Rhinoplasty in Omaha, NE

Patients are normally presentable after one week following a rhinoplasty. Swelling is still present, especially in the tip, but is usually minor enough that it is only noticed by the patient and the surgeon.

A typical rhinoplasty includes incisions on the inside of the nose. Sometimes, nose reshaping can be done through these incisions alone. Very often, however, these incisions are connected at the base of the nose. This allows the surgeon to lift the skin off the underlying structures and actually visualize both sides at the same time. Changes in the cartilage and bone are made under direct vision. This type of rhinoplasty is called an open rhinoplasty. Your surgeon will recommend what he or she thinks is the best procedure for you

A rhinoplasty is designed to change the outward appearance of the nose. It is not a procedure that is intended to improve breathing. If breathing is a problem, a patient may require a septoplasty or turbinate reduction. The septum is the wall between the two nasal passages. Sometimes, it is deviated (crooked), thereby decreasing the airflow on one side of the nose. There are structures inside the nose called turbinates. These are outward projecting structures on the outside wall of the nasal passages. Sometimes, they become enlarged and reduction of the turbinate may improve breathing.

If you live in the state of Nebraska, Aesthetic Surgical Images offers rhinoplasty among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.

It’s not unusual for patients to have nasal congestion following rhinoplasty. This is often secondary to swelling with crusting and scabbing within the nasal passage. When this occurs, patients have an irresistible urge to blow their noses. We generally recommend that patients avoid blowing their nose for at least two weeks following routine rhinoplasty and four to six weeks following septoplasty. When patients blow their noses in the early postoperative period, they can potentially damage the nasal mucous and cause bleeding. For this reason, we generally recommend nasal saline irrigations in the immediate postoperative period.

It’s not unusual for patients to have difficulty breathing through their nose following surgery. In most cases, this is related to normal post-operative swelling and resolves quickly. In some cases, crusting and scabbing within the nasal passages may also contribute to this problem. The problem is often related to the type of procedure performed. For instance, when septal work or large dorsal humps are removed, this problem seems more likely. In the vast majority of cases, breathing difficulty resolves in two to three weeks as swelling resolves. In a small percentage, swelling may persist for four to six weeks following rhinoplasty. In a small percentage of patients, breathing problems may be permanent and related to structural changes in the nose. When this situation arises, secondary nasal surgery may be necessary.

It’s not unusual for the nasal cartilage to slowly curve after a nasal fracture. In many cases, the nose may actually be straight after the swelling has resolved. With the passage of time, the cartilage slowly starts to bend and resulting in a curved nasal dorsum. When this situation arises the nose should be critically evaluated. Not only should nasal aesthetics be evaluated, but attention should be given to the nasal airway as well. Under these circumstances, the cartilaginous nasal septum may be deviated as well, with resultant airway obstruction. When a patient has a crooked nose following trauma, the nasal septum and nasal bones are usually both involved. In many cases, patients often develop a dorsal hump as well. Correction of this problem usually requires a rhinoplasty. If nasal airway obstruction is present, a septoplasty may be necessary as well. In patients with post-traumatic nasal deformities with associated functional impairment, consultation with a board-certified surgeon is appropriate. It’s never too late to correct post-traumatic nasal deformities especially if they’re associated with functional impairment.

The majority of patients are happy with the results of rhinoplasty surgery, but occasionally we see patients who are unhappy. This can occur for a variety of reasons and may require secondary rhinoplasty for correction. In some cases, it’s not possible to accomplish the patient’s aesthetic goals on living tissue without damaging the nasal blood supply. In other cases, it may be secondary to poor communication, and finally, in some cases, it may be secondary to unrealistic patient expectations. For these reasons, revision rhinoplasty may be necessary for up to five to ten percent of patients who undergo rhinoplasty. When revision rhinoplasty is undertaken, the best results occur when twelve to eighteen months have been allowed to pass. This allows scar tissue to soften. Furthermore, the nose has reached a stable position and the surgeons won’t be trying to hit a moving target. Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in revision rhinoplasty is highly recommended. This surgeon should be able to help you formulate an appropriate treatment plan.