Frequently Asked Questions:
Nasal Surgery
Nasal Surgery Recovery/Rhinoplasty Recovery
1. Is cosmetic nasal surgery painful?
No. Rhinoplasty recovery is a simple process. As we do not pack your nose after nose surgery, the great majority of our patients do not have pain after rhinoplasty. Many patients feel mild fullness or tightness from the swelling but not pain.
2. When will I be able to return to normal activities after cosmetic nose surgery?
All of the tapes are removed 1 week after surgery during your rhinoplasty recovery period. Most patients are able to return to work at that time. Any minimal bruising during nose surgery recovery can be easily covered with makeup. Strenuous activity such as exercise after your rhinoplasty surgery is usually resumed 2 weeks into the recovery.
3. Where will my nose surgery be performed?
We perform our cosmetic nasal surgery in our JCAHO accredited operating room under the anesthesia care of board-certified anesthesiologists.
4. Is there any nasal packing after surgery?
We do not pack the nose after rhinoplasty thus reducing the discomfort.
5. How soon after nose surgery will my rhinoplasty before and after photo be taken?
We routinely take your rhinoplasty before and after picture 3 months after the nasal surgery. The rhinoplasty photo is an important part of the 3 month visit to the Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery Institute. At that time the before after nose surgery photographs will be analyzed by the physician and the patient.
Preparing For Nose Surgery
1. How do I prepare for my nose surgery?
We will provide all of your preoperative and postoperative instructions prior to your rhinoplasty. We will ask you to stop certain vitamins, herbs and medications including aspirin and ibuprofen among others. Nose surgery recovery is shortened if patients follow our very specific instructions.
2. Do I have to obtain a medical clearance prior to my nose surgery?
We ask all of our patients over 18 years old or those under 18 with medical problems to obtain a medical clearance from their primary medical doctor before nose surgery. Any patient undergoing rhinoplasty over the age of 40 also needs an EKG by their medical doctor.
Nasal Surgery Risks and Complications
1. What are the risks of undergoing nose surgery?
As with any other surgical procedure, regardless of how small, there are some potential risks regarding nose surgery. Dr. Garcia will review all of the risks and potential complications of rhinoplasty at the time of your consultation.
2. Are there any anesthesia risks during rhinoplasty?
Our rhinoplasty surgery is performed under "twilight" anesthesia not general anesthesia. This means that during your nose surgery, you will breathe on your own without the assistance of a machine. Very importantly however, you will not "wake up" during your nose operation. Also importantly, you will not have any pain during your nose surgery and you will not remember any part of the rhinoplasty.
Cost of Rhinoplasty
1. What is the cost of rhinoplasty?
The average cost of rhinoplasty varies from one community to the other with some small variations. Factors such as the facility where the rhinoplasty will be performed, type of anesthesia and other issues come to bear on the final cost of the nasal surgery. Jacksonville rhinoplasty varies in price range according to these factors. Sometimes, insurance companies can offset the cost of rhinoplasty when certain mitigating circumstances are present.
2. How does cost contribute to the best nose job surgery results?
In order for you to obtain great rhinoplasty results, the cost of rhinoplasty should not be the only determining factor. Look at the surgeon's before after rhinoplasty photographs and look for the word of mouth.
Ethnic Rhinoplasty
1. Do you perform African American rhinoplasty or Asian rhinoplasty?
Yes. Both Drs Garcia routinely perform African American rhinoplasty as well as Asian American rhinoplasty.
2. What are the main goals and limitations of African American rhinoplasty or Asian American rhinoplasty?
As ethical rhinoplasty specialists, we cannot change the apparent ethnicity of our patients with ethnic rhinoplasty. We strive to refine and improve the nose of our patients but very importantly, we improve the balance of the nose by doing so. There are limitations in the cartilage and bone of many patients that do not realistically allow large, dramatic changes in the face. Remember, the goal of African American rhinoplasty or Asian American rhinoplasty is to refine, project and narrow the nose.
About Jacksonville Rhinoplasty/About Florida Rhinoplasty
1. How do I know who is the best surgeon for my nose job in Jacksonville?
The best rhinoplasty specialist in Florida and the best rhinoplasty surgeon in Jacksonville is one who performs the operation routinely in his practice. Remember, facial plastic surgery is the specialty that allows rhinoplasty surgeons to focus their talents only on the face. If a patient is looking for Florida rhinoplasty specialists, look for a facial plastic surgeon that will perform your procedure in the context of form and function.
2. Do you make accommodations for Florida rhinoplasty patients from out of town?
Our recovery cottages can accommodate patients interested in rhinoplasty from any part of Florida, or the world.
Best Candidate for Nose Surgery
1. How do I know if I am a good candidate to have nasal surgery?
The best candidate for nose surgery or rhinoplasty is one who is interested in changing the shape of his/her nose in a way that improves the balance of the face. We cannot perform nose surgery on patients that would like their rhinoplasty to alter their appearance in an overly dramatic fashion. The ideal nose surgery patient is also motivated and prepared for their short but necessary rhinoplasty recovery.