NOSE RESHAPING

Rhinoplasty

A beautifully done nose is one that improves not only the nose itself but enhances the facial features surrounding it as well.

The Procedure in

Detail

How a nose looks and how it functions can have a huge impact on one’s daily life. Aesthetically speaking, many people are self-conscious about the appearance of their nose. There is a spectrum of nasal deformities that rhinoplasty can address to help with these problems. Some of the most common issues include smoothing out a hump, making a big nose smaller, and making the nose more refined. Some patients only need small changes while others desire a more dramatic change.

Your nose is the most prominent part of your profile, and it should be highly individualized and in relation to your overall appearance. Noses are not interchangeable. To copy a celebrity nose may not be the right thing for you considering your other facial features. Adding Angelina Jolie’s nose to your face may be less aesthetically pleasing, considering your facial features, than the nose you are trying to alter. This is why a consultation is so important. A great rhinoplasty surgeon isn’t running a parts factory. The true art of rhinoplasty is about establishing harmony. An optimum result is one that enhances and improves what’s out of proportion without changing someone’s total appearance.

Rhinoplasty is widely considered one of the most challenging operations in plastic surgery because every millimeter counts. A surgeon’s judgement, expertise, and experience are paramount.

Surgical Notes

Anesthesia

General

Length of Surgery

2-5 hours depending upon complexity

Outpatient / Inpatient

Outpatient

Adjunct Procedures

Septoplasty, Turbinate Reduction, Cartilage Grafting, Chin Augmentation

Recovery

1-2 weeks

Dr. Lee's Priorities &

Technique

Dr. Lee will individualize the surgical approach and techniques used for each patient. He prefers what is called an “open approach” rhinoplasty. A very inconspicuous incision is made to allow comprehensive assessment and treatment of the nose. This approach provides decisive control and visibility where stakes are highest. Dr. Lee believes the risks are too great to practice “blind maneuvers” and leave the result to chance. Without benefit of full vision, bone, cartilage and soft tissue attachments can be inadvertently disrupted. In a procedure involving millimeters, control is essential to feel confident.

Dr. Lee is not only technically superb, but a visionary as well. Every dimension and proportion are carefully planned. Each alteration influences another structure, so a precise operative plan is essential. Dr. Lee has been invited to speak both nationally and internationally on rhinoplasty, presenting both cutting edge research and surgical techniques. He currently teaches residents at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is extensively published on the topic of rhinoplasty and septoplasty and continues to advance this subspecialty of plastic surgery.

A CONVERSATION WITHDR. MICHAEL LEE

Do you perform revision rhinoplasty?

Revision rhinoplasty can be a much more difficult operation for both the surgeon and patient. It is no longer a virgin nose. Essential tissue may have been destroyed and restructuring may require grafts from other parts of the body. I’m often referred secondary and tertiary rhinoplasties. These surgeries are very complex and may require cartilage grafting from the ear or rib. This emphasizes the benefit of getting it right the first time. My advice is to do your homework and feel confident that your surgeon is a knowledgeable specialist in rhinoplasty. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I get quite a few referrals for those patients whose first operation was unsuccessful. Find someone dedicated to the pursuit of perfection so you can minimize the chance of facing a second operation.

How have patient's experience changed over the years?

Thanks to social media, patients are hyper aware of how they look from every angle. Where it used to be a question of addressing the profile, patients now expect to look great from every angle. This requires meticulous attention to the entire nose—profile, tip, straight on, above and even below. One example is correcting the Basal Aesthetic Lines (BALS) —looking up into the nostrils. This is a term we coined in a series of research papers several years ago. The goal of our articles was to draw attention to an area of the nose that has long been ignored.

Is there a difference in your approach between men and women?

Men have different expectations than women when describing their perfect nose, so communication is important when developing the surgical plan. For men, it’s critical to maintain a masculine aesthetic while making the changes the patient desires. Usually, the changes are intentionally more modest in men. Improving their appearance and function without feminizing the outcome takes a balanced approach.

What is the minimum age to undergo rhinoplasty?

The best time to consider rhinoplasty is after the facial skeleton has stopped growing. It is a bit different for men vs. women, but I would advise no younger than 16-18 years old. There is no age limit for older adults. In fact, those in their 40’s and 50’s are great candidates provided there are no extenuating medical concerns.

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