Nasal Surgery
The nose plays a significant and central role in one’s facial appearance. When you are troubled by the shape of your nose, this can feel all-consuming when thinking of your appearance. If you’re feeling this way, nasal surgery may be right for you.
If the shape of your nose isn’t a concern, but you feel like you’re struggling to breathe, surgery may also be the right solution for you. No one likes living with a stuffy nose or struggling to breathe. That’s where nasal surgery can improve quality of life and confidence for patients at Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgery & Medspa. Nasal surgery involves reshaping and restructuring the nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues in order to achieve desired results. People may seek out nasal surgery for a deviated septum, other breathing difficulties, or purely aesthetic reasons. Whatever your cause, Dr. Spalla and his team are here to help you meet your treatment goals.
Nasal Surgery
The nose plays a significant and central role in one’s facial appearance. When you are troubled by the shape of your nose, this can feel all-consuming when thinking of your appearance. If you’re feeling this way, nasal surgery may be right for you.
If the shape of your nose isn’t a concern, but you feel like you’re struggling to breathe, surgery may also be the right solution for you. No one likes living with a stuffy nose or struggling to breathe. That’s where nasal surgery can improve quality of life and confidence for patients at Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgery & Medspa. Nasal surgery involves reshaping and restructuring the nasal bones, cartilage, and soft tissues in order to achieve desired results. People may seek out nasal surgery for a deviated septum, other breathing difficulties, or purely aesthetic reasons. Whatever your cause, Dr. Spalla and his team are here to help you meet your treatment goals.
Common Reasons for Nasal Surgery
When it comes to nasal surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, there are several common reasons why individuals choose to undergo this procedure.
Addressing breathing difficulties
Correcting aesthetic concerns
Different Types of Nasal Surgery Procedures
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is one of the most common types of nasal surgery. This procedure aims to reshape and enhance the appearance of the nose. It can correct a wide range of aesthetic issues such as crookedness, bumps on the bridge, or an overly large or small size.
During rhinoplasty, incisions are typically made inside the nostrils or along the base of the nose for minimal visible scarring. Dr. Spalla then carefully reshapes and repositions cartilage and bone to achieve the desired outcome.
Although rhinoplasty is often thought of as a purely aesthetic procedure, it can help with the functionality of the nose, too.
Septoplasty
The nasal septum is the structure which divides our nose into a left and right cavity. Whether due to abnormal development or injury, the septum can shift. When this occurs, the nasal passage is narrowed, leading to difficulty breathing. When the septum is significantly deviated, the only long-term solution is surgery.
During this procedure, incisions are made inside your nostrils to reach the septum, where excess bone or cartilage might be present hindering normal airflow through your nose making it difficult for you to breathe freely. These obstructions get corrected by removing some tissue buildup in order to improve proper air passage.
Septal surgery is often combined with rhinoplasty.
Turbinate Reduction
The nasal turbinates are structures in the nose which help to warm, humidify, and filter the air we breathe. They also help to give resistance to airflow. However, they can become too large and intrusive. Having large turbinates causes patients to live with a permanently stuffy nose. This troubling situation does have solutions, however. Most commonly, some form of medication or nasal spray is employed. In other situations, allergen desensitization may be necessary.
When all of this fails, or patients want an alternative solution, surgery may be warranted. Dr. Spalla has performed innumerable turbinate reduction surgeries for more than a decade. He is careful in evaluating the proper candidates and is judicious in his technique to avoid the dreaded “Empty Nose Syndrome.” He has never had a patient experience this after surgery, and has personally treated many patients who, unfortunately, were not handled with such delicate care. Through his expertise as a board-certified otolaryngologist (Ear Nose & Throat surgeon), he will guide you through this evaluation and come up with the best solution for your airway concerns.
Preparing For Nasal Surgery:
What To Expect
The first step is scheduling a consultation. Dr. Spalla. He’ll ask about your medical history and thoroughly examine your nose to determine the best course of action.
If you’re taking any medications, such as blood thinners or certain herbal supplements, Dr. Spalla may advise adjusting or discontinuing them prior to surgery. This is crucial for reducing the risk of complications.
Dr. Spalla may instruct you to stop eating or drinking anything after midnight on the day before surgery. Following these instructions helps prevent nausea and complications during anesthesia. As you prepare for nasal surgery, it’s essential to communicate openly with Dr. Spalla and his team and follow their pre- and post-operative instructions carefully.
Recovery and Aftercare
After undergoing nasal surgery, it is important to follow a proper recovery and aftercare routine. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
REST
Give your body enough time to rest and recover post-surgery. Avoid strenuous activities that may put pressure on the nose.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
You may experience some discomfort or pain after the procedure, which can be managed with prescribed medication provided by Dr. Spalla.
SWELLING AND BRUISING
Swelling and bruising around the nose area are common after nasal surgery. Applying cold compresses intermittently can help reduce these symptoms.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
It is crucial to attend all follow-up appointments scheduled with Dr. Spalla and his team for check-ups on healing progress and removal of any packing or splints placed during the procedure.
AVOID CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
While recovering from nasal surgery, avoid activities like blowing your nose forcefully, wearing glasses that rest on the bridge of your nose, or participating in contact sports that could potentially harm the healing process of your newly constructed nasal tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions
During the procedure, patients are typically under anesthesia and should not experience any pain. However, it is normal to feel some discomfort during the recovery period after surgery. This can include swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the nose area. Pain medication will be prescribed by your surgeon to manage any post-operative pain that may occur.
In general, most patients can expect 1-2 weeks of downtime before returning to normal activities. Dr. Spalla typically recommends avoidance of strenuous activity for 3 weeks after surgery, and does not permit glasses on the nose for 6 weeks. Swelling is always present after rhinoplasty and subsides gradually over time. You’ll have a fair idea of the nasal appearance at 1 month, a great idea at 6 months, and can expect a “final” outcome at 1 year.
You should be able to breathe better than before the surgery. Whether for aesthetic reasons or functional reasons, many patients experience an increase in the quality of breathing after a nasal surgery. You’ll definitely be able to breathe normally.
Nasal surgery costs vary based on the complexity of the procedure. For many people receiving nasal surgery primarily for functional reasons, insurance may cover a portion of the surgery. Discuss the possibility with your insurance company and schedule a consultation with Dr. Spalla to talk further about the costs of nasal surgery.
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