Rhinoplasty is an operation that changes the shape and appearance of the external nose. Often, internal surgery to improve breating or sinus conditions are done at the same time but those are not components of a rhinoplasty or “ nose job” a purely cosmetic operation.
The rhinoplasty operation is indicated when the nose is too large, the tip is too bulbous, there is a bump or hump on the bridge. The nose may requiring straightening because it is crooked, often subsequent to an injury. A common, unsatisfactory feature, particularly in the age of head-on cell phone “ selfie” photos is that the tip depresses with smile. In such photos, the nose looks longer and often the tip appears widened.
Rhinoplasty is right for you if you do not like the appearance of your nose. It’s that simple. In some cases, patients seek revision rhinoplasty. Luckily, unlike other Nature-delivered body factors, such as being too tall or too short, the rhinoplasty operation can solve the problem. And, remember, it is not about what others think, it’s your nose, on your face. You are the only decision-maker.
Discussing expectations is supremely important. Unquestionably, the single most important element of the consultation. The wise and experienced rhinoplasty surgeon goes through the patients’ checklist of their dislikes. Then, computer imaging is the indispensable tool for doctor-patient agreement on what changes are amenable to change and whether or not they match the patient’s desire. This meeting of the minds is the best way to avoid dissatisfaction and disappointment. The aim is for doctor to be comfortable that he can deliver what is shown and for the patient to agree that the illustrated end-result would be acceptable. Then, all are on the same page and success is anticipated.
A proper consultation includes a thorough examination of the outside structure of the nose, with attention to strength of cartilage, thickness of the skin, activity of the facial muscles as exerted upon the nose with smile. Analysis of the distance between nose and lip. Discerning the junction between nose and lip. What about the chin and cheeks? Are such other facial features imperfect and in conjunction an unsatisfactory nose contributing to an unhappy appearance in the mirror? All elements of facial structure must be considered. Harmony between nose and face is key. Even the size of skull and facial bones must be taken into account in judging what can be done to improve appearance. Sometimes improvement has limitations based on anatomy adjacent to the nose. Is the patient tall? Short? This must be considered. And, men and women have different ideal esthetics. A small nose on a tall gentleman? Whoa! Guaranteed to disappoint.
An internal exam must be done to evaluate the internal passageways. Is the breathing satisfactory through each nostril? If there is diminished breathing and thus some reason, why the blockage? Is the vertical partition the septum off center and compromising air flow? Are the turbinates, internal structures important to filtering, warming and humidifying incoming air unduly enlarged? Are there nasal polyps, non-cancerous growths, emanated from the sinuses, present and perhaps blocking airflow? Any evidence of sinus infection?
All superior surgeons should be excellent physicians first. By that, they need to exert medical knowledge in arenas beyond their specialities as to best serve the patient. At the time of consultation, the examination is always accompanied by reviewing the patient’s history. Is there a history of prior surgery? Any complications? Anything noteworthy about the surgery? Any undue bleeding? Reaction to drugs? Other questions such as allergies to medications, other questions include what medications the patient is taking. Also a thorough history in regard to issues regarding breathing. Has there been postnasal drip or pus coming from the nose? There is an entire checklist of questions that should be asked such that the surgeon does not miss any underlying condition that could adversely affect the results of the cosmetic surgery. It all begins with a complete history and physical with the physical, of course, just limited to the internal and external nose.
Today, particularly because of issues with the COVID virus, it is considered prudent to have the patient see their own personal physician and have a “medical clearance.” That examination would ask the question if the patient is fit for surgery. The examining physician would order all of the appropriate lab tests so that the patient is presented for surgery well “worked up” and all medical issues that might present themselves have been discussed.
In preparation for a nose job, our practice is to have a very thorough preoperative questionnaire of our patients. We need to know about the prescription medications, as well as non-prescription medications they are taking and that includes vitamins and supplements, as well as drug allergies. Often unbeknownst to patients, what they are taking for whatever condition they seek to have improved may have side effects that are undesirable for people having surgery. For example, ginger and garlic have medicinal value but if taken in significant doses may interfere with blood clotting; for that reason, patients are asked to refrain from ingesting them for a period of 10 days prior to surgery. Other life habits, such as drinking, smoking, and the use of other recreational drugs must be presented for reply by the patient. The preoperative questionnaire is extremely important and the purpose is to leave no stone unturned so that the patient may have a safe anesthetic and a prompt and complication-free recovery.
There are no specific prohibitions regarding food intake prior to surgery other than the “closing time” of 11:00 p.m. the night before surgery. No food or drink should be consumed after that time.
We provide a list of vitamin supplements and prescription medicines that may have aspirin or other ingredients that might interfere with normal healing and/or cause complications and these are made available well before surgery. Generally, at ten days after surgery, patients are free to return to all preop medications and supplements that may have been temporarily suspended.
