Dr. Zakhary performs a “mini-dissection” rhinoplasty technique, in which tiny incisions and minimal surgery are used to achieve maximum results with minimal swelling. Scars are well hidden and will fade over time.

During surgery, the nasal cartilages are reshaped, and any excess bone or cartilage is gently removed, while preserving nasal support and breathing function.

In some cases, Dr. Zakhary may use a cartilage graft (taken from inside the ear or nose) or an implant to augment or straighten the nose. These options will be discussed with you during your consultation.

Infection of an implant is rare but possible. If an infection occurs, the implant can be removed and replaced after a few months.

Rhinoplasty surgery typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours and is performed in an outpatient surgical facility, allowing you to recover comfortably at home.

Nasal packing is rarely needed. When used, Dr. Zakhary inserts a slender, dissolvable nasal packing to minimize bleeding during recovery. This results in an easier, more comfortable postoperative experience, since traditional nasal packing does not need to be removed.

Rhinoplasty surgery is generally a well-tolerated and painless procedure. Many patients experience minimal discomfort after surgery, and Dr. Zakhary always offers pain medication if needed to help in the first few days after surgery. In all cases, Dr. Zakhary will provide a prescription along with instructions to help you in your recovery stage.

After rhinoplasty, patients will experience swelling and bruising around the eyes, nasal stuffiness and slight nose bleeds, which tends to disappear within the first week after surgery. Dr. Zakhary will remove your nasal cast painlessly one week after surgery. Numbness of the upper teeth and mild blocked nose sensation will resolve over the first few weeks after surgery. On average, patients are socially presentable 2 weeks after rhinoplasty surgery. The nose will continue to improve for at least one year after nose reshaping surgery, and so, while there is a nice result one week after surgery, the final result will not be obvious as soon as the cast is removed. The nose will continue to refine and reshape during the months after surgery.

If a person has thick skin, it will be difficult to make the nose much smaller since thick skin does not shrink around the reshaped nasal bones and cartilages as much as thin skin. This means that individuals with thick nasal skin will have a slightly prolonged recovery time. Special injections may be needed after surgery to help shrink the nasal skin after surgery if you have thick skin, and you must be patient and realistic in the goals of surgery as well.

After rhinoplasty it is normal for the nose to heal by scar formation under the skin. The surgeon has little to no control over this natural healing after the operation has been completed. In spite of this, cosmetic plastic surgery incisions and techniques are designed to allow maximum result with minimum skin trauma, to allow for fine and unnoticeable scars. If an unfavourable scar develops during the healing process, Dr. Zakhary is prepared to perform such a procedure, or she may be able to help the healing process by applying a small dose of steroids injected into the site, depending on the situation.

This is why it is very important to attend all postoperative follow up appointments with Dr. Zakhary, so that she can monitor your healing over the course of around one year.

On occasion an additional, refining surgery (revision rhinoplasty surgery) may be needed to optimize the result.

A realistic goal of any plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty surgery, is to aim for improvement rather than perfection. No surgeon can guarantee results because surgery depends not only on the skill and experience of the surgeon, but also on the nature of the patient's concerns, goals, health, skin type, facial anatomy, and healing.

Understanding the benefits and risks of any surgery can help you decide if this surgery is a good option for you. Please prepare for your consultation with Dr. Zakhary by reviewing the following list and discussing with her any concerns you may have.

The Risks Associated with Rhinoplasty Surgery Include:

• Skin swelling and bruising
• Skin numbness, which may persist for weeks
• Infection (which can be treated with antibiotics and other medications)
• Thick scar tissue formation, Poor wound healing, slow healing
• Small surface vessel (spider veins) on the nose
• Internal nasal scars/adhesions
• Involuntary emergence of sutures through the skin requiring removal
• Nose asymmetry
• Changes in breathing after surgery
• Septal perforation (a hole in the nasal septum). Perforations are difficult to repair.
  These are more common if a patient uses cocaine or traumatizes their nose with fingers or Q-tips after surgery.
• Depression
• Reduced sense of smell
• Reactions to medications
• Possibility of revision Rhinoplasty to refine or improve results or correct unfavorable healing.
• Risks of Anaesthesia

A rhinoplasty consultation with Dr. Zakhary is a very important meeting since Dr. Zakhary will explain to you your individual options for surgery and provide you with a realistic goal for surgery.

Along with the benefits of surgery, Dr. Zakhary will thoroughly explain to you the risks and possible complications of surgery. You will then need to decide if the surgical options available for you will meet your expectations and if you are ready to accept the risks of surgery.

Every cosmetic facial plastic surgery carries with it some risks and limitations. One way to minimize these risks is to choose a highly trained, competent and skilled Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, like Dr. Zakhary. Another way to reduce your risks is by carefully listening to and following Dr. Zakhary's instructions before and after your surgery.

If you have thick nasal skin, your nose can certainly be improved with surgery, but it is important to be patient during healing and realistic about your goals. Thick skin does not shrink as quickly over the reshaped bones and cartilages as thin skin does.

In revision rhinoplasty — when the nose has undergone one or more previous operations — improvement is still possible, but the surgery is technically more challenging and the results may be more limited compared to a primary rhinoplasty.

The appearance of your nose may also be influenced by surrounding facial features, such as a small chin, flat cheeks, a double chin, or thin lips. These areas can sometimes be enhanced at the same time as nasal surgery, or shortly afterward, to improve the overall balance of your facial features.

Even a slightly weak chin can make the nose appear larger. In such cases, increasing the size of the chin—sometimes by just a few millimeters—may be recommended to optimize the final appearance of your nose.