Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
Rhinoplasty can be performed for cosmetic or nasal breathing issues; sometimes it’s done simultaneously for both reasons.
Some cosmetic reasons for rhinoplasty include:
- A bump on the bridge of the nose
- A crooked nose
- An abnormal nasal tip
The goal of rhinoplasty is to create a natural, symmetric nose in harmony with the rest of your face, thus striking a balance between the upper and lower face without compromising breathing.
Since we are all individuals with a variety of backgrounds, personalities, and desires, no precise method for the determination of the ideal nose exists, but there are a number of facial relationships which tend create a more favorable appearance of a person’s nose. Facial measurements can assist in the determination of how to best shape the nose while producing harmony with the face as a whole. When consulting with your surgeon these relationships are considered in the context of your desires to help create your ideal nose.
Nasal Surgery for Breathing
Some people have difficulty breathing through their noses due to excessively narrow nasal passages. This can be caused by several conditions, the most common of which are:
Deviated septum
The nasal septum is a piece of tissue made of cartilage and bone that separates the right and left nasal passages. Deviations (crookedness) of the septum — often caused by trauma such as a blow to the nose — can result in blockage of the nasal airway, difficult nasal breathing and stuffiness. This deviation can be corrected surgically in a procedure called septoplasty, which decreases the blockage and improves airflow. Airflow can also be decreased by collapse of the sidewalls of the nose, narrowing the nasal passages even further upon inspiration (breathing in). This collapse with inspiration can be repaired (nasal valve repair) by the placement of grafts to support the sidewalls of the nose.
Swollen turbinates
Swelling of the tissue on the inside sidewall of your nose called turbinates may also contribute to nasal obstruction. If antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays do not fully alleviate the swelling of the turbinates, your doctor may recommend a turbinate reduction procedure.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) and Brow Lift Surgery
As you age, the skin of your eyelids tends to become more lax, and fat may also protrude from behind the eyelids resulting in a tired, puffy look when you feel perfectly well rested.
Blepharoplasty can be performed to rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes. Depending on your unique situation, your doctor may recommend removing excess skin, protruding fat or muscle; tightening the lower lid; or even adding volume to your lids. There are a few blepharoplasty techniques, all of which heal extremely well, resulting in a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
Brow lift surgery
The arc of the eyebrow also tends to flatten as you age, so that it no longer rests above the eye socket. This can result in a tired and sometimes angry look. The descent of the brow often also contributes to increased fullness of the upper eyelid skin, so brow life surgery is often performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty to restore the brow to a more youthful position.
Facelift and Neck lift Surgery
Face and neck lift surgery is performed to restore the face and neck to a more youthful contour. As we age, the skin around the eyes is generally the first area of the face that may need maintenance. Tissue from the cheek and jaw begin to descend creating hollowing around the eyes and loss of contour of the jaw with presence of jowls below the jaw line. The neck skin also tends to become more lax with blunting of the angle between the chin and neck as well banding of the skin of the neck.
Face and neck lift procedures aim to reposition tissue of the cheek and neck to restore fullness and volume to the face while recreating the youthful definition of your neck and jawline. The goal is not for a dramatic change, but for a natural rejuvenated appearance. Not all faces are created equal and no single technique is effective in all individuals seeking facial rejuvenation surgery. Each face has individual needs, and as shown below, some patients may have improvement with neck liposuction alone while others are better served with a face and neck lift. Your surgeon tailors your procedure to address your specific needs.
Facial Plastic Surgeons:
Amit Bhrany, MD (Shoreline)