Feeling anxious about the way you look is part of the human condition. Advertisers and marketers know how much anxiety a person feels when they think that their body or face does not match what society considers to be normal or attractive. It’s natural to want your appearance to be attractive to others. It’s natural to want to be happy with what you see looking at yourself in the mirror. Many people in Beverly Hills and elsewhere who are not happy with the shape or size of their nose have opted to turn to rhinoplasty as a way of addressing the anxiety that they feel about their appearance. The truth is that across the United States and around the world, people are investing money and time in remaking their bodies and their faces. The American Society of Plastic Surgery said that in 2014 alone, more than 15.6 million cosmetic procedures were performed. Each one of these procedures allowed a person to improve their appearance, recapture their youth, and boost their self-esteem. These procedures made it possible for a person to shed undesirable physical traits, or these procedures made it possible for them to hold back the hands of time and hold onto their youth for just a little bit longer. When a person has a nose job done, they are looking at their plastic surgeon as a sculptor. They want their nose to be reshaped in a way that looks natural, artful, and in no way artificial. Having a nose job done means trusting the individual doing the procedure. Your nose is in the center of your face. It is the second thing that people look at when they examine your face. People make decisions about you based on the shape, size, and position of your nose. You have to trust that your plastic surgeon is going to leave you looking better after the procedure than you looked before. The only thing that is worse than having a crooked nose is one that looks disfigured. Society can accept minor defects in a person’s appearance that are within the range of normal. However, they look at disfigurement with revulsion. There are a couple of ways that you can build the trust you will need with your plastic surgeon before you have your nose job. First, sit down and talk with them. Take the time to learn about the educational background of the surgeon who is going to do your procedure. You should never feel afraid to ask questions about the surgeon, their education, or jobs that they have done in the past. Take the time to look through the catalog of nose jobs that your surgeon has done. Look for individuals who share some of your features or characteristics. Ask yourself, what do I think about the results that this surgeon has had? The results that your surgeon has had in the past are indicative of the results they are going to have in the future working on your nose. In addition to getting to know your surgeon, take the time to get to know their staff. You are going to be interacting with the staff just as much as you are going to interact with the surgeon. Look at how the staff and surgeon interact. When you see that there is a friendly and trusting environment, you can have a sense of ease knowing that your procedure is being performed by a competent individual who has what it takes to put those around them at ease. You should feel comfortable reaching out to your surgeon whenever you have questions about your procedure. Remember, you are hiring them. You are trusting them with your appearance. You are allowing them to make changes that will affect you for the rest of your life, so you deserve to feel comfortable. How the Nose Has Been Viewed Through the Centuries It is not surprising that rhinoplasty surgeries have become as popular as they are today. Mankind has been fascinated with the size and shape of other people’s noses for centuries. People have made assumptions about other people’s character and their place in society based on the appearance of their nose. For more than 2,000 years, surgery has been used to change the shape and size of people’s noses. In the 16th century, the syphilis epidemic was spreading throughout Europe. One of the negative side effects of syphilis is that it attacks the soft-tissue, causing it to decay. When a person was seen with damaged tissue around their nose, even if it was caused by a different source, they carried the social stigma of disease and infection. At that time, surgeons came up with an array of treatments designed to recreate the nose. Most of these treatments involved skin grafting used in a way to create something that resembled a new nose. Even when disease was not a factor, people have long been interested in changing the shape of their nose because of the social statements that certain types of noses brought with them. In the 19th century, there was a pseudoscience that held the idea that you could tell a lot about a person’s worth and their character by looking at their nose. The idea was that if a person had a straight nose, they were refined, whereas if the person had a nose that looked another way that was considered less than normal, they were of questionable character. In the late 19th century, nose jobs and other forms of plastic surgery started to gain in popularity in the United States. As people were moving here from different parts of the world, they were doing whatever they could to rid themselves of socially undesirable features, including a large nose. They wanted to assimilate into society by ridding themselves of markers that identified them as being foreign. The 20th century brought with it some of the largest wars mankind has ever seen. The result was that soldiers often found themselves missing appendages, including their nose. There was only so much that cosmetic reconstruction could do at the start of the 20th century. Most of the cosmetic surgery in those days involved making a mold out of tin or other material that could be worn as a mask to replace the lost nose of injured men. By the third decade of the 20th century, there was an increase in the desire of people wanting to exchange money for beauty. They wanted to have the nose that they saw politicians, actors, and actresses have. This is when the nose job really cemented itself as a plastic surgical procedure of choice in the United States. Over the centuries, a person’s nose has been linked to their cultural and historical beliefs on beauty. Because of its position on the face, it is a powerful symbol. When the nose is damaged because of war, illness, or as a result of violence, it has a negative impact on a person’s self-image and the way they are viewed in society. All of this underscores just how powerful rhinoplasty surgery has been and continues to be. Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty? In recent decades, rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills has been used by many to change the shape of their nose. Some have done this for aesthetic purposes. Others do it for functional reasons because they want to improve their breathing. Getting a nose job is the second most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States, and for good reason. During the surgery, the patient’s nose may be enlarged or the size of the nose may be reduced. The bridge of the nose may be reshaped, or the tip of the nose may be adjusted. Some people will come in and have a revision job because they were not pleased with the way the job was performed the first time. You may be a good candidate for this procedure if your nose makes you feel self-conscious or if it makes you feel unhappy. You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you feel frustrated with changes to your nose that have taken place as you have gotten older. In addition to having the physical requirements for the procedure, you also need to have the emotional requirements. As we have discussed, there are a lot of emotional and cultural sentiments attached to the appearance of one’s nose. To get the best out of this procedure, you have to go into it having a realistic expectation for what the surgery can do for you. You have to want a surgical procedure that’s going to make you look better, but at the same time you must realize that there is no such thing as the perfect nose. No one ever walks out of surgery after having their nose done with a 100-percent perfect nose. It is important that you are happy with who you are right now and do not expect that getting a nose job is going to significantly change your life. You should want to have this surgical procedure done for you and not because you’re trying to impress someone or because you have been pressured by someone to get it done. Age is another factor that should be considered. You do not want to have this procedure done while your nose is still growing. For most people, their nose stops growing when they are in their mid-teenage years. While it may be possible for someone in their late teens to have this procedure done, it would be highly unlikely for someone to have it done earlier than that. To be a good candidate for this procedure, you need to understand what it entails and need to prepare yourself for the procedure accordingly. For example, this is a surgical procedure. You will need to take time off of work and will need to recover. The results from the procedure will not be seen immediately. It can take multiple months before the full results are seen. Before your surgery, our surgeon is going to talk to you about any medical conditions or allergies that you may have. They are going to discuss the medications you are taking, supplements you may be using, and any other health issues that could impact the end outcome of the surgery. Rhinoplasty is going to have the best results if you are healthy. This means that in the months leading up to and in the months following your procedure, you will need to quit smoking. If you have the habit of abusing alcohol, this will need to change as well. What Can Be Fixed with Rhinoplasty? This surgical procedure can be used to fix the size of your nose. This is one of the most common complaints that we hear. A person may feel that their nose is disproportionate to their facial structure. They may feel that their nose is too big or too small or there’s something else about it that makes it stand out. The goal of a nose job is to adjust the size of the nose so that it is in balance with the face and blends into the surrounding facial features. The angle of a person’s nose can be fixed as well. If the angle between a person’s forehead and their nose is sharp, it may give the appearance that the nose is short. If the angle a shallow, this has the effect of extending the appearance of the nose, making it look long. There is also the relation between the nose and the upper lip that can affect the appearance of the nose. All of these things can be addressed during rhinoplasty surgery. Do you feel uncomfortable with the appearance of your nose? Would you be interested in learning about how rhinoplasty can help you look and feel your best? If so, reach out to us at Kadz Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills. Let us sit down with you and listen to your concerns. We can create a plan designed to help you get the nose you have always wanted. Contact us today to book your appointment!
The Best Way to Recover from Rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills
Following your rhinoplasty surgery in Beverly Hills, you may be eager to see the results of this nose-reshaping procedure right away. It’s important to understand, however, that your healing and recovery will take time. You’ll have to wait for all of the immediate and residual swelling, inflammation, and bruising to abate before you’ll be able to truly appreciate the changes that treatment has wrought. The good news is that throughout this recovery period, there are a number of things that Beverly Hills locals can do to expedite the healing process and ensure optimum results. Understanding the Timeline for Your Rhinoplasty Recovery The average recovery time for Beverly Hills rhinoplasty is one full year. Although this seems like a significant amount of time for healing, it’s a progressive and necessary period that allows your nose and the surrounding tissues to completely rebound from the overall treatment experience. It’s important to note, however, that there are a number of impressive milestones you’re guaranteed to reach in the weeks and months that lie ahead, that will definitely make this process much easier. After the very first week following your procedure in Beverly Hills, you’ll be able to remove your nasal splint. Once your splint has been taken out, you can go wherever you choose, without looking as though you’ve just had surgery. This is also the time when you’ll be able to safely resume most of your normal activities. Some patients, however, may have slight residual bruising around the eyes and just at the tops of the cheeks. Post-treatment bruising can take up to two weeks to fully abate in some instances. By the end of your second week, all post-treatment swelling and bruising will have resolved, and at the end of your first month of healing, you’ll again be able to participate in strenuous, cardiovascular activities like cycling, swimming, and even jogging. By week six, the bones throughout the treated area will have stabilized as well. This change will allow for resistance training, comfortably blowing your nose, and wearing glasses that are supported by the nose bridge. This is also the time when you’ll finally be able to start appreciating the new structure and look of your nose. Between months three and six, you will experience a gradual lessening of any abnormal sensations that you may have been experiencing, including persistent or sporadic feelings of numbness across the nasal skin and the general nose structure. By the time you reach the year mark, the entire healing process will be complete. With all swelling and bruising gone, and full functioning and sensation restored, you’ll finally be able to see and enjoy the impressive changes that your procedure has produced. The Best Way to Expedite Your Rhinoplasty Recovery Is By Listening to the Doctor Following the Beverly Hills doctor’s post-treatment instructions is the absolute best thing that you can do to expedite the healing process. This is the most needs-specific advice that you will ever receive. Facial plastic surgeons do not offer their patients the same generalized advice that can be easily gleaned from the web. Instead, your instructions for self-care will reflect your unique circumstances and challenges, and the manner of rhinoplasty that you’ve undergone. You’ll be given detailed instructions on caring for the surgical site, administering your post-treatment medications, and practicing good infection prevention. You should also adhere to the doctor-recommended schedule for all follow-up exams. Pay Attention to Your Body Beverly Hills rhinoplasty patients should also take care to listen to their bodies. This is especially true during the most formative stages of healing when the risk of post-treatment infection is at its highest. If something does not feel or appear to be right, get in contact with the doctor immediately. Elevate Your Head and Stabilize Your Sleeping Position with Pillows One sure way to extend your recovery time is by falling asleep on your side. Many rhinoplasty patients find this uncomfortable, but you may be in the habit of automatically assuming this position when you’re tired, or when you’re already fast asleep. Sleeping on your side can result in additional swelling and bruising, while slowing the abatement of any swelling and discoloration that you’re already experiencing. More importantly, in some instances, this manner of sleeping can actually disrupt the new placement and structure of the nose. You can prevent this by sleeping with your head in an elevated position. You can additionally stabilize this sleeping position by fixing your head in place with either a rolled towel or a standard travel pillow. If you’re a regular side-sleeper, this is a practice that you might want to maintain throughout the first six weeks of your recovery. Never Use Cold Compresses Directly on Your Nose and Avoid Wearing Glasses Cold compresses are the perfect tools for minimizing both swelling and pain. Following a rhinoplasty procedure, however, you never want to place anything that’s too heavy directly on your nose. You should instead apply cold compresses to your upper and outer cheeks. This will provide the same cooling and pain-relieving benefits, without shifting any cartilage or bones. It will also help minimize any bruising that has developed around your eyes and at the tops of your cheeks. Other potentially disruptive things to keep away from your nose include prescription glasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses. Anything that puts additional weight on the nose while it’s still in the formative stages of healing is likely to cause additional problems with bruising and swelling. Eyeglasses of any type can also leave noticeable indentations in the nose that may eventually require revision surgery. Due to this fact, you’ll have to do without your glasses until your nose has fully healed. People who are reliant upon their lenses should always work with their optometrists ahead of their rhinoplasty procedures to get feasible, alternative plans for vision correction in place. Once all significant facial swelling has abated, you