Dr. Stephen Perkins is known internationally for performing and teaching rhinoplasty to other doctors who are rhinoplasty surgeons. Rhinoplasty is truly the art of “sculpting” the nose. The term Rhinoplasty means to mold or shape the rhinion, which is the Latin word for the nose. In rhinoplasty, the shape or deformities of the nose are corrected in a constructive and reshaping fashion. The operation itself consists of rearranging, repositioning, shaping or removing any excess bone or cartilage to give the nose a more pleasing appearance.
Many nasal and septal reconstructions, or septorhinoplasties, are performed to improve nasal function, which is to improve the movement of air through the breathing passages. In addition, and intimately related, is the patient’s desire for improvement in the appearance of their nose. These two parts of the operation are very naturally done at the same time. Most rhinoplasties are performed because a patient wants to improve their facial appearance. A patient may simply want a nose that fits better with their face, has a natural look and is in harmony with the rest of the face.
As is often the case, the nose can become progressively crooked and larger as we get older, or as a consequence of early childhood injury that was not apparent at the time. This is a natural part of the aging process as well. The nose often droops and becomes wider and seems to “grow” with aging. Heredity often plays a part in the appearance of the nose. Early childhood trauma, sports injuries or a nose fracture can also cause the nose to become misshapen, which can lead to difficulty breathing.
Because changes in appearance, or improvement in function are interrelated, it is imperative to choose a Board Certified surgeon who has double board certification in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery as well as cosmetic and Facial Plastic Surgery.
Rhinoplasty can reduce the size of a nose which is too large for one’s face. During rhinoplasty, the surgeon can remove a bump, narrow and refine a bulbous tip and enlarge a nose that is too small, too short or collapsed.
Today’s sculpted nose is much more unique than in previous years. It should always be individualized, and a person’s ethnic background should not be lost. Traditionally, Dr. Perkins used to do more rhinoplasty on Caucasians and those with Northern European backgrounds. But, because our society has become so multi-cultural, he performs a lot of these procedures on patients with a variety of and different ethnic backgrounds.
In addition to the actual look of the nose, rhinoplasty techniques have also changed over the years and have dramatically improved patients’ results. These newer techniques allow for “reorientation”, which maintains the normal existing structure of the nose and involves more sculpting and reshaping rather than cartilage removal. Patients also experience minimal pain or pressure, and minimal bruising, as nasal packing has become a thing of the past. Results are immediately noticeable, however, it will take at least a full year to see the final refined tip result due to the fact that there is swelling within the skin.
These are subtle changes that the patient and the surgeon will see as time goes on. Dr. Perkins’ patients tell him that their friends and colleagues often notice something appears “different” (i.e., a new hairstyle, new make-up), but can never tell that they have had plastic surgery on their nose. The nose fits just with their face, looks totally natural, and does not draw attention to itself. The other features of the face, such as the beauty of one’s eyes, are “highlighted”.
Dr. Perkins utilizes computer-assisted video imaging which allows him to show a potential rhinoplasty patient what their “new” nose will look like – even before deciding to have surgery. This video imaging allows each patient an opportunity to view Dr. Perkins’ surgical recommendations and to give him direct feedback prior to surgery about the likes, dislikes and desires for the appearance of their new nose. This simulation is an extremely accurate estimate of what Dr. Perkins is able to do with each individual’s own tissues, both skin, cartilage and bone.
He sits in with each consultation patient during the imaging process, getting feedback from the patient, but also stressing what he is able to do with their nose. View Dr. Perkins’ before and after surgery rhinoplasty photos.