Dr. Hustak | Plastic Surgeon | Cosmetic Surgeon | Katy

Contact Us
760.773.3400

Contact Us: 760.773.3400

The time taken to complete a rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery procedure is usually two hours. However, the entire process from the preparatory stage to the recovery stage will take more time and effort.

While rhinoplasty is a relatively minor elective surgery, it involves a significant recovery period.

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will provide the patient with details on the recovery process and other aspects of rhinoplasty. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides rhinoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.

Post-Op Care

Following the nose reshaping surgery, the surgeon or their team will provide the patient and their attendant with post-operative care instructions. The patient should ideally have a friend or family member help them with routine tasks immediately after the surgery.

The below mentioned post-operative care guidelines can help mitigate the pain and discomfort during the recovery period:

Remain properly hydrated
Apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling
Get sufficient rest in the first week at home
Do not perform aggressive movements and exercises during the initial recovery period
Do not blow the nose in the initial few days

Initial 48 Hours

For many patients, the initial 48 hours following the nose plastic surgery are more difficult. Patients are likely to feel some lingering effects of anesthesia as well as experience mild pain and discomfort at this time.

The surgeon may prescribe pain drugs to the patient. But some patients only need over the counter pain medidcations. The patient may experience the following issues during the rhinoplasty recovery:

Swelling
Headaches
Nosebleeds
Bruising

The patient should ideally remain in bed with their head in a raised position for the initial 24 hours after the procedure. Their face may appear puffy, and they may experience pain in the nose and head.

The patient may experience nosebleeds as well. It is important to avoid blowing the nose at this time as doing so could loosen or open the stitches and have an adverse effect on the recovery process.

Improvement after One Week

The surgeon will track the patient’s progress at a follow-up appointment around one week after the surgery. In case nasal packing was placed, they will remove this packing along with a splint and/or sutures. The bruising and inflammation will be subsiding by this time.

In a week after the rhinoplasty surgery, many patients are able to resume work and a more normalized routine. However, the patient should be cautious and avoid vigorous activities.

They should not engage in sports or return to weight lifting for two weeks after the nose reshaping surgery. On top of this, they should not perform any activity that may cause a blow to their nose for around eight weeks. It is not advisable to travel by air right after the rhinoplasty.

A majority of the side effects experienced during the recovery phase are mild. These typically resolve within the initial two weeks. However, it is vital to note that some minor inflammation will persist for many months. The final outcomes of the surgery may not establish for up to one year.

Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.

Rhinoplasty is a complex plastic surgery requiring a careful balancing of the nose size and shape with other facial features. The operating surgeon should have an in-depth understanding of the nasal structure and the artistic skills to create beautiful and natural looking results.

Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides rhinoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding communities.

Primary Steps in Rhinoplasty

Irrespective of the surgical technique used, the following key steps are a part of any nose reshaping surgery:

Customized Rhinoplasty Plan

The surgeon will develop a customized rhinoplasty surgical plan after assessing the patient’s unique nose structure and understanding their desires from the procedure.

In addition, the surgeon will also consider the patient’s health condition as well as previous facial surgeries (if any). They will try to make the nose surgery as minimally invasive as possible to mitigate risks, pain, and downtime.

Marking the Nose

The surgeon will place a discreet mark underneath the surface of the patient’s nose. Depending on the cosmetic surgery plan, they may also mark other sites such as the chin for chin implants or the nostrils for alar reduction.

Anesthesia

Rhinoplasty surgery is generally performed with the patient under anesthesia. In addition, the patient may be given local anesthesia with adrenaline in the nose to help reduce bleeding and render the surgery safer and easier.

Incision Placement

There are two techniques of incision placement for rhinoplasty. The surgeon may either place the incision through the nose lining (intranasal or closed technique) or through the skin (transcutaneous or open technique).

Tip Refinement

In case the patient’s nasal tip is unshapely or bulbous, the surgeon will reshape these cartilages and suture them together to create a narrower, more defined nose appearance.

Drooping Nasal Tip

Depending on the extent of droopiness, the surgeon may correct a drooping nasal tip by rotating and elevating it. The surgeon employs a combination of elevating the tip of the cartilage and refining the lowest nasal cartilage to correct this condition.

Upturned Nose or Short Nose

An upturned nasal tip requires a counter-rotation in the downward direction to create more nose length and reduce the upturned appearance. In such cases, the patient may require revision rhinoplasty where graft tissue may be required to lower the nasal tip.

Septoplasty

Breathing is the primary function of the nose. But rhinoplasty can narrow the nasal airways creating impediments in proper breathing. The surgeon may create support for the nasal structure with tissue grafts to prevent this condition.

The patient usually undergoes a septoplasty in combination with a rhinoplasty. A deviated septum does not commonly display any symptoms. However, it can cause the nose to appear crooked or even lead to breathing problems in severe cases.

In a rhinoplasty surgery, ensuring that the patient’s ability to breathe remains unaffected is a crucial consideration.

