Amanda suffered a broken nose 10 years ago after sustaining an injury on the soccer field. She was initially treated by an ear, nose, and throat specialist, but she felt that something just didn’t seem right about her final outcome. Her nasal septum deviation worsened over the years, causing significant breathing problems, nasal curvature, and post-nasal drip.
After years of searching for a suitable doctor to perform her rhinoplasty in Orlando, Amanda turned to my practice here in Lake Mary.
“After surgery, I cried when Dr. Gross took the cast off because I was so happy with the way it looked,” says Amanda. “Not only is my breathing 100% better, but my nose also looks 100% better.” Amanda says the rhinoplasty changed her life.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a facial plastic surgery performed to reshape the nose and its associated passageways. It can be done for both mechanical and aesthetic reasons, to correct breathing problems, and to change the size, shape, or angle of the nose.
Impaired breathing is typically caused by a deviated septum (the thin membrane that divides the nose into 2 sections). A deviated septum may also make the nose look crooked, which 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 a nasal tip that is bulging, drooping, upturned, or hooked, and it can create 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 it looked, but I decided to fix the outside of it while he was in there.”
How Is Rhinoplasty Performed?
During rhinoplasty, I make incisions inside the nose to correct and balance the cartilage and bones. If necessary, I also adjust the nasal septum an realign it with the center of the nose, a procedure known as septoplasty. In some cases, patients require nasal reshaping along with septoplasty. I apply a splint and bandage around the outside of the nose to stabilize it while it heals.
“I considered many other doctors over the years, but Dr. Gross had the most experience and the best results and reviews,” says Amanda. “He had the technology and computer imaging that enabled me to see what my nose would look like after surgery. I decided to go with him, and I’ve been happy ever since.”
What Is Rhinoplasty Recovery Like?
Rhinoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under light general anesthesia. The splint and bandage are usually removed after about one week and swelling gradually goes down for the next few weeks. Depending on how much the nose was adjusted, full results can take several months to a year to manifest.
“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.”
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, antibacterial soaps, and supplies that I needed for recovery. It made the recovery process that much easier.”
Amanda credits the entire staff at Primera 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 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.”
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