Rhinoplasty in Houston, TX

Nasal surgery can improve the appearance of the nose externally as well as the internal function of the nasal airways. Rhinoplasty is the term for surgery of the external nose. Internal procedures correct deformities of the septum or turbinates, which can obstruct the nasal airway.

Importance Of Nose Aesthetics

The nose is a very important central feature of the face. In both front and profile views, nasal characteristics affect the overall balance and aesthetic appeal of the entire face. Rhinoplasty is one of the most difficult procedures in plastic surgery because very small changes can drastically affect the appearance. Careful evaluation, planning, and surgical precision are critically important before Rhinoplasty. Overly operated noses appear unattractive and unnatural. To preserve your individuality and maintain the uniqueness of your nose, Dr. Smith will spend a lot of time with you, discussing your desires and explaining how the changes you desire will affect other features of your nose and face. By addressing only the negative features and carefully preserving your positive characteristics with Rhinoplasty, your nose will blend aesthetically with your face without appearing overly operated.

In general, features of the nose should blend in a pleasing fashion with other facial features. Overly prominent or detracting features of the nose, such as a large hump or an excessively round or bulbous tip, which detract from a pleasing balance, can be improved by rhinoplasty. To schedule a consultation for rhinoplasty in Houston, contact Dr. Smith at (713) 659-2700.

Improving The Airways

Difficulty in breathing can be caused by deformities of the nasal septum. Nasal septal deviation can occur during nasal growth or from trauma to the nose. Internal nasal surgery, if needed, can be combined with surgery of the external nose to improve airway function as well as appearance.

What Can Be Achieved?

The degree of correction achievable in each nose depends to some extent on the characteristics of the skin and cartilage in the nose. For example, when the skin is extremely thick or oily, the degree of definition that can be achieved in areas such as the nasal tip may be limited.

Since many nasal structures are vital to the overall support and function of the nose, changes must be made carefully, and in some cases, may have to be limited in order to preserve support.

Limitations

Dr. Bruce K Smith will discuss any specific limitations with you during your consultation. During the healing phase after surgery, scar tissue formation can occasionally affect the final appearance of the nose. If undesirable characteristics persist or arise after rhinoplasty, a revisional procedure may be necessary in a small percentage of cases. The extent to which nasal airways can be opened depends on many factors. Internal structures such as the septum are vital to support the nose, and changes must be limited when the support function is threatened. Surgery corrects structural mechanical problems of the airways. Allergies and reactions of the nasal lining to the environment are not predictably corrected by surgery.

Although the nasal septum can be straightened at the time of surgery, the inherent “memory” of the cartilage or scar tissue forces following surgery can produce a re-deviation in a small percentage of cases.

Risks

Other risks common to all surgical procedures, such as bleeding, infection and scar tissue formation, occur in a very small percentage of cases. We will give you more detailed information about these and other rare risks in our written information, and we will discuss any concerns you have during your consultation.

About the Operation

Most incisions for rhinoplasty and internal nasal surgery are placed inside the nose. In certain cases, carefully concealed external incisions may be necessary for the most accurate correction. Dr.Smith will discuss incision placement with you during your consultation.

To achieve changes in nasal appearance, the nasal framework, including cartilage and sometimes bone, is carefully altered or reshaped. The skin is then redraped over the reshaped framework to achieve the desired appearance.

Internally, deviated areas of the nasal septum are straightened to maximally open the airways. Areas of severe deformity that cannot be straightened are conservatively removed to open the airways while preserving the support function of the septum. To protect the changes made to your nose during surgery, tape and a nasal splint will usually be applied at the end of your rhinoplasty.

Very occasionally, in severe airway deformities, a small internal splint may be necessary after septal surgery, but an open airway is always maintained. In most cases, absolutely nothing is placed inside your nose after surgery.

After Your Surgery

You’ll have very little pain following your rhinoplasty. Most of our patients describe a feeling of fullness or mild headache for a day or two, for which we’ll prescribe medication. Most patients require medication for several days only.

You’ll be able to see the refinements in your nose immediately after surgery. Some swelling and bruising will develop in the first 24 hours after surgery, but will begin to decrease rapidly by the third day. Any traces of bruising that remain when we remove the tape can easily be covered by makeup.

Stages Of Recovery

Our patients usually want to know about four stages of recovery: hospitalization time, when swelling or bruising is resolved, when they’ll be able to return to work or social activity, and when they can return to full aerobic or strenuous exercise.

For rhinoplasty procedures, the average…

• Hospitalization time: Usually performed as an outpatient procedure.
• Bruising and swelling resolve: 5-10 days (although the tip area looks better immediately after surgery, it will continue to improve in definition for several weeks)
• Return to work, social activity: 7-10 days (or less if you are comfortable with people seeing you with a small amount of tape on your nose.
• Aerobic or strenuous activity: 14-21 days.
  

We encourage immediate return to full normal activity immediately. Just don’t do any type of strenuous exercise that would push your pulse over 100 for about two to three weeks. Any aerobic activity that raises your pulse above 100 also raises your blood pressure and could increase bleeding.

Frequently Asked Questions