Every patient has different expectations and hopes when it comes to the results of their plastic surgery. Some might want to undergo rhinoplasty to change the size of their nose, making it smaller or larger. Others might want the surgery to change the nose’s shape, by having the surgeon remove a hump in the nose or by adjusting the tip of the nose.
In some cases, a patient might want to undergo several surgeries at once, such as a rhinoplasty combined with chin augmentation or rhinoplasty combined with an eyelid lift, to get the results they want.
Eyelid Lift
Tired eyes can also make a person look older. An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, can also be performed alongside of rhinoplasty to reduce puffiness in the eye area and to reduce droopiness in the the eyelids. Combining the surgeries allows the surgeon to balance the features of the face without the patient having to return for multiple procedures.
One thing to be aware of when deciding to have both rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, is that there might be more bruising in the eye area after the surgeries. Black and blue marks are common under the eyes after nasal surgery. Any bruising or swelling will typically fade after a week or two.
Brow Lift
Choosing to have a brow lift, or forehead lift, performed at the same time as rhinoplasty can be an option for some patients. A brow lift can make the face look younger in several ways. It reduces the look of horizontal creases and lines across the forehead and removes the vertical lines that develop between the eyebrows. The surgery also lifts up eyebrows that are beginning to droop over the eyes, so that a patient has a more refreshed appearance.
The surgery is typically performed endoscopically, which involves making small incisions on the forehead. The endoscopic procedure typically results in fewer or less noticeable scars. The open brow lift technique results in more scarring, but can be the only option for patients with higher hairlines.
Chin Implant
Some patients choose to receive a chin implant or chin augmentation at the same time as their nose job. Receiving a chin implant and rhinoplasty at the same time typically gives the patient the best facial balance.
When the chin is small, an average-sized nose can seem to overwhelm the face. But, an enlarged chin can make a larger nose look more balanced. Instead of dramatically reducing the size of the nose during the rhinoplasty procedure, the surgeon can instead augment the chin.
The implant is typically inserted into the area through an external incision beneath the chin, which is the technique used by Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. George Moynihan. Some surgeons will insert the implant through an incision in the mouth.
The external incision technique reduces the risk of infection, as there is less bacteria on the skin’s surface than inside the mouth. The external cut also allows the surgeon to place the implant more accurately and reduces the risk for damage to the muscles of the face.
Who’s a Candidate?
Not every person is a candidate for multiple surgeries. Whether you decide to have only rhinoplasty performed, or rhinoplasty with another procedure, it’s very important that you be in the best possible health.
Some conditions might mean that a certain surgery isn’t appropriate for you. For example, if you suffer from dry eyes or have a thyroid problem, an eyelid lift might not be recommended.
An initial consultation with a plastic surgeon is especially important if you hope to have multiple procedures performed at once. The surgeon can make recommendations to you based on the shape and structure of your face and your overall health.
For example, you might go into a consultation thinking that a nose job alone will be sufficient. But, after examining your face, your surgeon might recommend rhinoplasty and chin augmentation for the best possible results.
Having multiple surgeries performed at the same time can save you time and money and reduce the amount of time you spend recovering. But, it’s important to remember that the longer you are on the operating the table, the greater your risk for complications can be. Discuss the pros and cons of having multiple surgeries performed at once with your surgeon before deciding which is the best choice for you.
Dr. George Moynihan is a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and as an Otolaryngologist by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He specializes in plastic surgery of the face at his Chicago practice. To discuss your options for rhinoplasty and other surgeries, and to decide which procedures are right for you, call his office at 312-988-9300 for an appointment.
