Rhinoplasty
in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL

If you are interested in rhinoplasty, including revision rhinoplasty, contact Davis Facial Plastic Surgery today. Our Tampa office is conveniently located for residents throughout the region.

Rhinoplasty – An Overview

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty Surgery – Available Techniques

No single nose surgery is the same, and rhinoplasty should never be considered a “one size fits all” procedure. There are different approaches and techniques, each intended to address different needs. The procedure that is right for you will depend on a variety of factors. During your initial consultation at Davis Facial Plastic Surgery, we evaluate the shape of your nose, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine the best treatment plan to help achieve those goals. The techniques that may be recommended include:

• Open rhinoplasty – The most common type of cosmetic nose surgery is the open rhinoplasty procedure. In this approach, incisions are made on the outside and inside of the nose, including on the columella, or connective tissue that separates the left and right nostrils. Through these incisions, the skin of the nose is raised, exposing the internal nasal structure, which consists primarily of cartilage. Once the nose has been reshaped, and excess skin and cartilage tissue have been taken care of, tissue grafts are placed to maintain the structure of the new nose. The incisions are then closed with sutures. This technique gives Dr. Davis complete access to the nose structure, which allows for easy, efficient, and predictable treatment.
• Closed rhinoplasty – The greatest benefit of closed rhinoplasty is that all of the incisions necessary for the procedure are hidden inside of the nasal cavity; no incisions are placed on the outside of the nose during closed rhinoplasty. However, the closed approach makes it more difficult to specifically outline the intricacies of the treatment plan to the patient. In the right hands, closed rhinoplasty can produce natural-looking, beautiful results, and the recovery period is no different from that of open rhinoplasty.
• Ethnic rhinoplasty – There is no rhinoplasty technique that is designed specifically for different ethnicities; rather, ethnic rhinoplasty refers to rhinoplasty procedures that are customized based on the physical characteristics and unique aesthetic goals of individuals with non-Caucasian ethnic backgrounds. The physical traits of different ethnicities can differ greatly, and a nose surgery technique that is suitable for one will not necessarily be suitable for another. Noses may be broader, narrower, or have a wider tip, and the skin may be thicker, depending on the patient’s ethnic background. Dr. Davis understands these characteristics and customizes treatment based on these traits and the patient’s goals. If you are Hispanic, African-American, or of Asian descent and are interested in rhinoplasty surgery, we can help at the Tampa office of Davis Facial Plastic Surgery.
• Revision rhinoplasty – If a previous nose surgery resulted in complications or undesired results, revision rhinoplasty could be utilized to correct these issues. A revision rhinoplasty is quite different from primary rhinoplasty, as the structure of the nose has changed significantly. Scar tissue, tissue grafts, and reduced nose structure are all things that must be taken into consideration when devising a revision rhinoplasty plan. With over a decade of experience working exclusively in the field of facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. Davis is renowned for delivering superb results (he even receives referrals from other physicians), and you can trust that he has the expertise and skill necessary to perform your revision surgery.

The type of surgery that is right for you will depend on several factors; however, most procedures are completed using the open approach, particularly revision rhinoplasty procedures. During your consultation at our Tampa clinic, we discuss rhinoplasty with you in detail and determine which technique will be best suited to your needs. Rhinoplasty is not a “one size fits all” approach, and we will tailor your treatment to your needs. The closed approach hides any incisions inside of the nose but makes it more difficult to specifically outline how the surgical process will take place. Dr. Davis provides the professional guidance you need to weigh the considerations of rhinoplasty techniques before you make a decision regarding treatment.

Computer Imaging

At Davis Facial Plastic Surgery, patients considering rhinoplasty can get an idea regarding what their nose will look like after surgery by using a nose job simulator. This modern computer imaging technique is available for plastic surgeons performing rhinoplasties and is also useful for prospective patients. With a computer simulation, Dr. Dean G. Davis is able to demonstrate what proposed changes to the nose will look like on a patient. While the image does not always reflect the actual results of a rhinoplasty, the image provides a plan. It is important to understand that every patient has unique nasal abnormalities and heals differently, affecting the final outcome.

Patients frequently arrive for a consultation with Dr. Davis with an idea of how they would like to look after a nose job. After an examination, the doctor may have suggestions concerning achieving a natural looking result with certain types of changes. A nose job simulator is helpful for illustrating Dr. Davis’s suggestions so that both the patient and doctor agree on the same goals. By using a photograph of the patient’s nose before surgery, the nose job simulator digitally alters a photograph of a patient’s presurgery nose to reflect the changes discussed during the consultation.