The patient should have prescription pain medication on hand after surgery. Our practice is to phone to the pharmacy such a prescription plus a mild sedative to accompany it and also a small amount of cortisone pills to reduce swelling and bruising taken only on the day of surgery and the next day. We also prescribe a specific antibiotic ointment to be placed into the nostrils beginning five days prior to surgery to reduce the chance of any bacteria being harbored in the tissues at the time of surgery. Inside the nasal vestibule where the hairs grow is the typical refuge for bacteria that might be capable of causing a postoperative infection.
During rhinoplasty, you can expect to be asleep during your rhinoplasty with no pain and no awareness. That is the mission of the anesthesiologist; to provide a safe, light anesthetic which is essentially complimentary and supportive of the local anesthetic that I inject immediately after you go to sleep from the first intravenous blast of propofol. It is an ideal combination of a light general anesthetic and complete protection against pain. The protection against pain overlaps even into the recovery room and perhaps early hour of recovery at home.
The expectations for surgical rhinoplasty vs liquid rhinoplasty will differ. We feel the preparation for the actual anesthetic is very important in that we want patients to be free of elevated pulse and blood pressure, which is a product of preoperative anxiety. When a patient arrives at the surgery center and is placed in a proper gown and tucked into the holding area bed, they are given an appropriate dose of Valium. Valium is a marvelous sedative and relaxant and creates an ideal state for the initiation of the anesthetic.
The anesthesia itself is based on intravenous propofol, which takes 3 seconds from the time of injection to hit the brain and that is the cue for my injection of the local anesthetic. During the rest of the case the maintenance anesthetic is propofol with additional drugs such that the drugs are reversed in anticipation of the end of the operation. It is quite elegant for the anesthesiologist to time the so-called “landing time,” meaning the end of the operation akin to an airplane touching down such that as the operation is just completed and the dressings in place, the patient will begin to wake up.
The postoperative period begins in the recovery room. In the recovery room you will have computerized monitoring to be certain that your vital signs are proper and that you will be fit for discharge home. We provide a “party bag” of all the supplies needed for proper care at home. This includes a syringe to flush the Kotler Nasal Airway breathing tubes, which will be in place, so that you have clear breathing despite an important medication laden packing placed inside your nose. The purpose of the packing is to reduce swelling and bruising, to reduce infection, and to speed healing.
When the patient is awake enough to understand commands and be cooperative and family members have come to pick them up and have been properly educated by the nursing staff on the home postoperative care, which includes changing a small “drip pad” under the nose and flushing the breathing tubes, the patient is discharged home with written instructions.
On the night of surgery, I all the patient between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and go through a checklist of how the patient is doing. Some of the questions that are asked are:
During that call we will confirm the next appointment time. For those having truly cosmetic surgery it will be within 24 hours, at which time the airway and pack will be removed. For those having in addition to rhinoplasty the internal functional surgery such as major nasal septoplasty and turbinate resection and possible opening of the sinuses, the typical visit to remove the plastic splint on the outside and the packing and airway will be 5 days after surgery.
Patients are advised to refrain from strenuous activities for the first 10 days. Walking can be resumed the day after surgery and is excellent to help dissipate the swelling and bruising. We have provided arnica tablets to be taken for the first 10 days after surgery to further aid the prompt reduction of swelling and bruising. Otherwise patients are really back into their mainstream life and many are capable of working, particularly working remotely.
Rhinoplasty has three recovery phases. The first is the five day period afterwards during which time the external protector is in place. During that same period, if major internal nasal reconstruction was performed, e.g. nasal septoplasty, turbinate resection to improve breathing and prevent sinus problems, the medication-soak tampon is in place and so is the KOTLER NASAL AIRWAY, which provides for clear breathing while the tampon-packing is in place. The next five day period is the period in which everything is “ off and out”, meaning no packing, no airway and no external protector in place. Since we perform the closed rhinoplasty, there is no pink, visible and ripening external scar as a “ tip-off” that surgery has been performed. The external and internal swelling is receding rapidly from day five to ten. Usually, by day ten nearly all the swelling and bruising is gone and you like what you see in the mirror. The final recovery phase begins at day ten. Now, there are no longer restrictions on strenuous exercise; you can return to your usual workout routine. No limits on your physical activity except, obviously, contact sports such as soccer, football, rugby. This third phase is called the “ripening phase”: the nose’s appearance gets better and better and better. Akin to the maturation of fine wine; Nature makes it even better. That third phase typically lasts to the 100 day-after-surgery. Approximately three months, which is also the magic number for all operations, anywhere on the body. While there may be some further refine in the next nine months until the one-year anniversary is reached, the nose looks excellent at that three- month period.
