If you are unhappy with your nose, you don't have to just live with it.

Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is an operation that can dramatically change your facial appearance.

You nasal characteristics are generally inherited from your parents. At times, there is a functional component to this that may impair one’s ability to breathe.

Dr. Brueck feels it is important not to overdo a nose so it looks chiseled or contrived. It is important to understand that when we undertake a rhinoplasty, the nose should be reshaped so it is in proportion to the rest of one’s face.

As a result, many times in doing a rhinoplasty, Dr. Brueck recommends doing a chin implant as well. This can dramatically improve the profile and enhance the overall effect, including the appearance of a newly reshaped nose.

Click on this link for before-and-after photos of Dr. Brueck's work in Nose Surgery

How does one decide the shape they way they want a new nose to look? Many times patients will pick a nose out of a magazine and bring the picture in. This is a wonderful help in determining the result the patient wants. The patient, however, needs to understand that a nose that may look great on that model, may be out of place on their face.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RHINOPLASTY

Q: What is a Rhinoplasty?
A: A Rhinoplasty is a procedure that is performed in order to reshape the person's nose. The nose may be deformed secondarily to trauma or maybe it is a nose that is disproportionate to the patients face and may require some revision.

Q: How much pain is associated with the Rhinoplasty?
A: Most patients will take a small amount of pain medication post operatively. I sort of liken the pain to a Rhinoplasty as to that of a headache. Obviously if we have to break the bones in order to narrow a wide nasal bridge then there will be a little more discomfort associated with that.

Q: When can I return to work?
A: Most patients can usually return to work in as little as a week. A lot depends on the amount of bruising and swelling and how sensitive they are to let other people know they have had the surgery. I think it is very important to keep the head elevated and to keep ice on the eyes to minimize the bruising and swelling.

Q: When can I wear my contacts or glasses?
A: Most patients can wear their contacts and glasses immediately post op. This will be determined by how much bruising and swelling the patient has. Post op there can be a moderate amount of bruising so it is imperative that in the immediate post op period the patient keeps the head elevated, and keeps ice compresses on their eyes as much as possible.

Q: When can I wear make-up?
A: After a Rhinoplasty most patients can put makeup on in a matter of a day or 2 in order to hide some of the bruising. I think it is most important to keep the head up and to keep ice on the eyes.

Q: What do I need to watch out for postoperatively, if anything?
A: Most of the incisions are done inside of the nose; however there is sometimes a little incision along the columella which separates the 2 nasal passages. Their may be some oozing or slight bleeding that can occur post operatively and usually this will resolve in time. It is very important after the surgery to avoid any kind of straining, sneezing or coughing which might insight a little bit of bleeding.

As in all cosmetic surgery, a thorough consultation with your surgeon is the wisest first step.

Dr. Brueck has 28 years of experience in plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. He has been named one of the top plastic surgeons in Southwest Florida (Northport to Marco Island) for four consecutive years, including 2007, by Gulfshore Life magazine.

Dr. Brueck and his highly trained staff are dedicated to providing patients with the finest in cosmetic and plastic surgery in a responsive and comforting manner.

While rhinoplasty is a primary cosmetic surgery procedure offered by Dr. Brueck, he also provides a wide variety of additional plastic and reconstructive services to patients throughout the Fort Myers, Naples and Marco Island area of Southwest Florida.

Dr. Brueck also performs liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction, face lift, forehead lift and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). Non-surgical procedures include laser hair removal, Lipodissolve, laser resurfacing, Obagi, Botox and Restylane.

You may contact Dr. Brueck by telephone at 239-939-5233, through email or through his Aesthetic Coordinator, Judy.