Rhinoplasty in Chelmsford

Ideal patients are emotionally stable adults with no serious or chronic health conditions and who have realistic expectations for their results. If you are unhappy with the shape of your nose, you may be a candidate for cosmetic rhinoplasty; if you struggle to breathe through your nose, you may require medical rhinoplasty.

The most ideal time to get a nose job is when you are an adult and your nose has stopped growing, typically by age 15 or 16 for women and by age 17 or 18 for men. When you are considering rhinoplasty, Dr. Lee meets with you for an initial consultation, at which time he assesses you and helps you determine if you are a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty.

Cosmetic rhinoplasty aims to fix issues with the appearance, look, or size of your nose. These procedures can alter the shape and size of your nose, refine the tip of your nose, alter the position and shape of your nostrils, and fix any bumps on or inconsistencies in the profile of your nose.

Medical rhinoplasty is performed to aid patients who have trouble breathing properly. Medical rhinoplasty includes septoplasty procedures, which repair a deviated septum, as well as reconstructive rhinoplasty, which helps improve the structure and function of a damaged nose. Dr. Lee is well-trained in both medical and cosmetic rhinoplasty and can even help customize your surgery should you require both procedures.

Yes! Most people opting for cosmetic rhinoplasty want a smaller and more delicate-looking nose. This procedure can narrow the tip of your nose, remove any bulges or bumps, and narrow the sides of your nose. It is ideal for people who want to make their noses smaller, thinner, and more refined. Consulting with the right plastic surgeon is the first step to achieving the nose of your dreams—and Dr. Lee can help you get there.

There are two aspects to recovery after rhinoplasty: the removal of restrictions on activity, and when you will notice full results. As long as you have healed properly and experienced no complications from surgery, you can expect to have any restrictions on activity lifted in about six weeks.

Dr. Lee will suggest guidelines for immediately after surgery, including limitations on lifting; no bending at the waist; avoiding activities that elevate you heart rate or blood pressure; and no wearing of glasses or anything that can put pressure on your nose. Adhering to these recommendations is most important for the first two weeks.

You can expect to be bruised and swollen for the first two weeks; this improves over time. Dr. Lee will instruct you on medication use and other approaches to help mitigate these symptoms, such as sleeping with your head elevated. He will also explain how to care for your incisions, in order to optimize healing and the fading of scars.

You should take at least a week off from work or other obligations. You will feel progressively better each day and are likely to feel like your normal self by the end of that first week. It may take another two to four weeks to return to all of your normal activities.

Dr. Lee recommends you do not participate in any strenuous activities, such as going to the gym, during the first part of your healing period. During your regular follow-up appointments, Dr. Lee will lessen most restrictions, depending on your progress; he will also remove any sutures, staples, drains, or splints when he deems it appropriate. It can take 12 to 18 months for the swelling to completely go away.

As with any surgery, there is some pain and soreness associated with the procedure. During the procedure, you are under general anesthesia and so do not feel a thing. You may be mildly sore after the surgery, but Dr. Lee gives you an analgesic to help manage any discomfort. After your nose heals from the rhinoplasty, you should not experience any pain.

Rhinoplasties vary greatly, depending on the shape of your nose, the changes you are interested in making to your appearance, and your medical needs. Once you approve your treatment following your consultation, Dr. Lee performs your surgery.

First, you receive general anesthesia. Next, Dr. Lee makes incisions to access the underlying cartilage and bone. He improves these internal structures of your nose to address your concerns and to achieve your desired results; in most situations, this involves detailed work on the nasal cartilages and the nasal bones. He then uses cartilage grafts to support your redefined nose and to help maintain your results over time.

If your rhinoplasty is to improve your breathing, Dr. Lee may also perform procedures of the septum and turbinates, the thin plates on the walls of your nasal chambers. Sometimes, he may need to harvest additional cartilage from your ear or rib, or harvest fascia from your scalp or abdomen.

Once Dr. Lee has corrected the shape of your nose, he closes the incisions with sutures. He also places splints in your nose and on the skin over the bridge of your nose that are removed in the office seven days after surgery.

After the procedure, you stay in a recovery room for observation until the anesthesia wears off; then you can go home. Throughout the recovery period, Dr. Lee meets with you periodically to monitor the healing process.

We require that any patient interested in receiving treatment from our renowned Chelmsford rhinoplasty expert, Dr. Dave Lee, have a consultation before the surgery. Rhinoplasty is generally recommended if you’re unhappy with the shape of your nose or facial symmetry. It’s also recommended if you struggle to breathe through your nose.

You will need to take at least a week off from work or other obligations. You will feel progressively better each day and are likely to feel like your normal self by the end of the week. It may take another two to four weeks to return to all of your normal activities. In addition, it can take 12 to 18 months for the swelling to completely go away.

It depends on the type of procedure you have. Incisions made inside your nose are generally not visible. Incisions made on the outside skin of your nose usually heal very well and over time become very difficult to see. Dr. Lee makes every effort to ensure incisions are as carefully concealed as possible and that if there are any scars, they are well-hidden.

The cost of rhinoplasty in Chelmsford will vary from patient to patient, depending on the which procedure you choose. Many insurance policies cover part or all of the cost if you need this surgery for medical reasons. You can also discuss financing and payment options with Dr. Lee during your initial consultation.

The two main techniques of rhinoplasty are closed rhinoplasty and open rhinoplasty. Our practice performs both types of procedures. The procedure that is best for your nose depends on your anatomy and the result that you are looking to achieve. Your surgeon will discuss this with you at your consultation.

Rhinoplasty is typically performed after your face and nose have finished growing – this is typically by 15 or 16 years of age for women and by 17 or 18 years of age for men. Many people want to change the shape or size of their noses. If you would like your nose to look better and breathe better, and if you are relatively healthy, emotionally stable, and with realistic expectations for your results, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty. The best way to determine whether rhinoplasty is right for you is to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.

During your consultation, Dr. Lee listens to your concerns and discusses your goals for surgery. Each nose is different, and therefore each rhinoplasty surgery is different. Dr. Lee takes photographs of your nose during your consultation; he then carefully goes over your photographs with you to ensure your surgery is customized to fit your needs. He also explains the differences between a “closed” rhinoplasty and an “open” rhinoplasty and recommends one based on your anatomy. Since other parts of your face, such as your chin, may indirectly affect the appearance of your nose, Dr. Lee addresses those during your consultation, as well. Dr. Lee personalizes every procedure so it is appropriate to your anatomy and achieves your desired results. He also discusses the risks of surgery with you at your consultation.

Once you have selected a surgery date, your surgical team—your plastic surgeon, physician’s assistant, and a registered nurse—helps you prepare for your rhinoplasty. You undergo preoperative testing to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery. We provide you with detailed instructions concerning what medications to take and avoid both before and after the procedure as well as how to care for your nose afterward.

While you should notice the outcome of your rhinoplasty surgery immediately, its full extent is hard to see with the splints intact. Once Dr. Lee removes them, your nose will still be quite swollen, but you should be able to appreciate the improved shape of your nose. It takes a full 12 to 18 months for swelling to resolve in your nose, with the nasal tip typically staying swollen the longest. Your incisions should take 12 to 18 months to heal and fade.