Rhinoplastyin Chelmsford, MA

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the nose. Also known as a “nose job,” rhinoplasty can enhance the overall attractiveness of the face. This surgery can help address concerns such as a nose that appears too large, too flat, or too wide. It can correct a nose with a hump, a crooked nose, or a nose with an unattractive tip that is bulbous, too upturned, or too droopy. Your ability to breathe can also be improved with this surgery. The ultimate goal of rhinoplasty is to improve the overall symmetry and balance of your face. Other parts of the face, such as the chin, may indirectly affect the appearance of the nose and will be addressed by your surgeon during your consultation.

There are two aspects to recovery after rhinoplasty; recovery in terms of no restrictions and back to full activity versus a time frame where you will notice full results. 6 weeks is the time frame where you can expect to have no restrictions, as long as you have healed appropriately and had no complications. You will have guidelines in place immediately after surgery; these will include things like lifting restrictions, no bending at the waist, avoiding activities that elevate heart rate or blood pressure, and also no glasses or anything that can put pressure on the nose. The first 2 weeks are most important to adhere to these recommendations and after that time frame, your restrictions will likely be lessened, depending on your healing. You can expect to be bruised and swollen for the first 2 weeks; this improves over time. You will be instructed on medication use and things to implement at home to help mitigate these symptoms, such as sleeping with your head elevated. We will also help guide you with tips for recovery as well as how to care for your incisions to optimize healing and scar fading. We will also remove sutures, staples, drains, and/or splints at these visits, if applicable and when appropriate.

While you will be mildly sore after the surgery, you will be given a medication regimen to help with any discomfort. Once your nose heals from the surgery, there should be no pain.

First, general anesthesia will be administered. Next, incisions will be made to access the underlying cartilage and bone. The internal structures of the nose are improved to address your concerns and to achieve the desired result. In most cases, this involves detailed work on the nasal cartilages and the nasal bones. Cartilage grafts are then used to support the nose and to help maintain your result over time. To improve breathing, procedures of the septum and turbinates may also be performed. Sometimes, additional cartilage may need to be harvested from the ear or the rib. Occasionally, fascia, which is another material that can be used to support and reshape the nose, may need to be harvested from the scalp or the abdomen. Once the shape of the nose has been corrected, the incisions are closed with sutures. Splints are placed in the nose and also on the skin over the bridge of the nose. These are removed 7 days after surgery in the office.

We require that any patient interested in receiving treatment from our renowned Chelmsford rhinoplasty expert, Dr. Dave Lee, have a consultation before the surgery. Rhinoplasty is generally recommended if you’re unhappy with the shape of your nose or facial symmetry. It’s also recommended if you struggle to breathe through your nose.

You will need to take at least a week off from work or other obligations. You will feel progressively better each day and are likely to feel like your normal self by the end of the week. It may take another two to four weeks to return to all of your normal activities. In addition, it can take 12 to 18 months for the swelling to completely go away.

Incisions that are made inside your nose are generally not visible. If there are any incisions made on the outside skin of the nose, they will usually heal very well and be very difficult to see with time. This is all dependent on the type of procedure you undergo.