Rhinoplasty…how to get started and what to expect

Rhinoplasty, if appropriate, can probably be the most rewarding aesthetic procedure you can have.  Let’s face it, your nose is the center point of your face and no amount of make- up or facial hair can disguise it! Other areas of your body you can fake…push-up bras, spanks, loose fitting suits, but nope…not your nose.

So once you have decided that having a rhinoplasty is something you want to pursue, what should you do?  Well obviously you need to pick a doctor and if you have found your way to Dr. Schoenfeld’s web site then you have done your homework!  Dr. Philip Schoenfeld is a board certified facial plastic surgeon and he has been recognized by his peers several times as a top surgeon. So after you pick your doctor, then what? Here are a few commonly asked questions that will hopefully help you:

Q: How do I get started?

A: Simply call Renu at 301 652-7368 and schedule a consultation. The consultation takes about 20 minutes and Dr. Schoenfeld will discuss the procedure with you, answer any questions you may have about the surgery, and go over in detail what to expect.

Q: Can Dr. Schoenfeld show me what I will look like if I have the rhinoplasty?

A: Yes.  Dr. Schoenfeld has fantastic imaging software.  He will take your picture and transfer it into his computer where he will be able to give you a good idea of what results you can expect.  (but remember it is a computer and not a 100% 3D image of what you will absolutely look like)

Q: How long will the procedure take and what kind of anesthesia will they use?

A: The procedure time ranges from 1-3 hours, most take about 2-21/2 hours.  Local IV sedation is what the doctor prefers.  You will definitely be “asleep”, but IV sedation puts a lot less stress on your body than general anesthesia.

Q: What is the recovery time and will I have black eyes?

A: Generally, I would suggest you clear your schedule for a good week.  The first couple of days you will want to mostly sleep and take it easy.  The amount of bruising you have will depend on what exactly your surgery included and how well you follow your post surgery instructions.  Some people will have more bruising than others because they had more work done than others. (Usually associated with bone work)  Dr. Schoenfeld can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect after he has had the opportunity to examine you.  We also have some products that you can use prior to surgery to help minimize the amount of bruising. FYI-everyone has swelling.

Q: Where will the surgery take place?

A: Dr. Schoenfeld mainly operates at the River Road Surgery Center, his out patient surgery facility.  It is conveniently located near Renu Med Spa at the intersection of River Rd. and Westbard.  The Washington Post did a great story on it…check it out on our media page!

Hopefully this has helped you know how to get started and what to expect form a rhinoplasty.  There are obviously a lot more details to cover but these are the basics.  Dr. Schoenfeld or his surgical coordinator will be on hand throughout the process to make sure every last detail is covered.