Nasal Surgery is one of the most personal forms of facial surgical change. Customizing the design of the nasal shape requires several planning sessions before surgery so we can provide our patients with unique and personalized results.

Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury or help relieve some breathing problems.

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also may be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.

After surgery and particularly during the first twenty four hours your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Fisher. Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated for the first day.

You will notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. In any case, you will feel better than you look. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so.

If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after a few days and you'll feel much more comfortable. By the end of one or two weeks, all dressings, splints and stitches should be removed.

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you are entirely up to speed. Dr. Fisher will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities.