Bruising After Rhinoplasty

Bruising and swelling following rhinoplasty varies from patient to patient. Several factors may contribute to bruising and these include the surgical techniques, wound healing characteristics of the patient, and the medical management of the patient in the pre and post periods.

The type of rhinoplasty performed may significantly impact bleeding and bruising. Patients who have their nasal bones fractured to narrow the nose are more likely to have postoperative bruising than those who don’t have nasal infracture. There are also significant differences in wound healing characteristics of individual patients. Some have greater tendencies toward bruising than others.

In the preoperative and postoperative periods, several maneuvers have been shown to decrease bruising. It’s important to stop Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Herbal supplements, and nonprescription drugs and vitamins.
   
After surgery, elevation of the head, ice compresses, and splinting all help to minimize bruising and swelling. It’s also important to avoid activities that will elevate blood pressure and potentially increase bruising. For this reason, strenuous activity should be avoided for at least six weeks.
  
It’s important to realize that swelling and bruising are a normal part of rhinoplasty surgery. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative maneuvers may minimize bruising , but they won’t make it disappear entirely.

Attention Teachers & Students:

Aesthetic Surgical Images wishes to extend a special offer to all of those involved in education. We understand the strict time constraints placed on teachers and students throughout the school year. This makes it hard to focus on anything outside of your immediate curriculum, and often, things you really want in life have to be placed on temporary hold. We know you rely on those short summer months to get caught up on all of these issues, as well as to find some time for relaxation and rejuvenation of mind and body. Summer is now rapidly approaching and we want you to be able to make the most of the valuable time that you have.

If cosmetic surgery is on your radar for this summer, now is the time to start making your plans. Come into Aesthetic Surgical Images now, before the end of the school year, for your free cosmetic consultation to get the process started. You will be able to discuss your goals in detail with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons and be evaluated to determine the procedures necessary to achieve your goals.  You will also understand the process involved in recuperation and the length of time you will need to be up and running again. This will give you a chance to plan your summer and optimize your time off. Imagine a more beautiful and confident you before school starts up again in the fall!

To assist you with this transformation, the surgeons of Aesthetic Surgical Images are proud to offer all teachers, students, or anyone involved in the educational process a special discount on any cosmetic surgical procedure booked between the end of this school year and the start of the next school year this fall. Remember to mention this promotion when you contact us to schedule your complimentary cosmetic consultation. Don’t let this be the summer you thought about cosmetic surgery, let this be the summer you actually do it! 

Call the surgeons of Aesthetic Surgical Images at 402.390.0100 today.

Running After Breast Implants?

Recovery varies from patient-to-patient following breast augmentation surgery. We generally recommend that patients avoid strenuous activities including running for at least six weeks following surgery. 
 

 

Running in the immediate postoperative period has the potential to cause the breasts to bottom out. The constant bouncing of the implants within a freshly formed breast pocket can cause the pocket to expand inferiorly. Capsule formation acts to stabilize the implant pocket but may take weeks to occur. In some cases, two weeks may be adequate, while longer periods may be necessary in other cases.

Physics suggests that larger implants would be more likely to stretch the pocket and skin, while compressive support bras would minimize the phenomena. 

If you’re considering an early return to running, it’s important that you discuss the issue with your plastic surgeon before proceeding. Your surgeon will have important information regarding your situation and when it’s safe to resume this activity.

Swimming Guidelines Following Cosmetic Surgery

Patients are eager to return to normal activity as soon as possible following cosmetic surgery. Unfortunately, returning to normal activity too soon can result in an increased potential for complications.

Swimming and spending time in the Jacuzzi are both activities that could potentially have negative consequences if resumed too soon. Theoretically, once the skin edges have sealed in about 48 hours following surgery, these activities can be resumed. In reality, many patients have drains in place for three weeks or longer. Additionally, small absorbable interrupted sutures may break through the skin and become exposed. In this situation, infection could occur in a patient who is submerged in a Jacuzzi, pool, pond, or ocean. Each of these environments may have unique, and in many cases, antibiotic resistant bacteria that could lead to a significant infection.

In addition, plastic surgeons generally don’t recommend resumption of strenuous activities for at least six weeks following cosmetic surgery. Swimming can create significant strain on the core muscles of the abdomen and should therefore be avoided in the immediate post-operative period.

Finally, skin may not have normal sensation immediately after surgery. This can potentially lead to burns and scald-type injuries from a hot Jacuzzi.

It’s important to remember that every patient’s procedure and postoperative course is unique. For these reasons, make sure you consult your plastic surgeon before getting into the water.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants have the potential to look and feel natural following breast augmentation surgery. This requires adequate soft tissue coverage of the implant and the selection of an appropriately sized implant.

When adequate soft tissue coverage is present, the breast looks and feels natural. When soft tissue coverage is inadequate, the breast may not feel normal and rippling may be present.

Adequate soft tissue coverage is more likely if the patient has a moderate amount of her own breast tissue and the implants are placed underneath the muscle. Under these circumstances, the breasts are more likely to feel normal and also have less rippling. The use of large implants would have the opposite effect because the soft tissue coverage would be inadequate.

In patients who have minimal breast tissue and a thin body habitus, an artificial feel and rippling may be unavoidable. In this situation, silicone implants in a submuscular position may be necessary to obtain a natural look and feel.

A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine the appropriate style and size of breast implant. It would not be unreasonable to expect a natural feel and look with saline implants. With a reasonable starting breast volume, moderate-sized saline implants and submuscular positioning should give excellent results.

What is a Mommy Makeover Surgery?

The mommy makeover is one of the most popular operations performed by plastic surgeons. The procedure is a combination of cosmetic breast surgery, liposuction, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). It has been designed to correct changes that occur normally with pregnancy.

During pregnancy and breast-feeding, the breasts typically increase in size. After pregnancy and breast-feeding, a variety of scenarios may occur. In some cases, the breasts may not return to their previous sizes. In this situation, a breast reduction may be necessary. In other cases, the breasts will shrink to their previous sizes, causing excess, saggy skin that may require a breast lift. Some patients will lose volume and require a breast augmentation, while others will have sag and volume loss and require a breast augmentation and breast lift. 

The abdominal wall is also affected. It becomes stretched and there is usually redundant, saggy skin, stretch marks, and weakened muscles. This will require abdominoplasty, mini abdominoplasty, or abdominal wall liposuction. Women also frequently note an increase in fat accumulation in their hips and thighs—these patients will typically require liposuction. 

There are multiple advantages in performing these procedures in combination. These include an improved overall result, lowered cost, and single recovery. Patients typically report increased self-esteem, self-image, and an overall improvement in the quality of their lives. For these reasons, the mommy makeover is one of the most popular operations that is currently performed in plastic surgery.