Your nose is one of the first features that people notice about you. If it is crooked or disproportionately large, you may feel self-conscious. At Finesse Cosmetic Laser and Lipo in Waltham, MA, we strongly believe everyone deserves to feel self-confident. That’s why we proudly offer rhinoplasty, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world.
Known colloquially as a nose job, this procedure can be used to treat a number of cosmetic concerns, including asymmetry, bumps on the bridge of the nose, and upturned, large, or wide nostrils. Furthermore, this procedure can be used to correct a deviated septum and improve breathing. To help you determine whether this popular, effective procedure is right for you, today, we’re taking a closer look at how long the results last and how long it takes.
How Long Does Rhinoplasty Last?
Rhinoplasty results are considered permanent. However, if you had a nose job in the past and are displeased with the results, they can be corrected with a follow-up procedure performed by a better surgeon. Furthermore, you should understand that exceptional circumstances may occur, and you may need a touch-up procedure.
For example, some people get a nose job to correct the functionality of the nose; treating a deviated septum to improve breathing. If you get a nose job, and then your nose is broken after the procedure, you may need another nose job. Finally, you should understand that you may see a slight change in the appearance of your nose due to the aging process causing mild skin sagging or folds around your nose.
How Long Will My Procedure Take?
Many factors affect how long this procedure takes for each individual, but you can generally expect your operation to take between 1.5 and three hours. If you have severe concerns, especially if you are worried about both structural and cosmetic concerns, you will probably need an open nose job. Your operation may take around three hours.
On the other hand, if your concerns are mild or moderate, you may only need a closed rhinoplasty that takes roughly 90 minutes. We will give you a better idea of how long your procedure will take once we have discussed your goals and evaluated the severity of your concerns.
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
Full rhinoplasty recovery can take up to 13 months, especially if the cartilage is harvested from another region of your body and used to fix depressions in the bridge of your nose. However, most of your recovery will be complete in just six to eight weeks, and you won’t even need to take that much time off from work. Depending on the scope of your procedure and your post-op decisions, you may need to take a week or two off from work.
During your initial consultation, we will give you a complete list of recovery rules. If there are any rules you’re not sure you can follow, you need to let us know as soon as possible. Every rule is important for the efficiency of your recovery process. Other rules, such as not wearing glasses, are vital for your results, too.
Why Can’t I Wear Glasses During My Recovery?
You should not wear glasses early in your recovery because if too much pressure is placed on the bridge of your nose, your final results can be affected negatively. It may be okay to wear glasses for the first seven days of your recovery because a protective splint will be placed on top of your nose. However, after that week, you should do your best to not wear glasses. If you can’t wear contacts, wear your glasses as little as possible and try to get a lighter frame.
Also, it is vital that you sleep on your back with your head elevated during your recovery. It is important to sleep on your back for the same reason that it is vital to wear your glasses as little as possible; if you sleep on your stomach or side, too much pressure may be exerted on your nose, and your results can be affected. To heal as quickly as possible, spend as much time as you can in the deepest phase of the sleep cycle.
What Else Can I Do To Speed Up My Recovery?
Besides spending as much time as you can in the deepest phase of the sleep cycle, you can speed up your recovery by walking regularly. The reason it is so important to walk regularly is that walking supports your cardiovascular system. The stronger your circulatory system is, the more efficiently growth factors, nutrients, and oxygen can be delivered to your skin. The delivery of these nutrients and growth factors will help your skin heal itself from the incisions.
Another thing you can do to speed up your recovery is to eat nutritiously and stay hydrated throughout the process. Besides growth factors, oxygen, and nutrients, your skin needs plenty of water to be able to heal itself. Make sure you drink enough water and other hydrating fluids that your urine is clear. If you struggle to drink enough throughout the day, do your best to eat more foods with a high water content.
What Are Some Other Post-Op Restrictions I Should Be Aware of?
Another important restriction you should keep in mind is that you will not be able to blow your nose or use medicated nasal sprays early in your recovery. If you feel like your nasal passages are itchy, you will need to wait out the feeling or use a saline nasal spray to abate it. Also, it is important that you avoid excessive sweating. To reiterate, vigorous exercise must be avoided for six to eight weeks post-op. You should also mitigate the risk of sweating by:
- Taking tepid showers or baths
- Avoiding dry saunas
- Avoiding steam rooms
Furthermore, you should be aware that it is important to not smoke or drink alcohol for at least a couple of weeks post-op. These substances affect your blood pressure and will slow the recovery process. If you can’t imagine going several weeks without smoking, ask your PCP for a referral to a specialist that can help you quit.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
To find out whether you are a good candidate for a nose job, you need to come in for an initial consultation. If you are concerned about the size, shape, or structure of your nose, there is a good chance you will qualify. However, the only way to find out for sure whether this procedure will be safe and effective for you is to attend an initial evaluation.
If you’re in pretty good health, this procedure will probably be safe for you. However, if you have certain heart or lung conditions, you may not be a good fit for this operation. This is particularly true if you need cartilage harvested from your ear or rib to augment your nose. The greater the scope of your procedure, the more ideal it is to receive general anesthesia, but it is vital that your heart and lungs are healthy to get general anesthesia safely.
How Will I Need To Prepare for My Procedure?
It is extremely important that your blood pressure isn’t too high when you come in for your procedure. Therefore, you should avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco products before your operation. Also, it is important that you do not consume so much caffeine or sodium that your blood pressure is too high when you come in for your nose job.
Furthermore, it is very important that you do not take any pharmaceuticals that will or may thin your blood. For example, you will not be able to take NSAIDs, fish oil supplements, or vitamin E supplements. Also, you need to make sure that you have a ride home from your operation. Regardless of whether you receive general anesthesia or a sedative that is separate from your anesthesia, you won’t be able to drive home.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today
You can feel pretty confident that your rhinoplasty results will last a lifetime. However, the results can be altered by trauma. Also, you should know that while this procedure will permanently change the structure of your nose, your nose may change in appearance a bit due to the natural aging process. Contact us today at Finesse Cosmetic Laser and Lipo in Waltham, MA to schedule your initial consultation if you think this procedure would benefit you.
