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Janet Webb
Copyright (c) 2010 Janet Webb Other stars were getting Tonys (as in the coveted performing honor) and Bret Michaels got busted (as in a broken nose). Michaels had been slow to take his position when he was performing alongside Poison the first week of June. At the same time a piece of the set was lowered, Michaels walked into it, hitting his nose and getting knocked to the floor. That kind of injury often precipitates a need for a nose job called a rhinoplasty. As the most defining feature of the face, a slight alteration can greatly alter one's appearance. A lump in the bridge of the nose or a crooked nose can be the result of commonplace accidents. The second most common facial plastic surgery procedure, performed on more than 200,000 people a year in the United States is Rhinoplasty. Recovery can take several weeks and the surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Nasal packing is inserted into the nose and that stays in position for the first few days. Breathing with packing means mouth breathing and most of all eliminating all exertion. On the first day, a patient should plan to rest with the head elevated. Headaches are common. The nose can be painful to the touch and puffy. For the first week or two, expect some swelling, bruising and pian for the first week or two and gain relief using cold compresses. You may also notice some bleeding for the first day or two, this will usually stop on its own. Any nasal packing you may have will be removed within a few days and splints and surgical dressings are usually removed within one to two weeks. Stitches will be removed or be absorbed on their own in a week to 10 days. It is normal for the tip of your nose to feel numb and it may last several weeks. Swelling may linger for as long as two months. Medication for pain will be prescribed. The recovery process is different for everyone, but within a day of a rhinoplasty, the patient should be up and walking around, showering on the second or third day and off usual activities for a week. Patients often opt for special camouflage makeup to cover bruising over the next couple of weeks. For the next two to three weeks the nose may be sensitive and strenuous physical activities should be limited. Return gradually to lifting, air travel, exercise and sex while avoiding sun or physical contact for about two months. Avoid wearing glasses and resting anything on your nose. The full effect of a nose job is evident about 6 months after surgery. And while Rhinoplasty is a permanent procedure, a nose will continue to change with age.
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