Rhinoplasty to improve nasal bridge and rotate tip of a female patient by Dr. Miller
5 Tips for Your Rhinoplasty Recovery
Planning your rhinoplasty procedure? Starting to feel nervous? Don’t worry! It’s normal to feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety before your procedure, and you’re probably speculating on how you’ll look and feel after your undergo the surgery.
While most people find that the recovery process isn’t as bad as they expected, it still pays to be prepared and set yourself up for a comfortable recovery and a beautiful result. Here are 5 tips for ensuring that your rhinoplasty recovery goes as smoothly as possible.
Tip #1: Give Yourself Enough Recovery Time
When you’re planning your recovery period, you may think that you don’t need the full 1-2 weeks of recovery time recommended by most surgeons. However, even if you feel fairly normal after the first few days, it’s important to give your body the rest it needs to recover and heal. Block off at least 10 days for the process. When you’re ready, start resuming normal activities slowly—it doesn’t pay to overdo things. Additionally, you may have some bruising during the first few weeks, which may not have you feeling very social!
Tip #2: Set up a Dedicated Recovery Area
You won’t be able to go about your normal routines during your recovery, so it’s a good idea to anticipate what you’ll need before you need it. The day before your surgery, set up a dedicated recovery area to maximize your comfort and rest.
You’ll need to sleep with your head elevated above your heart initially (to reduce swelling and to keep the nose from shifting), so it’s best to outfit an easy chair with pillows and blankets. If you don’t have a suitable chair, your bed will work as long as you add extra pillows and something to stabilize you as you sleep (such as pillows on either side of you). Make sure you have ice packs ready, along with books, magazines, or other entertainment close at hand. Finally, make sure you have your painkillers close at hand to help control any discomfort.
Tip #3: Plan Ahead for Meals
It’s easy to default to takeout when you’re not feeling well enough to cook, but salty or sugary junk food and takeout won’t cut it when you’re recovering from surgery. You need nutritious food for cellular renewal, and it’s best to prep your food ahead to make sure you’re fueling your recovery properly.
Try make-ahead recipes that can be frozen or refrigerated. That way, when it’s dinnertime, all you’ll have to do is pop a meal into the microwave with no additional hassle. Frozen meals can also often be heated in a slow cooker all day so dinner is ready by evening.
Tip #4: Take Your Meds
While it may be tempting to skip your meds and just suffer through any discomfort, this approach really doesn’t do you any favors. Take your meds according to your doctor’s guidelines, and just make sure you’re not taking more of them than you’re supposed to.
Tip #5: Treat Your Nose with Respect
Your surgeon and his team will work their magic in the operating room, but they can’t be there every step of your recovery to make sure you’re giving your nose every chance to heal properly. A surgery performed by the best surgeon can still end in a poor outcome if the nose is bumped or jostled too much during surgery, or isn’t given the opportunity to heal.
Smoking, drinking, the wrong supplements, overdoing it, or jostling the nose can all have a major negative impact on the healing process. Poor healing can lead to scarring, infection, and a poor aesthetic outcome—not something you want from a surgery that is supposed to help you look and feel better about yourself!
Submental Liposuction Versus Neck Lift Surgery
Dr. Philip Miller in New York City is a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon who was raised by an artist, so he not only has expert surgical skills but also a highly developed sense of aesthetics, proportions, and balance. He’s an expert in using the Golden Ratio, which refers to the ideal proportion of the nose and mouth along with the distance between the eyes and chin. Dr. Miller uses this guide to create symmetry and beauty in your facial features, while also harmonizing with your ethnicity and gender.
When you meet with him for a one-on-one consultation, he takes the time to evaluate your skin tone, bone structure, and fat-concentrated areas to determine the right procedure or combination of procedures to make you look like the absolute best and most confident version of yourself.
If you’re wondering whether submental liposuction or a neck lift is the right choice for you, ask yourself the following questions:
Submental Liposuction Candidate
Today’s tumescent liposuction procedures are highly refined and can be performed under local anesthesia at the Gotham Plastic Surgery office. Dr. Miller only needs to make two small incisions underneath your chin or behind your ears.
