| Dr. Catherine P. Winslow is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto- Head and Neck Surgery) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Rhinoplasty.
Q. What is rhinoplasty?
A. Rhinoplasty is combining art and science to improve nasal form (appearance), function (breathing) or both. Because every face is unique, each rhinoplasty surgery is planned as a unique operation, and no two are exactly the same. It is my favorite surgery because it is so artistic and is truly sculpting a visible masterpiece. It also is the most demanding procedure I perform, and requires years of experience to achieve excellence.
Q. What are the benefits of rhinoplasty?
A. The benefits of rhinoplasty are improving nasal airflow, breathing and sinus drainage, and/or improving a person’s self-esteem and self-acceptance. The improvements in self-esteem cannot be overstated. I not uncommonly have people cry when, after years of being self-conscious of a large or attention-grabbing nose, the splint is removed and the nose is unveiled as a perfect fit to the face.
Q. What are the risks associated with rhinoplasty?
A. Possible risks associated with rhinoplasty or nasal surgery include temporary stuffiness, swelling and bruising (although many patients do not bruise at all). Some patients have allergies or other factors that do not respond to surgery and may have stuffiness that persists after surgery. Not all patients have realistic expectations (Hollywood celebrities are excellent examples!). A small percentage of patients will want a minor change once healing is complete, and additional costs may be incurred for revision work.
Q. What does a rhinoplasty procedure involve?
A. A rhinoplasty is different for everyone, but typically involves incisions placed inconspicuously that allow the surgeon access to alter the bone and/or cartilage of the nose. The cartilage is contoured to maintain breathing while creating a pleasing shape to the tip. The ideal nose is straight, with a gentle line that flows from the brow region down to the tip. If a nose is disproportionately large, humps can be removed to create a better balance of the nose to the face. Smaller noses, or poorly defined noses, sometimes need additional cartilage as a graft to provide support and shape. This is usually taken from the septum (and crooked septums are frequently fixed with the surgery!) or the ear. The procedure can be done under sedation or a general anesthetic and takes 2-3 hours on average. Additional procedures that help balance features, such as a chin implant for a soft chin, or functional procedures like sinus surgery are commonly performed under the same sedation when indicated.
Q. How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty?
A. After rhinoplasty, a splint is placed on the nose and packing may be placed inside the nose. Activities are restricted for one week while healing progresses. The splint is typically removed at one week, and patients can put on makeup and resume most normal activities. Most people look and feel good at one week but subtle swelling typically takes 12 months or so to completely resolve. If the bones were broken with rhinoplasty, contact sports are avoided for several months after surgery. For most patients, pain is not as bad as expected. The most common complaint I get is frustration at not being able to blow the nose for a week.
Q. How long can one expect the results to last?
A. Results from rhinoplasty are permanent. Subtle improvements are seen for quite some time after surgery, although after the first 6-12 months they are quite minor.
Q. How do one locate an experienced surgeon in my area?
A. Rhinoplasty experts in a geographical area can be located by word of mouth, websites such as www.ABFPRS.org to identify facial experts, or through referrals from primary care physicians. It is important to evaluate before/after photos of patients the surgeon has operated on, determine how much rhinoplasty training and experience the surgeon has, and establish a good rapport with the surgeon. Cost also varies greatly among surgeons. Follow-up after surgery should occur frequently for a year or longer. The surgeon should ideally be performing at least 1-2 nasal surgeries each WEEK, not one or two monthly or yearly. Photo morphing is commonly performed at the consultation and can help to ensure your physician is listening to you about the changes for improvement that are desired by you (versus those the physician wants to perform).
Q. How to contact Dr. Winslow if we have further questions?
A. For further questions I can be reached at drwinslow@indyface.com or by calling 317-814-1104. |
