Archive for the ‘Rhinoplasty’ Category

Breast Augmentation: When Can You Drive Again?

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Over a half million women around the world undergo breast augmentation each year. The techniques and technologies used in the breast implant surgery have greatly improved over the last decade. Due to this, success rates for this type of surgery are very high today, while complications are minimal.

Recovery after breast augmentation surgery requires lots of rest and relaxation. For the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, it will be important to have someone reliable who would take to care of you. (This includes driving you home from the hospital).

One of the most noticeable things that women experience during the recovery period after breast augmentation surgery is frequent mood swings, ranging dissatisfaction or regret to total elation.

For physical healing, breast implant surgery normally requires at least a few weeks. Common symptoms during recovery include tightness and redness of the skin, pain, sensitivity of the nipples, numbness and discomfort around the incisions.

Many women are concerned about how long after breast augmentation surgery until they can drive. Here are 3 points to keep in mind.

1. Your wounds are in a delicate state so you should definitely have someone drive you home from the hospital after your surgery. During this period, your wounds are vulnerable to jarring movements of any sort since they have been recently stitched.

2. You should avoid any exercises for at least 2 weeks. This includes running, swimming, jogging, having sex, picking up toddlers and finally driving.

3. You may be able to drive within 2-4 weeks after surgery. To learn exactly when you can start driving, consult with your plastic surgeon. In most cases, women can start driving again within 2-4 weeks after surgery.

Recovery after breast augmentation surgery is not very painful or complicated, it just requires time and patience. Just be ready for the gradual healing process to take its course and avoid driving for at least 2 weeks after breast augmentation surgery.

Rhinoplasty: Non-Surgical, Cosmetic, and Reconstructive

Friday, July 30th, 2010

In actuality, there are various forms of rhinoplasty surgery for patients with different needs. If the surgery is done for merely cosmetic reasons, patients may opt for a non-surgical nose job. The second type of rhinoplasty is surgical cosmetic rhinoplasty, for both cosmetic and medical purposes. Finally, the last type of rhinoplasty is reconstructive rhinoplasty which is different from surgical cosmetic rhinoplasty because it is more than just cosmetic and the main goal of it is to provide instant relief for those who suffer from obstructed breathing caused by abnormalities in the anatomy of the nose.

A non-surgical nose job is a procedure where an injection is used to smooth the contours of your nose. It can provide fast results without any surgical interference at all. Its obvious advantages over other nose job options include very little pain, lower cost, fast recovery and lower risks compared to surgical procedures. It can cost about ten times less than the traditional rhinoplasty procedure. The injection will require corrective injections every two years, but still it is cheaper than surgery and much less risky.

Traditional rhinoplasty corrects the shape and size of the patient’s nose. Those who need to reduce the size of their nose will have to undergo traditional rhinoplasty surgery.

Reconstructive rhinoplasty is for those patients who suffer from a physical injury and need to realign the tissue in their nose. Sometimes an abnormal growth in cartilage or other tissue may also result in a breathing problem. Since it is not a cosmetic procedure, in most cases it is covered by health insurance.

Reconstructive rhinoplasty is a very delicate and invasive procedure. During the post surgical recovery, there is a risk of damaging the nose or other problems arising which may require revision rhinoplasty to make minor corrections. To learn more schedule a consultation with your Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon.

Tip Rhinoplasty Cost

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

A tip rhinoplasty may change the volume, angle and height of the nasal tip. Depending on the degree of the problem, the surgery can be either simple or very complex.

Nasal tip surgery can be either open or closed. In the closed procedure, the incisions are made inside the nose resulting in no external scars. The open procedure is preferred by some surgeons as they feel that they have better control over the shaping process. It could take one to two years to observe the final results. In this blog we will discuss the cost of tip rhinoplasty and the factors that influence it.

The cost of tip rhinoplasty varies greatly for a number of reasons. The average price of the surgery fluctuates between $2,500 to $5,000. The biggest part of the surgery fee is the surgeon’s fee, which is generally about 50% -75% of the total cost, the rest are other fees such as the use of a medical facility, medication, anesthesiologist and other items.

There are also other factors that can affect the cost of tip rhinoplasty. Geographical location may also be an indirect factor that may have an influence on the total rhinoplasty price: people who live in big cities like New York or Los Angeles will undoubtedly pay more than those who live in relatively small cities. The experience of the plastic surgeon is another factor that will significantly affect the tip rhinoplasty price: the more experienced the surgeon, the more expensive is the surgical cost. The cost is also dependent on how detailed the procedure is. Finally if anesthesia is required, then the fee for the anesthesiologist will increase the price.

People who have health insurance often try to get their insurance company to pay for it. However insurance companies usually refuse to pay for rhinoplasty, in case the problem is merely aesthetic. Of course the patient still has the option of filing an appeal, but usually it doesn’t work.

To discuss the cost of tip rhinoplasty for your particular case, please schedule a personal medical consultation with double certified rhinoplasty surgeon Armen Vartany.

