Your nose is one of the first facial features that people notice about you. If it is crooked, asymmetrical, or otherwise misshapen, you may want to consider rhinoplasty, an extremely popular procedure offered at Aesthetic Surgical Arts/Mia Bella Donna Medspa in Overland Park, KS. Every year, many people from Overland Park, Kansas City, and surrounding areas come in for this long-lasting procedure to address both cosmetic and medical concerns. Here’s what you need to know.
Is Rhinoplasty Permanent?
Most of the time, rhinoplasty results are permanent. However, exceptions apply. For instance, if you underwent a nose job before you moved to the Kansas City area, we can correct any mistakes made by your previous cosmetic surgeon. As another example, you may need a follow-up procedure if your nose is injured after surgery, resulting in a deviated septum. Moreover, a follow-up procedure may be required to treat nasolabial folds that develop as you age.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
Most relatively healthy adults who are concerned about the size or shape of their noses will qualify for a nose job. However, you will need to discuss your medical history with a cosmetic surgeon to verify that rhinoplasty will be safe for you. During your initial evaluation, we will also verify that this is the most effective treatment option for you. There is a good chance that this procedure will be considered effective for you if you are worried about:
- Asymmetry
- A deviated septum
- Nasolabial folds
- A crooked bridge
- An excessively large bridge
- A small nose
- The shape of your nostrils
- Breathing problems at night
Who Is a Poor Candidate for Surgery?
You will not be considered a good nose job candidate if you suffer from a medical condition that may affect your procedure or slow down your recovery, like diabetes. Additionally, you may not qualify for surgery if you suffer from heart disease, major depressive disorder, or another medical condition that is being treated by a medication that affects coagulation. You need to be able to follow all preparation steps and aftercare guidelines to qualify for surgery.
What Preparation Steps Will I Need To Take?
We will advise you on all of the preparation steps that are required prior to surgery during your initial consultation. Instructions vary based on several factors, including your health, lifestyle, and goals. For instance, if you need an open nose job, there is a good chance that general anesthesia will be the best option to keep you calm and comfortable during surgery. If this is the case, you will need to fast for eight hours before the drug is administered.
Another very important preparation step is to make sure that you have a ride home from your procedure. Regardless of the type of anesthesia administered, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours post-op. This is due to the possibility that your reaction time is impeded by the drug during this time. Additionally, someone will probably need to drive for you for another day or two if you take certain analgesics to keep you comfortable after surgery.
What Aftercare Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
To ensure you heal as quickly as possible, it is vital that you do not consume nicotine or alcohol during the first two weeks of your recovery. It is also essential that you avoid too much pressure being applied to your nose as the cartilage and skin heal. You can wear glasses during the first stage of your recovery process. Once the protective splint is removed, though, you will need to minimize the amount of time you wear glasses.
If you need to wear glasses during all of your waking hours rather than just when you’re reading, strongly consider getting contact lenses for the second stage of your recovery process. If this isn’t feasible, think about getting lighter frames for your glasses or getting a pair of glasses specifically designed for post-nose job recovery.
What If Surgery Isn’t Right for Me?
Depending on your unique concerns, if you’re not a good fit for surgery, injectable anti-aging treatments may be a better fit. For instance, some people seek a nose job because they want to eliminate nasolabial folds. If you have nasolabial folds caused by overactive muscles, you may be a good candidate for Botox or Xeomin injections. If you are experiencing moderate or severe volume loss-related nasolabial folds, an injectable dermal filler may be a good fit for you.
What Can I Expect My Recovery Timeline To Look Like?
One Day Post-Op
Individual recovery timelines vary, but you can expect to feel extremely tired during the first 24 hours post-op. It is extremely important that you rest whenever you feel tired, and don’t resist any urge to nap that you feel. It may feel a little frustrating to sit in bed all day, but the more you rest, the shorter you can expect your recovery to be. You don’t need to worry about exercising during this time.
