Nose Enhancement Boston - Rhinoplasty Wellesley
Your nose…the most important central feature of the face, affects the overall balance, harmony, and aesthetic appeal of your face. Is it too large, too small, too flat, and/or too pointed? Do you have trouble breathing from one or both sides of your nose? According to Dr. William LoVerme, Medical Director of Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery, an aesthetically pleasing nose is one that fits your face with harmony, and is in the correct proportions.Among all facial plastic surgery procedures, nose enhancement, or rhinoplasty, is one of the most common. Nose enhancement can be performed on any part of the nose, to increase or reduce its size; to modify the size and shape of the nostrils, tip or bridge of the nose; or to alter the slope or angle of the nose. Rhinoplasty may also be performed to correct an injury or birth defect, or to improve breathing.
Dr. LoVerme will evaluate your entire facial structure, with emphasis towards improving not only the nose, but its relationship to other parts of the face. The goal is to blend your nose aesthetically, thereby providing balance and harmony to your facial features. Many cultures wish to have cosmetic nasal surgery yet retain their ethnicity. These people have certain noses which patients may desire to retain. Dr. LoVerme will discuss this with you openly and will make every effort to retain the ethnic features that you desire. Computer imaging may be used during your consultation in an effort to make both the doctor and patient more aware of what is desired and what can or can not be done. Since he has extensive experience with rhinoplasty of all types, he will be able to determine what is best for you.
The earliest recommended age for rhinoplasty is in the mid teen years when the nose has fully developed. There is no upper age limit but the desired improvements are often different between younger and older patients. Again, the staff at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery will help guide you for the correct enhancements for your particular needs.
The Surgery
Rhinoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia in our own private certified outpatient surgical facility. In most procedures, the skin of the nose is lifted away from the bone and cartilage framework beneath, which is then shaped and sculpted as desired. Dr. LoVerme most often does this through small incisions inside the nose which are invisible at the end of surgery. This is called an endonasal rhinoplasty. Some doctors always elect to make the incision from outside the nose, depending on the nature of the surgery. At Accurate Aesthetics, we believe that this creates a visible scar and extends the healing process with prolonged swelling. Dr. LoVerme only performs this type of open rhinoplasty when he feels the potential benefits outweigh the risks. This is most often in secondary or tertiary (repeat) rhinoplasties which he frequently performs when patients come to him with persistent defects after a previous rhinoplasty. The skin is then re-draped over the “new” framework, and a splint is applied to help your nose maintain its new form. In some cases, nasal packs or soft splints may be inserted into the nostrils to provide additional stability.
Other Options
Dr. LoVerme will discuss other options with you at your consultation. Some people will need more building up of their nose. This can be done with your own cartilage taken from within the nose or from the ear. It can also be done with a silicone implant which is quite common for Asian rhinoplasty patients. Non surgical rhinoplasty can be performed with injectable fillers such as Radiesse or Juvederm Ultra Plus or Restylane to heighten the bridge of the nose and improve the appearance.
The nose must also balance with the rest of the facial profile. Some people who think their nose is too large may only (or also) have a small chin which relatively makes the nose look larger. Chin implant (medically termed Mentoplasty) is often a solution to this problem and most often is performed at the same time as rhinoplasty. Generally a silicone implant is inserted through a small incision under the chin or inside the mouth to improve the profile as well as the frontal view. This can easily be demonstrated with our Canfield Mirror computer imaging system.
Finally, the facial profile is often improved with liposuction of the neck giving a more elegant, defined and thinner appearance. Please do not be offended if the doctor brings this up in consultation. At Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery we strive to give our patients the optimal balance of improvement they desire taking into account their desires, needs, allowable healing time and financial abilities.
The Recovery
Following surgery, bruising, swelling around the eyes and cheeks can be expected. We most often suggest taking Arnica Montana, an herb that decreases bruising and swelling. This will be provided at the office prior to surgery. Most patients complain of a mild headache after surgery but no excruciating pain. This can be alleviated with cold compresses and pain medication that will be prescribed by Dr. LoVerme. The most important thing you can do for the first 48 hours after surgery is to keep ice packs on the nose and eyes as much as possible and to sleep with the head somewhat elevated. A pillow under the shoulders and two pillows under the head is often best for sleeping. You will feel “stuffed up” for the first few weeks. By two days after surgery you will be able to use a nasal decongestant by mouth such as the cold and flu relievers available at any pharmacy. Plan to have some of this at home prior to the surgery.
Many of our patients need or wish to fly soon after surgery. We recommend that you wait at least 10 days before flights or you risk having ear aches on the plane. We also suggest that you spray your nose with Afrin or a similar nasal spray to reduce internal swelling before flying for the first three months after surgery. This Afrin should not be used more than once per day or more than 4 days in a row in the two months after surgery. You may also wish to have a salt water nasal spray (such as Ocean, Ayr or NaSal) available at home to help relieve the internal crusting that may happen in the first few weeks after surgery. This salt water nasal spray may be used as much as desired and has no harmful effects. It simply washes out the inside of the nose.
Plan to listen to radio, CD’s or your iPod for the first few days as we will want you to keep ice on and you will not be able to watch movies. The most visible swelling and bruising are usually gone within two weeks. Splints, stitches and packing are removed in about 5 days, and you can usually return to work or non-strenuous activities within a week or two. Strenuous activities may be resumed within a few months. You will not be able to get the splint wet. Plan to have someone else help to wash your hair for the first week. If you get in a shower you should use a clear shower cap pulled down over the splint to keep it dry.
Most people are thrilled at the first appointment when their splint is removed and the new nose is revealed. But remember that your nose will take at least six months to fully heal. It will continue to refine its appearance during that healing time. Please be patient as you await the final results. You can expect that you will need to be seen in the office for appointments at about 5 days after surgery as well as 6 weeks and possibly 3 months.
Men and women want to look their best. Although the “perfect” nose may not exist, you can improve the appearance so that it does not attract unnecessary attention and can even enhance the shape of your eyes and entire face. Schedule your initial consultation today and let Dr. LoVerme show you how nose contouring can greatly benefit your overall facial appearance.
If you have been considering some type of nose enhancement, now is the time to call Accurate Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and set up an appointment to meet with Dr. LoVerme in a personal, private consultation. Call today at (781) 263-0011 or contact us on line now.