Rhinoplasty risks

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

In the event that rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, obstacles are usually minor. Yet, there is always the risk of complications, including infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Vartany’s instructions before and after surgery.

After rhinoplasty surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin’s surface; these are usually minor but may be lasting. In case rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose, there is no visible scarring at all; when an “open” technique is used, or when the procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils, the small scars on the base of the nose are usually not visible. Additional scars near the bridge of the nose can come from sculpting of the nasal bones from an external approach.

Sometimes a second procedure may be required, for instance to correct a minor defect. Such cases happen even to patients of the most skilled surgeons. The corrective surgery is usually minor.

Planning your surgery

Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Vartany always keeps a good communication with his patients. During your first consultation, Dr. Vartany will ask you detailed questions and then he will also clarify factors which can influence the procedure and the results. These factors are the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.

You’ll also get information about the techniques and anesthesia he will use. The costs and your options will be discussed. The majority of insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic surgery; nevertheless, when the procedure is performed for reconstructive purposes, to correct a breathing problem or a marked deformity, the procedure may be covered.

Preparing For a Rhinoplasty Consultation

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

The pre-rhinoplasty consultation with your cosmetic surgeon is an important step which requires thorough preparation and careful homework. First of all you should compile a list of high qualified and board-certified rhinoplasty surgeons. Spend some time on reading reviews on the surgeon you are particularly interested in. Check each surgeon’s board certifications as well as malpractice suits or disciplinary actions.

Your next step is investigating the consultation fee. The fees may range between $300 to $500, in some cases the rhinoplasty consultation may be absolutely free. However do not concentrate too much on the rhinoplasty consultation fee and don’t let it influence your final decision.

Once you have made a final decision and scheduled an appointment with your Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon, put down on a list all of the medications you are allergic to as well as all medications you are currently being prescribed, including vitamins, herbs and other supplements of any kind as well. Go to your first pre-rhinoplasty consultation with your medical history including the date and locations of injuries and surgeries.

In order to address all of your questions, write them down beforehand because the common stress and general anxiety during the first consultation with your rhinoplasty surgeon may make you forget some of the questions that are really important to you. Finally take with you a few photos of noses that you think are ideal. This will help your surgeon learn about your expectations and make your communication much easier.

Now you are fully ready for your first rhinoplasty consultation; since at this phase the information of medical necessity is gathered and the questions you want to ask are outlined.

Anesthesia Options for Rhinoplasty

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Rhinoplasty may be performed under various depths of anesthesia including local anesthesia, intravenous sedation (also called IV sedation, twilight anesthesia or MAC anesthesia) and general anesthesia. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages depending on cost, safety, awareness and side effects.

IV Sedation

Although many surgeons prefer IV sedation for rhinoplasty, this is not the best anesthetic approach. It mostly relies upon the skillful dosing of powerful anesthetics through an intravenous catheter. The main point is that the anesthesiologist must be very skilled to achieve the right dose of anesthetic, since in many instances the patient may stay conscious to some extent.  On the other hand, if too much anesthetic is administered, the patient stops breathing.

In case of IV sedation the airways are not protected by a breathing tube and blood can be inhaled into the lung, leading to serious complications.

Although IV sedation is less expensive than general anesthesia, the risks, discomfort and effectiveness of it make it less preferable than general anesthesia.

General Anesthesia

Because nose surgery is comparatively non-invasive, the patient only requires enough anesthetic to render them entirely unconscious. Longer surgical cases are far better tolerated and the airway is protected from aspiration by the presence of a breathing tube.

The after-effects of general anesthesia are generally mild and short-term. And because respiration is maintained by a ventilator, the depth of anesthesia can be adjusted to keep blood pressure low and thus minimize bruising, swelling, and bleeding.

Perhaps the biggest reason against the use of general anesthesia is the fear of post-operative nausea and vomiting which may dramatically elevate blood pressure levels leading to much heavier facial bruising, swelling, and discomfort.

In addition, the technical benefits of general anesthesia translate into better cosmetic outcome for the patient with fewer anesthesia-related risks or side effects.

Schedule a free consultation with Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Armen Vartany to address any questions concerning rhinoplasty.

Six Reasons for Undergoing Rhinoplasty

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

A rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is actually a face makeover in some sense, which enhances one’s overall facial appearance since the nose is a person’s central and most noticeable facial feature. Any alterations on it may have a significant impact on the entire face. For example an extra-large nose makes one’s eyes look beady and very close together, causes the lips to appear to be thin, and the chin weak and receding. By merely altering this one facial feature i.e. the nose, all other features appear to have been realigned. Here are some of the most common reasons why prospective patients want to undergo a rhinoplasty.

- Nose is too long in comparison with the size of the head. To correct this problem, a rhinoplasty surgeon would remove the excess portions of bone, skin and cartilage to reshape the skeletal components into an appropriately proportioned shorter length.

- Extremely wide and flattened out. This shape may be corrected by making the current bone and cartilage structure sleeker and more suitable for the individual.

