CASTING OF THE NOSE

Once the rhinoplasty has been completed, a skin-colored surgical tape is applied across the bridge of the nose. This helps to reduce the swelling in the nose. A small plastic Aquaplastic splint is fashioned and placed across the bridge of the nose to stabilize the reshaped nasal bones and tissues. Patients do not receive packing on the internal portion of the nose but they do wear a little mustache dressing of gauze to catch drainage out of the nostrils.

CHIN AUGMENTATION

In many instances patients who have a prominent nose also have a retrusive or weak chin and a chin augmentation may be necessary. Chin augmentation is done at the same time as the nose surgery to give better facial harmony when a retrusive chin gives the illusion of the nose projecting too far. The chin augmentation is done at the same time with a synthetic Silastic chin implant matched in size to the patient's requirements. The implants come in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes and they also come in square and rounded chin profiles. This gives a more balanced profile to the face. The procedure is also done under a general anesthesia and takes approximately 30 minutes to perform. An incision is made underneath the chin and very small stitches are used to close that incision. The chin implant is a very natural feeling Silastic synthetic material and cannot be felt by the patient or anyone else once healed.

RECOVERY ROOM

Once the rhinoplasty surgery has been completed, patients are taken to the recovery room where they stay for approximately one hour. Vital signs are monitored and observed closely by the anesthesiologist and our attending registered nurses. Patients feel a bit drowsy while in the recovery room but that soon dissipates. Patients are typically discharged to home in the care of a responsible adult who drives them home and helps them through their postoperative recovery and convalescence. There is usually little or no pain following a rhinoplasty, but some patients complain of a mild burning sensation or headache after their surgery. The patient's caretaker is given full postoperative instructions.

POSTOPERATIVE ANESTHESIA SIDE EFFECTS

A few patients experience postoperative nausea and vomiting after the surgery, which can be the result of the anesthesia, swallowed blood or narcotics. These are the three reasons that most commonly cause nausea and vomiting in the postoperative phase. For this, Dr. Portuese recommends the anti-nausea pills and makes sure that patients do not swallow blood down the back of their throat after their surgery. Occasionally patients complain of a sore throat and dry mouth, which is related to the anesthesia. Once patients are awake and resting in the recovery room, they are discharged to home in stable condition with their responsible caretaker.