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What is Rhinoplasty? Rhinoplasty is the surgical manipulation of the bone, cartilage, skin and soft tissue of the nose in an effort to make the physical appearance of the nose more pleasing. Nasal surgeries can be divided into two groups: functional (correcting breathing problems), and cosmetic (correcting aesthetic problems). Functional problems such as nasoseptal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, and middle-vault collapse are all examples of mechanical obstruction to one’s breathing. This category is usually insurance reimbursable, and can also be handled at the same time that cosmetic changes are made. Aesthetic problems are many; however, some of the most common are a hump or bump of the nose, a bulbous, globular ill-defined tip, a plunging tip that becomes pronounced upon smiling, a too-wide or too-flat bridge, nostrils that are too big, small, or wide, or a nose with too much or too little projection. Aesthetic Rhinoplasty can be performed either in a closed manner, where there are no external incisions made to the nose, or in an open fashion, where small incisions at the nasal base are sometimes needed to correct the most difficult problems. Primary “virgin” Rhinoplasties can most often be performed using the closed approach. Secondary and tertiary Rhinoplasties, where sophisticated grafting and manipulation might be necessary because of complex prior problems, are sometimes corrected using the open approach. Complex secondary and tertiary Rhinoplasties are one of Dr. Weintraub’s favorite procedures, as they are one of the most difficult. Many patients seek his help in correcting prior Rhinoplasties when they are dissatisfied with results produced by other offices.
Considering Rhinoplasty While there is no specific chronological age that determines when you should have some rejuvenative procedures, a Rhinoplasty should be done only after the growth spurt has finished, and you are over 13 years of age. If you fit these requirements and look in the mirror and see something that truly bothers you, it is time to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment for a consultation. Likewise, there is only one person to have plastic surgery for: you and you alone. It should never be undertaken due to pressure from others.
Goals of Rhinoplasty Your nose is right in the center of your face. A one-millimeter change in any direction can make a dramatic difference between a subpar result and a magnificent result. The ideal nose should begin at the bridge and continue in a neat straight line to the tip. The tip itself should have the integrity to stand on its own with a 90 -105 degree angle between the upper lip and the nasal base. Tip definition should be graceful and pretty in women, and slightly stronger in men, and should not be too skeletonized or bony, nor should it be globular or ill-defined. Very often, a common complaint is the patient who has too much nose and too little chin projection. In such cases, placement of an intraoral chin implant (leaving no visible scars) can be performed at the same time as the Rhinoplasty to bring about balance and harmony to the face, particularly in profile. Different ethnicities come with different nasal issues. For example, as is sometimes seen in people of Asian or African-American descent, the nasal bridge can be almost flat with broad-based nostrils. Such issues are resolved by raising the bridge height and narrowing the nostril base, as well as providing detail to the often broad nasal tip.
Your Consultation You’ve certainly looked in the mirror many times. However, when you look in the mirror and begin to see things that upset you, that’s when you should schedule a consultation. A consultation will help give you a better understanding of your own issues. When choosing a surgeon, you should: - Check for board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (there are many other boards, some legitimate, some not, but there is only one American Board of Plastic Surgery, established in 1931)
- Ensure that the physician attends a major hospital in your community, and is in good standing with that hospital
- Confirm that he or she has a fine reputation amongst other medical professionals in your community
- Speak to the surgeon’s patients who have undergone similar procedures
Remember, this is your surgery, and you are interviewing the doctor as much as he’s interviewing you. Do not hesitate to bring a list of questions with you on your consultation. And remember: a good surgeon is someone who not only has the skill to perform the surgery, but is someone who understands what your specific needs and desires are. A good surgeon should listen, listen, and listen! Have no fear during your consultation. This is a time to speak, to be heard, to learn, and to develop a trusting relationship. Questions can be answered, and fears allayed. And while Dr. Weintraub is at the cutting edge of his field in terms of technique and medical developments, you will find his office environment to be comforting, personable, and inviting. He and his staff truly care about each and every patient, and take great pride in making themselves available to help with every step of the process.
How Rhinoplasty is Performed Safety comes first. Plastic surgery is surgery, and should therefore be taken seriously. Dr. Weintraub prefers his patients to be in a comfortable state of twilight sleep, where the patient is unarousable and is awakened only after the procedure is over. Due to advancements in anesthesia and new medications possessing a shorter half-life, no longer do patients have to contend with nausea, vomiting or grogginess; rather, the emergence from anesthesia is crisp and clear. Dr. Weintraub insists on the most sterile conditions in the operating room, with board-certified anesthesiologists and state-of-the-art monitoring equipment commensurate with the highest hospital standards. The only person performing the surgery is Dr. Weintraub himself. Every intraoperative maneuver is executed with precision and care, and all wounds are sewn in multiple layers by his own hand. Cosmetic plastic surgery should never be rushed, and Dr. Weintraub always strives for the best, as he understands that patients will live with the result for the rest of their lives. His aesthetic is sophisticated and reflective of understated elegance. In his own words, “Cosmetic surgery is nothing less than artwork on the human form.”
