The nose job remains one of the first procedures that many people consider when looking at options for improving their appearance. Even if we accept the official figures that show a decrease in the past year, rhinoplasty still represents one of those life-changing (and life-enhancing) procedures that reflects our desire for success and perfection. It also remains one of the most requested plastic surgery procedures year after year.
One of the more common requests in rhinoplasty is the correction of a bulbous tip. This is possibly one of the most obvious and dramatic corrections that can be made, but it is also one of the most difficult changes to achieve.
What is a Bulbous Tip?
Succinctly put, a bulbous nasal tip looks much like the nose has a ball on the end of it. There are multiple causes for this, and the surgery will be slightly different depending on what the underlying cause is. It could be the skin itself or the cartilage, both of which can be removed or adjusted and the nose reshaped. A bulbous tip is common among certain ethnicities, including Virginia rhinoplasty patients of Asian, African and Hispanic descent.
Improving a bulbous nasal tip is worth doing, because a bulbous tip will distract from the eyes. Since most of us would prefer that people look into our eyes and not become transfixed by the look of our bottom heavy nose, the correction is both popular and transforming. Your confidence will increase as your interaction with other people becomes easier, and success in both your professional and personal life may well follow.
However, it is a journey and there is some specific before and after care advice that you should stick to in order to avoid the need for a revision rhinoplasty or keep from suffering undue discomfort after the surgery.
Before the Surgery
Rhinoplasty candidates have some key responsibilities, not least of which is breaking a difficult habit – smoking. If you don’t ordinarily smoke, this is not the time to start, and if you do, this is a great time to quit! Smoking will delay healing and harm the scar tissue forming inside the nose, which will both irritate and extend the healing process.
You can also minimize possible damage to the skin by staying out of the sun. If this cannot be avoided, wearing high protection sunscreen is an absolute must. Also avoid taking vitamin supplements and medication.
Possibly the most important practical thing to do is to arrange for transport to and from the hospital. It sounds obvious, but it’s also nice to have someone you can trust around you as well. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home in most cases. Once home, take it easy and follow your doctor’s advice.
Bulbous Tip Surgery
Dr. Naderi takes his time with patients. Your initial consultation should leave few, if any questions about the actual surgery. If you have a strong stomach, there are a few videos on the site, too, where you can see an actual procedure being performed.
During surgery, incision may be made on the inside of the nose or on the columella, which is the strip of skin separating the nostrils on the underside of the nose. The incisions allow the cartilage and underlying structure to be revealed. This can then be re-shaped according to your wishes. In the case of a bulbous tip, that may involve narrowing the structure and removing excess skin, and sometimes even adding cartilage grafts for definition.
Once the desired shape has been achieved, the skin is re-draped and sutured, and a splint applied to keep everything in place while your body magically self-repairs!
Nose Tip Rhinoplasty After Care
First, the bad news – you won’t be able to blow your nose. Sneezing is a risky business, and eating is made a bit harder because your nose is stuffy for a bit. This does get better, however, and shorter recovery times come with proper care.
The first important piece of aftercare advice is to keep the nostrils lubricated with a quality nasal spray. Don’t run, or do aerobics. Don’t lift anything too heavy, and avoid wearing glasses directly on your nose. Just take it easy for a couple of weeks, and let your nose recover!
For the first week to 10 days, you’ll be wearing an external splint, so it will be quite obvious that you have had surgery. You can either go the ‘denial route’ favored by many celebrities and proclaim to have had surgery for breathing purposes, or just admit that you’ve had a nose job.
Whichever route you take, any bruising is usually easily concealed with makeup after a period of time, and once the splint comes off, you should be able to return to work without turning any heads – except to marvel at your newfound nasal symmetry and good looks!
To learn more about rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty and plastic surgery, as well as non-invasive procedures such as fillers, please contact the Naderi Center at 703-481-0002 in Virginia or 301-222-2020 in Maryland for a consultation today.