It seems that there are three areas of rhinoplasty surgery that raise questions for prospective patients. Sometimes those questions seem either insurmountable, or are in some way off-putting, and prevent prospective patients from benefiting from the incredible advances in skill and techniques that modern surgery can offer.
To help you overcome a few of the common challenges, we’ve listed some pertinent questions, along with answers that should help you make a decision that’s right for you, the patient. The three main areas of concern seem to be:
- cost
- immediate appearance
- long-term appearance and possible side-effects
Within these three areas, we have isolated three common questions, starting with the inevitable question of finance.
How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?
Dr. Bustillo is more expensive than many surgeons, but not as expensive as others. However, before shopping around, it is worth making sure that you understand where the money is being invested.
For example, Dr. Bustillo is a firm believer in appropriate patient care for elective procedures. This means taking as few risks as possible, and as a consequence, he only works with board-certified anesthesiologists, rather than nurse anesthetics.
In addition, he uses advanced computer imaging and other related techniques to make sure that the surgical plan he presents to his patients closely matches their desired outcome and the actual outcome. Less expensive procedures may be performed on the basis of a smaller investment in the preparatory part of the process, which will usually lead to a less convincing, natural and functional result.
For some patients, funding through their health insurance may be a way to offset some of the cost. However this would need to be investigated by the patient separately prior to making the first trip to Dr. Bustillo’s surgery.
The next question concerns the immediate appearance of the nose following surgery.
Where Are the Stitches Located in Rhinoplasty Surgery?
This question has two answers, depending on the approach used by Dr. Bustillo to correct the form and function of the nose. These approaches are known as “open” and “closed” rhinoplasties, and are a source of almost endless debate between surgeons. Some people believe that a closed rhinoplasty is better as it hides all of the scars inside the nose. Others believe that the modest and almost invisible columella scar is worth the ease of access given by the open approach.
The truth of the matter is that a skilled surgeon will use the folds of skin and natural contours of your nose to mask scarring. If you have any doubts about how this might affect the end result, we would encourage you to take a look at the rhinoplasty photo gallery, where you will see many examples of Dr. Bustillo’s skill at work.
As for which approach is better, Dr. Bustillo is very clear:
“One approach is not better than the other. They are different and each one is used for different types of noses. Having the operation performed in one way does not guarantee a better result … I perform both the open and closed approaches, depending on the nose.”
In short, Dr. Bustillo will choose the approach that he feels will best benefit the patient, and use his skill and experience to, as far as possible, reduce the appearance of scars and secondary effects.
Will My Rhinoplasty Affect My Ability to Smile?
The short answer to this is that, under normal circumstances, the patient’s ability to smile will not be adversely affected in the long term. In the short term, localized bruising and swelling may make it uncomfortable or difficult, but this will pass and the upper lip returned to normal after the recovery period.
Some people find that their smile changes very slightly as a result of the surgery, and there are also other aspects of the shape of their face which may also change at the same time. All of these possible secondary effects will be explained by Dr. Bustillo during the consultation process.
Patients are also encouraged to ask Dr. Bustillo; he is both a master of communication, investing a considerable amount of time in teaching and educating people in the art and science of plastic surgery, and a very approachable professional. Rest assured he will answer questions with the confidence that comes from many years of experience and plenty of extremely satisfied customers.
His Miami-based practice can be contacted at 305-663-3380, or via the website. It is common to start with an initial consultation to ascertain the patient’s goals, and whether they are a good fit for rhinoplasty, as well as ensure that both parties agree on the likely outcome — a step that helps to make sure that Dr. Bustillo’s patients continue to vote him one of the best plastic surgeons in his field.