The important thing to remember is that unlike other operations on hidden portions of the body, such as tummy-tuck or even chest surgery, the rhinoplasty’s evolution is visible. As you look into the mirror each day, as all do, for the first two phases, up to day ten, you wonder “ When will the swelling and bruising go away?” Well, it is going away but hard to discern on a day-by-day basis. Count on Nature; it’s reliable. The sun rises and the sun sets at predicted times. Nature will take over and do a good job following our surgery.
The risks of rhinoplasty are extremely low. They can include:
Infection is almost unheard of for several reasons. First, patients receive a generous dose of antibiotic intravenously during the operation such that the operative area is flooded with an antibiotic. Secondly, the patient’s nose has been effectively sterilized by the use of antibiotic ointment in the preoperative period as mentioned above. Third, we disinfect the inside of the nose with antibiotic just after the patient goes to sleep and prior to the onset of surgery.
Bleeding is rare but not unheard of. Typically, it is more likely to occur when there is more major surgery done. It is far less likely with rhinoplasty only. It is more likely if the patient has the internal breathing operation, particularly involving reduction of the turbinates, which happen to be well-ladened with blood. However, we use all available technology to prevent this, including the injection of platelet-rich plasma into all operative sites. Platelet-rich plasma is rich in platelets, as well as hormones, all of which conspire against bleeding and encourage rapid healing.
Revision rhinoplasty may have a slightly higher risk of infection or bleeding because of the technical difficulties of operating through scar tissues. It is not a significant difference compared to a primary rhinoplasty.
While not considered a “complication” or risk per se, revision surgeries always carry a higher percentage of failure to achieve the result. This is just the reality of re-operating on previously operated tissue and the greater likelihood of some unindicated effect on the result. This is why the decision to have a revision rhinoplasty must be weighed very carefully. When one is considering a surgical revision rhinoplasty there must be brought into consideration permanent non-surgical rhinoplasty.
After any surgical procedure, even removal of a superficial skin tumor, there is some discomfort. The number one rule of “ pain after surgery” is that each patient has an inherently different toleration for pain. Recognizing that, at consultation, we raise that issue, even if the patient does not. We ask if there has been any prior surgery and the level of pain and how it was controlled? What medication or medications did the job for you?” That is a helpful clue as to what pain medication should be prescribed and it varies with each patient. Recently, after some study of the subject, based on our surveying our patients, we have added a very safe and practical partner to the pain medication. The drug is a venerable, safe and successful tranquilizer which also has an additional benefit of “ potentiating” the power of the pain pill. It makes that pain medicine stronger and therefore often can reduce the strength of that pain pill such that there are fewer side effects. That drug is Phenergan and it is taken simultaneously with the pain medication.
One of the reasons I call the patient at home the evening of surgery, around 8-9 PM is that I need to hear, firsthand, how well the pain pill and its companion are performing. If not holding the pain at bay or causing unhappy side effects, there is still time to phone in a replacement pain medication to your pharmacy. Pain must be controlled to allow sleep, extremely important for your wellbeing and healing. The other important reason is that uncontrolled pain raises blood pressure automatically. Elevated blood pressure is our mortal enemy because we do not want you to have a nosebleed nor additional swelling and bruising.
Every patient would like to have their operation done by “the best surgeon.” How do you define the best surgeon? Even more challenging, how do you find the best surgeon?
There are certain criteria that all of us in Medicine use to identify the superstars of their respective specialties. Here is my personal short list:
Typically, the surgeons that are on the top of the totem pole have all of the above qualifications, and then have a practice that is patient and service oriented, that provides attentive preoperative and postoperative care. The surgeon must be available if there are any questions. Their staff must be educated, cordial, and helpful. Typically, the qualities of a well-run practice are parallel to the credentials and qualifications of the highest level of practitioner.
The consultation is extremely important. Consider it a matchmaker. Two matches must be made. The first is that you feel comfortable with the doctor and his or her office staff. Every element of service and patient care should “feel right”. It begins with the first call or e-mail contact with the office. You can sense if the staff is first class: knowledgeable, helpful and courteous. A strong service mentality is the mark of the great practices. When you arrive for consultation, your time is to be valued so no hours in a waiting room. No, that’s a bad sign. Because while delays in any medical office can occur, you must be notified in advance of your arrival time. Very important now since there are limitation on how many people can occupy the reception area. If the office is running late, if you know that you can stay at work or whatever and be productive. At the consultation, two major factors must be in place.
