Do you sometimes believe that your nose is disproportionate to the rest of your face? Is it asymmetrical? Do you think you would look better if the shape of your nose was different? Do you have to wear a CPAP device to breathe while you sleep at night? If so, you may benefit from Rhinoplasty Denver at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO. Today, we are answering the most frequently asked questions about this procedure.

Your Questions About Rhinoplasty Answered

How Many Hours Does a Rhinoplasty Take? 

The average rhinoplasty takes between 1.5 and 3 hours to perform. However, the length of your procedure depends on the scope of the corrections you would like to achieve. Your procedure may take over three hours if you need a significant amount of improvements made. Once this part of the process is done, you will need to be observed before you are sent home to ensure the anesthesia has worn off sufficiently.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Nose Job?

You may be a good candidate for a nose job if you struggle to breathe due to a deviated septum, you want to improve upon the appearance of your nose or you want to improve the appearance and functionality of your nose. However, your health and lifestyle must also be taken into account before we can determine whether a nose job will be appropriate for you.

For example, you must be fairly healthy to qualify for this procedure. In other words, you should not suffer from certain chronic illnesses and you should not be ill at the time of your procedure. Furthermore, the best candidate is a non-smoker. If you smoke, you must be able to refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after your procedure. Tobacco products slow the healing process significantly. Finally, you must have realistic expectations about the procedure’s results.

Why Do People Seek a Nose Job?

There are many reasons why someone may want to get a nose job. Some people only have cosmetic concerns. Others seek improvements upon serious medical conditions. Nevertheless, there is a close relationship between form and function. When a nose is misshapen, there is a good chance that functionality is affected negatively.

Functional Rhinoplasty

You’re looking for a functional nose job if you are concerned about breathing better than you ever have. There are several reasons why people struggle to breathe due to their nasal shape. The most common reason people seek a nose job to help them breathe is they have a deviated septum. However, difficulty breathing can also be caused by nasal passages that are narrower than they should be.

Other reasons people seek functional nose jobs include chronic allergies, chronic or regular acute sinusitis, and hormone fluctuations. Such factors can cause the nasal conchae within the nose to grow too large. These enlarged internal nasal structures impede airflow. Since functional nose jobs improve one’s ability to breathe, they can be performed at a much younger age than a cosmetic nose job.

Aesthetic Nose Job

Although it is very common for people to seek a nose job to help them breathe better, it is also incredibly common for people to seek an aesthetic nose job to correct asymmetry. If you have a large bump on your nose or your nose is tilted slightly, you may be a very good candidate for an aesthetic nose job. Furthermore, an aesthetic nose job can correct one nostril being larger than the other or both nostrils being excessively large.

Furthermore, we can address bulbous or upturned noses. If you think your nose is too big, think carefully about what you are concerned about. Can you clearly articulate one or two parts of your nose that you would like to change? If so, this procedure may be appropriate for you. Keep in mind, your nose should be done growing if you are seeking an aesthetic nose job. This usually occurs at 15 for girls and 16 or 17 for boys.

How Is This Procedure Performed?

The technique used to perform your nose job will depend on the extent of the corrections you need. For example, if you don’t need a lot of work done, we can perform an endonasal approach. This is sometimes known as a closed approach. If a lot of work must be done, we will use an external approach, also known as an open approach.

The Closed Approach

The endonasal approach is often called the closed approach because all incisions are made inside the nostrils. Thus, the nose is never opened up during the procedure. These parallel incisions will go roughly halfway up the lining of your inner nostrils. People love this approach, in part, because the incisions cannot be seen as they are healing. People also love this approach because the recovery period is shorter.

The Open Approach

The open approach is similar to the closed approach in that semicircular incisions are made inside of your nostrils so they can’t be seen as they are healing. However, a trans-columellar incision will also be made across the septum, connecting the two semicircular incisions. This allows us to push up the skin of your nose so we can access your nose’s cartilage.

This technique is recommended when significant structural changes must be made. If you feel like your nose is too small, we can graft a bit of cartilage onto your nose. There are several regions of the body that can donate cartilage for grafting. However, it is most often removed from the ear. Keep in mind, people will be able to see your trans-columellar incision as it is healing but once it has healed, you don’t have to worry about a scar.

How Should I Prepare for My Procedure?

The first step you must take to prepare for your nose job is to schedule an initial evaluation.

Discussion of Your Medical History

During your initial evaluation, we will discuss your medical history thoroughly. Remember, if you suffer from certain chronic illnesses, you will be considered a poor candidate for this procedure. Furthermore, you should not consider this procedure if you are currently ill.

We also need to know what drugs and supplements you are currently taking to ensure this procedure will be safe for you. This includes all over-the-counter and prescription drugs you currently take and all dietary supplements you take regularly or have taken recently.

Physical Assessment

We will also perform a physical assessment to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo this procedure. If any potential concerns are brought to our attention, we may need to order such diagnostic tests as blood tests. We will also examine the inside and outside of your nose very thoroughly.

A Conversation About Your Expectations

You also need to have realistic expectations about the results a nose job can give you to prepare for your procedure. You need to talk to us about whether you are looking to improve function, aesthetic, or both. We understand it can be hard to talk about what you don’t like about your nose. However, the only way for you to get satisfactory results is for you to communicate clearly and honestly about your concerns.

A Conversation About Other Cosmetic Procedures

You also need to talk about any other cosmetic procedures you are considering to prepare for your nose job. If you were looking to address sagging eyelids or a small chin, we can easily correct those issues at the same time as your nose job. This will save you an incredible amount of time. Also, mention if you are considering injectable anti-aging treatments. Now may be the perfect time to get those done, too.

Documenting Your Nose

Another step in preparing for your procedure is allowing us to document your nose. We will take these pictures from several angles. They will help us determine the success of your procedure once it is over.

Preparing Yourself Physically

Preparing yourself physically is another important step you must take to prepare for a nose job. For example, you should stop taking NSAIDs and other blood-thinning drugs in the 14 days leading up to your procedure. Blood-thinning drugs and supplements must be avoided for this time because your blood needs to be able to clot quickly.

During your initial evaluation, we will provide you with a complete list of drugs and supplements to avoid in the two weeks leading up to your nose job. You must also prepare yourself physically for a nose job by not smoking during the two weeks leading up to your procedure. Remember, tobacco products slow the recovery process.

Preparing To Take Care of Yourself After Your Procedure

Due to the anesthesia administered to keep you comfortable during your procedure, you need to make sure you have someone to drive you to and from your nose job. You should also have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure because you will probably be exhausted. Once your procedure is complete, we may place a splint on your nose to help it keep its improved shape as it heals.

You may also need splints or nasal packs inside your olfactory organ to support your septum. You should expect to rest and be observed for a few hours after your procedure as the anesthesia wears off. Then, you are free to leave and rest in the comfort of your own home. For the shortest possible recovery process, make sure you keep your head above your heart. If splints were put into place, they should remain in place for a week.

What To Expect During the First Week of Your Recovery Process

During the first week following your procedure, it is particularly important that you don’t engage in any strenuous physical activity. You should also avoid blowing your nose, chewing too much, or brushing your teeth vigorously. Use a sterile saline nasal drip if you feel the need to blow your nose.

Book Your Initial Evaluation Today

There are many possible reasons you may be considering a nose job. You may be worried about asymmetry. You may feel like your nose is disproportionately large or small compared to the rest of your face. Maybe you’re tired of struggling to breathe at night. Maybe you want to feel like people are looking at your face for the right reasons.

Regardless of why you are considering a nose job, the time is right for you to get the nose that you deserve. To learn more about Rhinoplasty Englewood, schedule an initial consultation with us at Murphy Rhinoplasty Denver CO today if you are in the Englewood, CO or Denver, CO area.