Rhinoplasty

Every year, half a million people who are interested in improving the appearance of their noses seek consultation with facial plastic surgeons. Some are unhappy with the noses they were born with, and some with the way aging has changed their nose. For others, an injury may have distorted the nose, or the goal may be improved breathing. But one thing is clear: nothing has a greater impact on how a person looks than the size and shape of the nose . Because the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, a slight alteration can greatly improve one’s appearance.

Is Rhinoplasty For You? Whether the surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, Dr. Cherukuri will examine the structure of your nose, both externally and internally, to evaluate what you can expect from rhinoplasty. You are most likely to be pleased with the results of your surgery if you have a realistic idea of what nasal surgery can and cannot do. Following a joint decision by you and Dr. Cherukuri to proceed with rhinoplasty, Dr. Cherukuri will explain how the nasal structures, including bone and cartilage, can be sculpted to reshape the nose and indicate how reshaping the chin, for example, could enhance the desired results.

Choosing a surgeon:

Many surgeons consider this procedure the most difficult procedure in plastic surgery.  Rhinoplasty is one of Dr. Cherukuri’s specialties, since he has an extensive training in otolaryngology (ENT). In fact, some general plastic surgeons refer their rhinoplasty patients to Dr. Cherukuri since they perform so few each year.

Understanding The Surgery

The definition of rhinoplasty is, literally, shaping the nose.  Whereas many surgeons today are placing potentially visible incisions on the outside of the nose, Dr. Cherukuri is an expert in scarless rhinoplasty –  the incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible  Next, certain amounts of underlying bone and cartilage are removed, added to, or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. For example, when the tip of the nose is too large, Dr. Cherukuri can sculpt the cartilage in this area to reduce it in size. The angle of the nose in relation to the upper lip can be altered for a more youthful look or to correct a distortion. The tissues are then redraped over the new frame and the incisions are closed. A splint is applied to the outside of the nose to help retain the new shape while the nose heals.

Your Next Step

If you have any questions about Rhinoplasty surgery, please call our office at (219) 836-2201 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Cherukuri.