First, you must have computer imaging. That answers the number one question every patient harbors: “Doctor, what will I look like? I wonder about the result.” That’s why a consultation without computer imaging, to me, is worthless. If the cosmetic surgery cannot share his vision of what is proper, natural and achievable, how can you make a decision to go forward? Contrary to common sense. If you commissioned an architect or interior designer to improve your home, would you sign the contract without a computer rendering of the result of their work? And, remember, at the imaging session, you desires and thoughts to into the computer rendering. You need to be comfortable with the image of the “ new you” the doctor is presenting. The doctor must be frank about his or her ability to deliver such a result. There must be a meeting of the minds. That’s why computer imaging is the super-important second match.
There is one more feature of a superior consultation that revolves around questions you may have. The key to having proper and meaningful answers is time with the doctor. One on one. Not rushed. Any question is fair game. The sequel to my first book, SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGERY, The Expert’s Guide to Safe, Successful Surgery, was a Cliff’s Notes for the consultation. A workbook with all the smart questions to ask. That book, also quite popular on Amazon, was The Essential Cosmetic Surgery Companion, Don’t Consult a Cosmetic Surgeon Without This Book! For cosmetic surgery procedure, it listed the savvy questions to ask. It even had diagrams and blank spaces for notes. Feel free to download, from this website, a free PDF copy. It covers preparation, anesthesia, recovery, medications and will keep the consultation on track. Remember, you must have EVERY question answered. Apart from fees and scheduling, your answers must come from your doctor. Of all the staff in the office, the one member you should spend the most time with is : the doctor.
It is safe to get a nose job if you have no significant medical problem. This is ascertained, of course, through a detailed history and physical and, of course, consultation with your own personal physician.
Rhinoplasty is an operation performed either through external or internal incisions to change the shape of the nose.
The cost of rhinoplasty is dependent on the number of imperfections that need correction, the time necessary in the operating room to achieve a proper result, and the expertise of the surgeon. Generally, the most experienced and accomplished surgeons, the superspecialists, actually are efficient in their work such that the expense for the operating room and anesthesia doctor are less than those of less experienced, less specialized doctors who typically take much longer to perform their surgery.
All surgical procedures will have some element of postoperative pain. The answer to postoperative pain is medication. Surgeons anticipate the proper level of medication for the condition and should the pain medicine not be satisfactory the surgeon should be available to substitute a more appropriate medication immediately.
Insurance does not cover a cosmetic procedure such as rhinoplasty. Insurance does cover a breathing or sinus operation, which may be done at the same time. Such operations are correction of a deviated septum, reduction of enlarged turbinates which cause airway blockage and perhaps opening of the sinuses, which have had previous infections. It is efficient to perform both the functional and cosmetic surgery at the same surgical sitting. The economy is that of time, and therefore dollars. Likewise, one anesthetic and one recovery. You want to check with the doctor’s office regarding their participation with insurance company programs and how a claim for insurance will be submitted on your behalf.
In our practice, we stand with the patient and provide all administrative support for the billing of an insurance company, when appropriate, for a functional operation. The patient need not complete any forms that the insurance company requires, as we have specialists that provide that service. We will also participate in an insurance company appeal should the payment be improperly processed.
Rhinoplasty is the operation performed on the external nose. It may include any or all of the following: Changing the shape and position of the nasal bones, straightening deformed nasal bones and cartilage, narrowing the tip, elevating the nose from the lip, releasing the muscle that causes undue downward rotation of the tip of the nose.
Nasal septoplasty is an internal nasal operation to straighten an imperfect or crooked partition that separates the left and right nasal passages and may be responsible for obstructed breathing.
It is safe to get a nose job if you have no significant medical problem. This is ascertained, of course, through a detailed history and physical and, of course, consultation with your own personal physician.
Yes, many people are better served by having a Permanent, Non-surgical Rhinoplasty. A Non-surgical Rhinoplasty is not a substitute for safer surgery because it is not capable of changing all of the things that surgery can. However, for many patients, depending on their points of dissatisfaction it is an excellent alternative to surgery because it is an office procedure, has no down-time, and is a fraction of the cost of surgery.
Rhinoplasty is a very successful operation when performed by the most-specialized, most-experienced facial cosmetic surgeons who further specialize in Rhinoplasty exclusively. There are very few but Dr. Kotler is that “superspecialist” in both Surgical Rhinoplasty and Permanent Non-surgical Rhinoplasty. Why not consult with a doctor at the top of the specialty totem pole?
We offer personal, in-office consultation, including computer imaging. After all, shouldn’t you see the predicted result of your procedure before making a decision? Also available to you is a Virtual Consultation with Dr. Kotler via FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom. Zoom’s great because family or friends can join the consult.
Call us today, at (310) 278-8721. We’ll arrange that consultation. A great first step because all your questions will be answered. And, no doctor is more qualified to answer those questions than Dr. Kotler.
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