Making the Decision for Cosmetic Nose Surgery

Whether the nose surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. Many of our facial plastic surgeons hear at LaFontaine Cosmetic Clinic are trained in the ear, nose, throat, and facial cosmetic surgery, which provides you, the patient, with the highest level of training and expertise. Your cosmetic surgeon will examine the structure of your nose, both externally and internally, to evaluate what you can expect from cosmetic nose surgery. Your surgeon will also discuss factors that may influence the outcome of the nose surgery, such as skin type, ethnic background, age, degree of deformity, and degree of function of nasal structures.

You can expect a thorough explanation of the surgeon's expectations and the risks involved in surgery. Following a joint decision by you and your surgeon to proceed with the nose surgery, the surgeon will take photographs of you and discuss the options available. Your surgeon will explain how the nasal structures, including bone and cartilage, can be sculpted to reshape the nose and indicate how reshaping the chin for example, could enhance the desired results.

After conducting a thorough medical history, your surgeon will offer information regarding anesthesia, the surgical facility to be used, and the costs for the procedure.

Understanding Cosmetic Nose Surgery

The definition of rhinoplasty (Nose surgery) is, literally, shaping the nose. First, incisions are made and the skin of the nose is lifted from its underlying bone and cartilage support system. The majority of incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. In some cases, an incision is made in the area of skin separating the nostrils. Next, certain amounts of underlying bone and cartilage are removed or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. For example, when the tip of the nose is too large, the surgeon can sculpt the cartilage in this area to reduce it in size. The angle of the nose in relation to the upper lip can be altered for a more youthful look or to correct a distortion.

The skin is then re-draped over the new frame and the incisions are closed. A splint is applied to the outside of the nose to help retain the new shape while the nose heals. Soft, absorbent material may be used inside the nose to maintain stability along the dividing wall of the air passages called the septum. Risk factors in nose surgery are generally minor, and your facial plastic surgeon will discuss these prior to surgery.