About Rhinoplasty
Your nose is the most defining feature of your face, and one of the first things people notice about you.
Performed by Dr. Raghu Athré, a facial plastic surgeon in Houston, rhinoplasty can improve your happiness with your nose by increasing or decreasing the overall size, removing any unwanted humps, changing the shape of the tip, narrowing the bridge or width of nostrils, or even changing the angle between the nose and the upper lip.
MODEL
The nose is composed of skin, bone, and cartilage. Five cartilaginous structures and the nasal bones come together to form the structure of the nose. Skin and soft tissue then drape over this triangular structure. Rhinoplasty surgery involves manipulating the bony, cartilaginous, and soft tissue elements to improve breathing, straighten the nose and air passages, and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the nose.
Paired with a custom skincare regimen, rhinoplasty can be your best option to transform your face into the most beautiful, balanced version of yourself.
Rhinoplasty Philosophy
Located in the Houston, Texas area, Dr. Athré is considered one of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the United States. Patients come from all over the country (and world!) to seek out Dr. Athré’s rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty experience.
Rhinoplasty has always been the impossible quest. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, the nose is in the absolute center of the face. It is obvious, it is visible, and it is on display. Therefore, when operating on the nose, “good” is not good enough. Perfection is the only acceptable result.
Defining this “perfect” standard is our next goal. Dr. Athré’s ideas on rhinoplasty are as follows. The result of the rhinoplasty should be straight, soft, balanced and natural. The nose should fade into the background and highlight the eyes and the lips. The true focal points of the balanced face are the eyes and the lips. The nose only shows up when it is out of balance, crooked, asymmetrical, or not in proportion.
All of us “know” what beautiful is. Though beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, there are certain absolutes when it comes to what is beautiful and harmonious. All of us see “beauty” when we see the statue David, or the “Mona Lisa” painting. True beauty transcends fads. It is pervasive and unchanging.
Many of Dr. Athré’s patients will contact him due to what they see online. They will ask for an ultrasonic rhinoplasty, or a Teo Strut, or any of a million other specific details. There is no perfect solution that will provide the perfect nose result in every case.
Dr. Athré’s view regarding rhinoplasty has always been that all of these entities whether it be the piezotome or the Teo strut are all tools in the tool box. He continually trains and evolves his techniques and tools to:
- Achieve that perfect result
- With the most consistent probability
- With the least amount of complications, and
- With the easiest postoperative period
During your rhinoplasty consultation, Dr. Athré will discuss what tools he may use in your specific case. However, the final test will be your specific anatomy which will ultimately dictate which tools will achieve your perfect result.
There are certain negotiations that occur because of subtle difference in personal ideas of beauty between doctor and patient. Theses are the things Dr. Athré will discuss with you with respect to what looks right for you.
Rhinoplasty Consultation Process
Successful rhinoplasty requires the surgeon to take into account every variable, including:
Skin color
Skin texture
Overall facial shape
Height of the patient
A patient’s aesthetic sense
Facial bone structure
Patient’s ethnicity
All of the above, as well as a complete physical exam and a discussion regarding the patient’s desires and aesthetic norms, are part of the initial consultation.
Surgical Rhinoplasty Process
Rhinoplasty can be performed via an open approach or via a closed approach. The two surgical rhinoplasty approaches differ in the location of the incisions.
Open Approach Rhinoplasty
The open approach involves an incision across the columella of the nose — the strip of skin that separates the nostrils. The advantage of this approach is that it allows complete visualization of all of the bony and cartilaginous structures of the nose.
Closed Approach Rhinoplasty
The closed approach involves several incisions that are concealed within the nose. This approach is useful for minor adjustments to nasal structure. The disadvantage of this approach is that the ability to visualize the entire surgical area is drastically reduced. The choice between these two surgical approaches is based on the complexity of the repair and the enhancement required.
Ultrasonic Rhinoplasty Process
One of the newest innovations in rhinoplasty is Piezotome or ultrasonic rhinoplasty. Ultrasonic rhinoplasty has revolutionized the field of rhinoplasty by decreasing the amount of bruising, swelling, and blood loss during the procedure. Dr. Raghu Athré is the only rhinoplasty surgeon in the Houston and Texas areas utilizing this technology.
The traditional technique for rhinoplasty involves rough-edged tools and could result in jagged incision lines and unpredictable fractures in the bone. Traditional rhinoplasty tools also require frequent sharpening and upkeep to minimize these issues.
Ultrasonic rhinoplasty uses a micro-cutting bit to oscillate at a high frequency and essentially dissolves the bone in a precise way. The cuts are cleaner, which means less bleeding, less swelling, less bruising, and less overall downtime.
Computer Imaging in Rhinoplasty
Computer imaging is one of the latest technologies in the field of facial plastic surgery, and Dr. Athré utilizes it for most of his rhinoplasty procedures. Computer imaging in rhinoplasty helps patients gain a better sense of what their results could look like by allowing us to go through multiple variations of possible outcomes, so that the patient and the physician can both be on the same page with their expectations.
While at other practices computer imaging might be performed offsite or by other ancillary personnel, Dr. Athré facilitates all of his own computer imaging. This is extremely important, since the surgeon is the only person who can evaluate the patient’s needs and realistically determine what can be accomplished in the operating room.
Rhinoplasty Recovery and Results
During recovery, patients can expect to feel mild to moderate discomfort. This can be helped with Extra Strength Tylenol. After about a week, the splints, gauze, and stitches can be removed at our clinic. After a few weeks, swelling should completely dissipate. Full recovery may take up to 8 months.
FAQs
How much does rhinoplasty cost?
Rhinoplasty prices start at $5,500.
How long does rhinoplasty take?
A complete rhinoplasty procedure takes one to four hours.
How long is recovery from rhinoplasty?
Recovery time from rhinoplasty is approximately 10 days after the procedure. But full recovery can take 6-8 months.
Is rhinoplasty painful?
During the rhinoplasty procedure, you will be given an anesthetic so that you won’t feel any pain. During recovery, you may feel mild to moderate discomfort as you heal, but most patients use only Extra Strength Tylenol.
Client Testimonial
“Dr Athre did an amazing job on my nose. His staff treated me like family and I felt very comfortable getting the work done. He was very intuitive on what I was trying to accomplish and knowledgable enough to work through the issues involved to get the result I wanted, especially considering it was a revision surgery. The whole experience was great and helped me so much!”
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering rhinoplasty — or if you are unhappy with the nose surgery results you have achieved from another surgeon and are considering revision rhinoplasty near Houston — contact Athré Facial Plastics to learn more about how the surgery is performed and how it can improve your looks, self-confidence, and/or health.