Rhinoplasty Procedure in Norwalk, Connecticut

Dr. Laurence Kirwan. is one of the most experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Norwalk, Connecticut, and in the entire country. He is a recognized international leader in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He offers a superior level of knowledge, care and understanding to help you achieve the look you desire.

Conveniently Located: Every patient is a VIP. For your rhinoplasty appointment, you will see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. Our Norwalk, CT location is conveniently located in between Manhattan, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients regularly visit from across Connecticut (Stamford, Greenwich, Stratford, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Trumbull), New York ( Manhattan, NYC, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, White Plains, Harrison), New Jersey and other neighboring cities/towns for their rhinoplasty surgery and other plastic surgery procedures. Our office is close to all of the New York Airports for patients who are coming from out-of-state or other countries.

Key Highlights

Noses that are large, out of proportion or overly projecting are reasons for rhinoplasty in men.
Sports injuries are a common reason for a rhinoplasty. Nasal bones are the most common broken bones in the body.
Men with crooked and depressed boxer’s noses often have breathing problems as well. These should be corrected at the same time as a cosmetic rhinoplasty.
Ideal masculine noses have a straight bridge which is the same height as the tip.
The nasolabial angle, which is the angle of the nose in relation to the lip, is 90 degrees and does not have the upward tilt which is more desirable in women.
Faces are asymmetrical. The mouth may be off center and the nose may angle to the center of the mouth.
Rhinoplasty in men can be done when skeletal growth is complete. Timing is a personal decision.
Broken noses should be reset soon after an injury, at any age.
Delayed surgery on a healed broken nose, is a matter of personal choice. To avoid re-injury, surgery is done after discontinuing the specific sport.
Noses grow with age, even after growth is complete. Tip cartilages enlarge and the tip drops. The nose can be rejuvenated with subtle changes to the tip and the bridge of the nose, often without breaking the nasal bones.
Chin implants, to balance the profile, can be done at the same time as a rhinoplasty. A stronger chin will also make the nose look smaller in proportion.
Surgery is mostly done through internal incisions. Stitches are absorbable.
Closed rhinoplasties are done through internal incisions. Open rhinoplasties are done through both internal and external incisions with an extra incision in the columella between the nostrils.
Nostril narrowing and lip lifts are done using external incisions and leave small scars around the nostril crease and the base of the nose where the nose meets the upper lip.
Although you will see changes when the splint is removed, it can take at least 12 months for all the swelling to resolve and to see the final result.

Rhinoplasty for Men

The goals of rhinoplasty in men are different from those in women. In men, the ideal nasal bridge is straighter and the same height as the tip, in profile. The angle between the nose and the lip, the nasolabial angle, is 90 to 95 degrees in men. In contrast, in women the bridge of the nose, in profile, is lower than the tip and may be a gentle concave curve rather than a straight line. The nasolabial angle is 95 to 100 degrees. In men, there is less visibility of the nostrils in the front view and the nostrils are wider.

Where Did Your Nose Go?

Big noses are hereditary in men and women. Noses also get bigger with age, even after skeletal growth is complete. The cartilages of the tip grow, becoming more bulbous or longer. The tip often drops and because of this, the bridge appears more prominent.

When to Consider Rhinoplasty Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure except when performed to repair an injury. Men and women with crooked noses often have breathing problems or nasal airway obstruction (NAO), as well. This is often because of a deviated septum which makes the external nose crooked. Septal deviations should be fixed at the same time as a cosmetic rhinoplasty. When to consider surgery is a personal decision. But some special conditions apply.

Skeletally maturity before a cosmetic rhinoplasty.
Broken noses can be fixed as an emergency, at any age.
Surgery may be combined with other procedures such as a chin implant.

Information for Kirwan Plastic Surgery Patients

The best decisions are informed decisions. Dr. Kirwan can help you learn more about rhinoplasty. Dr. Kirwan can also discuss other treatment options and provide more personalized answers based on your individual needs. You can schedule a consultation for rhinoplasty surgery in Norwalk with Dr. Kirwan.