By first injecting the treatment area with a special solution, Dr. Miller breaks up the fat cells so that they can easily be aspirated with small metal tubes called cannulas. The thinness of the cannulas allows him to sculpt away tiny packets of fat that mar your chin and jawline to create smooth, uniform, and finely-detailed results.
Since liposuction is a surgical procedure, you should arrange to take a week off from work. You also need to wear a chin strap for a few days to control bruising and swelling. You should be able to return to most of your normal activities within two weeks.
Neck Lift Candidate
When Dr. Philip Miller performs a neck lift at his New York practice, he does more than just tighten the skin underneath your chin and around your neck. He also improves jowling, in order to create a more youthful facial shape. Unlike less skilled surgeons who advertise a “skin-only” lift, Dr. Miller always tightens and lifts the underlying neck muscles to give tighter neck skin extra support. After tightening and lifting your neck skin, he trims away any redundant skin, leaving you with a smooth and youthful-looking neck and jawline.
A neck lift is the most dramatic, satisfying, and long-lasting remedy for loose, wrinkled, or drooping neck skin. Dr. Miller hides the scars from your lift behind your ears. You need to arrange for about a two-week recovery period. You’ll wear bandages to control bruising and swelling, and may need surgical drains as well.
As your neck lift heals over the weeks to months after your surgery, your jawline, chin, and neck area look tighter, fresher, and more youthful. After about six months, you’ll notice that your neck lift took about 10 years off of your appearance, and it should keep you looking young for another 10 years. You can enhance the length of your neck lift with regular procedures that help your skin produce new rejuvenating collagen, such as laser skin revitalization. To learn more about necklift, visit clinicaltrials.gov
When You Need a Neck Lift with Submental Liposuction
If you’re unhappy with your profile and you have already begun to age, chances are you have both excess submental fat and loose inelastic skin. To completely re-contour your chin, jaw, and neck, you’d benefit most from combining submental liposuction with a neck lift. Dr. Miller performs both surgeries during one procedure to minimize your expense and recovery time.
Treating a Recessed Chin
Even if you sculpt away excess fat and tighten up wrinkled skin, if the point of your chin lies behind the line of your lips, you may benefit from a chin implant. A custom-fitted silicone implant lines your chin up with your lips to impart strength and confidence into your profile. You can have an implant as a stand-alone procedure or as part of submental liposuction with or without a neck lift. Dr. Miller can help you decide if a chin implant is right for you.
Creating a Movie Star Jawline
If you’re a man who’s looking for a jaw and profile that’s as chiseled as an A-list movie star’s, you may be a candidate for Dr. Miller’s G.I. Jaw™ technique. Based on your needs, he selects from a series of procedures, such as chin liposuction, jaw and chin implants, or dermal fillers, to create a strong and masculine look to your lower face and profile.
Schedule a Consultation in New York Today
Before you settle on which procedure you want, you have a more important decision to make: choosing your surgeon. Be sure to interview the most highly skilled surgeons in your area or consider traveling to get the best, longest-lasting, most natural-looking results. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller in New York City, call our office today, or use our online contact form.
Next, read about our Recommended Skin Tightening Treatments.
Rhinoplasty to refine nasal tip of a female patient by Dr. Miller
Which Laser Treatment is Right for You?
Laser treatment in NYC is one of the most popular treatment types available for many different skin and aging concerns. Laser treatment uses light to control the skin’s natural processes and gradually heal the skin. The result is a refreshed and more youthful appearance. There are so many different types of laser treatments that choosing one can be totally overwhelming (a good problem to have)! If you’re thinking about laser treatments to look and feel younger, here’s what you need to know about choosing the laser that’s right for you—whether that’s a full laser option like Fractora, or a radiofrequency treatment like Face Tite or Tite-FX.
What are Your Goals?
Before you choose the laser treatment that’s right for you, you need to think about what your goals are for the procedure. Are you interested in repairing the sun damage to your face? Do brown spots and rough skin have you wearing layers of makeup to hide the damage? Are you seeing the beginnings of deep wrinkles? Or are you feeling that your body contour just never makes you feel good, no matter how much you exercise?
