Dr. Apo M.D. 2/27/23 Dr. Apo M.D. 2/27/23

Top 5 Milestones of Healing that Typically Occur After Rhinoplasty

If you have ever wanted to change the way your nose looks, you’re not alone. Many people want to alter the shape, size, or structure of their nose to enhance their appearance. The nose tends to be the focal point of the face, and if there are certain imperfections in the nasal structure, they can distract from your other facial features.

While contouring with cosmetics can give the illusion of a different nose shape, rhinoplasty is the only way to change the way your nose looks permanently. For this reason, rhinoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgical procedures in the world.

The procedure works by removing or repositioning the bones and cartilage in your nose to change the way it looks.

When seeking a rhinoplasty procedure, most patients are concerned about the recovery process. Find out what it’s like to heal from rhinoplasty by reading about the 5 milestones that occur during the recovery process.

1. Returning Home After Surgery

The first milestone in your rhinoplasty aftercare journey is returning home after surgery. Most rhinoplasty procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, which means that you can return home the same day as your procedure.

You will be monitored for several hours in an aftercare area before being discharged to return home. This is to ensure that you wake up fully from anesthesia and feel well after surgery.
In some cases, you may need to stay overnight for monitoring after your rhinoplasty. This is rare and typically applies to patients who are getting extensive procedures or have extenuating circumstances.

2. Removal of Sutures and Dressing

Once you’ve returned home after your rhinoplasty, the next milestone in your recovery will be having your dressings removed.

You will have sutures, bandaging, and potentially a small splint in place when you go home from your surgery. These provide added support to the vulnerable skin, cartilage, and bones of your nose during the first few days of recovery.

About one week after your treatment, your sutures and bandaging can come off. If you have a splint in place, it may need to remain for another week for additional support.

3. Reduced Swelling and Bruising

After a rhinoplasty procedure, it is normal to have some swelling and bruising around your nose. The swelling and bruising are due to the manipulation of your nasal tissues during the surgical process.

These typically last for one to two weeks after your procedure. When the swelling and bruising begin to subside, you will know that you’re reaching the next milestone in your healing process.

4. Returning to Exercise and Other Activities

The cartilage, bones, and other tissues in your nose are delicate. When your rhinoplasty is complete, these tissues will be especially vulnerable for several weeks. For about four to six weeks after your rhinoplasty, you will need to avoid strenuous activities that could cause stress or trauma to the nasal tissues.

Strenuous activities include exercise, contact sports, heavy lifting, and other similar tasks. About one month after your procedure, your surgeon will evaluate your healing process to determine whether you can resume your normal activities again. If you are cleared for exercise, you have reached another milestone in your healing journey.

5. Seeing Your Final Results

The last milestone of your rhinoplasty journey will be seeing your final results. It takes several weeks for swelling and bruising to completely subside and for your nasal tissues to settle into their new placement.

For most patients, final results are visible in six to eight weeks. Once you have reached this point, you have completed all of the milestones in your rhinoplasty recovery.

Dr. Apo M.D. 2/24/23 Dr. Apo M.D. 2/24/23

Will Rhinoplasty Help Me Get More Rest at Night?

Struggles with nasal breathing are a clear contributor to insomnia and sleep disturbances. Those with a deviated septum, nasal obstruction, or other structural abnormalities in the nose may not be able to breathe easily, which could affect their ability to eat, sleep, and exercise normally.

Rhinoplasty offers the opportunity to resolve nasal obstructions and other concerns that may affect your quality of life.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Often referred to as a nose job, rhinoplasty changes the shape and structure of the patient’s nose.

While cosmetic rhinoplasty is an aesthetic operation that aims to restore balance to the face and improve the overall shape of the nose, functional rhinoplasty focuses on shaping the interior nasal passages and improving breathing.

What Medical Concerns Does Functional Rhinoplasty Fix?

Those seeking functional rhinoplasty often have nasal passages that may be too narrow, crooked, or misaligned. While some patients suffer from these concerns from birth onward, others develop misalignment or narrowing of their septum due to trauma.

When patients undergo a functional rhinoplasty solely to straighten the septum, the procedure is also called septoplasty.

Another form of functional rhinoplasty is a turbinate reduction. Those with chronic allergies and sinus infections may experience swelling and enlargement of their turbinates. Enlarged turbinates can restrict airflow in the nasal passages, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.