Note that when you lie down, you should prop up your head with two or three pillows. Keeping your nose elevated above your heart will help you recover faster. Aim to sleep for nine consecutive hours nightly, and only sleep on your back. If you usually sleep laterally or on your stomach, you may want to practice sleeping on your back prior to surgery to find out if you will roll over in your sleep. If you do, consider sleeping in a recliner or use rolled-up towels on your sides to prevent rolling over.
Three Days Post-Op
You can generally expect to start feeling less tired three days after surgery. However, this depends on several factors, including the analgesics you take after surgery and how well you rest. Ideally, starting the day after surgery, you should start walking a bit, resting whenever you feel too tired. Bear in mind that being active will support your cardiovascular system and help to facilitate a faster recovery, but you must take extreme care to moderate your intensity.
One Week Post-Op
A week after your procedure, you will attend your first post-op checkup. During this appointment, we will examine your nose to assess how your recovery is going. At this point, the splint protecting your nose will be removed.
Depending on how well your recovery is progressing, you may be able to return to work. However, some people need to take at least two weeks off from work to dedicate to their recovery process. The scope of your job also affects how soon you can go back. If you don’t have a sedentary job, you may need to take around a month off from work to focus on healing. Additionally, you will be able to resume wearing clothes that you have to pull over your head
Two Weeks Post-Op
Two weeks after your nose job, you can generally expect your nose to look a lot better than it did immediately after surgery. However, you should understand that the improvements you notice are not your final results. It can take three to twelve months for the final results of surgery to become apparent.
Three to Four Weeks Post-Op
Three to four weeks after surgery, you may feel up to resuming some of your favorite cardiovascular exercises. For instance, it’s okay to go on bike rides if you don’t cycle too intensely. Jogging is also okay, but you shouldn’t be striving for any personal records.
Six Weeks Post-Op
Approximately six to eight weeks after your nose job, your bones should be stable. Once your bones are stable, it is okay to resume vigorous aerobic exercise and strength training. Just make sure that you have approval from your cosmetic surgeon before you ramp up your exercise routine.
One Year Post-Op
A year after your nose job, you should be fully healed. Several factors affect how long it takes to recover fully from surgery. If you get a closed nose job, you may need only six months to recover fully. If cartilage was harvested from a different region of your body and grafted onto your bridge, or you get an open nose job, it may take closer to 12 or 13 months to recover from surgery fully.
How Should I Care for My Incisions After Surgery?
Once the stitches used to close your incisions are removed, it is okay to wash the incision sites with tepid water and a gentle soap. Just make sure that you pat the area dry very gently rather than rubbing it dry.
What Medications Will I Need To Take After Surgery?
It is essential that you take a full course of antibiotics exactly as prescribed during your recovery. This mitigates the risk that your incisions will become infected. Additionally, you may want to take a prescription analgesic for a day or two after your nose reshaping surgery. If you choose to take a prescription painkiller, make sure you follow all instructions on the bottle, including the maximum dosage you should take and whether you should take it with a meal.
If you take a prescription analgesic, you may also want to take a fiber pill or laxative to keep your bowel movements regular. Alternatively, you can maintain regular bowel movements without straining by increasing the amount of soluble fiber and water you consume.
What If I Don’t Want To Take a Prescription Painkiller?
You are under no obligation to take a prescription painkiller. One effective alternative is to apply a cold pack to your nose for 10 to 20 minutes every hour or two while you’re awake. This is usually no longer necessary just a few days after surgery. Bags of frozen corn or peas are often more effective than an ice pack because they mold to your facial shape so well. Just remember to wrap your cold pack in a thin cloth to protect your skin.
Another effective alternative to prescription painkillers is to take over-the-counter analgesics, like acetaminophen. You will not be able to take NSAIDs for pain relief during the first week or two following surgery.
Schedule an Evaluation Near Kansas City Today
Rhinoplasty results usually last forever. That said, a follow-up procedure may be required if your nose is seriously injured after surgery. To find out if this procedure is a good fit for you, contact the aesthetic experts at Aesthetic Surgical Arts/Mia Bella Donna Medspa in Overland Park, KS. We are conveniently located less than 30 minutes away from Kansas City and have proudly served the community for years.
