|
|
|
 Frequently Asked Questions About Rhinoplasty
If you have any rhinoplasty questions or concerns which are not
addressed on this page please contact the rhinoplasty surgeon, Dr. Portnoy, at his
Manhattan, New York (Chelsea, NYC) office to make a consultation: 212.366.0848.
What is the difference between
open and closed rhinoplasty? Closed rhinoplasty describes the procedure
when all the incisions by the surgeon are made internally (inside the nose).
Open rhinoplasty describes when the incision is made in the skin between the
nostrils (columella).
Does the rhinoplasty procedure hurt? The surgical procedure is done either with
general or twilight anesthesia, meaning you won't feel anything. You will
discuss with Dr. Portnoy the type of anesthesia you prefer. Afterwards,
you can expect your nose to be sore for about a week or so, but you should
not experience any significant pain - if necessary Dr. Portnoy can prescribe
you pain medication. Most patients, however, find this unnecessary.
Are there any age related issues? Individual considerations are taken
for the elderly, teenagers and children. There are no age restrictions for
rhinoplasty surgery, that is assuming the individual is in good health and
has reasonable expectations. Even so, the majority of patients receiving
rhinoplasty are in their 20's and 30's. Individuals in their 40's and 50's,
however, may have wanted to have it when they were younger but chose to
have it later on as they got older. Dr. Portnoy will require parental
consent for patients under the age of 18.
How long will my nose be swollen? 80% of the swelling will lessen
within 3 weeks. The remaining 20% may require up to a year. However, no one
will notice the remaining swelling; during this healing period the nose
becomes more refined.
Is There a lot of bruising afterwards, and how long will it last? Most
patients experience seven to ten days of purple discoloration and swelling
around the eyes and upper cheeks - this does vary from patient to patient. The nose itself will be swollen for around
ten to fourteen days. The swelling at the tip of the nose can take a month
or two after surgery to go away.
Will I have black eyes from the rhinoplasty procedure? Maybe. If your
rhinopalsty requires fracturing the nasal bones you most likely will have
bruising and discoloration around the eyes for seven to ten days. The
discoloration is not painful - it just appears that way. If your procedure
is limited to tip or only cartilginous work you probably will not
experience any bruising or discoloration.
Where will the incisions be
made? In most of my cases, the incisions are made inside the nose. In
selected cases an incision may be made in the skin between the nostrils.
This is more likely in patients who require a more complicated rhinoplasty.
Are there medications I should avoid prior to rhinoplasty? Yes. there
are some medications to stay away from before your surgery. Prior to your
scheduled surgery, Dr. Portnoy will give you a full medical evaluation and
discuss which medications not to take prior to surgery.
Where is the rhinoplasty surgery
performed? Most of our rhinoplasty / nasal surgery cases are
performed at any of the three hospitals that Dr. Portnoy is affiliated with
in New York City: Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Vincent's Hospital and
Medical Center and The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. In addition
your surgery may be performed in a fully accredited surgical suite in
Manhattan, New York as out-patient surgery. Rhinoplasty is
typically performed as an outpatient procedure in Dr. Portnoys NYC medical
out-patient
office and does not require an overnight stay.
Does the procedure leave any scars? Any incisions made on the
outside of the nose generally heal fast and the resulting scars which is
essentially
invisible. Meaning, no one would be able to notice that you had the
procedure performed.
How long will I need to take off of work? Not long. Depending on the
type of anesthesia, you will need approximately 2 to 4 days off. If your
nasal tips are modified, you may have bruising for 10 to 14 days and will
wear a protective splint for about a week. Heavy exercising should be
avoided for at least 2 weeks.
I have trouble breathing through my nose and have terrible sinus problems
(or other breathing problems). Will my insurance policy pay for rhinoplasty?
When someone has trouble breathing through their nose it is most likely
because he/she has a deviated septum or an abnormal internal framework of
the nose. This condition may be caused from trauma such as a broken nose.
However, many patients with this condition can't remember an incident where
this might have occurred. The deviated septum or some sort of nasal
obstruction
could also result from allergies. While individual insurance policies
can vary, in general, functional surgery to improve breathing is considered
a covered benefit in most group health insurance policies and is therefore
covered by insurance. Insurance will not cover your nose surgery if the
reason is simply cosmetic.
Will I need to have someone help me out at home after my surgery? It
is recommended that you should have someone stay with you for at least the
first night after your rhinoplasty surgery. It's best if this is the same
person who picks you up after surgery so they can be given necessary
information and instructions about your discharge and recovery.
What Will my Nose Look Like After Surgery? In general, rhinoplasty
(cosmetic nose surgery aka nose job) is performed to reduce excess cartilage
and/or bone in the nose, removing irregularities and/or bumps to give a
straightened, smooth, refined and, usually, enhanced appearance. The overall
trend in contemporary rhinoplasty is to move away from an over-reduction of tissue
that can reduce the ability to breath through the nose and towards an
individualized
tailored treatment to give a balanced and refined look without compromising
function. During your consultation with Dr. Portnoy at his New York City office
you can bring in photographs, if you elect, to suggest the look you
desire.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about rhinoplasty or if you would like to make a rhinoplasty
consultation with Dr. Portnoy, simply contact his Manhattan, New York
City office to schedule a rhinoplasty appointment. |
