Our beautiful California weather continues from the warmer summer months to the mild, comfortable Fall season. For many Newport Beach residents, this is the time of year they seriously consider an aesthetic improvement to their face or body contour. At the top of the list of procedures considered is rhinoplasty (or nose job). If you have been contemplating a nose job for some time, whether for an aesthetic or functional improvement, there is no better time to start the process than now. Here’s why:
Timing
During the summer months, many social calendars are full in Southern California with our beautiful beaches and an agreeable climate. It is also a time when beautiful bodies and faces are on full display in a never-ending stream of outdoor events. It’s at this time many of us reflect on what we see in the mirror and think of where we would like to see improvement. For some, it’s at the focal point of our face – the nose. Whether it’s crooked, humped, too large or misshapen, it may draw attention away from our natural beauty.
Rhinoplasty is designed to correct any visible flaws in the nose to enhance facial beauty or improve its natural function. Although triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ali Sajjadian, employs the most advanced rhinoplasty techniques, the surgery may require several weeks for proper healing and recovery. With Thanksgiving, Hannukah and Christmas events a couple of months away, it’s a great time to heal between the busiest times of year – summer and the holidays.
Setting aside the necessary time when social events are limited is the best strategy for scheduling a rhinoplasty procedure. Fall provides enough time for your body to recover out of direct sunlight, which is critical for the healing process. This time also ensures your new nose will look fantastic during the holiday season.
Why Set Aside the Time?
Because many rhinoplasty patients experience some level of discomfort for a short time after surgery, they all agree the benefits outweigh any negative experiences during recovery. It is extremely important you know what to expect before having a nose job, so your chances of a successful recovery are high, and you can meet your aesthetic goals.
Never – and we mean never – underestimate the amount of time needed for recovery. You should consider at least a week off from work, school or normal daily activities. Recovery also requires you to sleep and relax on your back with your head elevated above your heart. Expect bruising and swelling, especially around the eyes and nose for about a week or two.
You should also expect some level of discomfort which will be managed by oral medications, so don’t plan on driving yourself; plan to have someone available to drive for you. This discomfort should subside after a week to 10 days.
Swelling can be managed by cold compresses. Although most swelling subsides after a couple of weeks revealing substantial aesthetic improvement, some swelling will take several months to resolve, creating additional improvement in your facial contour over time. Expect some nasal congestion initially, but this effect will resolve quickly as well.
Note that patient recovery and swelling vary from patient to patient, depending on the incision technique and the patient’s unique healing process.
Avoiding strenuous activities for a week or two is important, and physical activity that puts your nose at risk of injury should be avoided for several months. Ask Dr. Sajjadian for more details.
Dos and Don’ts During Recovery
Dos:
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling
- Drink plenty of water
- Rest frequently
- Faithfully take prescribed medication and keep follow-up appointments
- Keep a positive attitude
Don’t
- Smoking or drinking alcohol
- Participate in contact sports
- Ignore any signs of complications like infection
Enjoy Aesthetic Results
Whether your nose suffered trauma, or you’ve wanted to improve its appearance your whole life, you can look forward to an improved facial appearance after a custom rhinoplasty by Dr. Sajjadian. Here are some benefits you can expect to enjoy in a few weeks.
A Nose That Fits Your Face
Think of walking into a room with the confidence to know your nose is perfect for your face. Not too large, not too small, no hump, not crooked or misshapen, your nose is a natural fit for your face. Dr. Sajjadian can also fix any nose tip that turns up or down.
During your consultation, a computer imaging procedure will help you visualize the nose you can expect after surgery and recovery. Reducing the size of your nose can affect the appearance of your other facial features by making them appear more prominent, bringing out your natural facial beauty. Conversely, a nose too small can be enhanced to make other facial features appear smaller. A nose that is proportionate to your face will improve your overall facial appearance because it becomes a better fit.
Improving Nose Function
While rhinoplasty is generally considered an aesthetic procedure, it is commonly performed to resolve breathing issues like those resulting from a deviated septum. This type of nose surgery is referred to as a functional rhinoplasty. When referring to fixing a deviated septum, it is also known as septoplasty.
Breathing Improvement
There’s more to a nose job than aesthetic improvement. When patients consider rhinoplasty for functional results, an improvement in breathing is generally the result required. Rhinoplasty can be used to treat obstructed nasal passages that prevent normal breathing. This problem may be the result of trauma, infection, a tumor or congenital disability. The collapse of the nostrils, stenosis, and nasal narrowing are also indications to consider functional rhinoplasty.
When nose conditions match up with these common indications for rhinoplasty, the procedure will help improve your breathing difficulties.
Septal Deviation Correction
A deviated septum is the malformation of the cartilage and bone that separates the nostrils (septum) and obstructs breathing. If you have difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum, rhinoplasty is a viable solution to achieve better breathing.
There are a few ways to achieve improvement. Breathing easier is possible with more open nasal passages. Sleep apnea may also improve with nose surgery, and usage of a CPAP can be made easier.
Using Cartilage Graft for Improvement of Shape and Function
The traditional rhinoplasty surgery relied on the resection of the nasal framework to achieve functional or aesthetic objectives. Many successful results using this method are temporary because the nasal scaffold, which remains after surgery, does not have enough strength to heal properly.
The problems that occur may include an unnatural sharp contour, loss of tip projection and support, collapse of the mid-valve or an alar retraction.
These poor aesthetic outcomes and the eventual functional problems associated with a traditional rhinoplasty have provided a major incentive for the development of cartilage grafting to improve shape and function.
The use of cartilage grafts is almost always a necessary part of a rhinoplasty. Cartilage grafting is necessary for most rhinoplasty procedures so that surgeons can provide their patients with a pleasing aesthetic result. Today, cartilage grafts of varying types are used by most qualified and experienced rhinoplasty surgeons.
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
With our diverse cultures in Orange County and Newport Beach, ethnic rhinoplasty is becoming more important to our residents. These specialized forms of nose surgery are designed to deliver optimal aesthetic results to people of different ethnic backgrounds. Patients with Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Hispanic heritages have different nasal structures than Caucasians and require methods and techniques designed for their specific challenges.
Board-certified surgeons with the training and experience in ethnic rhinoplasty can help their non-Caucasian patients achieve the best results possible for their particular nose.
A Boost in Self-Confidence
A 2013 University of Pennsylvania Study found that quality of life and self-esteem improved with patients after their rhinoplasty procedure. They no longer were consumed with how their nose looked and were more likely to get out and try new things.
This confidence can have a huge impact on how your family and friends see you, and can also improve your social and professional life as well.
How to Start the Process
Getting started is easy. Just schedule a consultation with a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses on rhinoplasty. Triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Sajjadian, has thousands of patients who enjoy their rhinoplasty results in Newport Beach and Southern California. His expertise includes a focus on rhinoplasty and ethnic rhinoplasty. He is the current president of the Rhinoplasty Society and past president of the Orange County Society of Plastic Surgeons.
He is an internationally sought-after teacher, trainer, and participant of rhinoplasty and ethnic rhinoplasty procedures, teaching at several regional, national and international educational seminars each year. He is also recognized with America’s Top Plastic Surgeon and Patients Best Choice Awards for several years.
Contact him today to get started.
To find out more about rhinoplasty, we invite you to contact us or call (949)-515-0550.