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Rhinoplasty

in Salt Lake City, UT

 

The nose is the true focal point of the face, and many patients realize that optimizing the appearance of their nose can tie all of their facial features together. At Envision Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer rhinoplasty to the men and women living in and around Salt Lake City, Utah.

If you are bothered by the shape of your nose — maybe it’s, too big, or has a bump, or the tip is too wide — rhinoplasty or cosmetic nose surgery could be your answer. Dr. Dunkley of Salt Lake City is highly experienced in rhinoplasty and has many male and female patients pleased with their new nose.

Why Is A Rhinoplasty Performed?

Most often, rhinoplasty is performed for cosmetic reasons. Patients seek to change the shape or size of their nose for various reasons. Some people are born with noses of an unusual size or shape. Others may have broken their nose or had impact injuries never repaired. Still, other people complain they don’t like the shape or they can’t breathe through the nose. Rhinoplasty is the answer in all of these cases.

Rhinoplasty in Salt Lake City, UT

Who Considers Nose Surgery?

Anyone self-conscious about their nose or desiring a change is someone who could consider rhinoplasty. Sometime a rhinoplasty is combined with procedures inside the nose, called a septoplasty, when breathing through the nose is problematic. Lastly, sometimes a prior fracture or trauma has altered the nose.

  • Appearance —Most patients have never broken their nose, but simply didn’t get the shape they wanted. Common concerns include:
    • The nose is large and out of proportion with the rest of the face
    • The tip droops
    • The tip is enlarged or bulbous
    • There is a bump on the bridge of the nose
    • Or the bridge isn’t high enough
    • The nostrils are too large or too wide
    • The nose is crooked or off-center
  • Injury — Many active Salt Lake City patients have experienced unexpected trauma to the nose. A broken nose can leave it permanently crooked or misshapen. The corrective procedure is a rhinoplasty.
  • Function — Restricted or blocked nasal passages can impact sleep and quality of life. A procedure called a septoplasty can be done at the time of nasal surgery to improve the breathing through the nose. Occasionally the problem is a collapsed nasal valve, another problem that can be remedied with a rhinoplasty.

When Is The Optimal Time To Have A Rhinoplasty?

A rhinoplasty can be performed any time after puberty, when rapid facial growth has stopped. Hence, anytime in the mid to late teens nasal surgery can be done. Any patient under 18 will need a parent or guardian to consent to their surgery.

What Can I Expect During My Procedure?

Rhinoplasty in Salt Lake City, UT

Dr. Dunkley will alter the shape of the nose using one of two major rhinoplasty approaches — closed or open. A closed rhinoplasty makes all incisions on the inside of the nose, eliminating any exterior scarring. An open rhinoplasty makes one incision on the outside fleshy part of the nose between the nostrils. Dr. Dunkley usually recommends the closed approach. You are asleep for your surgery. After a short stay in the recovery room, you are ready to go. The biggest complaint for the next two weeks is the nose being stuffy.

What Happens After My Nose Surgery?

After your surgery, your nose will be splinted and bandaged to support the bones and tissues as they heal. For several days following your surgery, you may feel puffiness in the face, especially around the eyes and nose. Bruising and swelling are common. To alleviate discomfort, Dr. Dunkley advises his patients to apply cold compresses to the area and to take pain relief medications as needed. The swelling and bruising usually fade in 10 to 14 days.

What Can I Expect From The Results Of A Rhinoplasty?

Depending on the correction done on a patient’s nose, the results can appear minor or more significant. After the cast and tape are removed, the shape change will be obvious. Months are needed to see the final results. The tip swelling is the last to resolve. It’s important to have realistic expectations going into your surgery. Rhinoplasty could be the improvement to your face that you’ve always desired.

Cost Of Rhinoplasty

The price of rhinoplasty varies based on the individual goals. To learn more about what you can expect to pay, we invite you to contact our practice so we can provide you with a customized quote. We also offer financing options as well.

Rhinoplasty FAQs

Is Having Nose Surgery Worth It?

Rhinoplasty in Salt Lake City, UTThis is a question only you can answer. But if you have a nose that you hate every morning when you look in the mirror, what’s the value to you of changing that nose to one you like the look of? The human nose occupies a definite place of prominence on the human face. If it seems out of proportion, it can draw attention. If the tip droops, if the bridge has a bump, if the nostrils are flared — all of those kinds of cosmetic flaws can really wear on the person seeing them in the mirror every morning. Rhinoplasty with Dr. Dunkley can change that.

 Who Considers Rhinoplasty?

Anyone desiring to reshape their nose or repair nasal injury is considering rhinoplasty. Sometime a rhinoplasty is combined with procedures inside the nose that hep the breathing as well.

Appearance – Most patients have never broken their nose, but simply didn’t get the shape they wanted. Common concerns include:

  • The nose is out of proportion with the rest of the face
  • The tip droops
  • The tip is enlarged or bulbous
  • There is a bump on the bridge of the nose or for Asian patients, the bridge isn’t high enough
  • The nostrils are too large or too wide
  • The nose is crooked or off-center

Injury – Many active Salt Lake City patients have experienced unexpected trauma to the nose. A broken nose can leave it permanently crooked or misshapen. The corrective procedure would be a rhinoplasty.

Function – Restricted or blocked nasal passages can impact sleep and quality of life. Nose surgery can open restricted nasal passages if caused by a crooked shape. In addition, a procedure called septoplasty can be done at the time of a rhinoplasty to improve breathing as well.

When Is The Optimal Time To Have Nose Surgery?

A rhinoplasty can be performed any time after puberty, when rapid facial growth has stopped. Hence, anytime in the mid to late teens nasal surgery can be done. Any patient under 18 will need a parent or guardian to consent to their surgery.

What Are The Risks Involved?

Though all surgeries have risks, nose surgery is relatively safe and surprisingly not painful. Nasal surgery has been performed since the late 1890’s making it well studied as well as safe. Since it is surgery, certain risks apply including: infection, bleeding, bruising, reaction to anesthesia, and poor healing. When combined with a septoplasty, a septal perforation is possible. Rarely, skin discoloration can occur or the breathing is worse after surgery, which may require a revision surgery.

However, in the vast majority of these surgeries, patients are happy with their nose and appreciate their mirror more than before. Rhinoplasty has a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Is There Scarring?

Dr. Dunkley prefers to perform a closed rhinoplasty. This means there are no exterior scars as the incisions are made inside the nose. For more difficult or involved cases, Dr. Dunkley uses open an rhinoplasty and you will have a small scar on the columella, the small area of skin between the nostrils. This scar heals Surprisingly well and is barely visible with time.

Am I A Candidate For Nose Surgery?

Any patient who is relatively healthy is a good candidate for a rhinoplasty. Patients who have surgery because of pressure from another person often end up unhappy. During the consult, Dr. Dunkley will ask your hoped-for results, help you understand what can and can’t be done and sometimes make suggestions. A clear understanding of the surgery helps instills realistic expectations. If you have always dreamed of a different nose, come in to Envision Cosmetic surgery and see what options wait for you.

Are you located in Salt Lake City, UT, or the surrounding areas of Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho? If so, contact us today to schedule your consultation for a rhinoplasty with Dr. Dunkley of Envision Plastic Surgery.