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Is It Possible to Have a Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty?

asked 9 months ago by ImNotHopeless in Western PA
Latest answer by Lee Kleiman, MD
Question viewed 278 times
Tags: minimally invasive

The only thing that ever stood between me and a "nose job" is obstructed nasal breathing post-op (or permanently! eek!). I'd expect SOME congestion postop but I'd feel claustrophobic if my nasal passages are completely blocked (from packing, clots, swelling etc.) Would it be possible to have a minimally invasive rhinoplasty to address a small hump and minor tip rotation, & would this decrease nasal obstruction postop? And what the heck is Finesse Rhinoplasty? (maybe what I'm looking for).

17 answers to Is It Possible to Have a Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty?

Minimally invasive rhinoplasty

Correction of a small dorsal hump and minor nose tip revision should be easily performed without having to do an open rhinoplasty. A small incision made on the upper/inner border of your nostril should be enough. This should produce the least amount of swelling. FYI, nasal packing has fallen out of favor. Most surgeons use splints to keep airway open. Best wishes, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty

Actually, there is a new device that addresses nasal obstruction postoperatively to ensure that you will be able to breathe immediately following your rhinoplasty. I was part of the team that researched and tested the device. You can rest assured that you can have rhinoplasty surgery without worrying about the inability to breathe afterwards from dried blood clots or packing. Of course, please make sure that your surgeon is a board certified specialist so that you are able... more

Kimberly Lee, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

I agree with Dr. Shuster but...

I agree with Dr. Shuster. "Finesse Rhinoplasty" has turned into a marketing tool. Ideally Finesse Rhinoplasty should refer to nose jobs that require VERY little work such as a nose that needs 1mm of hump removal or a nose that requires 2 mm of lower lateral cartilage trimming, etc. But with a properly performed rhinoplasty, especially if the septum does not need to be entered and if the surgeon does not pack your nose, the you should have a much easier time of... more

Shervin Naderi, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Minimally invasive

In many cases a rhinoplasty can be performed using a "closed technique" with small pockets in which to place strategic grafts to esthetically enhance the nose. A good consultation with your surgeon can determine if such a technique is suitable for you.

Lee Kleiman, MD
Annapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Obstructed breathing post-rhinoplasty is temporary

The rhinoplasty procedure will not create permanent total nasal obstruction. We do not put any packing whatsoever inside the nose. That has been out of favor now for over 20 years. However, expect to feel stuffy and congested (like a bad cold) for the first few days after surgery. For claustrophobic patients we place a small amount of cortisone into the inferior turbinates inside the nose while the patients are asleep to help minimize post-operative nasal obstruction... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty

I reassure you that a minimally invasive rhinoplasty is possible. Each operation is different to meet the needs of each individual patient. In 35 years of rhinoplasty surgery I've never done 2 operations exactly the same. There are presently techniques to maintain a patent airway during recovery after surgery. I feel every rhinopasty is finesse surgery.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty

The term "minimally invasive rhinoplasty" is more of a marketing gimmick than an actual procedure. Nose surgery is always invasive by it's very nature. The amount of surgery necessary to obtain the desired results will vary from patient to patient. The more surgery you have, the more post operative swelling you will have. I have found over the years that most patients come into the office with one or two concerns but upon further review of the nose more... more

Donald M. Brown, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Nasal obstruction is typically not severe after Rhinoplasty Surgery.

I read your concern: If you're going to have your tip cartilages worked on, along with your bump, you will experience some degree of nasal obstruction after Rhinoplasty Surgery. Some patients are bothered by this more than others. Your airway should be fairly open by 2 weeks post-op. Your surgeon may elect to prescribe a mild anxiolytic at bedtime to get you through the immediate post-op period. In my practice, packing is not routinely placed after Rhinoplasty Surgery, and some of my... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Is It Possible to Have a Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty?

I have performed Rhinoplasty for over 20 years and do not use any nasal packing after the Rhinoplasty. I have found it does nothing but make my pateints uncomfortable after the surgery. Yes, you can have a minimal Rhinoplasty but I'd need to see pictures of your nose front and side to make further analysis.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Finesse minimally invasive rhinoplasty

"A rose by any other name..." Rhinoplasty surgery must be individulaized for each patient. There are no shortcuts and no cookie-cutter procedures. if nasal obstruction post-op is your concern then ask your surgeon to use hollow-tube nasal packing so you can breathe even if packing is required.

Daniel Greenwald, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

bayshoreplasticsurgery.com

Nasal obstruction after rhinoplasty--not always the case

Many patients worry about having their noses packed after rhinoplasty surgery. Actually, the days of placing yards of packing in the nose are over, however, you will continue to hear horror stories from family and friends about this surgery. If you need your septum straightened, you may require splints placed in your nose, these have a breathing channel and make your nose stuffy, like when you have a bad cold. Occasionally, in certain patients, we can sew the septum in a way that does... more

Theda C. Kontis, MD
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

facialplasticsurgerymd.com

Minimally invasive rhinoplasty may give minimal and unsatisfactory results

Minimally invasive nasal surgery is a semantic (and marketing) term. Doing any surgery is invasive though some are much more involved (invasive?) than others. If you have a very minimal rhinoplasty (less invasive) but it doesn't address your problem because it is a limited procedure, does that benefit you? Of course not! Whatever is required in order to address the issues and deformities of your nose - that is what should be done. Anything less (or less invasive) will fall short... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty does not have to result in nasal obstruction

You are correct in being concerned about post operative nasal obstruction in rhinoplasty. However, the less you want changed, the less likely you will have post operative problems, particularly if the septum is not operated on. Finesse Rhinoplasty is a termed that Rhinoplasty surgeons use to describe those cases that require very little intervention but the results are very impressive. The term also implies that if those procedures are not done well, then the nose can look... more

Philip Miller, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drphilipmiller.com

Minimally invasive rhinoplasty

Yes there are minimally invasive techniques or what is sometimes called "finesse" rhinoplasty for patients who need minimal changes. Like all so called minimal or branded procedures you need to focus more on the result you want and not the steps the surgeon needs to take to get you there. That's the only way you will be happy. Regarding some of your other concerns, I personally never use nasal packing so my patients although stuffy are comfortable. I'm sure there are... more

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Minimally invasive rhinoplasty

I am not certain that minimally invasive rhinoplasty is a reality, and finesse rhinoplasty can be whatever a surgeon would like it to be. We do not use nasal packing, though the inside of the nose is reactive to any trauma, no matter how minor. Nasal congestion will follow for several weeks. Worry more about finding a well qualified surgeon without the gimmicks for the result you are looking for. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Minimally invasive

Rhinoplasty is surgery and therefore invasive. What you need and how to do it is a decision for your surgeon. Some surgeons place small tubes in the nose to help with breathing. You will do fine

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after rhinoplasty

You should always prepare yourself "for the worst". So plan on there being enough swelling that it might make you feel as though you can't breathe through your nose. Technique, ice, elevation, steroids and Arnica Montana are all things that can be used to decrease the swelling. Finesse rhinoplasty is somebody's marketting strategy for doing a good job.