INTRODUCTION TO BAKERSFIELD RHINOPLASTY

Rhinoplasty is a nose reshaping procedure that will sculpt your nose to be in better balance with the rest of your facial features. In some instances, rhinoplasty is performed to correct breathing problems and/or a deviated septum, as well as to repair injuries to the nose. Almost half a million rhinoplasties are performed in the US every year, making it one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Dr. Vip Dev is a well-known rhinoplasty surgeon in Bakersfield, CA, performing about 30-50 of them every year, some of which are revision rhinoplasty procedures to correct nose reshaping that was performed elsewhere and did not yield a satisfactory result. Most plastic surgeons will tell you that rhinoplasty is the most difficult procedure, because the surgeon must work in a very small space, with results unique to each individual, depending upon their skin condition and thickness, nasal and facial structure, genetics and age.

REASONS TO CONSIDER NOSE RESHAPING IN CALIFORNIA:

• Nose deformities from accidents, previous surgeries or genetics
• Those who consider their nose too big, too wide or too long, who want better proportion
• Correction of an overly arched or “Roman” nose
• To help with breathing or snoring
• To fix a crooked nose or remove a hump in the nose
• To repair a previous rhinoplasty, called revision rhinoplasty

In general, unless rhinoplasty is performed to correct a breathing problem or deformity caused by trauma, it is not usually covered by health insurance.

Although rhinoplasty can be performed on any healthy individual of any age, Dr. Dev prefers to wait  until children are past puberty to ensure that the nose is not still growing once the rhinoplasty has been performed. If you teen is asking about a “nose job” and you aren’t sure he or she really needs one, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dev in his Bakersfield plastic surgery office. He will do an exam and tell you honestly what he thinks.

There are two options for rhinoplasty: open or closed. Dr. Dev will discuss both options with you in detail at your consultation in his Bakersfield plastic surgery office.

HOW BAKERSFIELD RHINOPLASTY IS DONE
Rhinoplasty procedures are performed on an outpatient basis at a Bakersfield hospital or state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is asleep under general anesthesia, though occasionally local anesthesia plus sedation can be used, depending upon the complexity of the operation. Once anesthesia is induced, if Dr. Dev is performing an “open” technique, an incision is placed on the column between the nostrils, called the columella, to allow him to access the underlying nasal structure. He will reshape the cartilage and bone and then place tiny sutures to close the incision, which are essentially invisible once healed, as Dr. Dev has an excellent technique. In a “closed” procedure, the work is done inside the nose and no incisions are placed in the skin, so no sutures will ever be visible. The right choice for your particular nose will be made at your consultation with Dr. Dev at his plastic surgery office in Bakersfield.

Rhinoplasty surgery typically lasts from 1 to 3 hours. You will need a friend or family member to drive you home after your rhinoplasty procedure, as you will still be recovering from anesthesia.

RECOVERY FROM BAKERSFIELD RHINOPLASTY
Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time following nose reshaping. A splint will have been applied at the end of the procedure to speed the healing process and minimize movement. You may have gauze inside the nose as well, which is bothersome during sleep but tolerable, considering it will be removed in only a few days. Although some patients report minor pain after their rhinoplasty procedure, this can be treated effectively with oral medication; some patients find that ice packs are also effective. You may find that sleeping in a sitting position is most comfortable—this also avoids the chance you might roll over onto your nose while sleeping! While complications are rare, you can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given to you Dr. Dev after surgery.

Please do not smoke for at least 4 weeks following rhinoplasty, and avoid any activity that can damage your nose, such as sports or roughhousing. If you wear glasses, you must tape them above the bridge of the nose, as they can make your nose tender and can also affect the final shape if the weight of the glasses presses on the nose during the recovery time.

Rhinoplasty is a very popular procedure and, when done by an expert such as Dr. Dev, can immeasurably increase your satisfaction with the look of your face. Call us today to schedule your consultation to learn if rhinoplasty is right for you.