Functional Rhinoplasty and Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs as a result of restricted airways during sleep and causes snoring, fatigue, and breathing pauses. Those with chronic nasal congestion are much more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea due to narrow nasal passages.

While the most common treatment for sleep apnea is using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine while sleeping, sleep apnea rhinoplasty is an effective solution for patients with nasal structural abnormalities. For the right candidate, sleep apnea rhinoplasty is more effective than a CPAP for reducing sleep apnea.

Can Rhinoplasty Improve My Sleep if I Don’t Have Sleep Apnea?

If you commonly experience nighttime nasal congestion, sinus infections, sinus pressure headaches, and snoring, clearing your nasal passages through rhinoplasty can alleviate your symptoms and prevent them from progressing into sleep apnea.

Snoring is a common symptom of poor breathing while you sleep, so those who snore regularly and loudly should seek the advice of a healthcare professional to determine whether they have a nasal obstruction.

While there are numerous causes of nighttime breathing issues, a functional rhinoplasty offers an effective solution for people who experience poor sleep because of nasal obstruction.

Can Functional Rhinoplasty Change the Shape of My Nose?

Every rhinoplasty is customized to the individual needs of the patient. A surgeon can tailor functional rhinoplasty to address your specific obstruction type and ultimate aesthetic goals.

Many patients choose to enhance their nose’s function and form in one procedure. A qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon can improve your facial balance and enhance your appearance by combining cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty into one surgery.

The benefits of rhinoplasty extend beyond aesthetics. For those suffering from decreased nasal airflow, functional rhinoplasty can improve their quality of life.

Dr. Apo M.D. 1/27/23 Dr. Apo M.D. 1/27/23

4 Reasons for You to Schedule Blepharoplasty in 2023

Eyelid surgery, medically known as blepharoplasty, is among the most widely performed cosmetic procedures in the world, offering dramatic changes in your appearance with limited downtime. Blepharoplasty comes with both medical and aesthetic benefits, including better vision and a more youthful appearance.

If you’ve considered eyelid surgery, there’s no time like the present. Scheduling blepharoplasty in the new year is a great way to start fresh and enjoy the benefits of this impactful procedure. See the 4 best reasons to consider getting blepharoplasty below.

1.Restore Your Vision

As the delicate skin of your eyelids droops over time, it can obstruct your peripheral vision, causing more difficulty when driving or reading.

Eyelid surgery removes excess skin over the eyes and tightens the underlying muscle that contributes to sagging eyelids. As a result, the procedure can restore your vision clarity while offering a long-term solution to drooping skin.

2.Rejuvenate Your Bright, Youthful Appearance

The eyes are where you connect with others. They’re one of the first places you look when meeting someone new or interacting with friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, as the skin around your eyes is thinner and more fragile, the eyes are also one of the first areas to show signs of aging.

Over time, the skin around your eyes begins to lose its elasticity, and the muscle supporting your eyelids begins to weaken. As a result, your eyes look older, more tired, and less engaged.

Upper eyelid surgery tightens eyelid muscles while removing excess fat and skin in the eyelids to restore your youthful appearance with brighter, more open, alert eyes. Lower eyelid surgery can correct and smooth the skin to reduce lines, puffiness, and sagging, diminishing undereye bags and hollows.

3.Rebalance Asymmetry in Your Eyes

As the skin around your eyes begins to sag and fold, it rarely happens evenly and causes the eyes to develop an asymmetry that affects the balance of your entire face.

Restoring symmetry in the eyes is one of the most common reasons patients choose blepharoplasty. Whether your eyes are naturally asymmetrical or develop an unevenness with age, restoring balance enhances your overall appearance.

A skilled plastic surgeon who understands the golden ratio can ultimately and subtly enhance your appearance through a minimally invasive procedure like eyelid surgery.

4.Look and Feel Your Best

When your drooping eyelids are the first thing you notice when you look in the mirror, it affects how you feel about yourself. Eyelid surgery is a relatively inexpensive, fast procedure with a limited recovery time that offers impressive results.

Performed as an outpatient procedure that doesn’t require general anesthesia or an extended hospital stay, blepharoplasty reduces sagging eyelids, lines, wrinkles, and eye asymmetry.

