Question
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It's been three weeks since I had my cleft palate repair. Is it normal that I still can't lift my
Cleft palate repair
Jun 18, 2018
A cleft palate repair should not affect your ability to move your lip. Occasionally the retractor that is used during the surgery (called a Dingman) can put pressure on the upper lip, or stretch the lip, especially if your surgery was long. It's possible this could cause a "neuropraxia" or temporary injury/irritation to the nerves of the lip. This is not a typical symptom, however. Make sure that you speak to your surgeon about this and have it evaluated.
Am I a good candidate for a cleft lip revision procedure to improve appearance?
Cleft lip revison
Jun 18, 2018
You are definitely a good candidate for a lip revision! There are many techniques that can be performed to improve the scarring and symmetry of your lip, as well as coverage of your upper teeth. This can include releasing scar tissue, borrowing tissue from inside the mouth, fat grafting and flaps which bring tissue in from the surrounding area and/or repositioning your natural lip tissue. It appears as though you may have already had an abbe flap previously. The best course...
1 month post-op rhinoplasty swelling. I have an indentation on one side in my nostril and swelling
Post. rhinoplasty swelling
May 23, 2018
Swelling is extremely common after rhinoplasty, and lasts for a significant amount of time. After the first few months, the majority of the swelling should resolve, but some residual swelling often remains for up to a year or longer. This can also fluctuate as well, based on your activity level etc., and if you no longer have any compression on the nose. Sometimes swelling can also be more pronounced after a revision rhinoplasty as well due to previous scarring and...
Is it possible to fix anything about my nose. I know it can never look completely normal, but any
Rhinoplasty Candidate?
May 23, 2018
In order to determine what options you have, you really need an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon that can examine the structure of your nose and breathing. It is important to know if you have had prior surgery or trauma to your nose, if you have trouble breathing, and what your goals are for how you would like the nose to look. In general, however, most noses can be improved significantly with a rhinoplasty, as long as there are realistic goals set.
I know I have the bump in the middle, but is it actually BIG? Or unattractive, generally speaking.
Nasal "bump"
May 23, 2018
Thank you for your question. A nose is a very integral part of a person's face and identity and no two noses are the same, nor should they be! The most important thing is how YOU feel about your nose, and what would make you happy. It is also important to know if you have any problems breathing, as surgery on the nose can both be cosmetic and functional. If you are having some concerns, make an appointment for a consultation with a plastic surgeon. They will be...
Full or mini tummy tuck? I am 47 years old, 5’6” and 135 lbs.
Full or mini tummy tuck
May 12, 2018
From your pictures, it looks like your main issue is really the weakening and separation of your abdominal muscles after having children. A good repair of your abdominal wall really requires a full tummy tuck. Additionally, after having children, it is often surprising how stretchy the abdominal skin becomes and how much can be removed. It appears as though your belly button is high, so it is possible that you might end up with a small vertical scar where your belly button...
Trying to decide to have a surgical rhinoplasty done or a non surgical.
Options for rhinoplasty
May 12, 2018
It sounds as though your major concern is the bump on your nasal bridge. This is something that really needs to be fixed surgically to have an optimal result. I would recommend a consult with a plastic surgeon that can perform a detailed exam, and then you can discuss your specific goals for your nose with them. They should then be able to tell you what maneuvers are necessary to achieve the desired changes and answer any questions you have.
I Have A Wide, Flat Nose. Can It Be Changed?
Rhinoplasty for a wide nose
May 12, 2018
Thank you for your question. You are not alone! Many women with wider noses desire more definition. When a nose is broad, and the skin is thick, this definitely makes the rhinoplasty more challenging, but it does not make it more dangerous, and does not really make the recovery process take longer. In order to significantly change the shape of your nose, it will likely require breaking and re-shaping the nasal bones, and then grafting (adding) a significant...
Are There Any Approaches to Nostril Reduction?
Nostril Reduction
May 12, 2018
Good question! Every nose is different and unique, which means that a rhinoplasty needs to be specialized for each individual patient's anatomy and goals. There are many techniques that can be used to change the shape and size of the nostrils. Often during a rhinoplasty as the shape of the bones and cartilage is changed, this will also change the shape and size of the nostrils without any incisions on the nostrils themselves. At the end of the rhinoplasty,...
Surgery Needed for Broken Nose and Slight Deviated Septum?
Surgery for broken nose
May 12, 2018
If your nose is noticeably crooked after the trauma, now is actually the time to intervene. In the first two weeks after the trauma before the nose heals, the bones will still be mobile, and it is usually possible to re-align them with a simple closed reduction. This can generally be done in the office with local anesthesia, or in the operating room with some sedation based on your comfort level. The procedure involves using an instrument in the nose and pressure to...
Why is One of my Nostrils Bigger Than the Other, but Yet I Don't Have Breathing Problems?
Nostril Asymmetry
May 10, 2018
Excellent question. From looking at your pictures it appears as though you likely have a deviated septum with the cartilage bent into the left side of your nose. This gives the appearance that your nostrils are asymmetric, when in fact the left side looks smaller because it is being partially filled with the cartilage that is deviated to that side. If overall you are happy with the shape and appearance of the nose, and you do not have any breathing problems, there is really...
Can a Nose Change with Age?
Nose changing with age
May 10, 2018
The nose goes through many changes as we age and grow. This includes changes in the overlying skin, and the attachments of the nose, as well as the structure of the nose itself. The shape of the nose is also very dependent on the facial bones beneath it, and can change very dramatically around the time of puberty based on the growth of the upper and lower jaw. This is often more pronounced in men as they typically have a growth spurt in their facial skeleton around age...
Does Nose Cartilage Heal Itself?
Treatment for injured nasal cartilage
May 10, 2018
The nasal bones and nasal cartilage will heal themselves after a traumatic injury, but they will heal in the position that they are in. If you are noticing a change in the shape of your nose, it is likely that either the bones and/or cartilage were injured and are not aligned properly, and need to be re-aligned. This generally needs to be done within the first few weeks after the trauma before things start to heal and become fixed in their new position. After this time...
Is There Any Way to Correct my Nose Without Surgery?
Treatment for crooked nose
May 10, 2018
Thank you for your question and photo. Treatment options for a crooked nose depend on what structures are involved. Looking at your picture, the bones and cartilage in your nose are all deviated to the right. It sounds as though you have not had any trauma to the nose, so it has probably been like this for a while. When this happens the cartilage develops a "memory" and wants to stay bent in that same shape. In this situation, the only way to straighten the nose...
How Long Does a Broken Nose Take to Heal?
Broken nose and healing
May 9, 2018
After a traumatic nasal fracture, it usually takes about 2 weeks for the bones to be "stable" but about 6 weeks for them to be solid enough that they would not be move-able with pressure or manipulation. Therefore, during the first 6 weeks of healing it is best to limit sports and exercise that could cause any additional trauma to the nose. If the fracture is minor, the bones are not significantly displaced, and there are no breathing problems, a broken nose generally heals very...