Because your nose is in the center of your face, it is often the first thing people notice about you. Your nose helps to create facial balance, but a lack of symmetry can lead to poor aesthetics. Many people consider undergoing rhinoplasty surgery because it can change the overall aesthetics of their face by addressing just one structure.
If you are interested in nose alteration, call our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the criteria for identifying suitable candidates for a rhinoplasty in Richmond. Our board-certified plastic surgeon can help you understand the details of the procedure and what you can expect during recovery.
How Can a Rhinoplasty Help Me?
A rhinoplasty, commonly known as a “nose job,” offers aesthetic and practical benefits by addressing various medical and cosmetic concerns. For example, a rhinoplasty combined with a septoplasty can address breathing problems caused by structural issues. This improves airflow and breathing while reducing the risk of chronic sinus infections associated with a deviated septum. Correcting a deviated septum can also alleviate chronic nasal congestion and snoring.
Nose alteration surgery reshapes the nose and creates facial harmony by correcting nasal asymmetry, bumps, or a crooked bridge. A well-proportioned nose complements other facial features, which improves the overall aesthetics of your face. A rhinoplasty can also correct the appearance and function of your nose if you have a congenital defect or were injured in a traumatic accident.
Call our Richmond office today to discuss whether you are a good candidate for nose alteration surgery. Many of our patients report feeling higher self-esteem and confidence after a rhinoplasty, positively affecting their personal and professional lives.
What Are the Common Criteria for Rhinoplasty Surgery?
If you want to make changes to your nose, you will first need to ensure that you meet the requirements for surgery. Dr. Steven Montante, our board-certified plastic surgeon, will discuss several factors that influence your candidacy for a nose alteration procedure during your initial consultation in Richmond.
Your Age
You must be at least 18 years old to be considered for rhinoplasty surgery, as bone and cartilage continue to grow and change until around age 18. Surgery before this age typically does not produce optimal results as growth is disrupted, making it difficult or impossible to achieve a consistent outcome into adulthood.
Medical History
Your medical history plays an important role in assessing your potential complications from anesthesia and surgery. For example, underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, can increase your risk of complications during and after surgery. At your consultation, your surgeon will talk with you about past surgeries, illnesses, diseases, and other factors that impact surgery, such as prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Lifestyle Factors
Several lifestyle factors must also be considered before surgery. You should be a nonsmoker or willing to give up smoking for at least six weeks before and after the procedure. Smoking increases the risk of complications during surgery and the risk of infection while healing. Substances to avoid include any tobacco products, vaping, nicotine gum, and nicotine patches.
Alcohol is another influence that can increase your risk of complications and should be avoided for six weeks before and after your procedure. Your body heals best and recovery is smoother when you eat a nutritious diet, get plenty of rest, and stay well hydrated.
Surgical Expectations
Richmond candidates for a rhinoplasty must also form realistic expectations of surgical outcomes. To this end, we take photographs of our patients before surgery to help us plan the approach and show you how you might look after. When you have realistic expectations of what the procedure can accomplish, you are much more likely to be satisfied with the results. During your consultation, our medical team will discuss your surgical goals and how likely it is that they can be accomplished based on your anatomy.
What To Expect From a Nose Reshaping Surgery
After reviewing our requirements and discussing the procedure with our surgeons, your nose alteration outpatient surgery will be scheduled through our Richmond office. Most rhinoplasty surgeries take about two to three hours, depending on the surgical approach used. During your consultation, we will discuss the different surgical approaches and the bone and cartilage adjustments that may be needed to achieve optimal results.
Each of these surgical factors can significantly influence your recovery time. For example, a more extensive procedure will require a longer recovery time than a procedure that makes subtle changes and improvements to the size or shape of your nose.
You will experience the most swelling and discomfort during the first week. With some exceptions, you may return to normal daily activities after one or two weeks, depending on how comfortable you are in public.
Recovery Plan
After your rhinoplasty surgery at Montante Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, you will undergo a recovery plan to help care for yourself and your incisions. This plan includes a vitamin regimen initiated approximately 2 weeks before your scheduled surgery date and continuing post-operation. Following this plan and the instructions given by our team greatly improves the healing process and reduces swelling and bruising. You will also receive two different laser treatments that aid in recovery and prevention of noticeable post-surgical scars.
Call Our Richmond Office To See if You Are a Candidate for Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery that should be considered carefully. Contact Montante Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Montante. He can discuss the requirements for candidates for a rhinoplasty in Richmond, give you more information about the surgery, and detail the recovery process so you can make a well-informed decision.