What is Rhinoplasty?
With a rhinoplasty, you can increase or decrease the size of your nose, change its shape, alter the angle of the nose's tip or change the distance between your upper lip and your nose. It is important that you think of having the procedure done only after you have stopped growing, which means after your 15th birthday if you are female or after your 17th birthday if you are male. Types of Rhinoplasty In open rhinoplasty, your surgeon will make additional incisions on the outside of your nose, on the bridge. There will of course be a scar, usually at the bottom front of the fleshy partition between the nostrils. If your surgeon has a good skill level, this scar will not be visible from usual viewing distances. Rhinoplasty Cost and Financing If you are planning a rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, be advised that in all probability your insurance policy will not cover it. However, if it is done for one of the other reasons mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is a good chance your policy will include it. If your insurer says it is covered, be sure to get pre-authorization from them before the operation. If your insurance policy does not cover it and you need external financing, there are companies specialized in medical loans that you could approach. For a current list, go to one of the popular search engines and search for “patient financing". Finding A Rhinoplasty Surgeon and Clinic You need to further verify the skill of your potential surgeon by finding out whether hospitals think he or she is acceptable. Basically you need to find out if he or she has “operating privileges" for rhinoplasty in an accredited hospital. The doctor's receptionist is a good source for this information, which should be double-checked with the concerned hospital. When all is said and done, make sure you can be rapidly admitted to a nearby quality hospital in the event of unforeseen complications. Before, During and After Surgery During: Your surgeon will use a chisel or rasp to reshape your bone and cartilage. He or she will also add this cartilage back if necessary. The operation typically takes from one to two hours and you will be quite comfortable because of the anesthesia. Your surgeon will finish by packing your nose and affixing an external splint. After: Your surgeon will give you painkillers to help you cope with the natural swelling and bruising of your nose. He or she will remove the packing in 24 hours and the splint within a week. The surgeon will also ask you to apply ice packs as required. Although you can typically return to work in 1 – 3 weeks, the swelling and bruising will take six weeks to subside for closed rhinoplasty and up to six months for open rhinoplasty. Possible Complications From Rhinoplasty Conclusion
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