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.

Following nose surgery—and especially during the first 24 hours — you may experience facial swelling, discomfort around the nose, and headaches; these can be managed with medication. You should remain in bed with your head elevated during the first day (except when using the restroom). You will notice that swelling and bruising around the eyes increase, peaking at the two-day mark. We recommend applying cold compresses to reduce swelling.

In any case, you will feel better than your appearance might suggest. Most bruising and swelling will disappear within about two weeks (though slight swelling — noticeable perhaps only to your surgeon—may persist for a few months). Minor nosebleeds during the first few days are normal. You must not blow your nose forcefully for the first 2–3 weeks, until the tissues have healed. If you have nasal packing, it will be removed within 1 to 3 days, after which you will feel much better. After one week, the splint and any stitches will be removed.

Most rhinoplasty patients feel well within two days and are able to return to work or school after approximately one week. However, you should avoid certain activities (those involving a risk of physical contact) for several weeks. Dr. Juan Luis will provide you with specific instructions; however, general recommendations include:

* Avoid strenuous activities (jogging, swimming, push-ups, etc.) for 2 to 3 weeks.

* Avoid blows to the nose and sun exposure for 4 weeks; wash your face and apply makeup with great care.

* You may resume wearing contact lenses whenever you wish, but if you wear glasses, you will need to take certain precautions.

Your plastic surgeon will see you during the weeks and months following surgery to monitor your progress. If you experience any discomfort between visits or have questions about what you should or should not do, please do not 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.