Rhinoplasty
Austin, TX

 

 
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Before & Afters


*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.

Rhinoplasty in Austin TX

Doctors Edward Buckingham and Erin Smith offer Rhinoplasty solutions for patients in Austin & Sunset Valley, TX. Dr. Buckingham has years of training and experience in performing the popular Rhinoplasty procedure in Austin, TX. Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure designed to alter the size and/or shape of the nose. Rhinoplasty enhances the appearance of the nose and allows it to complement the other facial features. An overly large or dominant nose can be reduced to bring more attention to captivating eyes or an attractive smile. Even slight surgical alterations to the structure of the nose can provide dramatic improvements by harmonizing the facial features and improving a male or female profile.

Dr. Buckingham is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He has extensive experience in primary rhinoplasty, as well as secondary rhinoplasty. Each case is carefully reviewed by Dr. Buckingham to determine a plan for refinement and adjustment. Some patients who visit Buckingham Center require a cosmetic tip refinement or a dorsal adjustment, while others require significant straightening and a complete reconstruction of the nose’s structure to improve its appearance and function. Dr. Buckingham will explain the rhinoplasty options available to you, along with his recommended treatment plan, during a consultation at Buckingham Center.

Rhinoplasty Procedure

Dr. Buckingham provides facial augmentation with injectable fillers to meet the requests of male and female patients, and he uses different methods for nasal augmentations, which can smooth surface deformities and align the profile to produce aesthetically pleasing results. Rhinoplasty surgery, on the other hand, is used to alter the interior nasal structure and to modify the end of the nose by shortening, lifting, lengthening or thinning the structure or the tissue. Dr. Buckingham will reduce or increase sections of the nose and add or excise bone or cartilage to achieve the customized cosmetic and functional improvements that his patients request.

Dr. Buckingham uses conservative measures rather than overzealous resection, and he tailors each technique to meet the needs of the patient. Most often rather than excising cartilage, the cartilage is shaped and preserved to provide an exceptional cosmetic result while maintaining or even strengthening nasal support for a life-long functional and cosmetic result. Customizing the treatment is critical to achieving a successful surgical outcome because the goal is to improve the patient’s natural beauty without creating a distraction.

What to Expect During the Nose Procedure

The rhinoplasty surgery usually requires two to three hours and is completed with general anesthesia. Dr. Buckingham will make incisions which will allow him to alter the tissue and reconstruct the bone and cartilage. When possible, Dr. Buckingham completes the procedure with internal incisions (endonasal). In many cases, an external incision (open approach) is required which is located on the area of skin separating the nostrils on the underside of the nose. The cartilage and bone are reshaped to meet the patient’s treatment plan, and Dr. Buckingham then replaces the skin over the reconstructed nasal structure and closes the incisions with stitches.

A moldable foam and aluminum splint is then positioned over the nose to provide protection and support as the nose heals and takes on its new form. Skin and soft tissue will assume the shape of the modified, underlying nasal structure as it heals. You will be provided with additional post-surgical care instructions during your pre-operative preparation for after the surgery is completed.

Rhinoplasty Surgical Recovery

Rhinoplasty sutures and splint are often removed one week after the surgery. Patients commonly return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the level of activity needed and the type of job. Light activity may be resumed one week after the surgery, but patients must avoid strenuous activities for three weeks and any activity that could bump the nose for six weeks. Post-surgical swelling and bruising can be expected, but this will gradually improve over the first two weeks.

Your face may appear puffy, you may have a light headache, and your nose may bruise and feel uncomfortable and achy for the first week or two. Swelling and minor bruising of the nose and the eyes are common. These symptoms will fade over the first week, and the results of the rhinoplasty should be evident in two to three weeks. Minor swelling may be experienced for up to one year after the surgery but is generally unnoticeable.

Rhinoplasty Expectations

You can expect to achieve natural-looking results that compliment your beauty rather than distract from your other features. Rhinoplasty can be used to alter or improve the following:

  • Saddle nose
  • Oversized nose
  • Crooked tip
  • Crooked nasal base
  • Drooping tip
  • Hump
  • Bulbous tip
  • Nasal Fractures

Rhinoplasty Consultation

Dr. Buckingham will meet with you in a private patient-doctor consultation, which is the perfect time to share your goals and expectations with Dr. Buckingham openly. He will review your health history, examine you, share before and after photos with you, and then provide you with a professional recommendation that is customized for you. During the consultation, 3-D Vectra digital imaging software will give you pictures of the expected improvements. A facial analysis will determine which treatment will achieve the most pleasing results, and Dr. Buckingham will answer each of your questions and will personally address any specific concerns that you may have.

