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 the most common reasons for a rhinoplasty.
Women with crooked noses often have associated breathing problems. The causes of nasal airway obstruction should be corrected at the same time as a cosmetic rhinoplasty.
Ideal noses have a straight or slightly concave bridge, lower than the tip on profile view.
The nasolabial angle is 95 to 100 degrees and has a slight upward tilt in women.
Faces are asymmetrical. The mouth may be off center and the nose may naturally veer to the center of the mouth.
Rhinoplasty can be done when skeletal growth is complete. Timing is a personal decision.
Broken noses are usually repaired immediately after the injury, regardless of age.
Noses grow with age, even after skeletal growth is complete. Tip cartilages enlarge and the tip drops. The nose may be rejuvenated with subtle changes to the tip and the bridge of the nose.
The tip of the nose often dips down with smiling. This can be corrected by detaching the depressor septi muscle which attaches between the lip and the nasal tip and causes the tip to pull down when smiling.
Chin implants can be done at the same time as a rhinoplasty, to balance the profile. A stronger chin will make the nose look smaller in proportion. Chin implants also improve the neck contour and the cervico-mental angle, the angle between the jaw and the neck.
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 it meets the upper lip.
After surgery there are packs inside the nostrils which are removed the next day. A splint is worn on the bridge of the nose for 5 to 7 days.
Recovery takes about a week. You can return to work after one week.
Bruising may last for 10-14 days. Eyeglasses should not rest on the nose for 6 weeks.
Patients with olive skin complexions, may have dark circles and bruising under the eyes, after surgery, which may take longer to clear.
There is some rebound swelling after the splint is removed.
Although you will see changes when the splint is removed, it can take 12 months to see the final result.

Rhinoplasty for Women

The angle between the nose and the lip – the nasolabial angle – is 95 to 100 degrees. In the ideal profile, the bridge of the nose is lower than the tip and there may be a gentle concave curve. There is usually a supra-tip break between the contour of the bridge and the tip which projects above the bridge on the profile view. In the front view, there is more visibility of the nostrils. The nostrils are also narrower in women.

Where Did Your Nose Go?

Big noses are hereditary. They also get bigger with age, even after skeletal growth is complete. The tip of the nose grows with age, becoming more bulbous or longer. The nasal tip often drops and because of this the bridge looks more prominent.

When to Consider Rhinoplasty Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure except when performed to fix an injury. Women with crooked noses often have breathing problems. These 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 or a lip lift.

Preparing for the Procedure

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.

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 the cartilage of the nasal bridge are lowered.
Nasal tip is elevated by trimming the lower end of the septum.
Nasal bones are fractured and narrowed.
The depressor septi muscle may be detached if it is overactive.
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.
The nasal septum, between the two airways, is straightened.
Turbinates within the nose may be reduced in size.
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 chin implant, lip lift or buccal fat pad excision.

Ideal for patients with a weak chin, long upper lip or full cheeks.
Outcome: More attractive chin lip and cheek proportions.
Length: 2 to 4 hours.

Rhinoplasty Results and Recovery

It will take some time to fully recover and see your results. However, patients 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 is a small amount of bleeding for 24 hours. You will experience swelling and bruising. To reduce swelling, keep your head elevated and use ice packs for the first 48 hours. If you wear eyeglasses, tape them to your forehead for six weeks to avoid pressure points on the bridge of the nose. Dr. Kirwan may recommend taping of the nose with paper tape to further contour the nose and reduce swelling after surgery. 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