Patient Psychology During Rhinoplasty Process
Nose aesthetics, or rhinoplasty, is a surgical procedure that changes the shape and size of the nose to improve facial symmetry and overall appearance. Individuals experiencing functional and aesthetic problems with their nose go through a period of indecision regarding whether to proceed with surgery, postpone, or withdraw entirely. The stage where rhinoplasty candidates often struggle the most is in searching for and deciding on a doctor.
Due to the diverse communication options available today, while accessing accurate and reliable information has become easier, encountering misleading information and its consequences has also become equally easy. Previously, those wishing to undergo surgery made decisions from a limited number of options, while today they must choose from many more doctors and alternatives, which increases confusion.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Doctor:
- Research the doctor's experience in the field of rhinoplasty.
- Obtain information from individuals who have undergone surgery with the same doctor and try to see the results firsthand.
- Schedule an in-person consultation with your doctor.
- Look at before-and-after photos from previous surgeries.
Once you have chosen the doctor for your surgery, set aside any doubts and trust your doctor while remaining positive. Focus on how your new nose can be its best. Try to express yourself and your expectations as clearly as possible. Work to understand and contribute to your doctor's advice and recommendations.
Before surgery, it’s common to experience reactions such as sleep disturbances, excitement, anxiety, sometimes fear, excessive restlessness, or either talking too much or being unusually quiet. Particularly among those who have never received anesthesia, anesthesia anxiety and fear are more common. However, modern technology, medical facilities, and skilled staff have elevated the safety and comfort of anesthesia to the highest level. Our advice regarding pre-surgery is to focus on your positive expectations rather than your anxieties. Being positive is the key to navigating this process more easily.
After Rhinoplasty Surgery
Early Stage:
Once the surgery is completed and the patient has regained consciousness, new expectations arise, characterized by a sense of "CURIOSITY."
- One of the first things patients typically want is to see their nose as soon as the effects of anesthesia wear off, even if a cast or splint is present.
- If there is bruising or swelling post-surgery, concerns arise: "Why do I have bruising? Will it get worse? When will it decrease? When will it completely go away? What can I do to make it go away faster?"
- Next, attention shifts to the removal of packing. Immediately after the packing is removed, patients often want to breathe easily. However, there will be occasional blockages. For an average of 2-3 weeks, periodic blockages and crusting may occur. Even if the person is informed about this, they may still feel anxious and fearful.
- The time to remove the splint has come. The anticipated day arrives, and excitement peaks. The nose is revealed. Patients typically turn to the mirror, looking closely and examining. It often leads to a state of complete shock. The first question from someone seeing their nose is usually, "Will this swelling go down?" Of course, it will. Generally, there is a strange feeling of foreignness; the person cannot fully understand or define what they see. Is it in line with their expectations? When will it take its final shape? Meanwhile, the nose is bandaged, but the person wants to repeatedly look at their nose and memorize its new shape. At this point, individuals often wish to leave the examination room as quickly as possible to get home and look in the mirror. The key word for this period is PATIENCE. Make an effort to avoid being hasty. You must understand that your nose needs time. Depending on the individual and the variety of interventions made, you should be prepared to show patience for an average of 2-3 weeks. Make an effort to fully understand your doctor's recommendations and be diligent about what you should and shouldn't do.
Late Stage:
The healing process varies according to skin type but typically reaches about 70% completion by the second month, 80% by the sixth month, and nearly 100% by the twelfth month. This process can extend up to two years for thicker skin and drop to six months for thinner skin. During this period, the individual has adjusted to their new nose and has largely forgotten their previous one. They begin to focus on the smallest details of their nose. They start checking whether their friends' and others' positive or negative assessments are accurate by examining their nose. They seek to scrutinize details and check for any imperfections. For this period, my advice is to reflect on your pre-surgery expectations; if the outcome satisfies you enough, do not get caught up in minor details. If there is a noticeable flaw or poor result (which can occur in 7-15% of rhinoplasty cases), share it with your doctor and collaborate on a solution.
