NOSE ENHANCEMENT (Rhinoplasty)

Your nose…the most important central feature of the face, affects the overall balance, harmony, and aesthetic appeal of your face. Is it too large, too small, too flat, too pointed? According to Dr. Shah, an aesthetically pleasing nose is one that fits your face with harmony, and in the correct proportions.

Cosmetic nose surgery, also known as rhinoplasty, has become one of the most sought after plastic surgical procedures in the US. Cosmetic surgery can change the shape of the whole nose or just a small part, making it fit more harmoniously with the rest of your face. Dr. Shah is highly skilled in making these changes while preserving and enhancing the function of the nose so that breathing is free and comfortable.

There are structures within the nose, namely the septum and turbinates, which affect the airflow through the nose. Dr. Shah will carefully examine the internal structure of your nose at the time of your consultation and provide information about possible improvement. Also during your initial consultation, Dr. Shah will first listen to your desires and goals. During the examination, he will make suggestions for nose improvements based on his assessment, your facial features and your desires, bringing extensive surgical experience and artistic sensitivity into the discussion so that together a final surgical plan will be adopted to achieve optimum results for your rhinoplasty.

Dr. Shah will evaluate your entire facial structure, with emphasis towards improving not only the nose, but its relationship to other parts of the face. The goal is to blend your nose aesthetically, thereby providing balance and harmony to your facial features. Many cultures in the Chicago area wish to have cosmetic nasal surgery, yet retain their ethnicity. These cultures have certain noses which patients may desire to retain. Dr. Shah will discuss with you openly and will make every effort to retain the ethnic features that you desire.

THE SURGERY
Cosmetic surgery of the nose usually takes 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours and may be done either with you asleep under general anesthesia or awake under sedation. Most incisions are placed inside the nostrils, but in some cases, a small incision may be made in the natural creases along the sides or near the base of the nose. These heal quickly and leave scars that are nearly invisible. At the end of surgery, a cast will be place on your nose. If bleeding occurs, a light dressing may be placed inside the nostrils and removed either the same or the next day. If any sutures were placed in a natural crease, they are removed in several days. The cast is usually removed in one week.

THE RECOVERY
Most people are amazed at how little pain there is after nasal surgery! The most uncomfortable part of the recovery is the inability to breathe through the nose for several days due to swelling, which usually improves within one to two weeks. Expect some swelling around your eyes for several weeks, and as this swelling subsides, you will start to see the improvements from your surgery. There are a few special precautions during recovery: bending or lifting can prolong swelling, therefore this is not recommended for three weeks after surgery. Running, cycling, or aerobics should not resume for three weeks. Contact sports should be avoided for six weeks, as it takes that long for the bones in your nose to fully heal. You may drive when the swelling subsides enough not to interfere with vision, and you may fly two to three weeks after surgery.
If you desire to look your best, schedule your initial consultation today and let Dr. Shah show you how nose contouring can greatly benefit your overall facial appearance.

Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery offices located in Oak Lawn and Orland Park, Illinois (IL). We are conveniently near the Chicago area.