should be able to use contact lenses both comfortably and safely. If contacts aren’t an option for you, look for eyeglasses that have extremely lightweight frames. Pamper Yourself with a Good Diet and Ample Rest Some people have a very hard time getting to sleep following their procedures due to severe nasal congestion. It’s important to note, however, that the body requires both energy and quality fuel in order to heal itself. As such, few things are as important as maintaining a good diet and practicing good sleep hygiene while recovering. Try to get at least eight hours of deep and restful sleep each night by participating in relaxation activities like meditation and yoga, establishing a schedule of soothing nighttime rituals, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. In fact, while you’re recovering from your rhinoplasty procedure, you shouldn’t smoke at all. Ahead of this treatment, talk with your general doctor or our plastic surgeon to learn more about your options in smoking cessation. When it comes to building your diet for the recovery process, try to place a strong focus on consuming fresh and nutrient-dense foods that are served closest to their natural state. Most processed and highly refined food products are not going to offer the nutritional support that your body needs during this time. Be sure to include an ample array of protein-rich foods in your diet as this nutrient plays a central role in the rebuilding of cartilage, muscle, and skin. Meat, nuts, beans, seeds, yogurt, eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables are all excellent sources of protein to include. In fact, adding more leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables to your diet can be beneficial in a number of ways. Not only do these veggies contain healthy, plant-based proteins, but they are also packed with skin and collagen-supporting nutrients like vitamins C and A. Keep Yourself Cool Heat is hardly the best thing for your nose throughout the healing process. Even though a steaming bowl of soup, a quick trip to the sauna, or a hot shower might seem downright heavenly, all of these things can result in nasal discomfort and additional swelling. Try to keep your baths and showers at a lukewarm temperature, and avoid other forms of direct heat exposure as well. In addition to avoiding extreme heat, be sure to limit your sun exposure also. The skin across the treated area will be more prone to burning in direct sunlight. Too much sun can also cause any existing, minor scars to darken, and it may increase swelling. To expedite the healing process and prevent unnecessary issues related to sun exposure, always be sure to don a large sun hat or other covering when going out. Undergoing rhinoplasty can be very exciting indeed. After all, this is by far the most noticeable feature on the face. Even slight modifications in this area can have a significant impact on your overall appearance. Take advantage of the tips above to expedite your healing process and to ensure an optimal outcome. If you are interested in this procedure, consider us here at Kadz Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is plastic surgery done on the nose. Rhinoplasty can be functional, cosmetic or both. Cosmetic rhinoplasty is done to improve the patient’s appearance, often by making the nose more proportionate with the rest of the patient’s face. Functional rhinoplasty is done to improve the patient’s ability to breathe through their nose. It can be done to repair an injury or to correct a congenital defect. In some cases, a person’s ability to breathe their nose declines with age. Some older people develop a condition called nasal valve stenosis in which the nasal valve or airway at the front of the nose weakens and falls inward. A nose job can strengthen the nasal valve and stop it from collapsing. Rhinoplasty is a very individualized procedure; each operation is tailored to what the patient needs and wants. Functional rhinoplasty, for example, can involve repairing a broken nose or straightening a deviated septum. Cosmetic rhinoplasty can involve changing the size of the nose, removing a hump or bump, changing the width of the nostrils, changing the tip, or altering the angle between the nose and mouth. This procedure can be open or closed. During an open or external rhinoplasty, the surgeon will make an incision along the columella or strip of tissue between the nostrils. During a closed or endonasal rhinoplasty, all of the incisions are made inside the nose. Depending on what is being done, the surgeon may reshape, remove, or add bone and cartilage to the nose. For example, if the patient wants a smaller nose tip, the surgeon will remove some of the cartilage at the tip. They will carve it away in such a manner that the remainder looks natural. A revision or secondary rhinoplasty is a procedure done to correct problems caused by the original rhinoplasty. Since the surgeon usually has less tissue to work with than during an original surgery, revision rhinoplasties tend to be more complicated and take longer. While an original rhinoplasty may take as little as an hour to complete, revision rhinoplasties often take at least three hours. What Is the Recovery Like? The patient may need pain relievers for the first two or three days after the procedure. The surgeon will put a splint on the patient’s nose to ensure that it retains its new shape. They will remove the splint and any stitches about six or seven days after the procedure. Bruising is common and will fade enough by the second week that the patient will feel comfortable in social situations. Swelling is also common and can take months to fade. Consequently, many patients may not see the full results of their surgery for as long as six months. Most patients can return to work