Preparing for the Procedure

After making your decision and choosing Dr. Kirwan, the next step is a consultation. Be prepared to discuss:

Your reasons, goals, and expectations for surgery
Your medical history – including illnesses, conditions, allergies, treatments, previous procedures, and other risk factors that could affect the outcome of your procedure
Use of any medications, vitamins, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs including cocaine.
Any questions or concerns about the procedure – come prepared with a written list
Plastic surgery risks and potential complications

During your consultation, Dr. Kirwan will examine you. He will take photos to review with you, and to help you understand the possible benefits of surgery. He will show you a computerized simulation of your own surgical result. Dr. Kirwan will also show you examples of before and after results of his own patients.

What Happens During Rhinoplasty Surgery

Surgery is normally performed under general anesthesia. Limited surgery on the nasal tip can be performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation. Dr. Kirwan will perform the surgery as discussed in your consultation.

Rhinoplasty Procedure Options

Dr. Kirwan may perform one of several techniques, such as:

Rhinoplasty alone

Ideal for patients who have no other associated problems.
Incisions are made inside the nose.
Tip cartilages are made smaller.
Nasal bones and cartilages of the nasal bridge are lowered.
Nasal tip is elevated.
Nasal bones are fractured and narrowed.
Nostrils may be narrowed with external skin incisions in the nostril crease.
Outcome: a smaller more aesthetically pleasing nose
Length: 1 to 2 hours.

Rhinoplasty combined with Internal nasal surgery

Ideal for patients with a crooked nose and or breathing problems.
Open rhinoplasty approach may be used.
Length: 2 to 3 hours.
Internal soft plastic nasal splints may be left in place for several days after surgery.
Outcome: a smaller more aesthetically pleasing nose.
Outcome: a straighter nose.
Outcome: improved breathing.
Length: 2 to 4 hours.

Rhinoplasty combined with other facial surgery

Ideal for patients who would benefit from a chin implant or buccal fat pad excision.
Outcome: More masculine chin and cheek contours.
Length: 2 to 4 hours depending on the surgery.

Rhinoplasty Results and Recovery

It will take some time to fully recover and see your results. However, you can return to work after a week and resume other activities (like working out) in approximately two to four weeks depending on the activity. Contact sports should be avoided for at least six weeks. If you injure your nose soon after surgery, call Dr. Kirwan as soon as possible to make sure there is no damage to the nose which needs correcting.

After surgery there are small packs within the nostrils which are removed the next day. If the nasal bones are fractured, a splint is applied and this is removed after 5 to 7 days. After surgery, there is a small amount of bleeding for the first 24 hours. You will experience some swelling and bruising. To reduce swelling, keep your head elevated and use ice packs for the first 48 hours. Bruising may last for 10 to 14 days; sometimes longer in patients with olive skin complexions. If you wear glasses, tape them to your forehead for six weeks to avoid pressure points on the bridge of the nose. Dr. Kirwan may recommend applying paper tape to the nose to contour the nose and reduce swelling after the splint is removed. Avoid blowing your nose for two weeks after surgery and use nasal irrigation such as Sterile Saline Nasal Mist to keep the nasal passages clear. Dr. Kirwan recommends using an antibiotic ointment after surgery, such as Mupirocin, inside the nostrils and on the incisions, to reduce the risk of infection. This list is not intended to be exhaustive but a brief guide only to your experience after surgery.

Be sure to follow the instructions provided by Dr. Kirwan and his staff before and after your rhinoplasty surgery to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.

SEE THE TRANSFORMATIONS & BEAUTIFUL RESULTS

Before & After Photos

Sports injury, crooked nose and bump on the bridge. The projection and size of the tip was also reduced so that the bridge and the tip are now in line with each other. Front view.