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Dallas African American Rhinoplasty

Since the nose is one of the most prominent features of the face, people tend to pay a lot of attention to its characteristics. People of different ethnicities have unique characteristics. Usually, nose characteristics directly link to an individual’s ethnic origin, with the term ethnic describing any individual who is not of Caucasian descent. For example, people of African descent tend to have nose characteristics that lack balance. When the size and shape of the nose are unbalanced, the nose may appear too narrow, flat, too wide, bumpy or bulbous. Dr. Huay-Zong Law, who is the founder of Law Plastic Surgery in Dallas, helps men and women of African descent attain the nose characteristics they desire with an African American rhinoplasty (aka nose-reshaping procedure).

Dr. Huay-Zong Law is a Plastic Surgeon in Dallas with Experience Performing Rhinoplasty Procedures for African Americans

As more and more people of different ethnicities seek the assistance of plastic surgeons to modify their facial features and nose characteristics, recognizing the differences between the cartilage, bone and skin of each ethnicity is vital. Dr. Law recognizes these differences and keeps them in mind as he creates surgical procedure plans for his patients whose ancestors originate from Africa. In addition, Dr. Huay-Zong Law understands that the majority of his patients would like to keep certain characteristics that are unique to their ethnicity. Dr. Law’s extensive experience performing ethnic nose-reshaping procedures allows him to make the changes a patient desires without affecting the characteristics he or she would like to keep.

Understanding African American Nose Characteristics

The nose characteristics that Americans of African descent inherit vary greatly. To some extent, these differences can be attributed to their ancestors’ country of origin. For example, Ethiopian nose characteristics vary from the characteristics of someone with ancestors from Nigeria. Moreover, according to geneticists, the number of nose characteristic variations continues to increase as individuals from around the globe meet and start families, diversifying the gene pool even more.

Patient Requirements for an Ethnic Rhinoplasty in Dallas

Individuals who are considering nose-reshaping surgery of any kind must have fully grown facial features. For females, facial growth is typically complete by the time she reaches the age of 15. Male facial growth generally takes longer, but is usually complete once he turns 17. That said, waiting too long to address nose characteristics related to ethnicity could result in a longer recovery period and negatively affect the final results. For this reason, Dr. Law recommends that individuals have their rhinoplasty procedure before reaching 40 years of age.

Since nicotine can negatively affect the healing process, an individual who wants to have a nose-reshaping procedure must not use products that contain nicotine (e.g., e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, traditional cigarettes). He or she must also be in good health.

Ethnic rhinoplasty candidates need to have realistic expectations related to what Dr. Huay-Zong Law can accomplish with this nose-reshaping procedure.

Who Should Consider Having an Ethnic Rhinoplasty in Dallas?

Individuals who would like a board-certified, skilled and highly experienced plastic surgeon to address certain nose characteristics that are related to their ethnicity should consider making an appointment with Dr. Law.

Why Does the Plastic Surgeon Performing an African American Rhinoplasty Need To Be Experienced?

The facial characteristics of a Caucasian patient differ greatly from those of an ethnic patient. These differences must be considered while creating a patient’s surgical plan. If the surgeon disregards these differences, the patient may experience complications (e.g., breathing problems) and need to have a revision.

Breathing Problems Can Occur Due To the Structure of the Nose

A swollen nasal turbinate (aka nasal concha) or a deviated septum can make it difficult to breathe.

The Role of the Turbinates

The turbinates can be found within the nasal passages on each side of the nose. The shell-shaped network of tissues, vessels and bones that make up the turbinates are responsible for warming, humidifying and filtering the air as an individual breathes in. However, the nasal turbinates can become swollen, which negatively affects an individual’s ability to breathe freely. Many times, this inflammation occurs due to environmental allergies, a nasal infection or irritation. In addition, inflammation triggers extra mucous production, which leads to nasal congestion.

The Nasal Septum

The septum is the piece of bone and cartilage that separates the nasal cavities from one another. If the position of the septum changes (e.g., is crooked or off center), it can cause an obstruction that makes breathing a challenge. Dr. Law can correct a deviated septum and reshape the nose with a septorhinoplasty procedure.

The symptoms associated with a deviated nasal septum include:

  • Headaches.
  • Nosebleeds.
  • Snoring.
  • Chronic sinus infections.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Facial pain.
  • Postnasal drip.
  • Loud breathing.

Causes of a deviated nasal septum include:

  • A nose injury.
  • Genetics.

Although health insurance does not cover an aesthetic rhinoplasty, if an individual is having difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum, health insurance usually covers a portion of the charges related to this part of the septorhinoplasty procedure. However, to receive these insurance benefits, the patient must follow the stipulations set forth by his or her health insurance company (e.g., a letter of medical necessity).

