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Cosmopolitan Feature
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TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
Swanepoel, and active member of the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgeons, says there has been an explosion of technological advances in the last five years. In addition to a number of improved surgical materials, there have been two main developments.
Firstly, the use of digital photography and a sophisticated computer programme developed in the US helps the prospective patient to see exactly what the outcome of an operation would be. 'In the past, people didn’t have a clear picture of the outcome, and they had to hope that the doctor had good taste. Once the operation had been completed, patients had to make quite an adjustment in getting used to the stranger staring at them from the mirror. By looking at the photograph with its projections, the patient is able to get used to the new face before it becomes a reality,' says Swanepoel.
screen. With a special `mouse-pen’ the doctor shows the patient what results could be achieved. |
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He performs an on-screen `operation’ – filling up a sunken nose bridge, removing a hump.
How it works. A digital photograph of the face – silhouette and front – is taken and projected on a computer on the nose, lifting the tip of the nose, adding an extra dimension to the chin.
The results: a projection of what the patient can expect to look like after the operation. When the patient is content, a printout is made and a grid used to make the most accurate route map of the operation.
Secondly, Swedish research has made it possible for an operation to be performed under local or blocked sedation, which has a shorter recovery time. And it’s a lot cheaper: a local anaesthetic is about a quarter of the cost of general anaesthesia; this means lower clinic costs, reduced bleeding and fewer after effects.
*Name has been changed.
From: COSMOPOLITAN, November 1999, pages 199, 200, 202.
South African Edition.
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FACTS
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From what age can nasal surgery be performed?
From 17 years for women, and 18 to 19 years for men. The reason: inside the nose there are about 30 tiny, super-sensitive growth points. If they are damaged, any further growth in the nose will be arrested. There is no maximum age.
How much will it cost?
Between R 6 000 and R12 000. When assessing a doctor’s quote, keep in mind his or her level of experience, which might not be reflected in the figures, but which may give peace of mind. Medical aid schemes do not grant any benefits for cosmetic surgery. Where an operation is a combination of cosmetic and functional surgery, they would grant benefits for that part which is specified as being functional. Chin augmentation, which is sufficient in about 25% of cases, cost about R3 000.
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What happens during a nose operation?
An incision is made where your nose meets your top lip. The top part of the nose is folded away to expose the cartilage which is then shaped and trimmed. Any new donor cartilage that has to be added is sutured into position, and the tip of the nose is sculpted. After the top of the nose has been placed back in position, the incision is sutured. A skin-coloured ultra light aluminium splint is placed on top of the nose for about seven days. There will be swelling and possibly bruising for five to ten days. The whole process lasts three to six hours.
Preparing
Stop smoking preferably 2 weeks before the operation, but at least 36 hours before. High nicotine levels lead to excessive bleeding, as do curried foods, aspirin and caffeine. Stock up on extra vegetables and salads, plus extra C and B vitamins. |
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B A C K |
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