It is important for patients to remember that a nose job simulator is a helpful tool for predicting what a nose will look like after a rhinoplasty but does not account for a patient’s structural abnormalities inside their nose or unique healing processes. Dr. Davis may need to reposition or trim a patient’s severely deviated septum to align it with the center of the nose. This structural correction impacts the changes Dr. Davis must make to the dorsum. To maintain the function and structural integrity of the nose when performing a rhinoplasty, Dr. Davis must consider every part of the nose. The nose job simulator only reflects the exterior of the nose but does not understand the delicate work required by a surgeon on the inside of the nose during a procedure. The best way for a patient to find out what a new nose will look like is to have a personal consultation with Dr. Davis.

Improving the Nasal Tip with Tip Plasty

Many people have an overly square, large, bulbous, sagging or upturned nose tip that they would like to correct. For certain people, tip plasty can be a better option than undergoing more extensive complete rhinoplasty. The tip plasty method involves several procedures intended to reshape and enhance the tip of the nose. Dr. Davis uses numerous techniques to narrow and refine the cartilage of the nose tip, improve definition and correct excessive roundness, including grafting, excision and special methods of suturing.

The tip plasty procedure can be done using a closed technique, which involves incisions that are restricted to the interior of the nose. This is performed by making a tiny incision in the small wedge of skin between the nostrils called the columella. This procedure is considerably less intensive than a complete rhinoplasty surgery and only takes around one hour under IV sedation or local anesthesia. The recovery period is also shorter and less severe. Tip plasty tends to result in only a minimal degree of bruising and swelling, and due to the location of the incisions, scarring will be virtually unnoticeable. Most patients are able to return to work and resume some of their normal activities within one week of the surgery.

Recovery and Aftercare – Post-surgery Process

At Davis Facial Plastic Surgery, we are very proactive during the recovery process. To ensure the best possible results, we must first ensure that the treated area properly heals. We take active steps to promote healing and minimize the risk of complications. Patients who undergo rhinoplasty are provided with vitamin supplements prior to and after surgery to minimize bruising and swelling. After surgery, tape dressings and splints are placed over your nose to protect the treatment area from damage, control bleeding, minimize swelling, and guide healing in a prescribed manner. These dressings will be worn for approximately two weeks and will be replaced after the first week. Once the dressings and splint are extracted after 12 to 14 days, any remaining bruising can typically be covered with makeup.

Restrictions

During the recovery phase, you will be required to restrict your activities to ensure proper healing. In the first six weeks after surgery, you should avoid any and all strenuous activity, as well as the use of eyeglasses. Additionally, you will be asked to refrain from blowing your nose during this time period, as this could jeopardize the healing process and cause undue complications, although you may use nasal saline spray. Once this restrictive phase is over, we can teach you how to wear eyeglasses and sunglasses in a manner that doesn’t place undue strain on the nose.

At six weeks, you can resume your daily activities, take part in sports and other strenuous activities, and enjoy the look of your new nose. However, though the healing process will have no impact on your day-to-day life at this point, complete healing will not be complete until approximately one year after surgery. The long-term fibrosis changes to the tissue and cartilage take some time to complete.

How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?

During your consultation, Dr. Davis will review your procedure costs. Davis Facial Plastic Surgery does not participate in any medical health insurance plans. Dr. Davis accepts payment via cash and credit card. To help patients manage out-of-pocket costs, Davis Facial Plastic Surgery utilizes CareCredit® financing.

Why Choose Davis Facial Plastic Surgery?

You can trust Dr. Davis to provide superlative care and superb nose job results. For these reasons alone, you should consider Davis Facial Plastic Surgery for your rhinoplasty or revision rhinoplasty procedure. However, in addition to his commitment to quality care and superior, natural-looking results that accentuate the patient’s best features, Dr. Davis is also uniquely qualified to perform rhinoplasty. With a medical background that focuses exclusively on neck and face surgery, Dr. Davis has nearly unparalleled experience in nose surgery in the Tampa area. Rest assured, he has an intimate understanding of aesthetics and function.

If you live in Florida including Tampa, St. Petersburg and the surrounding towns, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice if you have questions regarding rhinoplasty.