Ask yourself these tough questions and pinpoint what’s really behind your desire for cosmetic treatments. It’s much easier to choose the perfect treatment if you’re fully aware of your goals and motivations.
Learn About Types of Laser & Radiofrequency Treatments
Once you know what you want to achieve, you’ll need to know what some of your options are. Take some time to research the many laser and radiofrequency treatments available. This will help prepare you to talk with your plastic surgeon about the procedures you’re interested in. Here are just a few great choices:
Face Tite
While many people are focused on wrinkles and sun damage, others face different problems like sagging skin and excess fat in the face. If you’re struggling with these issues, Face Tite is a great option for improving the overall appearance of the face. This treatment combines radiofrequency energy with gentle liposuction. This will help to contour and tighten the face for a youthful, refreshed appearance.
Fractora
Fractora is a laser radiofrequency technology that helps stimulate and resurface the skin. This is a minimally-invasive procedure that can be completed in just one visit! Like many other laser resurfacing treatments, Fractora uses fractional energy to address skin concerns. The benefit is that there is no prolonged downtime or extensive side effects. Fractora treatments can address many different problems, including fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation issues, poor skin tone and texture, visible blood vessels and the overall appearance of the skin.
Tite-FX
We all know that exercise and a healthy diet are a key part of any wellness plan. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to achieve your desired cosmetic results through these methods alone. Tite-FX is a great way to help tone and contour the body when exercise alone isn’t working. Using a combination of vacuum technology and radiofrequency energy, this treatment can help improve body contour and even address cellulite. Some patients prefer to combine Tite-FX with liposuction treatments for more comprehensive results.
Talk to a Plastic Surgeon in New York
After you know your options, it’s time to choose a plastic surgeon and discuss your treatment options with an expert. Your consultation is the most important step in choosing the perfect laser treatment. You’ll get an opportunity to receive personalized recommendations based on your goals and the condition of your skin. Be sure to come to your consultations prepared to make the most of them. Ask questions, get to know your surgeon, and make sure you feel comfortable before you commit to any treatment.
If you’re looking for an experienced plastic surgeon to help you make this important decision, consider a consultation with Dr. Philip Miller. Dr. Miller is an acclaimed facial plastic surgeon in the competitive New York area. His distinguished credentials have earned him respect from both colleagues and patients. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller in New York, call (646) 791-3025 today!
Next, learn how you can Restore Lost Facial Volume with Fillers and Implants
Benefits of a Facelift and Why This Procedure is Right for You
When You Should Receive a Facelift
It’s important to understand that aging, stress, heredity and environmental conditions are just a few of the factors as to why you may begin to lose your youthful appearance. However, this exceedingly safe procedure will ensure that your face remains as youthful at the age of 40 as it was at 25.
If you notice signs of aging and believe that you could look better, a facelift if perfect for you. Full confidence with your appearance can do wonders to your personal and professional lives. These signs of aging include a loss of skin tone in the lower portion of the face, creases below the eyelids and along the nose, sagging around the middle portion of the face and drooping fat.
What a Facelift Procedure Entails
The primary procedure for a facelift is minimally invasive and only takes a small amount of time to complete. The procedure begins with the administration of anesthesia in order to make you comfortable during the surgery. This can include either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Once the anesthesia has been administered, the incision will be made. Where this incision takes place largely depends on the type of facelift you are looking to have done.
For a traditional facelift, the incision begins at the hairline and extends around the ear and towards the lower scalp. For a limited incision facelift, the incisions at the temple are smaller and only extend around the ear. Once the fat has been sculpted and rearranged for a better looking face, the incisions will be closed and will fade relatively quickly.
Ideal Candidates for This Procedure
Thankfully, it doesn’t require much to be an ideal candidate for this procedure, so there’s practically no reason to worry about being denied for it. The best candidates largely include people that don’t have health conditions that would cause problems with the healing process.
