When patients come in for rhinoplasty consultations at Houston Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, they often mention similar reasons regarding their apprehension about getting a nose job. For example, many people worry the recovery will be painful, or they think it will be weeks before they can step out of the house.
Those are some common myths that our surgeons dispel during their conversations with people considering rhinoplasty. The fact is that rhinoplasty patients are among the most satisfied of all the cosmetic surgery patients we see at our practice. That’s because our board-certified plastic surgeons understand that men and women want noses that fit their faces and use advanced surgical techniques the minimize post-op discomfort.
In this blog post, we’ll separate fact from myth about rhinoplasty so you can feel comfortable pursuing your dream of having a nose that doesn’t make you feel self-conscious.
Facts About Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is the most popular facial plastic surgery procedure in the U.S., according to statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Most people pursue rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, but it can also correct structural issues in the nose that makes it difficult to breathe, such as a deviated septum.
Some other facts about rhinoplasty include:
Recovery is quicker and more comfortable than most patients expect. The surgery is performed using a light general anesthetic, so patients wake up soon after the procedure without feeling very groggy. The cast (sometimes called a splint) that keeps the changes in place, comes off 4 or 5 days after the surgery and patients can see the initial results at that point.
We don’t use nasal packing. This comes as a relief to our patients who are sometimes more worried about that than the actual surgery. Removing packing after a few days can be very uncomfortable for patients.
Less is more. Years ago, plastic surgeons removed much more cartilage than is done today. But that often led to unsatisfactory results. Reshaping cartilage, rather than removing it, is the technique now used.
Rhinoplasty includes some unexpected benefits. Even if performed for cosmetic reasons, a nose job can sometimes help patients breathe more easily during exercise, reduce snoring, or lessen nasal congestion.
One of our plastic surgeons, Dr. E. Fred Aguilar, III, has performed more than 6,000 rhinoplasty surgeries during his 40-year career. You can learn much more about the procedure in this video, in which he shares valuable information for anyone considering a nose job.
You can also contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call one of our locations to schedule an appointment. Call (281) 720-8753 (Clear Lake) or (713) 521-4777 (Med Center/Museum District) for more details.
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