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Rhinoplasty is surgery that changes the shape of the nose. Reasons to have rhinoplasty include to repair the nose after injury, to correct a birth defect or breathing problems or to improve the appearance of your nose.
Dr. Leif Nordberg
performs rhinoplasty at at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital in Fayetteville, N.C., and is known for providing his patients with incredibly satisfying results. Combining his highly acclaimed surgical skills and his keen artistic eye, Dr. Nordberg will consider your other facial features to develop a customized plan for you.
Understanding the Procedure
Rhinoplasty can be done in the hospital, or at our Ambulatory Surgery Center. Dr. Nordberg will use either local or general anesthesia.
Once you're numb or unconscious, Dr. Nordberg will make cuts between or inside your nostrils, separate your skin from your cartilage or bone and then start the reshaping. If your new nose needs a small amount of additional cartilage, Dr. Nordberg may remove some from your ear or deep inside your nose. If more is needed, you might get an implant or a bone graft.
The procedure usually takes between one and two hours. If the surgery is complex, it can take longer.
After surgery, you will have a plastic or metal splint on your nose. The splint will help your nose retain its new shape while it heals. You may also have nasal packs or splints inside your nostrils to stabilize your septum, which is the part of your nose between your nostrils.
You'll be monitored in a recovery room for at least a few hours after surgery. If everything is okay, you'll leave later that day. You'll need someone to drive you home because the anesthesia will still affect you. If it's a complicated procedure, you might have to stay in the hospital for a day or two.
For the first few weeks following surgery, you should avoid the following:
- running and other strenuous physical activities
- swimming
- blowing your nose
- excessive chewing
- laughing, smiling, or other facial expressions that require lots of movement
- pulling clothing over your head
- resting eyeglasses on your nose
- vigorous tooth brushing
You should be able to return to work in a week's time.
Follow-up care is important after rhinoplasty. Be sure to keep your appointments and follow your doctor's instructions.
Please contact our office for more information about what rhinoplasty can do for you at (910) 829-6588.