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Rhinoplasty surgery is an art! The board-certified plastic surgeon must be an artist.
The nose is the most central and, therefore, the most dominant feature of the face. It frequently determines the overall balance and “character” of the facial appearance. Achieving a nasal appearance that still looks natural and blends with your other features is the ultimate goal of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sarraga’s Scarless Rhinoplasty surgery. Of course, the function of the nose and nasal airway must also always be a major priority with considering any nasal surgery. Dr. Sarraga will carefully examine, analyze, and consider the internal nasal anatomy and function, as well as the external appearance of the nose and other facial features, as part of every rhinoplasty consultation and operation. The ultimate goal of any rhinoplasty is to achieve an attractive, natural nasal appearance that is in balance and harmony with the other facial features, while always maintaining or achieving normal and comfortable nasal airway function. A Scarless Rhinoplasty goes one step further by avoiding the incisions on the outside of the nose.
RHINOPLASTY CONSULTATION
During the rhinoplasty consultation, Dr. Sarraga will listen to your own personal objectives and concerns. The doctor will then examine and evaluate the nasal anatomy (both external and internal) and your overall facial proportions. Dr. Sarraga will then discuss his thoughts, recommendations, and whether or not you are a good candidate for rhinoplasty. All of your own thoughts and concerns will be discussed during the rhinoplasty consultation, and all of your questions will be fully answered. In this way, you can feel knowledgeable and comfortable as you consider your rhinoplasty treatment options.
ANDRÉS SÁRRAGA MD FACS
DOUBLE BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
Dr. Sárraga was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where he spent most of his life. He decided at a very early age to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and pursue a career in the art of medicine and surgery. Dr. Sárraga has been featured in several publications including Aventura Magazine™ and Healthy Valley® Magazine where he has discussed procedures including Facial Rejuvenation and Breast Surgery. Dr. Sárraga has been awarded one of Castle Connolly’s top doctors in Miami for the last 5 years. He has also been featured with his friend and mentor Dr. Storch. Since Dr. Storch’s retirement, Dr. Sárraga now runs ARTIS Institute Plastic Surgery as a single practitioner.
MEET DR. SÁRRAGA
SCARLESS RHINOPLASTY SURGERY
Scarless Rhinoplasty Incisions
The Scarless rhinoplasty surgery is generally done with the patient asleep. When nasal airway function is involved, general anesthesia is almost always used. Dr. Sarraga feels that this provides a level of increased safety, comfort, and control during the surgery. The rhinoplasty surgery is generally performed with the doctor in our fully certified accredited office surgical facility. It can also be done in the adjacent Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. Rhinoplasty procedures are frequently done on an outpatient basis, though the option for recovery in our very comfortable, certified office overnight facility (accompanied by our experienced registered nurse and medical aide) is also available for anyone who might prefer this option for the first night following the surgery.
Scarless Rhinoplasty Incisions
Regarding the specific surgical rhinoplasty techniques used, Dr. Sarraga almost always prefers the closed rhinoplasty approach ie the Scarless Rhinoplasty. This technique, in contrast to the open rhinoplasty technique (which is used by most rhinoplasty surgeons), avoids any incision or scar across the under surface of the nose, on the skin between the nostrils. This area is known as the columella.
In the Scarless Rhinoplasty technique, which Dr. Sarraga skillfully uses, the surgery is done through the nostrils. There is never an incision across the columella. This “closed” approach requires the use of many very specialized instruments and specific techniques. That way he preserves the integrity of the skin and soft tissues thereby removing obvious tell-tale signs of surgery.
Through these carefully planned and controlled incisions Dr. Sarraga can access the structures to be modified inside the nose. The nasal cartilages are separated, isolated and modified depending on the changes proposed. Sometimes cartilage may be added to certain areas of the nose (e.g. the tip, base of the nose, dorsum) to create the accents of the nose or to structurally support it. The grafted cartilage can be taken from areas already being reduced in the nose or from the nasal septum. In most cases after the changes are done to the nose cartilage the nasal bones are contoured through hidden incisions inside the nose to “close” and reform the new nasal pyramid.
Dr. Sarraga feels that by using the Scarless rhinoplasty technique he can improve the final appearance of the nose, reduce post-operative swelling, help speed recovery, and avoid the possibility of the patient healing with a permanent visible scar across the columella on the under surface of the nose.
Frequently, as one of the final refinements performed during the surgery, a very small incision may be made in the area of the side crease of the nostrils. This allows Dr. Sarraga to reshape, reduce, and contour the nostrils to help ensure an ideal proportion and balance to the overall “finished” nasal appearance. This step will help prevent the nostrils from appearing too large, too flared, or too visible in the final healed appearance of the nose.
At the end of the Scarless Rhinoplasty surgery, the nose is generally dressed with an external splint that Dr. Sarraga molds personally to fit your new nose shape. This splint is held in place with a few small strips of adhesive tape. There is also generally a type of packing or stent placed inside the nose. This is done to help keep the nasal airway open during the healing process. This soft type packing or stent has a small soft straw or tube type structure incorporated into it. This is designed to allow some air to pass through the packing or stent even while it is in place. This, in turn, allows some nasal air flow and breathing through the nose even while the soft tubes or packing remains inside the nose. At the completion of the surgery a small gauze pad, or drip pad, is placed just under the nostrils on the under surface of the nose. This is done in order to prevent any dripping or slight bleeding that is very common during the first day or two after the surgery.
Each patient is generally then checked the very next day by Dr. Sarraga. Of course, the doctor and our experienced nursing staff are always available for any questions or concerns that might arise at any time after or before the rhinoplasty procedure.
RHINOPLASTY RECOVERY
As previously stated, the surgery may be performed in our office O.R., or in the Aventura Hospital, located immediately next door. The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, or our patients can choose to remain in our comfortable office overnight recovery facility (or in the Aventura Hospital). When remaining in our office facility overnight, our experienced private duty nurses provide whatever care or “pampering”, the patient may need.
The outer bandage or splint is generally removed a week after the surgery. The internal soft stent or tubes are generally removed between the fourth and tenth day after the surgery. This depends largely on the amount of internal nasal surgery that had to be done for any functional nasal airway problems.
There are always varying degrees of discomfort, swelling, and bruising that occur following the surgery. Medications are prescribed for you before your nasal surgery so that you can have them available to take immediately after the procedure. These medications will help relieve any pain or discomfort you may experience. The medications prescribed will also help reduce the swelling, bruising, and congestion that frequently develop. The swelling and bruising generally subside rather quickly following the surgery, and most patients are able to go out without it being obvious they have had recent surgery after approximately 10 days. Complete healing can take several months, or even up to a year. (All of these factors will, of course, be reviewed and discussed again during your consultation. Dr. Sarraga believes that nasal surgery is frequently amongst the most rewarding of all of the plastic surgical procedures, for both the patient and for himself.)
SCARLESS RHINOPLASTY RESULTS
Initial swelling will subside within a few weeks. After nose surgery, it can take up to a year for your nose to fully refine and set. The great thing about a rhinoplasty procedure is that the results are long-lasting and are typically permanent. A healthy diet, lifestyle, and proper sun protection will help maintain the results from your rhinoplasty procedure.
For more information on rhinoplasty surgery or cost, please call our office to have a consultation with board-certified surgeon Dr. Sarraga or for any other information. Patients can also visit our plastic and cosmetic surgery office located in Aventura, North Miami Beach, Florida (FL), conveniently near the Miami area!
“This is the place!”
Exceptional experience. Dr Sarraga is very knowledgeable and professional. The nurses are caring and so nice. This is the place!
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