Rhinoplasty Surgeon in Seattle, WA
Rinoplasty Surgery at Sound Plastic Surgery
The shape of the nose and breathing can be improved with rhinoplasty surgery. Our goal with rhinoplasty surgery is to create visual harmony between the nose and the other facial features. Rhinoplasty is also a functional operation which should not negatively impact nasal breathing over the long term. A quality rhinoplasty surgery result remains relatively stable over time.
Rhinoplasty surgery is a cosmetic surgery that is customized for each patient. During the rhinoplasty consultation, each patient’s individual desires and functional problems are carefully assessed. With rhinoplasty surgery, cosmetic nose problems such as dorsal hump, drooping tip, widened nose, crooked nose, septal deviation, alar base flaring and bulbous or wide nasal tip problems can be addressed for our Seattle area patients.
Rhinoplasty surgery is done under anesthesia in our onsite private certified ambulatory surgery center. The nose operation takes between 1 to 3 hours to complete. The nose surgery starts with a safe introduction of anesthesia from our physician anesthesiologist. In most cases, an open rhinoplasty approach is selected, in which a stair-stepped incision is made across the narrowest portion of the outside of the nose. The nose is carefully opened and the anatomy is examined. Modifications are made to the internal portions of the nose according to a carefully made pre-operative plan. The nose is then closed with multiple small sutures which are removed in 5-7 days. We do not use nasal packing post operatively, which makes your recovery more comfortable. The nose is protected with a nasal splint for 5 days. Individual results will vary, however most patients are able to return to work or school within a week of the procedure.
Steps of the Rhinoplasty Procedure
Anesthesia
Rhinoplasty surgery is done while patients are asleep in the operating room. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your anesthesia doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Rhinoplasty Incisions
Rhinoplasty is performed using an 'open procedure', where an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils and incisions are also hidden within the nostrils of the nose. Through the open rhinoplasty approach, the skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilages is gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose.
Reshaping and Refining the Structure of the Nose
Anatomic features of the nose that can be addressed with rhinoplasty surgery include a dorsal hump, boxy nasal tip, drooping nasal tip, wide nose, short nose and other features. An overly large nose may be reduced by removing bone or cartilage. Cartilage grafts from the nasal septum are sometimes used to internally support the reconstructed nasal frame and improve breathing and airflow.
Correction of Nasal Septal Deviation
The nasal septum is a large structure in the middle of the nose that divides the nose into two side-by-side chambers. Warping or bending of the nasal septum from trauma or development may obstruct breathing. A septoplasty procedure can be combined with a cosmetic rhinoplasty procedure to improve nasal airflow. Hypertropy or thickening of the nasal lining covering the inferior turbinates can also be addressed at the time of rhinoplasty to further improve nasal breathing.
Closing the Nasal Incisions
Once the underlying structure of the nose has been modified to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue is redraped and incisions are closed with tiny sutures that are removed 5-7 days after the surgery. Sutures clsoing incisions within the inside of the nose are absorbable and are not removed. A nasal splint is placed on the nose to protect it and reduce post operative swelling. The nasal splint is removed 5-7 days after surgery.
At Sound Plastic Surgery, our goal for every rhinoplasty procedure is a refined nasal shape that is harmonious with the other facial features. Our Seattle area patients have given us rave reviews for our rhinoplasty surgery results.