Non-smokers are preferable over smokers as well. It’s also important that you have realistic expectations of what this procedure will do for you and have a generally positive outlook about the results from the procedure, which will make preparations for a facelift much easier.
Benefits of a Facelift
There are a wide variety of benefits that you will receive when getting a facelift. For instance, you’ll automatically have a much more youthful and natural look to your face, which will aid in aging gracefully as the years pass by. This will also help to boost your confidence levels.
A few of the primary advantages of having this procedure done include repairing loose skin for a smoother look, providing improvements for facial contours for a better looking jawline and tightening your facial muscles for less tension in the face. To learn more about facelift, visit medlineplus.gov
Risks and Recovery Time
Like any surgical procedure, there are a few risks involved as well. These include bleeding, risks with anesthesia, infections, fluid accumulation, skin discoloration, prolonged swelling, numbness, pain that persists and poor wound healing.
As for recovery time, you will generally be provided with instructions on how to treat your face once the surgery has been completed. Overall, recovery time is typically anywhere from two to three weeks.
Call us today to find out more about the facelift procedure and to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller at his New York plastic surgery office.
Next, find out if a Micro Facelift is Right for You
Implant to increase the projection of the chin by Dr. Miller
Proper Post-Op Nutrition
Be Sure To Eat!
This may sound obvious, but don’t forget to eat. Depending on the location of your surgery, eating may become painful or inconvenient— while an impromptu diet may sound appealing, now is not the time to swear off food. Your body vitally requires nourishment when it is in a state of self-repair, and denying your system important nutrients could carry harmful consequences. If suffering from nausea, stick to simpler meals that are easier to keep down. If eating proves painful or uncomfortable but otherwise digestible, opt for calorically denser foods. If you can only handle ten bites per meal, make sure that your body is getting the most out of each bite.
Fiber
High-fiber foods help stabilize your digestive processes, and reduce the risk of constipation, a relatively common side effect of surgery. Popular foods include whole grain breads, fruit, vegetables, beans, and certain fiber-rich cereals. If concerned about constipation, avoid dehydrated or processed foods, dairy products, red meats, and sweets.
Protein
After surgery, muscle tissue is damaged and in need of repair. Adequate protein intake helps your system rebuild these body tissues. Vegetarians and vegans should seek protein through almonds, tofu, tempeh, and seitan. Those with carnivorous inclinations should avoid red meats due to saturated fat levels, instead opting for lean meats such as chicken, pork, and seafood.
Vitamin A
Adequate Vitamin A intake promotes epithelial and bone formation, as well as boosts general immune function. For high vitamin concentrations, try leafy greens such as kale and spinach. Other viable sources include yams, carrots, squash, and bell peppers. Vitamin A is fat soluble, meaning that it must be consumed with fat for optimal absorption, so considering preparing your cooked kale with a serving of extra virgin olive oil.
Vitamin C
Collagen regeneration is required to restore structural proteins in the skin, a vital element of recovery after facial surgery. In addition to boosting collagen formation, Vitamin C promotes immune function, and acts as a tissue antioxidant, blocking the harmful effects of free radicals in your system. The vitamin is water soluble and requires a continuous supply, as residual amounts of Vitamin C are expelled from the body in our urine. Vitamin C rich foods include citrus fruits, kiwi, mango, broccoli, and potatoes.
Drink Plenty of Water
Proper hydration is vitally important to daily nutrition, infinitely more so when recovering from surgery. Adequate water consumption flushes impurities (including surgery drugs) out of your system, stabilizes your metabolism, reduces joint pain, and helps combat fatigue. Leading up to your surgery date, increase your water consumption to 8-10 glasses of water per day, and gradually work your way back up to that intake rate after the procedure.
Consider Vitamin Supplements
For those concerned about adequate post-op nutrition, vitamin supplements are available and worth considering. Speak to a specialist to determine which, if any, supplements are right for you and your recovery plan. If you are taking any special medications, be sure to ask your doctor if any foods are off-limits while you recover.
