Let’s Talk Rhinoplasties
You may have been desiring to change the shape of your nose for quite some time, or maybe you’re just starting your research. Whichever category you fall into, it’s important to know exactly what to look for when trying to find the best plastic surgeon for YOU because not all rhinoplasty procedures or surgeons are created equally. Dr. BYUN always says that the Best Rhinoplasty makes one’s nose “disappear into their face.” Meaning, your nose should ultimately fit your face and onlookers should see your pretty eyes and face, not your nose.
How to Select the Best Surgeon for YOU
- Seek out a Board–Certified Plastic Surgeon.
ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) doctors are good with airway and sinus surgeries, but they lack understanding of cosmetic, reconstructive and functional rhinoplasties.
General surgeons are trained in many areas, but aren’t as familiar with where function meets aesthetic excellence, especially for rhinoplasty procedures. - It’s very important to be evaluated by a plastic surgeon who does cosmetic rhinoplasties, reconstructive rhinoplasties and functional rhinoplasties. The pool of surgeons that can satisfy all of these areas is very limited.
- Pediatric plastic surgeons are not well suited to perform Adult cosmetic rhinoplasties.
- Dr. BYUN is a firm believer in a “ONE and DONE” for rhinoplasty procedures. It’s very important to ask your prospective surgeon about their re-do / revision rates.
- Look at before and after photos for every surgeon you’re considering. Give them extra credit if they’re able to show you LONG TERM after photos. Many don’t have them because a lot of noses don’t age well.
6 Signs of a BAD Rhinoplasty
Below are 6 common signs of a bad rhinoplasty.
- SCARS: Look at the bottom of the nose where it meets the upper lip (columella base), can you see a scar? Because we are constantly using our upper lip to talk, eat, kiss, etc., this scar can become quite large and stretch out overtime. Dr. BYUN leaves no visible scar behind due to his closed rhinoplasty technique. The Closed Technique will LESSEN THE CHANCES FOR: infection, trauma to the nose and other surrounding structures, major shifts in swelling and tissue changes later in the healing process.
- PLUNGING TIP: Say ‘cheese’. Does the tip of the nose plunge down when smiling, because it shouldn’t! Many surgeons just shave the top of the nose, creating a weak tip and a ‘bird’s beak’ when smiling.
- RIB CARTILAGE: Dr. BYUN avoids the use of rib cartilage because of its tendency to ‘warp’ like the shape of the letter ‘C’. This can happen right away or many years down the road.
- NUMBER OF INCISIONS: There should only be one small scar in the nostril to get inside of the nose. Any other incisions are a nono. Many surgeons will make additional scars for alar reductions. Due to the natural curvature of where the sides of the nose meet the face, no man-made scar will ever perfectly mimic the God given curvature, and will thus look unnatural. Dr. BYUN is able to perform alar reductions from the inside, meaning no additional scars and the natural curvature remains original.
- TIP RHINO ONLY: There is no such thing as just a tip rhinoplasty since the tip (lower lateral cartilage) is resting on the septum and is connected to the upper lateral cartilage. The whole nose (pyramid if you will), should be miniaturized when you reduce the tip. Just like a pyramid, all sides must be touched and minimized in order to properly and proportionately reduce the size of the nose. Reducing the external size should also be accompanied by reducing the internal size so that excessive crowding doesn’t result.
- EXCESSIVE INTERNAL REDUCTION: When the external nose size is reduced, the internal airway passage inevitably becomes more crowded. Breathing becomes more difficult and other problems can result. Most surgeons know this and end up taking out excessive amounts of internal tissues and important structures such as turbinates, bone, septum and other cartilage. However, these internal structures are both structurally and functionally necessary! Reducing the size while still keeping these important structures is what separates a bad rhinoplasty from a good rhinoplasty. Dr. BYUN utilizes a Tissue Sparing and Preservation Technique so that these important structures are minimally reduced yet mostly preserved and not destroyed.
Meet Dr. Michael BYUN
With over 25 years of excellence as a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. BYUN has been incorporating his experience as a craniofacial trauma surgeon into his work, and is considered a global expert and leader in facial enhancement procedures.
Due to Dr. BYUN’s craniofacial trauma experience, he is well versed in facial bone reconstruction, complex nasal fractures, airway related surgeries and cosmetic rhinoplasties. He serves both a pediatric and adult population. As a leading cosmetic rhinoplasty surgeon, Dr. BYUN performs the entire rhinoplasty with endo nasal incisions using a closed technique, meaning no visible scars! He utilizes an endoscope (small camera) to visualize all of the internal structures of the nose and perform his preservation technique. He does NOT cut at the base of the nose nor flip the skin up and off because doing so causes excessive swelling, trauma and rounding of the tip. Dr. BYUN is proud of his long-term rhinoplasty results and with him as your surgeon, you can bet on a “One and Done”.
Every case is unique and requires an assessment and plan by an expert like Dr. BYUN. He meticulously customizes all rhinoplasties based on multiple factors including the patient’s anatomy, surgical history, airway function and goals. During a consultation, you will learn so much about what to do, what NOT to do and which procedure is right for YOU.
Wanting more information or to book a consultation? A knowledgeable member of the BYUN Team is available to speak with you. Call our office today – (847)513-6899.
