Rhinoplasty

Boston MA, Rhinoplasty Surgery Specialist - Dr. Moss

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to cosmetically enhance the appearance of one's nose. It is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed. Rhinoplasty surgery can be performed to achieve one or all of the following:

Reduce or increase the size of the nose
Change the shape of the tip of the nose (example: refine a bulbous tip nose)
Change the bridge of the nose, (example: remove a hump from the profile of the bridge or narrow the appearance of the bridge from the front)
Narrow the width of the nostrils
Change the angle between the nose and other portions of the face.

Dr. Moss usually performs this procedure through a very small excision near the base of the nose. The scar from this small incision fades with time and many patients find that after awhile it is barely visible or not visible at all. During your initial consultation, Dr. Moss will try to ascertain what changes a patient is hoping to achieve. Dr. Moss has some of the most current software on his computer that will allow him to take a digital photograph of you and make changes to your photograph to determine what your goals are. This can be done during your initial consultation.

Dr. Moss always presents a realistic goal of what can be achieved. It is important that patients understand that other than narrowing of the nostrils, all rhinoplasty surgery is performed on the supporting structures beneath the nasal skin. What can be achieved is to some degree dependent on the underlying cartilage and bone. In addition, skin type can also influence the result. Dr. Moss is board certified in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) as well as plastic surgery and has extensive experience in surgery of the nose.

Dr. Moss' preference is to perform this surgery under general anesthesia (you're asleep) in a hospital as an outpatient (you go home the same day). The operation usually requires about 1 1/2 hours. Post-operatively, there is relatively little pain. You wear a nasal cast for about 5 days. You should also expect some temporary bruising of the eyelids. Patients may also experience some numbness of the nose for a few months.

Depending on your job, most patients can usually return to work/school in 7 to 10 days. Patients can usually perform light exercising at about two weeks and ramp up to their full exercise program at six weeks. It is also important that during at least this six week period, patients avoid activities that could injure their nose, (example contact sports). It is important to understand that after the surgery, although you will see some benefits of the surgery at 2 weeks, it requires at least one year before the final cosmetic result is seen.

The youngest patient that Dr. Moss performs rhinoplasty surgery on is 15 for a female and 16 for a male. Insurance does not cover rhinoplasty surgery.