For comprehensive post-surgery advice, including a nutritional consultation, book an appointment with Dr. Philip Miller. A recognized NYC facial plastic surgery specialist, Dr. Miller has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007. His office, located at 60 East 56th Street in New York City, can be reached by phone at (646) 791-3025.
Next, find out Which Laser Treatment is Right for You
Will Scar Tissue Be an Issue After Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty surgery in New York can change the shape, size, and structure of the nose, delivering incredible results for the right patient. But just like any other surgery, there is one major drawback if not handled well: the potential for developing noticeable scar tissue after your healing is complete. Even rhinoplasty surgery with its well-hidden incisions can create visible scar tissue. To keep your results looking more natural without such scarring, you’ll need to take some necessary precautions.
Why Does Scar Tissue Form?
There is no such thing as a surgery without some scar tissue. When an incision is made in the skin, the body naturally creates scar tissue to heal the wounds. Scars are formed by dense, fibrous connective tissue that can seal the wound closed. Think of it as your body naturally forming a band-aid to heal a wound. It is nothing to be alarmed about, really. Once it is formed, scar tissue can sometimes be remodeled or reshaped with the help of a facial plastic surgeon or another highly trained specialist. For a rare few, the body may also produce too much scar tissue and cause problems with healing.
Where Will Scar Tissue Form After Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty surgery can be performed in two different ways:
- Open Approach – It involves one small, well-concealed incision between the nostrils on the underside of the nose. This technique allows the greatest access to the nasal tip as well as the lower and middle third of the nose.
- Closed Approach – Also called endonasal rhinoplasty, this technique uses incisions that are exclusively made within the inside of your nostrils. This method will not leave behind any visible skin incisions.
When scar tissue forms, it will start at the location of these incisions but can become noticeable if care isn’t taken to prevent it. Patients who do experience the formation of excess scar tissue after rhinoplasty will likely develop it around the nasal tip region. Because this area may appear swollen for a time after surgery, you should raise any concerns you have about potential scarring with your facial plastic surgeon.
How Can Scar Tissue Be Prevented?
While scar tissue may be common after any surgery, there are things patients can do to reduce its occurrence:
- Avoid smoking and drinking – Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and contributes to poor healing and scarring. Alcohol, on the other hand, not only causes skin dehydration but can also promote swelling and bleeding.
- Don’t strain yourself – Any activity that causes your blood pressure to rise may increase your risk of scar tissue formation.
- Follow all recovery instructions – Guidelines are provided to help you heal faster. By taking these instructions seriously, you get to avoid complications and quickly achieve your desired results.
- Choose the right plastic surgeon – One of the best ways to prevent complications like scarring is to choose a NYC surgeon who is board-certified, highly qualified, and experienced in the rhinoplasty procedure.
How Can Scar Tissue Be Treated?
If you experience problems with the formation of excess scar tissue following your rhinoplasty surgery, there are things you can do to reduce it, as well as medical procedures that will help you achieve more natural-looking results. Options include:
- Steroids – A series of carefully targeted cortisone steroid injections can help minimize the appearance and extensiveness of the scar tissue.
- Revision rhinoplasty – Corrective surgery can be performed to remove the scar tissue without impacting any other structures of the nose.
Adjustments can be made in both surgical and nonsurgical techniques, so start the conversation with your facial plastic surgeon today and take it from there.
Choose An Expert New York Plastic Surgeon For Your Rhinoplasty
To learn more about rhinoplasty surgery and what you can do to minimize your scar tissue, book a consultation with a facial plastic surgeon who has years of experience in predicting procedure outcomes and giving patients the results they seek. Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS who is double-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, offers over 20 years of experience and knowledge to his patients. A recognized expert in rhinoplasty, Dr. Miller has been frequently invited to share his specific techniques with his peers at various national facial plastic surgery meetings. He has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007, and has also been named a Top Doctor of New York. Contact Dr. Miller’s plastic surgery clinic located at 60 East 56th Street, Third Floor in New York City, by calling (646) 791-3025.
Is a Micro-Lift Facelift Right for You?