Incision Closure

Dissolvable Stitches

Dissolvable sutures are used to bind the mucosal inner lining.

Stitches/Sutures

The skin beneath the nose is closed via small sutures which the surgeon removes after one week.

Splint

The surgeon fixes a splint on the nasal bridge to maintain the position of the bone as the nose heals in the initial week following the surgery. Furthermore, it helps reduce swelling.

Tape

The surgeon applies fine, skin-colored tape over the splint to provide more support to the nasal shape.

Rhinoplasty ranks among the five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the US, with over 200,000 surgeries performed in the year 2013 alone.

The procedure should be preceded by a detailed consultation process to ensure successful results. For an effective consultation process, there should be transparency and trust between the surgeon and the patient.

Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides rhinoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding communities.

Patient’s Inputs

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will try to understand the patient’s reasons for seeking rhinoplasty and the aspects of their nose that bother them.

Moreover, the surgeon will inquire about relevant information regarding the patient’s current medical condition and past health records. On their part, the patient should honestly reveal this information to the surgeon for a safe and effective rhinoplasty procedure. This is not the time to hold anything back.

This is not the time to be circumspect. The communication needs to flow both ways.

Patient’s Objectives

At the time of the consultation, the surgeon will want to understand the patient’s innate aesthetic goals and desires for their nose and face.

Upon fully comprehending the patient’s cosmetic needs, the surgeon will develop a customized surgical plan which will incorporate the patient’s unique goals to develop highly satisfactory results.

Current Health and Nose Structure

The patient should arrange for their medical records to be sent to the surgeon’s office directly from the specialist or hospital ahead of the consultation.

They should also inform the surgeon if they presently suffer from any health condition such as neurological issues, heart disease, or an autoimmune condition, or if they have any known allergies.

The surgeon will evaluate the patient’s nasal and facial structure, including the thickness and quality of the skin in the nose area, and the availability of cartilage and bone to make changes.

Combining Rhinoplasty and Chin Surgery

For some patients, the surgeon may recommend chin augmentation plastic surgery along with the rhinoplasty. This will help create more complete outcomes and balance out the facial features.

Ongoing Medicines

The patient should ideally enlist all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements that they are presently taking.

They should also discuss their lifestyle behaviors such as smoking and drinking honestly with the surgeon, and follow their guidelines for the sake of their own safety.

Questions about Costs

The patient should openly ask the surgeon any questions that they may have at the time of the consultation to be able to make an informed choice. A dedicated surgeon will offer detailed answers to the patient’s questions to provide them with clarity on the procedure.

The patient should also ask the surgeon any questions that they may have regarding the rhinoplasty costs. Various factors can affect the cost of rhinoplasty for an individual patient.

The patient should ask the surgeon to share the overall costs of the nose surgery along with the payment and financing options available to them.

Pictures and Testimonials

During the pre-operative consultation, some surgeons will encourage patients to view rhinoplasty before and after photos to develop realistic expectations from the surgery. The patient may also ask the surgeon to show them testimonials of their previous patients who have received rhinoplasty surgery.

It will take the patient less than two hours, on average, to undergo rhinoplasty plastic surgery. However, the entire rhinoplasty process requires a significant time commitment.

Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides rhinoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.

Main Preparatory Steps

The patient will need to take the following key steps in preparing for the rhinoplasty surgery:

Acquiring general information on the rhinoplasty procedure and the surgeon’s background
Setting-up a consultation
Following the necessary diet-related and lifestyle changes
Arranging for aftercare
Planning for the recovery phase

Developing Reasonable Expectations

A vital part of the pre-op preparation period is developing reasonable expectations from the procedure. The patient should review as many rhinoplasty ‘before and after’ pictures as they can to develop an understanding of the potential results of the procedure.

There are various online cosmetic surgery forums and groups where the patient can get information and tips from individuals who have undergone nose reshaping surgery previously.

Changes in Diet and Medicines

In the weeks ahead of the rhinoplasty, the patient should focus on preparing their body for the nose surgery. The patient will be more resilient and will be able to recover faster if they are fit and healthy. The surgeon may advise the following changes:

Discontinuing the use of aspirin and other blood thinners
Avoiding alcohol
Quit smoking, if the patient is a smoker
Taking vitamins C and E, and iron supplements for faster healing
Disclosing any pre-existing illnesses to the surgeon
Filling the prescriptions for pain meds and antibiotics
Creating a stock of “soft” foods for the initial recovery period

Other Preparatory Steps

The patient can undertake the following in preparation for their rhinoplasty surgery:

Purchase the medicine: The patient should ensure that they fill any prescriptions that the surgeon has provided before their rhinoplasty procedure.
Stock up on food items: The patient should stock up on food and drink items that are easy to consume. They may feel nauseous following the surgery. Therefore, it is advisable to have some nutritious and comforting food in their refrigerator. During the initial recovery period, the patient should not have spicy, hot, or hard to chew foods for safe healing.
Buy lip balm: The patient will experience a dry mouth after the surgery. Therefore, they should ensure that they have an adequate supply of lip balms and drinks to ensure they remain moist and comfortable.
Stay hydrated: The patient should drink plenty of water in the days ahead of the surgery as well as after the procedure. Being hydrated can reduce nausea and help the patient feel better after the procedure.
Shower: The patient should make sure that they take a shower prior to the surgery.

