
for the first few days following surgery.
- Do not lift
anything over 8lbs for the first week after
surgery.
- Eye pads, soaked in
ice water, and placed on the eyes can help reduce
the swelling as well as the pain.
- Artificial tears -
eye drops may be used if the eyes feel dry.
- Use the nasal
saline spray one week after surgery to help loosen
any dried blood in the nostrils.
- Do not blow your
nose until advised by Dr. Yaker or his staff. Most
likely it will be 2-3 weeks after surgery before
you may blow your nose.
- Keep activities
moderate for the first 4 weeks. After 4 weeks you
may ride a life cycle, and take walks. After 6
weeks you may resume normal activities as
tolerated.
|
View Actual Photos