During an African American Rhinoplasty, Dr. Law can Address Certain Ethnic Characteristics

Since Dr. Huay-Zong Law has experience performing ethnic rhinoplasty procedures, including the African American version, as well as septorhinoplasty procedures, he can address a variety of issues affecting the visual and functional aspects of the nose.

During an African American rhinoplasty in Dallas, Dr. Law can make the following changes to a patient’s nose:

An Increase in the Projection of the Nose

Dr. Huay-Zong Law can use the patient’s cartilage to make the physical size of his or her nose larger. He usually harvests this cartilage from the patient’s nasal septum or ear.

By adding the cartilage he harvests to the flatter areas of the underlying nose structure, Dr. Law makes the patient’s nose project more (i.e., stick out farther) from the face. This additional projection gives the patient a nose that is more elegant and narrow, which improves facial harmony.

A Narrower Nose Tip

Dr. Huay-Zong Law can create softer lines or add definition to the areas of the patient’s nose where the bridge and nares meet to create an optical illusion that causes the patient’s nose tip to appear narrower.

Define Certain Areas of the Nose

Making subtle changes to the characteristics of a patient’s nose without the addition or subtraction of biological material is possible. Dr. Law accomplishes this by making changes to the definition and the angles at particular locations on the patient’s nose. By making these changes, Dr. Huay-Zong Law provides the patient with a proportionately balanced nose.

African American Nose Characteristics that Dr. Law Frequently Addresses with a Nose-Reshaping Procedure in Dallas

Many patients who have ancestors from Africa ask Dr. Huay-Zong Law to give their nasal tip more definition, to increase their nasal bridge and to perform nostril-reduction surgery.

The thick skin and weak internal structures that people of African descent inherit tend to create a nose tip that is less defined, as well as broader and flatter than many African Americans desire. At Law Plastic Surgery in Dallas, Dr. Law creates his African American patients personalized surgical plans. He uses the patient’s customized surgical plan to address the ethnic nose characteristics that he or she does not want.

Alar Base Reduction (aka Nasal Reduction)

Reducing the size of a patient’s alar base is a complex procedure that usually requires an external incision; therefore, the plastic surgeon performing a nasal reduction procedure must have experience, as well as impeccable skills in this area. By reducing the size of the alar base, Dr. Huay-Zong Law improves the balance between the patient’s nose and the rest of his or her face.

Defining the Nasal Tip

Many individuals of African descent have underlying structural support or lower lateral cartilages that are soft. Since there is no way for Dr. Law to decrease the thickness of the skin, he needs to make new angles and define the nose to balance its overall shape. Often times, just by increasing the support of the nose, the patient’s nasal tip appears more defined. By making these changes, Dr. Huay-Zong Law creates an optical illusion that successfully produces the desired result. Additionally, by using this technique, he avoids making drastic changes to the sensitive tissue within the tip of the patient’s nose.

What To Expect During an African American Rhinoplasty in Dallas: An Overview

An African American nose-reshaping procedure usually lasts from one to three hours.

Dr. Law can use one of two rhinoplasty techniques, the open or the closed version. Both of these procedures are outpatient, which means the patient returns home after surgery.

An African American nose-reshaping procedure may be performed with the patient sound asleep under general anesthesia or lightly asleep with IV sedation and local anesthesia.

Dr. Huay-Zong Law often uses the open approach for patients who require cartilage grafting. The open approach provides him with the best visualization and the most access to the internal areas of the patient’s nose.

Open and Closed African American Rhinoplasty Procedures in Dallas

While performing an open rhinoplasty, Dr. Law creates a V-shaped or stair-step incision along the narrow strip of skin that separates the nostrils (i.e., columella).

When Dr. Huay-Zong Law performs a closed rhinoplasty procedure, he creates an incision within each of the patient’s nostrils. Plastic surgeons use the stair-step and V-shaped incisions because as time passes, the scars these incisions leave behind become less and less visible.

Following incision creation:

Dr. Law lifts the skin. By gently lifting the skin, he can access the interior of the patient’s nose.

Dr. Huay-Zong Law carefully sculpts the bone and cartilage, creating the shape his patient desires.

When a patient needs cartilage added to raise the bridge of the nose, Dr. Law frequently harvests it from the patient’s nasal septum or ear.

Dr. Huay-Zong Law adjusts the inner structures of the patient’s nose, as well as his or her septum (if necessary) to improve the patient’s ability to breathe.

After making these changes, he redrapes the tissues and then stitches the incisions closed.

