30701 Woodward Ave, Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Royal Oak, MI 48073
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Ask any ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor in Royal Oak, and they’ll say the same thing… Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging, complex, and intricate surgeries in an ENT doctor’s repertoire, but it’s also one of their favorite procedures to perform because it transforms a patient’s life in more ways than one.
First, there’s the cosmetic aspect of the procedure – which aims to improve the appearance of the nose in an effort to achieve maximum facial harmony. This could mean straightening the nose, removing a hump in the bridge, making certain features larger or smaller, or changing the shape of the nose completely.
Of course, then there’s the medical aspect of the procedure – which aims to improve the overall function of the nose in an effort to breathe more efficiently. This is often the case with deviated septums, sinus issues, injuries, and deformities. Either way, the end result can be life-changing for the right candidate.
When a patient consults with an ENT doctor about undergoing rhinoplasty surgery, they already have a vision of what they want their nose to look like or how they want it to function. Their job is to relay that vision to their doctor, but they have to understand that there are limitations to what the doctor can do.
Once the doctor has an idea of what the patient wants, they can start to look at the reality of that vision – is it safe to make the requested changes, or will those changes put the patient in harm’s way? This is the game of give and take that all ENT doctors have to play when determining what’s possible and what’s not.
What most patients fail to understand is that changing the structure of the nose might give them the facial harmony they want, but it could also have an adverse effect on the function of the nose – and vice versa. That’s why they say there’s an art and a science to rhinoplasty – and ENT doctors are masters of both.
There’s an old, cliché saying that goes, “Sometimes, the smallest things make the biggest differences. The same rings true in rhinoplasty – the slightest alteration to the nose makes the biggest difference in appearance. In fact, many ENT doctors call it a ‘millimeter surgery’ because every millimeter counts.
That’s where the art of rhinoplasty serves its purpose. Doctors must first visualize what the patient wants based on their goals (which are pointed out during the initial consultation), but then use their creativity to turn that visualization into reality. The idea is to sculpt a nose that compliments the other facial features.
That means considering what the sculpted nose will look like alongside the cheeks, chin, mouth, eyes, and forehead – the more perfect the proportion, the more harmonious the face. Like a painter or artist, ENT doctors treat each rhinoplasty surgery as if it were a masterpiece – one the patient can be proud of.
As discussed above, the goal behind rhinoplasty surgery is to find a balance between form and function. To do so, ENT doctors must not only have a deep understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the nose, but also an understanding of how altering the nasal structure could impact the function of the nose.
This is where the science of rhinoplasty serves its purpose. For example, doctors can only do so much to a nose with weak cartilage and/or thin skin. Making the nose smaller or more narrow could result in the patient losing their ability to breathe comfortably – which would deem the procedure unsafe and risky.
As much as your doctor would love to give you the exact nose you asked for, they have to make sure it’s both cosmetically and medically feasible before determining the best course of action. Don’t worry – they’ll use their creativity to find that balance, ultimately giving you a nose that suits your face well.
The most important part of the rhinoplasty procedure is the initial consultation. This is where the patient voices their expectations and goals with the surgery, but also where the doctor helps them understand what’s possible and what the alterations would look like when finished. It’s a total team collaboration.
The good news is we live in a modern and technological world. Visualizing these changes and figuring out the best plan of attack is much easier and more precise with the introduction of 3D imaging, simulation programs, and computer-aided designs – all of which allow the patient to see what the nose will look like.
As for the actual procedure, rhinoplasty surgery can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours – though the exact time varies by patient. Recovery often lasts several months as the swelling subsides, but the final results could take 12-18 months. Your doctor will give you a set of aftercare instructions to follow post-surgery.
Are you not happy or unimpressed by the structure of your nose? Are you finding it difficult to breathe normally or comfortably? Do you suffer from a deviated septum, a broken nose, or sinus problems? Is your nose too big, small, narrow, or wide? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those, we’re here to help!
The Rontal Clinic has served the Royal Oak, MI community for over 50 years. Our family-owned ENT clinic has mastered both the art and science of rhinoplasty – ensuring our patients receive a nose that not only fits their face, but improves or maintains nasal function. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!