Posts Tagged ‘Los Angeles rhinoplasty’

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Nose Job (Rhinoplasty) Surgery Recovery

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Nose job recovery requires patience. The face and mainly the nose are initially swollen; there are bruises around your eyes. Some bleeding is also common during the first few days.

The application of cold compresses may lessen swelling and bruising. A slight residual swelling may keep on for several months. Bleeding is ordinary for the first few days of a nose job (rhinoplasty) recovery. You will be told not to blow your nose for about one week. As another part of the rhinoplasty post-operation instructions, patients will also be advised not to bend over with their head below the heart as this may increase swelling and bleeding. The nasal packing will be removed after a few days, and the splint (which covers the nose after surgery) and/or stitches, will be removed one to two weeks later.

Generally, part of the recovery process is staying in bed with the head elevated for the first 24 hours. Your face may feel puffy, your nose may ache, and a dull headache may be present. Pain can be managed with medication prescribed by the rhinoplasty surgeon.

Most of the rhinoplasty side effects, like swelling and bruising, will disappear after two to three weeks. Residual swelling may remain for several months to one year after a nose job, but this is usually not noticeable to anyone but the patient and the surgeon. The final results of surgery may not be visible for up to a year.

To learn all about rhinoplasty recovery, talk with Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon Dr. Vartany in person by requesting a consultation.

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Asian Rhinoplasty Trends

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

The number of Asian-Americans patients who turn to Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeons to improve their looks is growing continuously. Since Asian noses tend to have a wide bridge and a flat nasal tip curve, the current Asian rhinoplasty trends involve the changing and reshaping of these characteristic features.

The Bridge

Asian-Americans who come to the decision to undergo nose surgery generally want to make their nasal bridge higher. To accomplish this, a piece of silicone is inserted above the natural bridge to create a nose bridge that projects farther from the face. However, most of the patients complain that this technique results in an obviously artificial nose. Sometimes, the sharp edges of the implant are even noticeable through the nose skin. However, recently plastic surgeons have begun using cartilage grafts to build up the nasal bridge during Asian rhinoplasty. The cartilage is taken from the patient’s own body and helps to achieve a more natural look. A synthetic material called Gore-Tex is also becoming very popular because it is safe and is not visible under the nose skin.

The Tip

Asian-Americans generally have wide nose tips with wide, flared nostrils. This is why one of their primary requests is for a smaller, more defined tip and more proportional nostrils. If more than simple reshaping is required, implants can be used to get the desired definition.

The key to a successful Asian-American nose job is to keep the nose balanced with the rest of the face. The nose surgery should not make the tip too small or the bridge height too high for the rest of the face. It is of utmost importance for the surgeon to preserve the ethnicity to make the nose after the rhinoplasty as appealing and natural looking as possible.

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How to Find the Right Surgeon for Your Nose Job?

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Finding the right Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon is almost a guarantee for a satisfactory nose job outcome. It is a time-consuming, discriminating but worthwhile process which requires careful homework and patience.  The most important factors when trying to find the right nose job surgeon are the following ones:

Board certification

Board certification is an important aspect because it ensures that your surgeon has the required qualifications, training and experience to perform plastic surgery procedures safely and skillfully.

Training

The knowledge and skills level of a plastic surgeon mostly depends on where he/she has received training. As a rule, good training institutes are run by renowned hospitals and provide complete training in the sculpting and handling of skin tissues.

Experience

Experience is what makes a surgeon “good” or “bad’”. Rhinoplasty surgery is an extremely versatile industry where new changes are introduced everyday and therefore it is of utmost importance for the surgeon to stay updated not only academically, but also practically.

Hospitality and communication with patients

Most rhinoplasty surgeons may have showy clinics at first sight, but when it comes to hospitality and proper communication with patients, things are quite different.

Before and after photos

Go through the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of previous clients. This will give you a general overview of the surgeon’s esthetic style, as well as an idea of actual surgical outcomes by that particular nose job surgeon. Many rhinoplasty surgeons have a ’signature nose’ that they perform. This means that many of their patients come out looking very similar in terms of the appearance of the nose. Make sure your surgeon’s photo gallery does not include “signature” noses only.

Rhinoplasty testimonials

Take a look at the testimonials from other patients that had rhinoplasty by that surgeon. Speaking to some of the surgeon’s past rhinoplasty patients is also helpful to gain insight into their experience.

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Bruising after Rhinoplasty: How can I Reduce it?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Post-surgical bruising is just a blood strain on the underside of the skin and is quite normal after rhinoplasty. Since eyelids are the thinnest pieces of skin on the entire body, most of the bruising is concentrated around the eyes.

The extent of bruising after rhinoplasty is individual, some patients may experience very little noticeable bruising, while others may suffer from dark marks above and below the eyes that resemble the classic “black eye” for some days. Bruises do not indicate any serious complication and should disappear by the tenth day after the nose job. Here are some tips to reduce bruising and minimize discoloration.

First, you should stop using anything that might contain blood thinning agents which can be found in many products like aspirin and wine for at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure.

It is also important to quit smoking. It is proven that patients who do not smoke have a better healing ability and a smaller chance of extensive bruising then those patients who smoke since the nicotine lowers the ability to fight off infections as well as naturally repair the body after an injury like a nose job.

Prepare plenty of ice packs that, if used properly, can significantly reduce swelling and bruising. Elevate your head above the rest of your body when using the ice packs so that blood is not rushed into the area from gravity.

Keep irritations to your nasal cavity to a minimum. Any type of touching or scratching may irritate the healing tissue under the skin and may increase bruising.

If you have a history of bruising, inform your Los Angeles rhinoplasty surgeon so that he/she may take proper precautions to minimize any unsightly bruising.

In case your nose job surgeon notices that something goes wrong during the rhinoplasty recovery period, he/she will advise you what additional measures you should take to reduce post-surgical bruising.

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