If Dr. Law needs to reshape the patient’s nostrils, he performs this part of the procedure last.

What Patients can Expect as They Recover Following an African American Rhinoplasty

The recovery experience a patient has depends on the extent of his or her procedure, however, inflammation and bruising of the eye area and the nose is common. The amount of bruising and inflammation a patient experiences depends on his or her specific anatomy. The majority of Dr. Huay-Zong Law’s patients return to their daily activities within three weeks of their nose-reshaping procedure.

Patients may receive a splint, which remains in place for the first week of recovery. Once Dr. Law removes the splint, the patient may need to wear tape during the second week of recovery.

For the most part, patients should expect to have nasal congestion and feel somewhat uncomfortable. This congestion and uncomfortable feeling should dissipate by the end of the first week.

Although patients look relatively normal within a week or two of their surgery, some inflammation may linger for up to 12 months.

Upon removal of the splint and tape, patients will notice some visible changes, however, since individuals of African descent have thicker skin, it can take up to a year for many of the patient’s nose-reshaping results to become evident.

Patients who receive nasal packing and splints will keep these items in place for a few days after surgery. These items can cause the nose to bleed and drain. In addition, the patient may experience a dull headache and nasal pain.

Most of Dr. Huay-Zong Law’s rhinoplasty patients feel more like themselves about a week after surgery.

Strenuous activities, including exercises, need to be discontinued for at least four weeks, but up to six weeks after surgery.

Tips for Decreasing Inflammation and Bleeding

Dr. Law advises his nose-reshaping patients to follow the post-surgical directives listed below.

Post-Surgical directives include:

  • Refraining from blowing their nose.
  • Taking a bath instead of a shower.
  • Limiting their consumption of salt.
  • Avoiding strenuous activities.
  • Brushing their teeth gently with a manual toothbrush.
  • Refraining from making exaggerated facial expressions.
  • Using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
  • Avoiding constipation.

In addition, patients should avoid the use of ice packs as well as refrain from pulling their clothing over their head. Furthermore, patients need to follow Dr. Huay-Zong Law’s instructions regarding taping their nose during the recovery process.

Seeing the Results of an African American Nose-Reshaping Procedure in Dallas

When measuring the size of the nose following surgery and comparing the results to their pre-surgical measurements, there is very little difference between the two. Even so, the amount of improvement can be dramatic. The subtle changes achieved during an ethnic rhinoplasty result from the various angles and proportions that Dr. Law creates to de-emphasize the areas of the patient’s nose that he or she dislikes.

An Appointment with Dr. Huay-Zong Law To Learn More About the Ethnic Nose-Reshaping Procedure

Dr. Law encourages his patients to bring in photos of individuals who have a nose similar to the nose that he or she desires. While this photo is a great reference for Dr. Huay-Zong Law, each person has a unique face. Therefore, creating a nose identical to that of the person in the photo may not be possible, however, Dr. Law can usually incorporate certain aspects of the nose in the photo to the patient’s final result.

Patients need to give Dr. Huay-Zong Law their complete medical history.

Medical information should include:

  • Previous surgical procedures.
  • Chronic health conditions.
  • Herbs they take regularly.
  • Current medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter.
  • Vitamins taken regularly.
  • Previous injuries to their nose or nasal obstructions.

Once Dr. Law understands the changes the patient would like him to make with nose-reshaping surgery, he examines the patient’s facial features, as well as the inside and outside of his or her nose.

The Importance of the Facial Examination

During the patient’s facial examination, Dr. Law determines how the physical features of the nose could affect the results. These features include the strength of the cartilage at the tip of the nose as well as the thickness of the skin. Moreover, the facial examination allows Dr. Huay-Zong Law to determine if the patient is experiencing difficulty breathing due to nasal issues.

Once the examination is complete, Dr. Law makes his recommendation and discusses what he can accomplish for the patient with a nose-reshaping procedure in Dallas.

If the patient decides to move forward with a nose-reshaping procedure, Dr. Law may take a variety of measurements. In addition, he or one of his assistants takes photos of the patient’s nose and face from different angles. Patients wearing makeup will need to remove it before the taking of these photos.

The measurements and photos provide the information Dr. Huay-Zong Law needs to create the patient’s personalized surgical plan. The photos also provide a way for Dr. Law to compare the patient’s pre-surgical nose to his or her postsurgical results.

Preparing for an African American Rhinoplasty with Dr. Huay-Zong Law in Dallas

Some patients will need to have pre-surgical testing before their nose-reshaping procedure. These tests must be complete no later than a week before surgery. Patients who neglect to complete their testing in time need to reschedule their nose-reshaping procedure.