Most patients return to their normal activities in 10 to 14 days with brighter, more youthful eyes and improved confidence.

Aging is a natural part of life. However, when the signs of aging affect how your eyes function and feel, eyelid surgery offers a dramatic improvement with few, if any, drawbacks.

Dr. Apo M.D. 12/19/22 Dr. Apo M.D. 12/19/22

Will I Experience Any Side Effects After Having Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, addresses drooping skin over the eyelid that creates a tired or aged appearance. The popular procedure targets one of the first signs of aging and produces impressive results.

Most patients who undergo eyelid surgery recover quickly and easily. However, like any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty has some potential side effects.

How Is Blepharoplasty Performed?

Blepharoplasty is an outpatient surgery to remove excess skin from the eyelids. During the operation, your surgeon will make a shallow incision in the eyelids’ natural folds.

Then, they’ll remove excess fat or skin that causes the eyelid to sag and fold, reducing heaviness around the eyes. Additionally, they’ll tighten the underlying muscle and seal the incision to restore lift and youthfulness to the eyes’ appearance.

Eyelid surgery can restore your facial aesthetics while clearing out excess skin that reduces peripheral vision.

What Are the Typical Side Effects of Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery is a popular choice for patients seeking a dramatic improvement with little recovery time. Fortunately, the few common side effects are short-lived. These include swelling, discomfort, and scarring.

Swelling

All surgical procedures result in swelling, as it’s part of the body’s response to trauma in the tissue. However, patients can reduce swelling by taking over-the-counter medications like naproxen or ibuprofen and carefully applying cold compresses to the area in 10- to 20-minute increments.

Discomfort

The level of discomfort you experience after surgery depends on the surgeon’s technique and the extent of tissue removed in the procedure. If you experience moderate to severe discomfort, your surgeon might prescribe prescription pain relief.

Scarring

The skin of the eyelids is thin and delicate, so you should expect some initial scarring after your blepharoplasty. An experienced surgeon will carefully place your incisions to reduce the appearance of scars. While the scars of eyelid surgery fade over time, applying topical scar-reducing creams can speed healing.

What Are the Less Common Side Effects?

All surgeries can lead to unexpected bruising, bleeding, infection, or reactions to anesthesia. These risks are inherent in undergoing a surgical procedure. However, you can reduce the chances of complications by closely following your doctor’s instructions before and after your surgery.

In addition, there are less common side effects some patients experience after eyelid surgery. These symptoms typically resolve on their own within a week of the procedure:

Blurred vision
Corneal irritation
Droopy eyelids
Light sensitivity
Dry eyes
Asymmetrical eyelids
Difficulty closing the eyelids
Excessive tearing

Rarely do patients experience more severe complications. These issues often result from undergoing a procedure with an inexperienced surgeon and include wound separation, damaged vision, suture cysts, or excessive skin or muscle removal complications.

Reducing Your Risk of Side Effects from Eyelid Surgery

Patients who choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who frequently performs eyelid surgery are less likely to experience the more severe side effects of the procedure.

Your surgeon will provide instructions to follow before and after your surgery. These instructions are crucial to your successful recovery. If there is a reason you can’t follow your doctor’s guidelines or if you have questions about your recovery, call your doctor immediately to reduce your chances of experiencing complications.

Dr. Apo M.D. 12/16/22 Dr. Apo M.D. 12/16/22

How Can I Decide Whether Rhinoplasty Is the Right Choice for Me?

Rhinoplasty, often called a nose job, is among the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Patients undergo rhinoplasty for reasons that range from difficulty breathing to purely aesthetic reshaping.

While it’s not uncommon to find fault in the function or appearance of your nose, rhinoplasty isn’t for everyone. Choosing to undergo any surgery is a personal decision, and understanding the procedure can help you decide whether rhinoplasty is right for you.

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose surgically by altering its cartilage and bones. The surgery can offer the following benefits:

Adjust nose size to restore facial balance
Reshape nose profile to eliminate visible humps or depressions
Narrow nose width
Reshape and reposition nostrils
Correct nasal asymmetry
Reshape a nasal tip that’s overly bulbous, large, drooping, or hooked

In addition, patients with difficulty breathing through their noses may undergo rhinoplasty to correct a deviated septum or other structural defects.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Qualities of a good candidate for a nose job include patients:

Whose facial growth is complete
Who are in good physical health
Who are in good mental health
Who do not smoke

Additionally, patients need to understand the rhinoplasty procedure, be prepared for the recovery process, and have realistic expectations for their outcome.

