Rhinoplasty Topics
What Can a Rhinoplasty Fix?
A rhinoplasty can address several concerns with your nose. It is a highly versatile procedure that can help:
- Reduce nose width
- Straighten a crooked nose
- Reduce a too-large nose
- Correct nasal tip asymmetry
- Reduce nasal tip projection
- Reduce or refine a bulbous nose tip
- Reduce nose length
- Fix a nasal bump
A rhinoplasty may effectively solve most issues with your nose, including correcting previous unsuccessful nose jobs.
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Good Candidates for Rhinoplasty
A good candidate for rhinoplasty in Los Angeles is usually someone who:
- Is in overall good health
- Is at an age where the nose has finished the majority of its growth (usually 14 or 15 years of age)
- Is unhappy with the size or shape of their nose
- Has problems breathing through their nose due to its internal structure
Types of Rhinoplasty
Each type of rhinoplasty technique has its own set of benefits and downsides. During your consultation, Dr. Sanders will make sure to take into account your needs and expectations before recommending the right approach for you. Keep reading to learn more about each type.
Open Rhinoplasty
Open rhinoplasty procedures involve a small incision on the underside of the nose and two incisions inside, allowing Dr. Sanders to lift the skin and to make substantial changes to the underlying anatomy. Though it is a slightly more invasive procedure, the open rhinoplasty can often lead to more precise and significant results. Patients who wish to have more robust changes made to the size or shape of their nose will likely need an open rhinoplasty; while this option does come with scarring, it is usually so minimal as to be virtually invisible.
Closed Rhinoplasty
Closed rhinoplasties are made with just two incisions inside the nose. A slightly less invasive option, closed rhinoplasty may be a good option for patients who only need minimal work done. The recovery period for the closed rhinoplasty may be a little briefer, with somewhat less swelling involved. Closed rhinoplasty is scarring-free, and the procedure itself is less time-intensive than an open rhinoplasty.
Getting Started with Our Rhinoplasty Process:
The Consultation
Dr. Sanders will ask you about your medical history, whether you take any medications, and if you smoke. He will assess your nose and ask you about the kind of results you would like to have. With all this information, he develops a custom treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. Imaging is also performed to demonstrate what the requested changes will look like on the patient.
What Should I Do in Preparation?
To prepare for rhinoplasty, you must stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements. You will also need to quit smoking and continue abstaining until you have healed.
Alcohol is another substance to avoid in the weeks following surgery because it may produce additional swelling and bleeding.
To be ready to rest and recover, set up an area in your home and ask someone to stay with you through the first night. Because you will receive anesthesia, you should ask a family member or friend to drive you home after surgery.
The Rhinoplasty Surgery
In an open rhinoplasty procedure, an incision is made across the columella, the strip of tissue between the nostrils. Through this incision, the doctor will raise the skin, expose the nasal bones and cartilage and reshape these to improve the external appearance of the nose. This may involve removing bone or cartilage or adding cartilage grafts, either from the septum or the ear. At this time, the doctor may also straighten a deviated septum or make any other corrections to the internal structure of the nose that will result in improved nasal breathing. Once the changes are made, the doctor will redrape the skin and tissue over the nasal framework and close the incision with sutures. Nasal packing is not required!
In a closed rhinoplasty procedure, incisions are placed inside the nostrils, in the nostril lining. Changes to the nasal structure are made via these incision points, which are then closed with sutures once the surgery is finished.
Before and After
Dr. Sanders and his team have performed rhinoplasty procedures on countless men and women throughout the Los Angeles area, helping them achieve beautiful and balanced results. Feel free to browse these before and after photos from past patients to get a sense of how impactful a rhinoplasty procedure can be.
Rhinoplasty Recovery
After surgery, you may experience mild discomfort in the nasal area, and possibly a headache, for the first day or two. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help with the discomfort during this time, after which an over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient to reduce mild discomfort. Bruising and swelling of the nose and sometimes eyes after surgery is also common and should subside within the first two weeks. There may also be nasal congestion as a result of swelling. You will have a cast on your nose as it heals, which the doctor will then remove, along with sutures, about five days after surgery. You can usually return to work at that point, and resume exercise two weeks after surgery.
Rhinoplasty Frequently Asked Questions
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How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?
The price of rhinoplasty varies based on the needs and aesthetic desires of the patient. During your consultation with Dr. Sanders, he will provide you with a price estimate that is based on these individual factors. Dr. Sanders also offers financing options, which create an affordable monthly payment method with low to zero interest.
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Are There Any Risks Involved?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that relies on anesthesia, so there are always risks, but complications are rare. Some people may experience more pronounced nasal swelling than others. Dr. Sanders will always go through the risks of the procedure to help you understand what to expect.
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How Long Will It Take For My Nose to Fully Heal?
The process may vary from person to person, but you can expect swelling in your nose for months after surgery. After about three months, most of the swelling will be gone, but minor swelling may remain for up to a year after surgery.
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Will Rhinoplasty Affect My Voice?
Even patients in the Los Angeles area who aren’t professional singers may have concerns about whether or not a rhinoplasty will alter how they sound. While some studies do show that people became slightly more hyponasal after a rhinoplasty, most patients had no change in vocal function.
Luckily, because Dr. Sanders is an extreme professional in the way he handles rhinoplasty, changes to the voice are rare. If patients have concerns about preserving the way they sound, he will avoid making any changes to the nasal air passage as well as intubation during surgery, as these are two of the main factors that can lead to voice changes. Because of this, he’s never had any patient complaints about vocal changes after a rhinoplasty, even after treating professional vocalists.
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Can a Rhinoplasty Reshape My Nostrils?
Yes, it is entirely possible for patients to have a rhinoplasty to reshape the nostrils. A rhinoplasty can be used to fix nostrils that are:
- Too wide and look like they are always flaring.
- Too narrow and don’t let enough air into the nose.
- Have notches or overhands that prevent the nose from being well defined.
To fix a nostril that’s too wide, Dr. Sanders will remove select tissue from the nose and then use a suture to help cinch them closer together, resulting a scar hidden in the nasal crease. To make the nostrils wider, he will use a strut to help stretch out the opening. Notches can be corrected with the use of cartilage grafts. A more symmetrical appearance almost always results.
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How Long Will My Results Last?
Rhinoplasty results are permanent as long as you give yourself the time to heal and follow all of Dr. Sanders’s recommendations.
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Is a Rhinoplasty Really Worth It?
Your nose is one of the most essential features of your face. If you are unhappy with it, it may affect your self-esteem — and if you have a deviated septum, your quality of life could also suffer. With a rhinoplasty, you can regain your confidence and comfort.
Excellence in Rhinoplasty in Los Angeles
Rhinoplasty may be a good option if you are not completely happy with your nose. When you turn to Dr. Sanders in Los Angeles, CA, you receive the personalized care you deserve. With years of experience and rigorous training, Dr. Sanders is one of the leading specialists in the area. For more information on rhinoplasty surgery, please contact Dr. Sanders’ office to schedule a consultation.
