A Nose Knows: Orlando Resident Says Rhinoplasty Changed Her Life

Amanda suffered a broken nose 10 years ago after a hit on the soccer field. She received initial treatment by an ear, nose, and throat specialist; but something just didn’t seem right with the final outcome. Her nasal septum deviation worsened over the years, causing significant breathing problems, the curvature of her nose and post-nasal drip.

After years of searching for the best rhinoplasty doctor in Orlando to help her, Amanda turned to Edward J. Gross, M.D., a double board certified facial plastic surgeon, specializing in rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty procedures at his Lake Mary office.

Amanda says the rhinoplasty changed her life.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a facial plastic surgery performed to reshape the nose and associated passageways. It can be done for both mechanical and aesthetic reasons, to correct breathing problems and to change the size, shape, and angle of the nose.

Impaired breathing is typically caused by a deviated septum  (the thin membrane dividing the nose in two sections). A deviated septum can also help make the nose look crooked, as was the case with Amanda. Lack of airflow causes less oxygen to reach the bloodstream and can result in nosebleeds, snoring, and recurring sinus infections. Rhinoplasty works to straighten the septum, restore regular air flow and improve the aesthetics of the nose if the patient so chooses.

During aesthetic rhinoplasty, a surgeon can modify the form of the nose, alter the tip of the nose, and repair bumps, indentations, or other blemishes. Rhinoplasty can also reduce the size of nasal tips that are bulging, drooping, upturned, or hooked, and it can correct nasal asymmetry.

In Amanda’s case, the damage she had suffered during her accident resulted in a displaced septum and nasal bridge that affected her breathing as well as her appearance.

“Over the years my nose became more deviated, I was having trouble breathing, and there was a lot of ‘stuff’ in my throat,” she says. “It just became hard to live with. I didn’t necessarily need to change the way that it looked, but I wanted to fix the outside of it while he was in there.”

How is Rhinoplasty Performed?

“As soon as Dr. Gross took the cast off and I saw my nose, the one thing I could think of was how much of an artist he was,” she says with a smile. “The biggest benefit has been the breathing. As soon as I got the cast off, I was breathing 100% better.”

What is Rhinoplasty Recovery Like?

After surgery, patients may feel puffiness in the face, and there may be bruising around the eyes and nose.

“It’s been about three months since my surgery, and I’ve loved it ever since I got the cast off, so it feels wonderful,” says Amanda. “The surgery was an easy process, all the way through, my questions were answered. They gave me a goodie bag before surgery, so I had all of my medications, anti-bacterial soaps, and supplies that I needed for recovery. It made the recovery process that much easier.”

Amanda credits the entire staff at Primera Plastic Surgery for going the extra mile to prepare her for surgery and ensure her recovery afterward. “My experience with the staff was amazing,” she says. “From start to finish, from consultation to follow-up appointments. They gave me spa treatments; I had facials before surgery to prepare my skin, and facials after surgery to remove oils and reduce my swelling.”

With her successful rhinoplasty surgery behind her, Amanda is grateful for everything Dr. Gross helped her to achieve. “Dr. Gross’s bedside manner is kind of like a loving father,” she says. “You have nothing to worry about. He answers all of your questions, and he’s very comforting all the way through the process.”

“I will say hands down, out of all the doctors I looked at, Dr. Gross is the best rhinoplasty doctor in Orlando.”