| Dr. David L. Mobley is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Rhinoplasty.
Q. What is rhinoplasty?
A. This is a surgical procedure performed to enhance the appearance of the nose generally by reducing the nasal hump (bridge) of the nose and refining the appearance of the nasal tip. It also may involve straightening out the septum of the nose to improve breathing.
Q. What are the benefits of rhinoplasty?
A. I believe the main goal of rhinoplasty is to bring the appearance of the nose into harmony with the other features of one’s face. In other words, the idea of this procedure is to remove the detracting features of the nose while enhancing the positive features. In general, it is better to maintain a strong nasal appearance and not reduce the features of the nose too greatly. Therefore it is important to be conservative when performing rhinoplasty. I often tell patients that the idea of rhinoplasty is not to make the nose the centerpiece of the face. The nose should work with the other features of the face helping to emphasize the eyes and lips and should not be made too small or "cute."
Q. What are the risks associated with rhinoplasty?
A. Rhinoplasty is a low-risk procedure. Nosebleeds are possible after surgery but are very rare. The nose is a complex three-dimensional structure and the main risk associated with rhinoplasty is that sometimes touchup procedures are needed. This usually occurs when the patient desires additional change such as additional reduction of the nasal hump or additional refinements in the tip of the nose.
Q. What does a rhinoplasty procedure involve?
A. Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves making small incisions inside the nose and along collumella ( area of skin between the nostrils) allowing the skin to be temporarily lifted up. At this point changes can be made in the supporting structures of the nose including reducing the nasal hump and enhancing the tip cartilages. Because this is done under the surgeons direct vision, it is much more accurate than in the past. This open technique has made rhinoplasty safer and the results much more predictable. Packing of the nose is no longer performed and this has greatly reduced any postoperative discomfort. Most patients describe this discomfort as very mild, lasting only one or two days. A small protective splint covers the nose for about one week after surgery. Patients often describe the postoperative course as, "much easier than I expected." Sometime there is some mild bruising which occurs along the lower eyelids, which is short-lived. Most patients can be out in public looking as though they have not had surgery in approximately one week.
Q. How long does it take to recover from rhinoplasty?
A. The recovery from rhinoplasty generally takes about one week. When patients return for their one-week postoperative visit I remove the splint and allow them to visualize their new appearance for the first time. It is an exciting visit because patients can immediately see the improvements. The majority of the swelling from rhinoplasty resolves over the first two weeks(80%) The next 10% of swelling goes away over the first two months. The last 10% of the swelling goes away at roughly 1% per month over the next 10 months. Fortunately, even after the first two weeks the average observer could not tell a patient has had rhinoplasty. In order to see the most delicate features of the nose reappear one must be patient as improvement occurs over the entire first year after surgery. I allow a complete return to all activities including exercise and heavy lifting after 3 weeks. Most patients could return to work after one week (sometimes a little longer if the bruises under the eyes are darker and you want to be completely private about your surgery).
Q. How long can one expect the results to last?
A. Results should be permanent and should gradually improve over time.
Q. How does one locate an experienced surgeon in my area?
A. There are several resources available to help with finding an experienced surgeon in your area. An excellent source is the website sponsored by the American Society of plastic surgeons (ASPS), www.plasticsurgery.org. Just googgle search the term ASPS and click on "Find a ASPS member surgeon" subheading of the google listing. All of the surgeons who are members of this society are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
In addition, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has an excellent web site www.surgery.org. You can google search the term ASAPS to easily find this listing then click on "Find a Plastic Surgeon" in the subheading of the google listing. To be a member of the ASAPS you must be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for at least 3 years and prove to the society that your practice is primarily devoted to aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery by submitting an extensive list of representative cases you have performed. In addition you must operate only in fully accredited surgical centers and be elected by at least 80% of the current members.
Q. How to contact Dr. Mobley if we have further questions?
A. You may ask me questions directly through my email DavidLMobleyMD@me.com.
My web site SarasotaPlasticSurgery.com also has additional information on many of the procedures we perform and a contact form if you are interested in a consultation. We are currently constructing a new, state of the art web site that will be packed with the information you need mostly concerning plastic surgery due to go live in November. This website will include a blog, an "ask the doctor" section and social networking features all to keep us in close touch with current and potential patients or simply to answer your plastic surgery questions.
For patients interested in a consultation please contact my office, Sarasota Plastic Surgery, 2255 S. Tamiami Trial, Sarasota, FL 34239, at 941-321-1675 and ask for Melissa my patient care coordinator.
I also frequently answer questions on www.Realself.com, which I consider a good source of unbiased information on plastic surgeons and the procedures they perform. |
