Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping Surgery) – Houston, TX

The purpose of nose surgery (rhinoplasty) is to improve the appearance of the nose, to help it fit the face in a complementary way that is harmonious with other facial features. A nose that is out of balance on the face can become a focal point that draws attention away from other attractive facial features. Nose surgery brings a more harmonious appearance to the face by altering characteristics that include:

• Size of the nose
• Width of the nose
• A bump on the bridge of the nose
• The tip of the nose to correct a large or bulbous, upturned, or drooping appearance
• Excessively flared nostrils
• A crooked or off-center appearance
• Asymmetry due to a previous injury

A rhinoplasty procedure typically can be completed in about 1-3 hours on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Using either a closed procedure where the incisions are hidden inside the nose or an open procedure where an incision is made across the narrow strip of tissue that is between the nostrils, Dr. Mentz reshapes the bone and cartilage in order to resculpt the appearance of the nose. He may alter the position of bones to make it look narrower or straighter, or he may build up some areas by using cartilage or bone from the nose or another area of the body. The skin and tissues are then reshaped over this new nasal structure. To help stabilize and protect the new structures of your nose during the healing process, Dr. Mentz may place splints on the outside and inside of your nose; these are typically removed in 5 – 7 days.

To help control, bruising, swelling, and minor bleeding, you will spend the first day after your rhinoplasty surgery at home in bed with your head elevated. The majority of bruising will be gone in 1 – 2 weeks. For the first few days, you should continue to sleep with your head elevated and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Most patients can return to work in 7 – 10 days, and resume exercise in 3 – 4 weeks. You will need to refrain from taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs that can increase bleeding. In addition, for 8 weeks following surgery, you should avoid hitting or rubbing the nose. Sun exposure should be limited for 2 months. The closed rhinoplasty procedure leaves no scars, while the open procedure leaves a scar that is virtually undetectable.

Dr. Mentz will use computer imaging to help you communicate and visualize the results you would like to attain through nose surgery. During your exam, he will evaluate your skin quality and the internal and external structure of your nose to determine how to best create balance between your nose and other facial features.

Nose surgery may typically be performed on female patients who are as young as age 15 or males who are as young as age 17, but it will be necessary for Dr. Mentz to determine any possible limitations.

If you have difficulty breathing or you snore while sleeping, you may be a candidate for a procedure known as a septoplasty. When the dividing wall between the nasal passages is crooked, it can obstruct the airways and make it more difficult for you to breathe. In a one-hour septoplasty procedure, Dr. Mentz corrects this structural disorder, which is known as a deviated septum.

As a triple board certified Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Mentz has a unique skill set which blends his board certification in otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) with his board certifications in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery. His background as an otolaryngologist provided him with extensive experience and skill in performing the detailed and complex work of nose surgery. He combines this with the aesthetic and surgical skills he has honed as a plastic surgeon to achieve excellent appearance and structural results.