The Day of Surgery

Do not eat: The patient should not eat anything past midnight on the day of the rhinoplasty as it is believed to be safer to perform surgery on an empty stomach
Wearing button-up tops: The patient will be unable to pull anything over their head after the nose surgery. Therefore, they should wear button-up tops and comfortable footwear to the procedure.
Arrange for transportation: The patient should arrange for a ride as they will not be able to drive back home after the surgery. This is something that any patient must realize and make prior arrangements for.

Breast Augmentation

The excitement patients feel during breast augmentation is palpable, say the experts. Women who have desired larger breasts for years have the opportunity to do something about it, and their excitement at one day being able to wear that dream bra in their dream dress is at the forefront of their minds.

While this future event is absolutely certain, it does take a period of healing and settling for breast augmentation results to be ready for the perfect bra. Veteran breast surgeons Dr. Kristi Hustak and Dr. Charles Messa discuss the healing process and how they help their patients along the road of recovery to be able to truly enjoy their breast augmentation results. Read more.

For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.

Cosmetic Vaginoplasty

Childbirth doesn’t just stretch the skin and tissues of the abdomen, it takes a huge toll on the vaginal opening as well – particularly if you have delivered more than one child vaginally. The skin and tissues become loose, making it impossible for many patients to tighten around their partners during intercourse. Not only does this adversely affect the woman’s ability to orgasm, but also the couple’s ability to experience sexual pleasure.

While there are non-surgical modalities that can help to tighten the tissues of the vagina, there comes a point where they stop being as effective. Dr. Kristi Hustak of Houston, TX discusses the cosmetic vaginoplasty, a surgical procedure that can deliver permanent benefits, as well as a unique technique that allows her to perform this procedure in the clinic under local anesthesia. Read more.

Breast Reduction

Many women develop breasts that are too large. While this may sound like a blessing in an age where breast augmentation rules, it’s not. Having overly large breasts can take a toll both physically and emotionally. Women with breasts that are too big for their frame often complain of neck, shoulder and back pain. Many hide behind overly large tops, extremely self-conscious about their appearance. And since breasts develop when these patients are still in their teens, the effects can be devastating for girls as they transition into women and young adults.

A breast reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of a patient’s breasts and improve their overall shape. Dr. Kristi Hustak of Houston, TX discusses this life changing procedure and why it has such a high patient satisfaction rating. Read more.

No Spin Live host Dr. William P. Adams Jr. welcomes board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Jason Pozner of Boca Raton, Dr. Kristi Hustak of Houston, and Dr. Dan Del Vecchio of Boston to discuss the latest in plastic surgery news.

In this episode, the experts discuss an issue patients find with their breasts being too “veiny.” This concern surrounds visible veins beneath the surface of the breasts, oftentimes a result of the addition of an implant beneath the tissue. Drs. Pozner and Hustak help their patients attempt treatment for this issue by utilizing either fat grafting, possibly skin laser treatments, or even the fillers used in the face.

Breast Augmentation

Patients after a breast augmentation tend to be thrilled with the results, and not solely because an increase in volume. That which many desire is in fact shape, and even many who enter a consultation with a plastic surgeon may not even know that this might be even more important than volume. A shapelier breast can change the look of the entire torso, making a woman appear thinner, younger and more perky.

It is important to realize that a breast implant can only “augment your pre-existing shape and architecture,” explains Dr. Kristi Hustak, a board certified plastic surgeon of Houston. Patients may come into a consultation with a photo of their “perfect breasts,” but the plastic surgeon has to work within the confines of a patient’s individual anatomy. If your natural breasts are wide set, but you want lush cleavage, you may be disappointed. One of the keys to any successful surgical outcome is managing expectations. With a breast augmentation, this means understanding your natural breast shape. Read more.

Buttock Augmentation

The buttock enhancement trend continues to grow, thanks largely in part to the technique of fat grafting and it’s superiority to buttock implant. Unlike the breasts, buttock implants are quite problematic; it’s no wonder when a recipient “sits” on their implants all day that problems may arise, and quickly. Due to the tremendous results available without implants via patient’s own fat, the Brazilian Butt Lift has skyrocketed in popularity.

That said, there are some hefty drawbacks to buttock augmentation with fat grafting. The heaviest is patient death. Board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Bruce Van Natta of Indianapolis and Dr. Kristi Hustak of Houston are veterans of fat grafting procedures, and know all to well the inherent dangers. Below they discuss the success of the procedure and address it’s safety concerns for curious patients. Read more.