When it comes to facelift surgery, many patients worry about the scarring that could result once their incisions have fully healed. Scarring around the hairline and ears is a legitimate concern to those who have a tendency to heal poorly or develop excess scar tissue. Obviously, fewer incisions and a less invasive surgical approach could limit the presence of potential scarring around the face. For this reason, many patients choose a micro-lift facelift surgeries in NYC instead of the traditional incision pattern and surgical approach. Of course, a different approach can meet different results, so your choice should be made carefully under the guidance of your facial plastic surgeon. Here are just some of the things you should know before you make your decision.
What Is a Micro-Lift?
During a traditional facelift, incisions are placed along the hairline, down and around the ears, and then along the lower hairline. This allows the surgeon optimum access to the areas that will be addressed during your surgery, typically the lower face, jawline, and chin.
During a Micro-Lift procedure, a cutting-edge approach is used with a small incision placed just in front of each ear. Through these incisions, the skin and underlying tissue can be adjusted for a more youthful appearance. This procedure’s effects mimic the taut, firm look created by a ponytail.
What Is the Difference Between a Micro-Lift And a Regular Facelift?
| Mini-Lift | Regular Facelift |
|---|---|
| Minimally invasive procedure; fewer incisions are made | Extensive surgical procedure |
| 1-1.5 hours to perform | 2-4 hours to perform |
| 2-4 weeks recovery time | 4-6 weeks recovery time |
| Lasts up to 10 years | Lasts up to 20 years |
| Average price: $8,500* | Average price: $11,500* |
*Prices reflect an average cost of the procedure in the area. For an actual cost, please contact Dr. Miller directly.
Are There Benefits to a Micro-Lift?
- Shorter recovery time.
- Minimal discomfort.
Patients of the micro-lift can experience a youthful boost with minimal pain and recovery time. The Micro-Lift requires just a few days of taking it easy, rather than one or more weeks of intense recovery. This makes it more favorable to patients with busy schedules or those who have a need for faster results. Shorter recovery means less time spent away from work, activities, and other responsibilities.
With only two small incisions to heal, scarring is also much less of a concern, especially if you have shorter hair or a recessed hair line. The minimally invasive approach also involves less swelling and redness around the incision site. Patients experience only minimal discomfort, though tightness and temporary numbness are a fairly common side effect.
Are There Drawbacks to the Micro-Lift?
On the downside, however, Micro-lift facelift surgery will not provide results as extensive as those of the traditional facelift. This alternative approach is best used for patients who want to achieve an improvement in their look that is subtle instead of dramatic, or those who require very limited adjustments to achieve their desired results.
The micro-lift is a good alternative to the traditional approach for those patients of a younger age, usually in their late 30s or 40s. While a micro-lift provides less extensive intervention, it can certainly improve the right patient’s look when needed. A micro-lift is just one of many alternatives to a traditional facelift.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Micro-Lift Surgery?
To be considered a good candidate for any facelift surgery, you should be in good physical health, not smoke, and have a realistic expectation for your results. In addition, you should have specific aging concerns around the lower portion of your face, including double chins, jowls, deep creases, lines and wrinkles, and lax skin.
As a candidate for a micro-lift, you may be looking for less extensive changes to the face. You may also be in the earlier stages of the aging process. Other patients who consider the limited incision facelift may have concerns about post-surgical scarring, a past history of poor scarring, or other concerns. Talk with your facial plastic surgeon about making the right surgical plan to suit your own needs.
Plan Your Facelift Surgery with an Expert in New York
Minimize scarring and optimize results from your consultation to your recovery when you consult with a highly qualified, board certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Philip Miller has specialized exclusively in facial plastic surgery, offering over 20 years of experience and knowledge to his patients.
A recognized expert in facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Miller has been frequently invited to share his specific techniques with his peers at various national facial plastic surgery meetings. He has been voted among the Best Doctors in America each year since 2007 and has also been named a Top Doctor of New York. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller, contact his office located at 60 East 56th Street, Third Floor in New York City, by calling (646) 791-3025.
Next, learn about The Life Changing Benefits of a Facelift