Patients need to decrease or discontinue taking certain medications, herbs and vitamins for 10 days before and 10 days after their African American rhinoplasty in Dallas

Medications to discontinue include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Motrin. Patients who need to take medication for pain during this time can use acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol).

Medications to decrease or discontinue include prescription blood thinners (e.g., Coumadin). Nonetheless, patients must never stop or decrease their prescription medications, or medicines a doctor recommends, without first speaking with their physician.

Herbal supplements to stop using during this time include Kava Kava, Ginkgo Biloba and St. John’s Wort.

Vitamins the patient needs to discontinue for this timeframe include vitamins E and K.

Four weeks before and four weeks after surgery

Avoid using or exposing oneself to products that contain nicotine. Nicotine causes blood vessels to contract, which slows circulation, inhibiting the body’s ability to heal itself. By slowing circulation, patients place themselves at a greater risk of experiencing open wounds, infection and skin death.

At least two days before and after surgery

Since alcohol increases inflammation, alcohol consumption should be avoided for at least two days before and two days after any surgical procedure. Avoiding these beverages is important because swelling increases the level of pain a patient experiences.

Be candid about recreational drug use

Patients who participate in recreational drug use need to let Dr. Law know which recreational drugs they take, as well as how much and how often. This information is crucial to ensure the patient’s safety while he or she is receiving medication during and after surgery. All the information the patient provides is private and remains in his or her medical file.

For a month following surgery, the patient needs to keep his or her eyeglasses off the bridge of the nose

Patients who wear eyeglasses must not wear them on the bridge of their nose for about a month. Following this requirement is essential because placing pressure on the nose as it heals negatively affects the results of the nose-reshaping procedure. During this month, patients need to wear contacts or purchase a rhinoplasty eyeglass holder to keep their eyeglasses securely in place above the nose.

Patients must avoid driving for 24 hours after surgery

The medications that a patient receives during a surgical procedure can slow his or her reaction time, which is why individuals are not permitted to drive within 24 hours of receiving anesthesia. Therefore, patients need to ask someone they trust to drive them to and then home from their nose-reshaping procedure in Dallas. Patients neglecting to arrive with a driver will have to reschedule.

Law Plastic Surgery’s policy on for-hire transportation

Dr. Law wants to protect his patients from becoming the victims of individuals with nefarious intentions. For this reason, there is a strict policy against the use of for-hire transportation following any procedure that requires twilight sedation or general anesthesia.

After surgery, patients need a caregiver for at least 24 hours

Dr. Huay-Zong Law would like his patients to have a caregiver present from 48 to 72 hours after surgery; however, he realizes that this can be a difficult task. Therefore, he requests that his patients have someone they trust remain with them for at least 24 hours after their African American rhinoplasty in Dallas.

Risks Associated with an African American Rhinoplasty

Although possible, complications are rare following a nose-reshaping procedure with a board-certified, highly experienced plastic surgeon in Dallas.

General surgical risks include an adverse reaction to the products used during surgery, including anesthesia, as well as the potential for the development of an infection.

Specific risks related to a rhinoplasty include:

  • Trouble breathing through the nostrils.
  • Recurrent nosebleeds.
  • Chronic pain.
  • Visible scarring.
  • Skin discoloration on the nose.
  • Perpetual numbness around or inside the nose.
  • Damage to the nasal septum.
  • Discontentment with the results.

Patients who are unhappy with the results of their African American rhinoplasty may decide to have a revision rhinoplasty at some point following recovery.

How Much is an African American Nose-Reshaping Procedure in Dallas?

Everyone is unique, therefore, to determine the cost of an individual’s rhinoplasty procedure, he or she needs to make an appointment at Law Plastic Surgery. Following the initial consultation, Dr. Law can provide an estimate as to how much an individual’s nose-reshaping procedure in Dallas costs.

Will Insurance Help Pay for an African American Rhinoplasty?

Although health insurance will not cover a nose-reshaping procedure, if a patient is experiencing breathing difficulties due to an obstruction, Dr. Huay-Zong Law can perform a septorhinoplasty. An individual’s health insurance company will usually cover some costs associated with a septorhinoplasty because an obstruction is a functional issue, not a cosmetic one.

Dr. Huay-Zong Law is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas who is highly skilled in performing plastic surgery procedures for men and women of different ethnicities, as well as for Caucasians. His experience, surgical skill and artistic vision make him the ideal surgeon for those in and around Dallas who are seeking an African American rhinoplasty. To schedule an appointment with a top-rated, board-certified plastic surgeon, please call 972.331.1900. Law Plastic Surgery’s address is 7777 Forest Lane, Suite C-258, in Dallas.

 

 

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