Male, Ethnic Revision Open Rhinoplasty Case Example
This patient was recently seen in the office for follow-up evaluation after a revision open rhinoplasty procedure that I performed. I thought he was a good case example to discuss some of the nuances of bridge and tip reshaping in a male, ethnic revision rhinoplasty patient. This patient was originally operated on in the military several years ago where he had his tip and bridge reshaped. Unfortunately, he developed postoperative loss of his tip projection.... Continue Reading
Imaging Example In Ethnic Rhinoplasty
With as many questions as I get regarding rhinoplasty and computer imaging, I felt compelled to leave a quick post using an ethnic rhinoplasty patient of mine as an example. This particular patient consulted with us desiring reshaping of her nose for a dorsal bump, a depression in her supratip and ptosis (drooping) of her nasal tip. As can be seen from the attached photos, she is an ethnic rhinoplasty patient. Therefore, surgical planning in... Continue Reading
Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping) Primer
The Hilinski Clinic in San Diego, CA, has now developed an otoplasty primer for any patient considering ear reshaping. The otoplasty primer was written in simple language that is easily understandable for those of you with minimal to no medical knowledge. The otoplasty primer starts off with an overview of the relevant anatomy involved with ear reshaping and transitions into more specific information regarding the actual procedure and recovery process. If you or anyone you... Continue Reading
Alar Base Reduction Following Rhinoplasty
Many patients online have inquired about whether or not they can undergo alar base reduction (narrowing) following rhinoplasty. The answer is - yes. In many cases of rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty, patients can benefit from having the base of the nose narrowed at the same time other areas of the nose are being reshaped. There are cases, however, when narrowing the alar base is considered a borderline decision. In these types of rhinoplasty and revision... Continue Reading
Columella Scar Following Rhinoplasty
Many rhinoplasty candidates inquire about the appearance of the columella scar following an open rhinoplasty approach. As I tell most patients considering an open rhinoplasty, the scar generally heals quite nicely with minimal visibility. In fact, we intentionally create a geometrically broken line incision so that we fool the naked eye when it comes to visualization. The incision is also strategically placed under the nose, across the columella that divides the two nostrils. So even... Continue Reading
Influence of Scar Tissue Development on Rhinoplasty Healing
Some patients have inquired about scar tissue formation after rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. Specifically, they ask if the nose permanently becomes bigger because of scar tissue development under the skin following nasal reshaping? In most cases, the nose will not enlarge significantly following rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty. In fact, in most cases the nose will trend toward shrinkage as the months and years go on. There are, however, instances where rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty patients... Continue Reading
My Nose Is Numb One Month Following Rhinoplasty. Is This Normal?
The answer to this question is - yes. In fact, it is the rule of thumb that rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty patients will experience some degree of numbness and/or tingling of their nose for upwards of several months following surgery. Usually the heralding sign of normal return of sensation is pings of pain that some rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty patients note. The good news is that pain sensations are fairly blunted early on due to... Continue Reading
Is It Normal To Have Swelling After Removal Of My Cast Following Rhinoplasty?
I have heard this question asked on several occasions by my own rhinoplasty patients as well as those out there in cyberspace. The answer is - yes. It is quite normal to see a slight increase in swelling of the nose following removal of the cast after rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty. The cast and tape help compress the skin and soft tissue during the early healing process. Once removed there is typically some degree of... Continue Reading
Unilateral Otoplasty
This otoplasty patient of mine was seen in follow-up evaluation just recently and is a great example of how otoplasty, or ear reshaping, can be done for patients who have only one ear that is prominent. This male patient presented to our office with a chief complaint that his left ear has always stuck out further than his right. Indeed, his left ear was clearly less developed than his right and was definitely more prominent.... Continue Reading
Widening the Narrow Nasal Tip
I just saw one of my revision rhinoplasty patients in follow-up today and it reminded me to post a quick note on management of the narrow nasal tip following prior rhinoplasty. This particular patient had prior rhinoplasty performed by a different plastic surgeon years ago. He was unhappy with the fact his nasal tip was too narrow for his face. If you look at his preoperative frontal photo below left you can appreciate that his... Continue Reading
What Is A Lip Lift Procedure?
A lip lift procedure is intended to shorten an excessively long upper lip. It is a procedure that is not done as commonly as other lip enhancement procedures. In fact, it is quite difficult to find a plastic surgeon who has any real experience in performing a lip lift procedure. There are basically two ways to shorten the vertical length of the upper lift. One involves making an incision under the nose where it junctions... Continue Reading