Why Rhinoplasty?

The first step in determining whether rhinoplasty is the right choice for your needs is clearly understanding what you want to change about your nose. Nose shapes vary widely, and choosing a shape and size that will best suit your other facial features is a complex process.

There are four different areas of the nose to evaluate when choosing rhinoplasty.

The Upper Nose

The bony area close to the eyes is often reshaped to remove a bump or narrow a broad nasal bridge. In addition, many patients undergo rhinoplasty to create symmetry between the height of the nasal bones and the angle between the forehead and the top of the nose, making a straight nose.

The Middle Nose

The middle part of the nose is where patients with a deviated septum will need reshaping. Many patients want the central nose to appear straight and even from the front and equal to the nasal bones in height from the side.

The Tip of the Nose

Of the four areas of the nose, the tip receives the most reshaping in a rhinoplasty.

Ideally, the tip of the nose creates an aesthetically pleasing line when viewed in profile. In some cases, it can project slightly beyond that line. For example, when the nose tip droops, it can appear curved or hooked. Similarly, the tip can point too far upward if it lacks cartilage.

The Nasal Airway

The nasal airway is the most critical element of a rhinoplasty, though it has little effect on the nose’s appearance. Often patients can have their nose’s aesthetics altered while treating nasal blockages due to structural defects in the airway.

Therefore, it’s essential to choose a surgeon skilled in maintaining the integrity of your airway while aesthetically reshaping your nose.

The best way to decide whether rhinoplasty is right for you is by working with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who will accurately assess your goals and explain what to expect after a rhinoplasty.

Dr. Apo M.D. 11/30/22 Dr. Apo M.D. 11/30/22

Rhinoplasty Can Improve Your Nasal Breathing

Rhinoplasties are often done to reach a patient’s aesthetic goals. However, rhinoplasty surgery can also achieve much more, as it can permanently help rid patients of breathing troubles.

What Is a Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that changes the appearance and function of the nose. A rhinoplasty surgery can accomplish any of the following:

Reshaping the nose overall
Reducing or widening the nostrils
Removing humps or bumps on the bridge of the nose
Improving the tip of the nose
Making the nose more symmetrical

Along with aesthetic improvements, rhinoplasty surgery is also an excellent option for patients suffering from breathing issues.

A Rhinoplasty Can Improve More than Just the Look of Your Nose

Rhinoplasty surgery is often the best option for patients looking to better the function of their nose and breath easier. Millions of individuals suffer from breathing problems caused by complications with the nose that could be addressed with a rhinoplasty procedure.

The most common cause of breathing issues is a structural abnormality in the nose. Among these abnormalities, a deviated septum is on top of the list.

The septum is a piece of cartilage in the nose that separates the nose into two chambers. When the septum is centered, air flows easily on both sides. When the septum is uncentered or deviated, it can cause substantial breathing problems.

A slight deviation in the septum is normal and usually causes no trouble. However, when the deviation in the septum is more significant, it can result in breathing difficulties which could, in turn, lead to other subsequent health issues.

Symptoms Caused by Nasal Breathing Problems

If you have an issue with breathing through your nose, you may experience the following symptoms:

Trouble breathing through one or both nostrils
Persistent nasal congestion
Nasal pressure
Facial pressure or pain
Headaches
Sinus infections
Nose bleeds
Trouble sleeping

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be an indication that something may be amiss structurally with your nose. A consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon can provide answers, including whether rhinoplasty could help correct your nasal breathing difficulties.

How Can a Rhinoplasty Fix Issues with Nasal Breathing?

During your rhinoplasty surgery, your plastic surgeon will target the cause of your breathing issues. Because many nasal issues can cause trouble with breathing, the details of your surgery depend on your surgical plan.

For example, if your issue is a deviated septum, your surgeon will go in and correct the deviation. On the other hand, if your breathing problems stem from a narrow nasal bridge, your surgeon will go in and widen the bridge to promote better breathing.

