It is quite likely that many people have heard the adage, “You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.” In essence, this means that you can’t get a worthwhile final product without being willing to destroy something else in the process. This certainly holds in the case of rhinoplasty (nose job) osteotomy cosmetic surgical procedures. Dr. Vincent Marin’s overall goal of making the nasal features fit in with the rest of the face may not be achieved without actually breaking the nose to sculpt it into a more pleasing shape.
What Is a Rhinoplasty Osteotomy Procedure?
In an osteotomy procedure, the nasal bones are carefully broken to realign better the nose’s shape and position on the face. It can be performed in instances of overly wide nasal bones (which is usually genetic) or a crooked nose due to an injury to the nose. A tiny chisel, called an osteome, is used to perform the procedure.
There are two main osteotomy procedures. A sweeping osteotomy involves one continuous break to the nasal bones and surrounding structures, while a perforated osteotomy makes a series of small punctures through the nasal bone and surrounding structures. The latter is used when only a small amount of work is done on the nasal bridge, and scarring is usually relatively minimal compared to a sweeping osteotomy. In some cases, a nasal rasping (filing of the nasal bones) must also be done in order to maintain a symmetrical look to the nose.
What Are the Most Common Side Effects of a Rhinoplasty Osteotomy?
The three most common side effects of an osteotomy procedure are bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Following surgery, the nose will be splinted and bandaged, which will reduce most of the bleeding. Patients should refrain from drinking alcohol starting two weeks before the surgery until two weeks after, as alcohol is a blood thinner, so that it may lead to excess bleeding. Ice, cold compresses, and taking the herb Arnica montana will help reduce swelling and bruising. Keeping the nose bandaged for the recommended length of time will also help reduce swelling.
How Long Will Recovery from the Procedure Last?
In most cases, patients who undergo an osteotomy can return to regular activities, such as driving and go to work or school, within one to two weeks following the procedure. The nasal splints and bandages will usually be removed anywhere from seven to 10 days following the procedure. The nose may need another week or two to settle into its final shape and size, so patients are advised to wait to see the final results from their surgical procedure.
It may seem more than a little bit scary to consider the notion of having the nose broken as part of a surgical procedure. However, if done correctly, an osteotomy can do wonders to balance the nose with the rest of the facial features.
Contact Marin Aesthetics to schedule a rhinoplasty consultation.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
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