within a week or two after the procedure. They should avoid strenuous activities for at least two or three weeks. The patient should not swim for at least a month; many people injure their noses swimming if they start too early. Since heat can make the nose swell, the patient should avoid sunlight, tanning beds, and sun lamps for at least six weeks after the procedure. The patient should not wear glasses or sunglasses that sit on the bridge of their nose for at least six weeks. If they need to wear prescription glasses, the doctor will teach them how to tape them to their forehead to avoid pressing down on their nose. The patient should follow all of the post-operative care instructions given to them by the surgeon. They should take only the medications recommended by their doctor. Since the patient will not be able to drive home after the surgery, they should make arrangements to have someone pick them up at the hospital. How Should the Patient Prepare? A healthy patient will get better results and heal more quickly. They should thus take steps to improve their health. For example, eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water can do wonders for your system. Since smoking increases the risks of complications like bleeding and slows healing, a patient who smokes should quit at least two weeks before the procedure. They should avoid smoking for at least another two weeks after their rhinoplasty to give their body a proper chance to heal. Similarly, they should avoid second-hand cigarette smoke. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin also cause bleeding. The patient should not take such medications for at least two weeks before the surgery. They should also avoid herbal supplements and Vitamin E for two weeks for the same reasons. On the other hand, they can take a multivitamin and acetaminophen. The patient should stay out of the sun as much as possible for two weeks before the procedure. If they need to go outside, they should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Who Is a Good Candidate? The ideal candidate for a rhinoplasty will be someone in overall good health with realistic expectations. The patient needs to understand that, while an improved appearance could boost their confidence, it won’t help them get a better job or find a new lover. Similarly, the surgeon is limited in what they can do by the patient’s existing nose and face. Every patient has a different bone structure, musculature, and skin thickness. A patient who hopes to have a nose like that of their favorite actor is probably going to be disappointed. Plastic surgeons prefer to perform rhinoplasties on patients whose faces have reached “skeletal maturity” or stopped growing. Girls’ faces can be fully developed by the time they are 14 or 15 years old. Boys, on the other hand, continue growing for at least a year longer. One way to tell if a teenager might be a candidate for rhinoplasty is to check their feet. If a teenager’s feet have stopped growing and they haven’t changed shoe sizes in over a year, they may be physically ready. This restriction applies mainly to cosmetic rhinoplasties. If a ten-year-old breaks their nose, the surgeon will repair it. As their face changes as they reach maturity, their nose may no longer be in balance with the rest of their face. They may thus need another surgery as they reach adulthood. Plastic surgeons also want their patients to be emotionally mature and psychologically stable. They won’t accept anyone who shows signs of body dysmorphia, which is a chronic psychological disorder that causes the patient to obsess over their appearance, especially over perceived flaws that may or may not exist. People with the condition try to hide their flaws and improve their appearance – but they are never satisfied with the results or at least not for long. Similarly, people with other severe psychological problems like depression are not good candidates. People who in the middle of a crisis like a divorce or the recent death of a loved one are not good candidates. Plastic surgeons prefer to work with decisive patients who at least have some idea of what they want. They should know how they hope to look after the surgery. Plastic surgeons also prefer patients who are willing and able to educate themselves about the procedure and what they can realistically expect from it. They also prefer patients who will follow all of their instructions regarding preparation and post-operative care. The candidate also needs to be very certain that they want a nose job. They need to be getting it for themselves and not to please a spouse, lover, or someone else. As mentioned earlier, a candidate for a rhinoplasty has to be in good physical health. People with the following conditions are often not accepted as candidates for rhinoplasty: • Heart disease • Lung disease • Bleeding disorders • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Obesity • Diabetes Patients with allergies to any of the drugs used during or after a rhinoplasty are not good candidates. The thickness of a patient’s skin can affect the results of a nose job. Generally speaking, patients with thin skin enjoy a number of advantages: they are less prone to swelling than are people with thick skin. Their swelling fades more quickly, and they are less likely to develop scars. On the other hand, thicker skin makes imperfections less visible, while thin skin can highlight them. Even worse, thin skin often becomes tighter after a surgical procedure. As it tightens, it can put pressure on the underlying bones or cartilage, sometimes to the point of deforming the nose. Learn More Today At Kadz Plastic Surgery, we are happy to offer rhinoplasty to our patients in Beverly Hills, CA. To learn more, feel free to contact us today to schedule your consultation!
