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Reconstructive
nasal surgery or reconstructive rhinoplasty is performed to correct
birth defects or disfigurement resulting from injury. It may also be
done in conjunction with an operation to relieve nasal obstruction due
to an internal deformity. If the septum, or partition, inside the nose
needs correction to improve breathing, the operation is called a
septorhinoplasty (sept-o-rye-no-plas-tee). Cosmetic nasal surgery can
be done in conjunction with reconstructive nasal surgery. If this is
the case in your situation, the reconstructive surgery will usually be
done first. Surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis under local
or general anesthesia. Reconstructive nasal surgery can be simple or
complicated depending on the reconstruction taking place. While
cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by insurance, reconstructive
surgery is commonly covered by medical insurance. For more
information, talk with Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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SURGERY FOR BREATHING PROBLEMS
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Breathing problems can result
from nasal fractures and deformities, but the most common cause is a
deviated septum, or partition inside the nose. To correct this
problem, septorhinoplasty (sep-toe-RHINE-o-plast-e) surgery is usually
performed on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia.
The amount of time that surgery takes will vary. However, cosmetic
surgery plus septal surgery may take as long as two-and-a-half hours.
If you’re having cosmetic surgery with spatial surgery, the septum is
usually operated on first. To improve the nasal airway, the position
of the septum may be altered or a portion of the septum may be
removed. The only feeling you may recall from the surgery is a
vibration or pulling sensation. Immediately after surgery, you will be
able to breathe only through your mouth because your nose will be
closed from swelling, surgical packing, or both. Your eyes will be
puffy or even bruised for up to one week, and your nose will be
noticeably swollen for one to two weeks. Most insurance companies
won’t pay for cosmetic nose surgery but will pay for septal surgery.
For more information on surgery for breathing problems, consult with a
qualified plastic surgeon.
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CROOKED NOSE
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There are two procedures which
are usually involved in the correction of a crooked nose. These
procedures include Septoplasty (SEP-tow-plas-tee), which is performed
to improve or alleviate an airway obstruction, and Rhinoplasty (RI-no-plas-tee),
which is done to improve the external appearance of the nose. These
two procedures may be done individually, or together, depending on the
needs and desires of the patient. Then the physician can, if
necessary, surgically realign the nasal septum to improve the air
flow, and, if desired by the patient also improve the cosmetic
appearance of the nose. The surgery, which may take about an hour, is
usually performed on an outpatient basis under local or general
anesthesia. A small splint will be attached to the outside of the nose
and should be worn for approximately one week. The final appearance of
the nose is not apparent for six to twelve months because normal
healing takes place gradually. Generally, insurance will cover a
procedure to improve or alleviate an airway obstruction, but not a
procedure to improve the external appearance of the nose. For a
patient who has both Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty performed, generally
half of the cost is covered by insurance. For more information on
surgery for a crooked nose, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic
Surgery.
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NASAL HUMP
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Nasal humps are often inherited,
but they can also result from a previous trauma, such as a sports
injury. Either way, a reduction of the nasal hump can be accomplished
by removing a small portion of bone and cartilage to contour and
refine the nasal bridge. The procedure is usually performed on an
outpatient basis under general or local anesthesia, and is normally
done from inside the nose so there are no visible scars. Although the
surgery makes the entire nose smaller, the most dramatic change will
probably be in the profile. After surgery, patients can usually return
to work within several days. For more information on nasal humps, talk
to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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ROUNDED NASAL TIP
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Sometimes, people will have more
cartilage on the tip of their nose than they prefer. This can be
improved through a surgical procedure called tip plasty. This surgery
sculpts the cartilage in the nasal tip and can also narrow the
nostrils, if necessary. The procedure, which takes about an hour, is
usually done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
Improvement may be seen after six weeks, but can take up to a year.
Nose surgery can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but
it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause
other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with
your surgeon. The best candidates for nose surgery are people who are
looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If
you’re physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in
your expectations, you may be a good candidate. For more information
on nasal tip surgery, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic
Surgery.
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WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING
NOSE SURGERY?
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Rhinoplasty( rye-no-plast-eee)
or nose surgery can be performed under a local or general
anesthesia(an-es-thee-zha), depending on the extent of the procedure,
and what the doctor and patient prefer. With local anesthesia, the
patient is lightly sedated, the nose and surrounding areas are numbed,
and he or she is awake during the surgery. With general anesthesia,
the patient is asleep through the operation. During surgery, the skin
of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and
cartilage(car-till-idge), which is then sculpted to the desired shape.
Many plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, making
their incision inside the nostrils. Other surgeons prefer an open
procedure. In more complicated cases, they make a small incision
across the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils. When the
surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help the nose
maintain its new shape. For additional information on nose surgery,
Call Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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SPECIAL TECHNIQUES IN
NASAL SURGERY
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Cosmetic nasal surgery, known as
rhinoplasty (RYE-no-plas-tee), is done to bring the nose into harmony
with the face, improving the overall appearance. There’s no standard
procedure in rhinoplasty; your surgeon should match the procedure to
your personal needs. After you tell the doctor what you want to
change, your skin and nose will be assessed so changes can be
recommended. Rhinoplasty is primarily done by making incisions inside
the nose. If your situation requires incisions on the outside of the
nose, the scars are small and hardly noticeable. During the surgery,
the surgeon separates the skin from the underlying bone and cartilage
and reshapes them. The skin is naturally elastic and will reshape
itself to accommodate the changes. Rhinoplasty is usually performed on
an outpatient basis, and you can return home the same day under
adequate supervision. Special techniques in rhinoplasty allow surgeons
to remove a hump on the bridge of the nose, narrow the nose, refine
the tip, correct a deviated septum, and narrow the span of the
nostrils. It can also correct birth defects or injuries and can even
help you breathe easier. If you’d like more information on rhinoplasty
and how it can work for you, contact a cosmetic surgeon.
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PROTRUDING EARS (OTOPLASTY)
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Protruding ears are the most
common cosmetic problem that people have concerning their ears.
Otoplasty (oh-toe-plass-tee) is the procedure used to “pin back” such
ears and to change their shape and contour. This procedure is often
performed on patients during their preschool years in order to
alleviate possible teasing at school by other children. Otoplasty is
performed through incisions along the back of the ear which exposes
the ear cartilage. Portions of the cartilage are then removed and
repositioned. Permanent sutures are often used to maintain this
correction and hold the ears in their new position. The skin behind
the ear is then sewed up, and a large, soft bandage protects and
secures the ears for several days. The stitches are removed within a
few days following the procedure. Immediately following otoplasty,
some swelling and bruising of the ears can be expected. However, the
swelling usually decreases after the first few days and the bruises
heal after a couple of weeks. Most people are able to return to work
or school after only one to two weeks. Every case is different,
however, so it is best to discuss this procedure with a plastic
surgeon before making any final decisions regarding otoplasty. For
more information about otoplasty, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan
Plastic Surgery.
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