The Ideal Rhinoplasty Candidate

The ideal rhinoplasty candidate is in good health, has no significant medical problems, and has realistic expectations for the surgery. Men and women who want to improve the appearance of their nose or breathing issues that are caused by structural problems may be an ideal candidate for rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty Cost

Buckingham Center for Plastic Surgery has made rhinoplasty and other cosmetic procedures as affordable as possible. The cosmetic surgery is elective and is not covered by medical insurance; however it is possible that structural obstructive problems might partially be covered by medical insurance and can be performed simultaneously with the aesthetic procedure.

Rhinoplasty Procedure (Nose) Near Me

This is one of the many common phrases that patients interested in rhinoplasty, or nose shaping, surgery use when looking for a surgeon. One of the most Rhinoplasty common mistakes is to choose the closest surgeon around, unfortunately, the nearest surgeon may not be the best person for the job. Rhinoplasty is a highly specialized surgery and patients should be cautioned to seek out a surgeon that specializes in nose surgery. These specialists are board certified by either the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Regardless of board certification, seek someone who performs the procedure regularly. If the surgeon performing the aesthetic portion of the surgery needs a different surgeon to perform the septoplasty or breathing portion of the procedure, this is not a good sign. The internal aspect of the nose is intimately related to the outside appearance and the surgeon needs to be very comfortable dealing with both the function and form of the nose.

Common Rhinoplasty Procedure Questions

Where is the Rhinoplasty Surgery Performed?

Dr. Buckingham completes the rhinoplasty procedure in an outpatient surgical center in Austin, Texas.

What Kind of Anesthesia is Used for Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.

How is the Rhinoplasty Procedure Performed?

Dr. Buckingham begins the rhinoplasty procedure by separating the skin on the nose from the underlying supportive network of cartilage and bone. The cartilage and bone are sculpted to match the patient’s desires, and the skin is then replaced. Stitches are used to close the incisions. Whenever possible, the procedure is performed with internal incisions (endonasal) and only small external incisions (open approach). Dr. Buckingham will thoroughly discuss these options with you during your consultation.

How Long does the Rhinoplasty Procedure Take?

Rhinoplasty usually requires two to three hours, but this varies slightly depending on each individual case.

Where are the Rhinoplasty Incisions Made?

Two incision options are available for the rhinoplasty procedure. Closed or endonasal rhinoplasty uses incisions on the interior of the nose only. For open rhinoplasty, an additional small incision is made on the underside of the nose between the nostrils. Dr. Buckingham’s extensive experience with nasal surgery allows him to adapt rhinoplasty techniques to match the needs involved in each case, including minimal refinement and more extensive surgical work. Dr. Buckingham also performs revision rhinoplasty.

Is Rhinoplasty Painful?

After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, particularly in your nose and head. Dr. Buckingham has extensive experience using delicate techniques that minimize post-operative pain. Pain medication will be prescribed as needed to alleviate discomfort.

Will I Have Scars after Rhinoplasty Procedure?

The incisions completed in rhinoplasty produce fine scarring that are very inconspicuous. In the closed procedure, the incisions are created inside the nose and any postsurgical scarring is externally invisible. In the open rhinoplasty, a very fine scar may be seen but is well concealed on the underside of the nose. This incision will fade with time and usually requires no concealment.

What is Rhinoplasty Recovery Like?

After your nasal surgery, your nose will be covered with a moldable foam and aluminum splint. A small intranasal non-stick dressing is removed at home on the first post-operative day. The splint and sutures are removed from the nose in about one week. Your face may be slightly puffy, you may have a dull headache and your nose will feel uncomfortable and achy. Minor bleeding may be experienced, along with swelling and bruising on the nose and under the eyes. These symptoms gradually fade within one week, and your nose should look good in two to three weeks with continued improvement after that. Unnoticeable swelling may be experienced for the first year.

When Can I Return to Work After Rhinoplasty?

Dr. Buckingham typically recommends that patients resume regular activities, including work, after one to two weeks. This depends on the type of labor and activity that is required of you. You must protect your nose for several weeks after the surgery while it heals.

