Wednesday 25 February 2015

Rhinoplasty Surgery Explained: Would you go under the knife for a new nose?


I have hated my nose since I can remember. Well, my nose and my chin actually! I used to joke that it felt as if my nose and chin each curved round so much that they almost meet each other in the middle! I've always felt like my nose dominates my face, it is wide and to me just feels like a big comedy triangle stuck in the middle of my face! 


As a teenager I built up a real complex about it, and it made me unhappy, but as I have gotten older and wiser I have learned to live with my dislike of those particular facial features, and accentuate the features I do like, such as my eyes and my cheekbones. 

I have always said that if I won the lottery/came into money that I would undergo surgery to change my nose, to make it smaller, less imposing, 'prettier', but as I age, as I mature, as my responsibilities build, and certainly since becoming a parent, those silly niggles about my body seem to fade, and the thought of putting myself through unnecessary surgery for cosmetic reasons seems somehow irresponsible. My issues with my nose make me feel silly and shallow. Especially since I am now facing the very real prospect of necessary surgery on my back (which scares me). 

Whether I ever decide to have a nose job (rhinoplasty) depends on so many factors, mainly money and my own internal dilemma - Would it be a shallow and selfish thing to do? Would I still look like me? What if I didn't like my new nose either? What if something went wrong? Would I get addicted to cosmetic procedures and want to change more about my appearance? So many questions...! 

I do know that my reasons for disliking my nose are very personal, and come from myself, rather than anyone else ever having said anything to me about it. I don't think I've ever had a derogatory remark about my nose from anyone else, it's one of those things that you notice about yourself because you look in the mirror every day, but no one else ever acknowledges. 

One thing I do know is that if I ever did decide to have the surgery I would want to know absolutely every detail about the procedure, I'd want to know about the healing and aftercare, and I'd want an idea of what the finished article would look like, way before I had the actual surgery itself. 

Here is a basic guide to rhinoplasty, it will give you some idea of what to expect should you ever undergo the procedure...

Rhinoplasty Surgery Explained

Rhinoplasty – plastic surgery of the nose – is a very common procedure. It’s often performed to change the size or shape of the nose to make it fit in with your other features better. This includes making it smaller or larger or changing the shape of the tip, bridge, and nostrils.
The surgery also can help if you have trouble breathing through your nose because of structural defects such as a deviated septum. Sometimes both of these goals – medical and cosmetic - are achieved in the same procedure.

Before surgery

As you consider rhinoplasty, your doctor may discuss the following with you:
  • Your goals
You and doctor will discuss why you want to have the surgery, and what your goals are. You’ll need to make sure that the results you want are achievable. Your doctor may take photos of your nose from different angles and use a computer program to digitally manipulate them to show you what your results are likely to be. You may also be able to look at some other patients’ “before and after” photos.
  • Your medical history
Your doctor will discuss your medical history with you, including any breathing problems or other health issues you may have and any medications you take. He or she will perform a physical examination and laboratory tests like blood work. 
If you and your doctor decide that rhinoplasty is the right option for you, here's an in-depth look at the surgery and what to expect

During the surgery

You’ll be sedated during your surgery, either using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. With local anesthesia, you’ll be groggy but not completely asleep, and with general anesthesia, you’ll be unconscious. Your doctor will talk with you about the best anesthesia option for your particular case.
Rhinoplasty can be done inside the nose or through a small incision at the base of your nose. The skin that covers your nasal bones and cartilage is raised to allow your surgeon access to reshape your nose. If the size of your nose is being reduced, bone or cartilage may be removed. Cartilage may also need to be added to certain areas. This cartilage usually comes from the septum – the partition in the middle of your nose.
If you’re having rhinoplasty to correct a deviated septum, the surgeon will realign it so that it’s at the center of your nose. You’ll then have equal airflow through both nostrils.
The structure underlying your nose will be sculpted, skin and tissue will be put back into place, and your incisions will be closed.

After the surgery

After your surgery, you’ll spend some time in a recovery room. You may be able to leave later that same day, or you may have to stay overnight.
You’ll need to rest in bed after your surgery, with your head higher than your chest to help reduce swelling and bleeding. The gauze dressings that your doctor used during surgery may need to stay inside your nose for anywhere from a day to a week after surgery.

You’ll also wear a splint on your nose for about a week to help protect and support it while it heals. You may have some light bleeding and draining during this period. The initial swelling lasts about a week, although you may notice gradual changes for as long as a year as your nose’s appearance continues to refine.


If you have more questions about rhinoplasty or want to find out if the procedure is right for you, contact Cosmetic Surgery Partners

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So, what do you think? Would you undergo a cosmetic procedure to enhance your appearance? Do you agree with cosmetic surgery, or is it something you feel strongly against? 

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your appearance, would you change anything? Or do you embrace your individuality?

I'm learning to love myself and accept my 'quirkiness' - it would be totally boring if we all looked perfect, wouldn't it? I am definitely finding it easier to love myself, to appreciate how amazing my body is (it grew and delivered a tiny human for crying out loud) it is pretty awesome if you ask me...and I might not like my nose very much, but it no longer affects me day to day, and I would have to give surgery an awful lot of thought before going ahead. 


learning to love my individuality

Bye for now

Mrs B 

xxx

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