Noses are incredible. We can sense over 10,000 scents and have around 12 million olfactory receptor cells, says the University of Washington. The human nose has around 400 scent receptors that can parse apart at least one trillion odors. However, if you’ve always wanted a more symmetrical nose, need reconstructive surgery, or are trying to fix an obstructed airway, rhinoplasty might be what you need. Rhinoplasty before and after pictures can vary, depending on the type of procedure done, but can often leave a person feeling more attractive or confident and can even help their quality of life when it comes to their health. So let’s discuss what to expect with rhinoplasty before and after, how it can benefit you, and what to know about costs and recovery after the procedure.
Rhinoplasty Definition and Why to Get It
Rhinoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that deals with the nose. It’s often slangily called a “nose job” and has the ultimate goal of making your nose more symmetrical with the rest of your face or fix impaired breathing. If you were in a major accident or had your nose broken a number of times, you may also be getting rhinoplasty as part of a facial reconstruction process.
A nose job can often help make one feel better about their appearance. That, in turn, can boost confidence levels, which can help in professional and personal situations. Rhinoplasty can also help those with sleep apnea or who might struggle with an obstructed airway to breathe better and totally fix the issue. Given that sleep apnea sufferers have a much higher risk of stroke and heart disease, rhinoplasty can be a step towards saving a life.
What Should I Expect With Rhinoplasty Before and After?
Make sure you’re not taking any aspirin or ibuprofen for two weeks before and after your scheduled surgery. If you’re a smoker, you’ll need to stop smoking before the surgery — two to four weeks is recommended.
After the procedure, it’s likely that you’ll experience some kind of headache, but it shouldn’t stick around for longer than a day or two, nor should it be severe pain. There will most likely be some swelling and bruising, as well as congestion, which is normal. If you have trouble sleeping, your surgeon may also prescribe a sleeping aid that’s lighter.
Since you’ll most likely to be breathing through your mouth while your nose heals, make sure that you have enough chapstick, saline solution, and fluids on hand to keep hydrated, and that you don’t need to do any exercise that involves heavy breathing. You should also not blow your nose until your doctor says it’s okay — that can harm healing and the entire procedure.
It’s likely that you’ll want to allot some time off after the surgery until the majority of the swelling goes down for cosmetic reasons, though if you’re not sleeping well or have a job that involves lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to take time off for those reasons as well.
What Else Should I Know About Rhinoplasty?
In 2016, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that rhinoplasty costs were just over $5,000 on average, though that’s not counting the costs of anesthesia, any follow-up appointments, operating room fees, or prescriptions for recovery. The best candidates for rhinoplasty are those who don’t smoke, adults (whose faces won’t grow anymore), and those who are in good physical shape, as that makes recovery easier.
It’s also important to keep your expectations in check and remember that it does take time for the body to heal from what’s considered an invasive procedure. However, the majority of rhinoplasty patients are satisfied with the procedure and happy with the way they look. Keeping up good healthy habits after the procedure can continue to help you achieve satisfaction with the way you look.
Rhinoplasty before and after isn’t as drastic as some cosmetic procedures, but it can make a big difference. Get the look you’ve always wanted with a rhinoplasty procedure and look good and breathe easier.