Reflection of Patient in Mirror As Dr. Retana Holds Q-Tip To Nose

What is rhinoplasty?

Your nose influences the overall aesthetics of your face, and small details, from the slope to the position of the tip, can subtly but significantly affect your appearance. Damage to the internal structure of your nose may also hinder your ability to breathe comfortably and get a good night’s rest.

Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) is a cosmetic procedure that can change the shape and size of your nose’s features to match your aesthetic vision. Dr. Retana can use the same procedure to repair internal trauma, such as a deviated septum, to improve breathing and your overall quality of life. Patients rely on him for their procedure because of the expertise, experience, and personal attention he brings to their care.

Benefits of rhinoplasty

Certain aesthetic standards define the “ideal” nose. In general, it should be at the center of the face, in proportion to the other facial features, and without noticeable irregularities. Rhinoplasty can help when:

  • The nose is too big or too small.
  • Nostrils are too prominent.
  • The bridge of the nose projects too little, too much, or at an irregular angle.
  • The nose has a hump or bump.

Aesthetic revisions may also require changes to the nose’s underlying structure, and this can be an excellent opportunity for patients to correct functional deformities. Dr. Retana can determine whether patients will benefit from both cosmetic and functional improvement in their procedure.

is rhinoplasty right for you?

Dr. Retana brings a unique background to the care of patients as both a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He has an expert’s understanding of facial aesthetics and anatomy, and he has spent years in training and practice performing facial trauma reconstruction and aesthetic procedures.

During your initial visit with Dr. Retana, he will talk with you about the features of your nose that you want to change with rhinoplasty. If you have been experiencing difficulty with breathing, he will identify the reasons for this problem. Part of this discussion is to determine whether your rhinoplasty should focus on aesthetics, function, or both.

Dr. Retana will spend a lot of time during this visit, showing you what’s possible with rhinoplasty. Once you and he have a shared vision for the changes you want to make, he will evaluate the individual features that may require revision. He may also review before and after photos with you to show you how patients with similar features achieved their goals through surgery.

 

What to Expect With Rhinoplasty

Your procedure will take place at Dr. Retana’s practice, which hosts an AAAHC-certified surgical facility. His is one of the few offices to receive recognition for meeting these high national standards for quality of care.

Dr. Retana performs rhinoplasty surgery with patients under general anesthesia, which allows them to be comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure. He uses an open approach that gives him complete visibility into the structure of the nose and allows him to work with greater precision. The result is a better-looking outcome and a shorter recovery time.

What is the recovery like from rhinoplasty?

After your surgery, you can expect a few small stitches below your nose that will come out after seven days. You may have some bruising under your eyes and will wear an external splint over your nose, but you won’t have to have any uncomfortable nasal packing. Dr. Retana typically advises his patients to:

  • Take it easy for at least the first week. Expect some discomfort and sensitivity during this time with a pretty quick improvement afterward.
  • Plan to be back at school, work, or other normal activities 7-14 days after surgery.
  • Avoid exercise and physical exertion for six weeks to give the nose time to heal.

One week after rhinoplasty, Dr. Retana will remove the external splint and examine your nose to make sure you are healing nicely. Most patients start getting excited at this point because they can start to see the difference that surgery has made. Still, you can expect your nose to change in its appearance over the next three to six months as swelling subsides fully.

By the end of the healing process, your nose should be more in harmony with your other features and in line with your aesthetic ideal. If your surgery addressed functional problems, you should also have greater comfort and less trouble breathing and sleeping.

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Schedule an Online Consultation

No 2 noses are alike, and therefore, no 2 rhinoplasty surgery plans are the same, either. To be evaluated for this cosmetic surgery and have Dr. Retana prepare a customized surgical plan for you, fill out our online form and schedule an online consultation for you to meet with him.

Rhinoplasty can subtly but significantly improve your appearance as well as your daily comfort. Schedule a consultation to learn more by contacting Dr. Retana online or by phone at (202) 386-7100.