- Nostrils too far apart. This problem may be corrected with a few stitches and may be done in conjunction with a more extensive procedure. The ideal nostril shape is oval or teardrop shaped.

- Crooked. This problem is often the result of an accident that has broken the nose bones and has caused the skeletal structure in the nasal region to twist into a crooked realignment. In such cases the surgeons need to re-break the bones in order to straighten them.

- Bump in the bridge. Bumps in the bridge’s skeletal system are removed and straightened using the re-sculpting process of repositioning and removal.

- Hooked nose. The hooked nose is corrected by altering the bones and cartilage and creating a more appealing profile.

If you think that you have one of these problems, do  not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Armen Vartany.

The Emotional Effects of Rhinoplasty

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Locating a good rhinoplasty surgeon, learning about how the surgery is performed and preparing yourself for the possible risks and complications after the nose surgery is only one aspect of full rhinoplasty preparation since one should be well aware of the emotional impact of rhinoplasty as well.

A good nose job can be extremely beneficial to the patient’s self esteem. This is the reason why most rhinoplasty patients are teens and young adults, who are often deeply concerned with their appearance and are more inclined to suffer from low self-confidence issues.

Unfortunately, rhinoplasty surgery cannot be a positive experience for everyone. If you are considering a nose job you should also be ready for the negative emotions you may feel after the surgery.

Although only a minority of patients experience a deep post-rhinoplasty depression, most patients go through a period of feeling very down. The first reason for this is that though a nose job is not unbearably painful for most people, it does cause a lot of discomfort. You can feel very congested – as if you have a heavy cold, you may also lose your sense of smell and consequently most of your ability to taste for some time which can be rather annoying.

Secondly, at least for a week or two, you are physically restricted which can make you feel quite miserable. To avoid any injuries to the post-operative nose which is still very delicate, you should limit most of your everyday activities, which can be quite distressing. There are also sleeping pose restrictions – the head must be elevated, which makes sleeping in an almost upright position a necessity – this may lead to a poor night’s sleep and result in irritability and tiredness.

Finally, there is also the possibility that you may be dissatisfied with the initial nose job results, since the nose will be bruised and swollen in the first few weeks.

To discuss further details concerning the post-rhinoplasty period, please feel free to schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Armen Vartany.

Risks and Benefits of Rhinoplasty: Know Before Making Your Final Decision

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

All surgical procedures have certain risks and benefits. So before opting for any surgical procedure one should have a clear idea of what he/she might expect. The greatest fear of nearly all plastic surgeries is the fear of bleeding, since if bleeding under the skin occurs an extra surgery may be required. This may affect the plastic surgery outcome, causing an over and under correction. Other matters which are best addressed before any cosmetic surgery are anesthesia allergies and the common factors that might cause nerve damage.

To avoid possible post-rhinoplasty depressions, one should have realistic expectations and a clear idea of the procedure. Schedule a consultation with your Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon to learn what post-surgical affects you may expect. Expect swelling for at least two weeks and always remember that rhinoplasty is not considered complete until about a year later. There are certain surgical alternatives, such as non-invasive injections which help to alleviate some concerns.

Deciding on whether to undergo a rhinoplasty operation or not can become much easier in case you have discussed all your concerns during the consultation. A thorough skin exam is necessary before the surgical procedure.

Once surgery is completed and the healing period is over, the result will most likely be the much desired nose. With modern techniques as well as tried historical methods, chances of success are very high. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons before making your final decision.

What If Your Nose Job Went Wrong?

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

People undergo rhinoplasty/nose surgery for purely cosmetic reasons (i.e. to improve the appearance of the nose), for functional reasons (i.e. to clear any blockages) or for both reasons at the same time. Regardless of the reasons for nose job, a patient may claim compensation whenever the surgery goes wrong.

There are different reasons why rhinoplasty surgery may go wrong, leading to a compensation claim. Here are some of the most common ones:

* Further disfigurement which is caused by the nose surgery;
* Temporary or non-temporary loss of sense of smell;
* Failure to achieve the main agreed expectations (i.e. the desired shape or solving the functionality problems);
* Infections;
* Making the appearance even worse than before the surgery.

What compensation can the patient claim in case of negligent nose surgery?

In many of the cases described above, the patient may be left with problems that require further surgery. Naturally, if the primary rhinoplasty went wrong, it is unlikely that the patient will be willing to get a revision nose job from the same Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon.

This is obvious and if a patient happens to appear in such a situation, he/she should seek legal advice to learn their options. The cost of the further treatment can be claimed as part of a successful medical negligence claim. Furthermore, the patient may also claim compensation for the pain and sufferings they have gone through, along with the other material expenses.

If you believe that you are the victim of medical negligence following rhinoplasty surgery, you should seek expert legal advice from a medical negligence no win no fee solicitor. Most solicitors will speak with you to find out the details and will provide you with an initial assessment of the strengths or weaknesses of your claim, thus helping you to make an informed decision.