After your rhinoplasty surgery and initial recovery, you should be able to feel better and breathe much easier than you did before.

Consider Rhinoplasty Surgery to Improve Your Nasal Breathing

If you’ve been experiencing trouble breathing, you may have surgical options. Seek the medical advice of an experienced plastic surgeon to determine whether a rhinoplasty may be right for you.

Dr. Apo M.D. 11/28/22 Dr. Apo M.D. 11/28/22

What Does Recovery After Blepharoplasty Look Like?

If you’re experiencing droopy eyelids or baggy under-eyes, it may be time to take action to achieve younger, rejuvenated-looking eyes. Blepharoplasfy surgery can help turn back the hands of time and significantly improve the appearance and function of your eyelids.

What Is Blepharoplasty Surgery?

Blepharoplasty (also referred to as an eyelid lift) is a type of eyelid surgery for removing excess skin on the eyelids.

The skin around the eyelids is very sensitive. As you age, the skin stretches, and the supporting muscles weaken considerably. This causes excess skin and fat around the eyes, resulting in droopy eyelids and puffy bags under the eyes.

Aside from the cosmetic need to get an eyelid lift, it may also be necessary to improve vision. When eyelids are particularly saggy, they can negatively affect your peripheral vision.

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper, lower, or both eyelids, depending on your needs and aesthetic goals. Both men and women can benefit from blepharoplasty surgery. After blepharoplasty, you’ll enjoy younger, more alert eyes for years to come, as the results are long-lasting.

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

Prior to your surgery, you can opt for local anesthesia with either oral or IV sedation — whatever is most comfortable for you.

During an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, an incision is made along the natural fold of the eyelid, allowing for the removal of skin and fat. Lower blepharoplasty requires an incision along the lower lashes to remove excess skin and fat.

After your procedure is done, you’ll go into recovery before you’re released to go home and begin the healing process.

Recovery After Blepharoplasty Surgery

Once your surgery is complete, recovery starts. Recovery after blepharoplasty is not difficult, as patients can usually return to normal life soon after surgery. Immediately after surgery, it’s common to experience any of the following:

Watery eyes
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
Numb eyelids
Swelling
Bruising

It is important to note these are all temporary and will improve in the days after your surgery. To promote healing, you can do the following as recommended:

Place ice packs on the eye area
Use eye drops and ointments
Sleep with your head raised to reduce swelling
Wear dark sunglasses if going outside

Patients usually do not experience pain after surgery, only slight discomfort. While some patients take a few days after surgery off from work and activities, some patients who work desk jobs feel comfortable returning to work a day or two after their procedure.

Exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided for a week after eyelid surgery. Patients are able to return to their normal exercise routines within two or three weeks after their blepharoplasty. Once stitches around the eyes are removed, patients can resume wearing makeup.

The Results of Blepharoplasty Are Worth the Recovery Process

The results of blepharoplasty speak for themselves. Recovery is not as uncomfortable as you may believe, allowing you to enjoy your results and benefits just weeks after your surgery. Experience younger-looking eyes and better vision with blepharoplasty.

Dr. Apo M.D. 5/29/19 Dr. Apo M.D. 5/29/19

South of Houston Street

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Massa tempor nec feugiat nisl pretium fusce id. Pellentesque dignissim enim sit amet. Mattis ullamcorper velit sed ullamcorper morbi tincidunt ornare massa. Ultricies leo integer malesuada nunc vel risus. Consequat ac felis donec et odio pellentesque. Urna condimentum mattis pellentesque id nibh tortor id. Condimentum mattis pellentesque id nibh tortor id aliquet. Quis varius quam quisque id diam vel quam elementum pulvinar. Mauris ultrices eros in cursus turpis. Feugiat nibh sed pulvinar proin. Venenatis a condimentum vitae sapien. Ut faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat. Facilisis leo vel fringilla est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi. Diam volutpat commodo sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus. Et netus et malesuada fames. Aenean sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing tristique risus nec feugiat. Faucibus pulvinar elementum integer enim neque volutpat ac. Diam vulputate ut pharetra sit.

Dr. Apo M.D. 5/28/19 Dr. Apo M.D. 5/28/19

Summers in Manhattan

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Dr. Apo M.D. 5/26/19 Dr. Apo M.D. 5/26/19

Life in the City

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