Where is the Rhinoplasty Performed Though once limited to a hospital setting, the more modern approach to cosmetic plastic surgery is to perform such procedures in a safe, secure outpatient facility. The Center for Specialty Care, located at 50 East 69th Street, is the largest freestanding ambulatory surgical facility on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It is an outpatient limb of Weill-Cornell Hospital, world-renowned for its commitment to excellence and the highest standards in patient care. The Center for Special Care is located in a magnificent, and very private, Beaux-Arts limestone mansion in Manhattan’s finest neighborhood. With five operating rooms, a full department of anesthesiologists experienced in the nuances of cosmetic plastic surgery, and over 25 staff nurses, its standards are of the highest quality, and offer Dr. Weintraub’s patients the utmost in medical and plastic-surgical care.
The Best Candidates for Rhinoplasty The best candidates for aesthetic plastic surgery are well balanced, in good general health, and possess realistic expectations. You are an excellent candidate if you’ve done your homework, have had your consultation, and the following three things are present: - You are highly motivated to make the change
- You have the ability to pause your daily responsibilities (work, family, school etc.) in order to undergo the procedure
- You have the financial wherewithal to make an elective cosmetic surgery come to fruition
Preparing for Rhinoplasty Once you have decided to make this exciting new change, you will need to provide medical clearance from your family physician. You will be given instructions as to how to prepare for the specific surgery you have chosen, and will be given prescriptions to be filled in advance. For those patients who live beyond a 50-mile radius of New York City, Dr. Weintraub advises a two-night post-operative stay at The Mark or The Carlyle Hotel, where his patients are given a special reduced rate, and where he will visit you after your procedure. A private nurse can also be provided.
The Cost Each patient is individual in his/her own makeup and anatomical configuration. Therefore, in order to give an accurate quote, it is best to schedule a consultation that will allow Dr. Weintraub to appropriately judge what is involved. For those patients who live overseas or outside the New York metropolitan area, photographs can be emailed or sent to the office, and a phone consultation can then take place.
After Surgery There will always be a short period of minimal swelling and sometimes bruising. You must carefully follow all instructions provided by Dr. Weintraub in order to achieve the best results possible. Mild pain medication, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and medication to reduce swelling are all begun immediately following surgery. At the time of surgery, Dr. Weintraub will apply a carefully fashioned heat-sensitive splint to hold all delicate structures in place. Dr. Weintraub does not employ the use of uncomfortable and outdated nasal packing (more modern inflatable splints support the interior of the nose). Two to three days of bed rest is best advised. After approximately five days, Dr. Weintraub will remove the heat-sensitive splint and may remove or change the flesh-coloured tape on your nose. After this time, daily showering is recommended. He will advise you as to when you can return to your normal lifestyle and exercise routine.
What Sets Dr. Weintraub Apart Dr. Weintraub has always been blessed with a strong aesthetic sense. He possesses a unique blend of medical science and artwork, as it truly is artwork that he performs on the human form. His attention to detail ensures that he gets the best results possible, and he is meticulous about everything he does, from pre-op to post-op care and beyond. He studied medicine at Cornell during a time when core values were emphasized, and it is on these values that he bases his practice. He believes that physicians should be humble and respectful, and should never lose sight that the person they are operating on is exactly that: a person possessing real-life issues and concerns. The chairmen of the department of general surgery at Cornell at the time, Dr. Tom Shires, along with another luminary, Dr. Leon Morgenstern of Cedars-Sinai, taught Dr. Weintraub that “The operating room is a sacred place. It’s a very serious place. Never be cavalier about surgery.” During his surgical residency training, Dr. Weintraub regularly visited Mexico to donate his time operating on deformed children and adults who couldn’t afford proper healthcare. In less-than-optimal conditions, he learned how to perform surgery with the basics, and received great satisfaction in making profound differences in people’s lives by restoring their faces and bodies. Similarly, when he was Chief Resident at the New York Hospital - Cornell Medical Center, and later when he was Chief Resident at the Reconstructive Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, he found that his compassion for patients, along with his skill and precision as a surgeon, could change lives and bring people joy they never thought possible. Dr. Weintraub believes that surgery is never a race. The patient is always number one. He keeps in his wallet a piece of paper that is his motto in the operating room: “Always demand what is right, and never accept second best.” He likes to consider himself a “thinking surgeon,” and does not enter the operating room with a mechanical series of steps to execute robotically, but likes to remain alert and ready for whatever intraoperative challenges might spontaneously arise. Although many notable surgeons openly listen to music while performing surgery, Dr. Weintraub does not, preferring the mood of the operating room to remain serious and focused. Over 60% of Dr. Weintraub’s business is comprised of complex redos of surgeries performed by other offices. Such procedures always involve difficult issues, since there exist not only the limitations of a patient’s own anatomy, but also the limitations of another surgeon’s aesthetic, and the scar tissue that has developed as a result. Patients seek Dr. Weintraub from all over the world to correct their aesthetic problems. He takes great pride in getting the best results, and always enjoys the challenges of such procedures. Last, Dr. Weintraub will not hesitate to turn patients away if he feels they are not good candidates for surgery. If a surgery is not in someone’s best interest, he will be the first to say so. However, when a patient is a good candidate, the results produced by Dr. Weintraub can be magical, and he feels that it is an honor to give patients a gift they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.
How To Get Started Dr. Weintraub and his staff will be happy to discuss Rhinoplasty with you. Please call our office for a private consultation. We hope you look forward to our warm welcome and the opportunity for us to help you make an educated and confident decision. CLICK HERE to contact our office today and set up your consultation.
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