Question: Is tissue removed when fixing a long nose?
Answer: In rhinoplasty for a long nose, typically cartilage is removed. Less commonly some of the membranes inside of the nose are trimmed slightly. The external skin does not need to be trimmed, because after it is elevated and placed back down, it tightens to the smaller structural support underneath it.

Question: I have a bulbous tip and my nose is too long. Can both problems be addressed at the same time?
Answer: Yes. The length of the nose and the width of the tip can be addressed simultaneously. In fact, in most rhinoplasties, both the dorsum (the top and middle of the nose) and the tip of the nose are addressed.

Question: What is nasal packing?
Answer: Nasal packing is material placed in the nose to either prevent bleeding or to support the nasal bones up or both. It is sometimes used in the repair of broken noses. Many times, I use absorbable packing in the repair of a broken nose.

Question: How long does the swelling last after surgery, and when can you see the end result?
Answer: Within three weeks, 75% of the swelling is typically gone, and in three months 90% of the swelling is usually gone after rhinoplasty. Yet, the final result really does not appear until at least one year after surgery. That is because even a small amount of swelling in the nose is important. At national and international meetings, when we present before and after results to explain techniques to other doctors, it is not acceptable to present results prior to one year postoperatively because of this fact. Additionally, the nose tends to slightly swell up and down related to water retention, dietary changes, hormonal changes and the like for up to one year after surgery. That is because the drainage system of the nose is disrupted during a rhinoplasty and takes up to one full year to regenerate. In revision rhinoplasty, swelling can be present even longer because of scar tissue slowing the healing process.

Question: How are your rhinoplasty techniques different from other doctors?
Answer: The most important way I differ from most rhinoplasty surgeons is that I place equal importance on form and function. What that means is I strive to achieve an excellent cosmetic results, along with functional improvement in the nasal airway. Some of the most common failings of rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty surgery is to have worsening of the nasal airway after surgery. I am an expert in the field of revision rhinoplasty. In fact, the majority of my rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty cases are revisions of failed procedures by other surgeons. I have published various papers and medical journals explaining new and improved techniques for septorhinoplasty, and have taught surgeons around the world how to address these types of issues.

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