Rhinoplasty

Before & After Gallery

Actual patients of Dr. Kuhn

Rhinoplasty

Nose Surgery

performs rhinoplasty in order to reshape the nose and improve airway function. Appearance can be improved for those people who are dissatisfied with the shape and size of their nose.

While there are many preferred nasal shapes and forms, there is no ideal or perfect nose. What someone prefers is subjective within a range of esthetic facial proportions.

Nasal reconstruction was one of the first cosmetic procedures ever developed and is among those most frequently performed today. Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure in which deformities of the nose are corrected by removing, rearranging, reshaping, or adding bone or cartilage.

It is one of the most demanding cosmetic and functional surgical procedures of the face.

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Reasons for Surgery

Side by side before and after of nose surgeryReasons include reducing the size of the nose, removal of bumps as well as improving the angles of the nose.

The nasal deformities may be due to:

  • genetics
  • abnormal growth
  • or trauma to the face.

These operations should strive to not only improve the appearance of the nose but improve the function of nasal breathing. The majority of patients seeking nasal changes are for modification of the bridge and tip of the nose.

These two parts of the nose are the heart and soul of rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty is usually not performed until after puberty unless a significant, functional or traumatic deformity is present.

Before Surgery

A Medical history along with a careful examination is conducted in order to evaluate your general health. We will discuss with you what you like and dislike about your nose.

Dr. Kuhn will explain what he feels can or can’t be accomplished during rhinoplasty. After examining your face and nose, Dr. Kuhn will discuss your entire surgical experience.
This will include:

  • pre-operative instructions
  • pre and post-operative medications
  • where incisions will be placed
  • recovery time
  • cost
  • and possible surgical risks associated with your operation.

Potential patients should remember that this is surgery, not magic. We will try to do our best to educate you about your nasal treatment so you can make a well-informed decision.

Method of Surgery

Surgery can be performed under general or IV anesthesia. In most cases involving a reduction in shape or size of the nose, angle, or removal of a hump, the skin of the nose is separated from the underlying skeleton of bone and cartilage.

The bone and cartilage are then reshaped and the skin re-draped over the surface. Patients who have a deviated septum may benefit by correction of this problem.

The incisions are placed inside the nose unless the surgeon uses an open approach, in which case the incisions are made across the tissue between the nostrils. Dr. Kuhn uses an open approach in the majority of cases because most involve intricate work on the nasal tip.

This is exclusively true in revision surgery due to scarring and altered surgical anatomy. Nasal airway reconstruction which includes septoplasty and turbinate (small bones inside the nose) trimming is commonly done in combination with rhinoplasty to preserve or improve nasal airway function.

Stiff ridged nasal packing is avoided in most cases. A soft sponge pack is placed at the end of surgery and kept in place overnight to absorb any bleeding or nasal drainage. It is removed the next day after surgery with ease. Patients who have had more extensive work on the turbinates may have packs for up to two to three days if necessary.

Nasal bandages, external splints,and any external sutures are removed at one week.

Post-Operative Information

The recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people resume their normal activities within a week or two.

Following surgery, a lightweight splint is applied to maintain the new shape of the nose. The splint is removed within a week.

There is always some stuffiness of the nose, especially when work has been done on the nasal septum.

Pain is minimal and is controlled with medications.

Bruising occurs under the eyes. This is especially true when the bridge of the nose is narrowed because the nasal bones are fractured in this part of the operation.

Bleeding from the nasal bone causes bruising under the eyes. This discoloration usually disappears in one to 3 weeks.