Rhinoplasty

The procedure is performed in the clinic’s operating room. The complete team, including doctors and nurses, will provide excellent care before, during, and after surgery. Patients usually stay overnight and are discharged the next day. Dr. Juan Luis performs rhinoplasty under general anesthesia.

A rhinoplasty typically lasts two hours. Dr. Juan Luis uses both closed rhinoplasty (with two small incisions inside the nostrils) and open rhinoplasty (adding a small incision to the nasal columella). The choice of technique depends on the patient’s specific nasal needs.

During surgery, the nasal skin is separated from the underlying structure, consisting of nasal bone and cartilage, which is sculpted to the desired shape. The skin is then redistributed over the new framework. After surgery, a thermolabile splint is applied to maintain the new shape, and nasal plugs are placed to prevent bleeding and stabilize the nasal septum.

During the first 24 hours, you may experience facial swelling, nasal discomfort, and headaches, which can be relieved with medication. Stay in bed with your head elevated for the first day (except for bathroom trips). Swelling and bruising around the eyes peak at around two days. Cool compresses can help reduce swelling.

Most bruising and swelling subside within two weeks (a small amount of swelling, noticeable only to your surgeon, may last for months). A slight nasal bleed is common for the first few days, but avoid blowing your nose forcefully for 2–3 weeks to allow the tissues to heal. Nasal plugs, if used, will be removed after 1–3 days, providing relief. After one week, the splint and stitches (if any) will be removed.
Most patients feel well after two days and can return to work or school within a week. However, strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks.

Dr. Juan Luis will provide specific post-surgery care instructions. Key recommendations include: avoid strenuous activities (jogging, swimming, push-ups, etc.) for 2–3 weeks, avoid nasal trauma and sun exposure for four weeks, gently wash your face and apply makeup, you can wear contact lenses immediately but should take precautions when wearing glasses.

Your plastic surgeon will monitor your progress during follow-up appointments. If you experience discomfort or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

When performed by a plastic surgeon specializing in facial surgery, complications are rare and minor. However, risks such as infections, nasal bleeding, or anesthesia reactions are possible.

Risks can be minimized by carefully following Dr. Juan Luis’s pre- and post-operative instructions. Scarring is not an issue, as incisions are made inside the nose. In open rhinoplasty, even the columella scar becomes barely noticeable after healing. In about 1 in 10 cases, minor surgical revisions may be required to address small imperfections.

Rhinoplasty is the surgical procedure performed to correct nasal deformities. It primarily involves modifying the nasal bone and cartilage structures to achieve a new shape that improves facial harmony. When the surgery also corrects a deviated nasal septum to enhance respiratory function, it is called septorhinoplasty.

The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Juan Luis cuts and reshapes the nasal bones and cartilage to achieve the desired shape. In some cases, incisions are also made at the base of the nostrils. To shape or support the nasal pyramid, grafts from the patient’s own tissues (cartilage or bone) are frequently used.

After the procedure, which usually lasts about an hour, nasal packing is placed and typically removed the following day unless a septoplasty has been performed, in which case it remains for two to three days. Additionally, a plaster splint is applied to the nose and remains in place for one week.

Postoperative swelling and the presence of bruising (ecchymosis) are common and usually subside within a week. Most patients can return to their normal routine in approximately 8–10 days.

It is not possible to evaluate the results of rhinoplasty until several months or even a year have passed. This is the time required for tissues to stabilize and scars to fully mature. The goal of rhinoplasty is for the “new” nose to blend seamlessly into the overall facial context, creating a harmonious and pleasing appearance—essentially, to ensure the surgery goes unnoticed.

In some cases, whether due to severe initial anatomical issues, complications in tissue healing, or postoperative trauma, perfection may not be achieved (e.g., asymmetries, contour irregularities, etc.). In such cases, a corrective touch-up procedure might be necessary after six months.