How Soon Can I Exercise after My Rhinoplasty Surgery?

You may resume light activity within the first two weeks after your rhinoplasty surgery. Dr. Buckingham will provide you with specific instructions when he removes the stitches after the first week. Strenuous exercise is commonly approved after three weeks. Any activity that could result in trauma to your nose must be strictly avoided for up to six weeks.

What is a deviated septum?

A deviated nasal septum means that the central cartilage and bone inside your nose is moved or shifted to one side or the other. This can happen naturally (congenitally) or as a result of trauma. The symptoms of a significantly deviated nasal septum is usually nasal obstruction, but irritation, pain and bleeding can also happen. If the septum is severely deviated, then these symptoms can be miserable. If minor, then nothing may need to be done. The correction for a deviated nasal septum is called a septoplasty and may be performed as an isolated procedure or if necessary with other functional procedures such as turbinate reduction. Septoplasty may also be combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty if aesthetic changes in the nose are desired.

Would you do anything non-surgical to remove the hump on my nose?

In general a nasal hump would be treated using a surgical hump reduction during rhinoplasty. In certain individuals there is a depression above and below the hump that can be filled with Restylane which would be considered a nonsurgical rhinoplasty. The advantage of the surgical option is that the results are permanent. The disadvantages are that it is a surgical procedure with the associated risks and recovery. The advantages of filler are that it is relatively easy and has low risk however the disadvantages that it needs to be repeated and only some cases our eligible.

What sort of materials are used when the bridge of the nose needs to be built up during rhinoplasty?

Augmentation of the nasal dorsum can be performed with either cartilage or alloplastic materials. Our preference is to use the patient’s own cartilage from either the nasal septum, ear or rib. As an alternative, donor cartilage which has been irradiated to remove the antigenic cells, may also be used. We prefer cartilage as it is a natural product which has very little to no risk of rejection or infection. On rare occasions we will utilize alloplastic materials such as Gortex.

Can rhinoplasty be used to fix flared nostrils?

Rhinoplasty can be used to fix flared nostrils if they are primarily flared at rest. If they are only flared with smiling then usually not. The procedure is called an alar base reduction and it involves removing a small piece of the ala through either an internal or external incision.

Why it seems that so few doctors have experience in African American and ethnic rhinoplasty.

In Austin, very few doctors are going to have very many African American before and after photos mainly because of the ethnic make-up of the population. We do however have experience with this type of nose. Regarding other ethnic noses you will find a significant number of different types of noses on our website.

I have a hole in my septum. Can this be fixed with rhinoplasty?

This is called a septal perforation and it can be repaired, but the procedure is not usually referred to as a rhinoplasty, but rather a septal perforation repair. Depending on the size of the perforation it may be performed through either an endonasal approach or an open approach that is very similar to an open rhinoplasty.

The tip of my nose curves to the left. Is this something that can be fixed with a nose job and is it a complicated procedure?

Crooked noses can be fixed with rhinoplasty. Depending on the specific problem it can be a very reliable operation with a high success rate or it can be very complicated and difficult to make straight. Even with the best technique healing will somtimes affect the outcome and the nose will remain somewhat deviated. A consultation will provide more information as to how difficult your particular case may be.

Is rhinoplasty safe for teenagers?

Many teens are so unhappy with their appearance that they decide the only way to feel better about themselves is with plastic surgery, such as rhinoplasty. This can be a distressing revelation as a parent, but it’s important to approach the situation calmly. Rhinoplasty in teenagers is not unusual, but it’s not right for every teenager. If your family is interested in moving forward or simply wants more information from an expert, the first step is to discuss your teen’s case with an ethical and knowledgeable plastic surgeon. A reputable surgeon will be able to advise you and your teen, giving you the information you need to help you make the right decision for your family. A skilled facial plastic surgeon should be able to assess the overall facial growth and tell you whether or not more growth and development is expected before the nose reaches full maturity.

Schedule Your Rhinoplasty Consultation in Austin Today

Board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Buckingham is a renowned surgeon who is recognized for his excellent, artistic results on men and women. He specializes in rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facelifts and other facial procedures. Dr. Erin Smith is a Beverly Hills trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who specializes in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face, neck, nose, eyelids, ears, and forehead. Call 512.401.2500 to request a consultation with Dr. Buckingham or Dr. Smith at Buckingham Center in Austin, TX.

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