Jacksonville Nose Surgery

Also Known As Rhinoplasty

Things You Should Know When Considering Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems.

If you’re considering rhinoplasty, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure, when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect after your nose surgery. This won’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient. Please ask Dr. Csikai about anything you don’t understand.

The Best Candidates for Jacksonville Rhinoplasty

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 nasal surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Csikai.

The best candidates for rhinoplasty 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. Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes-to correct birth defects or breathing problems.

Age may also be a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not to operate on teenagers until after they’ve completed their growth years; usually around 14 or 15 for girls and a bit later for boys. It’s important to consider your teenagers’ wants and desires and to make sure nose surgery is what they want.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

When rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Csikai’s instructions before and after surgery.

After surgery, tiny red spots may appear on the skin’s surface; these are usually very minor but may be permanent. As for scarring, when rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose, there is no visible scarring at all; when an “open” technique is used, or when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils, the small scars on the base of the nose are usually not visible.

Planning Your Jacksonville Nose Surgery

Good communication between you and Dr. Csikai is essential. In your initial consultation, Dr. Csikai will ask what you’d like your nose to look like, evaluate the structure of your nose and face, and discuss the possibilities with you. He or she will also explain the factors that can influence the procedure and the results. These factors include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.

Dr. Csikai will also explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, the risks and costs involved, and any options you may have. Most insurance policies don’t cover purely cosmetic surgery; however, if the procedure is performed for reconstructive purposes, to correct a breathing problem or a marked deformity, the procedure may be covered. Check with your insurer, and obtain pre-authorization for your surgery.

Be sure to tell Dr. Csikai if you’ve had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You should also inform Dr. Csikai if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties; if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs; and if you smoke.

Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Csikai any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

Preparing For Your Jacksonville Nose Surgery

Dr. Csikai will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications, and washing your face. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.

Where Your Jacksonville Rhinoplasty Surgery Will Be Performed

Your rhinoplasty surgery will  most likely be performed at Dr. Csikai’s state licensed surgical center but may be performed at an area hospital. Rhinoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis that makes the procedure more afordable and convenient for the patient. However, more complex procedures may require a short inpatient stay.

Types Of Anesthesia

Rhinoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and on what you and your surgeon prefer.

With local anesthesia, you’ll usually be lightly sedated, and your nose and the surrounding area will be numbed. You will be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. With general anesthesia you will sleep through the entire operation.

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your medical issue or cosmetic purpose of the procedure. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

If Dr. Csikai performs rhinoplasty from within the nose, the incision will be made inside the nostrils. If your procedure calls for an “open” procedure, or is a more complicated cases; Dr. Csikai may need to make a small incision across the columella, the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils.

When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints are typically used to stabilize the inside center wall of your nose between your nostrils; the septum.

After Your Jacksonville Rhinoplasty Surgery

After surgery – particularly during the first 24 hours – your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication Dr. Csikai will prescribe. Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated, (except for going to the bathroom) for the first day.

You’ll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks. (Some subtle swelling-unnoticeable to anyone but you and Dr. Csikai – will remain for several months.)

A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks as all swelling subsides. Your surgeon will probably ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the nasal tissues heal.

If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after a few days and you’ll feel much more comfortable. By the end of one or, occasionally, two weeks, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed.

Getting Back to Normal

Most nose surgery patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or light work within a week  following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you’re entirely up to speed.

Dr. Csikai will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. He will likely include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity (jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations-any activity that increases your blood pressure) for two to three weeks. Avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned, for eight weeks. Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics.

You can wear contact lenses as soon as you feel like it, but discuss when you can return to wearing glasses with Dr. Csikai before doing so. Once the splint is removed, glasses typically need to be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks for a number of weeks weeks, until you have completely recovered from surgery.

Dr. Csikai will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the weeks and months after surgery to check on the progress of your healing. If you have any unusual symptoms between visits, or any questions about what you can and can’t do, don’t hesitate to call our office.

Your New Look

In the days following your surgery, when your face is bruised and swollen, it’s easy to forget the benefits of rhinoplasty. In fact, many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery – it’s quite normal and understandable.

Rest assured that this stage will pass. Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Within a week or two, you’ll no longer look as if you’ve just had surgery.

Still, healing is a slow and gradual process. Some subtle swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip of your nose. The final results of rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more.

In the meantime, you might experience some unexpected reactions from family and friends. They may say they don’t see a major difference in your nose. Or they may act resentful, especially if you’ve changed something they view as a family or ethnic trait. If that happens, try to keep in mind why you decided to have this surgery in the first place. If you’ve met your goals, then your surgery is a success.

Dr. David N. Csikai is an active member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons. We would like to thank ASPS for the above information and encourage you to visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for more information about Plastic Surgery and other helpful information about the field of Plastic Surgery and difference it has made in the lives of people around the world.