Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems.

If you're considering rhinoplasty, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask your Dr. Malcolm Rude about anything you don't understand.

The Best Candidates for Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.

Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes-to correct birth defects or breathing problems.

Planning Your Surgery
Good communication between you and your physician is essential. In your initial consultation, the surgeon will ask what you'd like your nose to look like, evaluate the structure of your nose and face, and discuss the possibilities with you. He or she will also explain the factors that can influence the procedure and the results. These factors include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.

Be sure to tell your surgeon if you've had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You should also inform your surgeon if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties; if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs; and if you smoke.

The Surgery
Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and your surgeon's preferred technique. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

 
 

In some patients, the problem is exacerbated by drooping of the brow skin. In such cases, a brow lift is the procedure of choice. We are now performing eyelid surgery with the CO2 laser. The incision for the lower lids is made on the inside of the eyelid leaving no visible scar. The skin is then refreshed with the laser to diminish the fine wrinkles.

This procedure is commonly performed in conjunction with a facelift operation. However, younger patients choose to improve their eyelids prior to the need for other facial surgery.

Baggy eyelids are not necessarily a sign of aging. Due to heredity, many younger patients have puffiness under their eyes or a heavy fold of skin which obscures the normal crease of the upper lid. The lower lid “bags” are caused by fat that protrudes from under the eyelid skin. Redundancy of the skin may be more severe in the upper lids, thereby obscuring the natural crease. Sometimes this skin can interfere with vision. To remove this excess skin can accomplish two goals: improvement of vision and enhancement of appearance.

For Eyelid Surgery in Los Angeles Contact Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Keyes.

 
 

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Westlake Village serving the Conejo Valley and Ventura County - Dr. Michael Schwartz. In his practice, Ventura County plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz strives to balance beauty and science to obtain the best results for his patients. He specializes in breast surgery, body contouring, and facial surgery, and is sought out by patients from around Southern California and the rest of the country for his expertise in these areas. Westlake Village plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). He is also a fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He has served as Chief of Surgery at Edwards Air Force Base here in Southern California, as well as teaching at the University of Southern California in Advanced Endoscopic Surgery courses. Dr. Schwartz offers plastc and cosmetic surgery to patients in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Conejo Valley, Agoura, Oak Park, Malibu, San Fernando Valley and Ventura County.

Westlake Village plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz brings a wealth of experience, artistic skill, and compassion to each patients care to obtain the best possible results. He and the staff at Pacifica Institute look forward to the opportunity to provide you the finest care and all the information you need to safely meet your cosmetic surgery goals.

Non Surgical procedures and treatments are also offered. Botox injections, Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse available.

 
 

In his practice, Thousand Oaks plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz strives to balance beauty and science to obtain the best results for his patients. He specializes in breast surgery, body contouring, and facial surgery, and is sought out by patients from around Southern California and the rest of the country for his expertise in these areas.

Dr. Schwartz completed his Plastic Surgery training at The University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, one of the premier residency programs in the country. His training in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery included extensive training in all areas of cosmetic surgery. He has authored and presented numerous papers, and has been an invited speaker at several national plastic surgery meetings. Dr. Schwartz has also been honored with several teaching awards.

Dr. Schwartz is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). He is also a fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He has served as Chief of Surgery at Edwards Air Force Base here in Southern California, as well as teaching at the University of Southern California in Advanced Endoscopic Surgery courses.

Westlake Village plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz brings a wealth of experience, artistic skill, and compassion to each patient’s care to obtain the best possible results. He and the staff at Pacifica Institute look forward to the opportunity to provide you the finest care and all the information you need to safely meet your cosmetic surgery goals.

Dr. Schwartz offers plastc and cosmetic surgery in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Conejo Valley, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Malibu, San Fernando Valley and Ventura County.