INTRODUCTION TO TRAVERSE CITY NOSE SURGERY
Nose reshaping, also called by its slang, nose job or by its medical term, rhinoplasty, is an elective cosmetic surgery procedure for men and women who desire a more balanced size and shape to the nose. It can be performed to repair a broken nose, deviated septum or other facial trauma or strictly for cosmetic reasons. A rhinoplasty can be performed alone or with other facial surgeries such as a face lift or eyelid surgery, and is often performed with a chin implant if the patient has a “weak” chin. In general, a rhinoplasty can reshape the nose, shorten it, lengthen it, make it wider or more narrow, remove a hump and/or improve the tip’s size or position. Traverse City plastic surgeon Dr. F. Matthew Smith has many years’ experience performing rhinoplasty procedures, and many in the area consider him to be the best choice for a nose job. During your consultation at Dr. Smith’s Traverse City, MI plastic surgery office, he will evaluate your nose and seek to understand your final goals before recommending a specific nose reshaping plan.

APPROPRIATE CANDIDATES FOR TRAVERSE CITY RHINOPLASTY
The best candidates for a rhinoplasty procedure are healthy adult men and women who are concerned that their nose does not fit the size or shape of their face, to correct the presence of a very noticeable feature such as a bump or hook or to correct a deviated septum or previously broken nose. Although the procedure can be performed on children, in general, Dr. Smith prefers to wait until the patient has reached at least the age of puberty, which would be 14 or 15 years of age. By that time, the face has stopped growing and a nose surgery can safely be performed.

HOW A RHINOPLASTY/NOSE RESHAPING PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED
Dr. F. Matthew Smith performs most of his cosmetic surgeries, including rhinoplasties, in the accredited surgery suite at the Munson Medical Center. With the latest, cutting-edge equipment and a fully trained staff, the Munson Medical Center is an ideal place for his patients. A rhinoplasty rejuvenation procedure is typically scheduled for 2-3 hours, depending upon whether it will be an “open” or “closed” rhinoplasty. In a closed rhinoplasty, all work is done without an external incision. In an open rhinoplasty, an incision is made where the nose meets the face just above the lip. Because Dr. Smith wants to ensure a well-controlled and safe surgical experience that is comfortable for his patient, general anesthesia is always used for rhinoplasty procedures. 

The exact details of your specific nose reshaping procedure, including the final decision as to whether the procedure will be open or closed will have been discussed and confirmed at your cosmetic surgery consultation with Dr. Smith in his Traverse City plastic surgery office.

Once anesthesia has been accomplished, Dr. Smith will make an incision through the base of the nose or through the nostrils. The skin is then lifted up from the underlying cartilage and bone and reshaped to achieve the necessary results. Incisions are then closed with tiny sutures and the nose is packed.

RECOVERY FROM RHINOPLASTY IN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
You should expect swelling in the nose area that may last for a week or more. You will find that for the first few days, sleeping upright will keep your nose from swelling, and ice packs (or frozen peas) are wonderful to reduce the swelling and make you most comfortable. Tylenol is usually enough for discomfort but Dr. Smith will prescribe something stronger if necessary. You will awaken from the procedure with a nasal splint that you will wear for about two weeks to protect the nose during recovery. If you do not mind others seeing the split, you can return to work within 2-3 days.

Until the nose is completely healed, you’ll be asked to wear tape over the nose for about 3-4 weeks. You may still have swelling and bruising during this time, but you can hide this with foundation makeup. Dr. Smith advises against any strenuous activities or exercise during the recovery time as this can cause bleeding and swelling. In most cases, the final appearance of a nose reshaping takes about six months, by which time the last remnant of swelling will have resolved.