Question 1

What changes can patients expect in their nose after rhinoplasty, and how long does healing take?

Accepted Answer

After rhinoplasty, the shape and structure (cartilage, bones) created are set and not expected to change significantly for at least a year, if not many years. The perceived changes are due to the skin 'shrink-wrapping' over the underlying surgical shape as swelling reduces. This process of the skin losing swelling occurs over many weeks to months.

Question 2

What should patients be cautious about when viewing rhinoplasty photos online, especially regarding nasal tip aesthetics?

Accepted Answer

Patients should be wary of rhinoplasty photos that only show a super narrow, defined, small, and pointy nasal tip from the front view. To achieve such definition, nasal structures often need to be pushed out 'really far and tight,' which can result in the nose appearing 'really, really weird' or projecting 'ridiculously far out' from other perspectives, particularly the side view. Patients would likely dislike the side view of such noses.

Question 3

How is sebaceous cyst removal performed at your practice?

Accepted Answer

Sebaceous cyst removal is performed in the office, and patients are typically awake during the procedure.

Question 4

What are realistic expectations for buccal fat removal results, and what causes dramatic changes seen online?

Accepted Answer

In Dr. Lozada's experience, buccal fat removal surgery typically results in a subtle change, not a dramatic one, and does not make patients look weird, older, or significantly noticeable as much as people think online. Dramatic changes seen in online photos attributed to buccal fat removal are often due to lighting, makeup changes, or individuals sucking their cheeks in, rather than the actual procedure.

Question 5

What are the risks of buccal fat removal, especially for patients who may not be ideal candidates?

Accepted Answer

For patients who already have a sleek or gaunt facial appearance and do not need buccal fat removal, performing the procedure can make them look worse, more gaunt, and age them prematurely.

Question 6

How is a 'bulbous tip' defined and assessed in rhinoplasty?

Accepted Answer

A bulbous tip is defined when the nasal tip extends outside a straight line drawn from the inner part of the eyebrow down the bridge, having significant volume in that area. It's not primarily about the width at the base of the nose, but rather the overall fullness and width of the nasal tip compared to these reference lines. The surgical goal for a bulbous tip rhinoplasty is to impact this area of fullness.

Question 7

How is 3D morphing software (Vectra) used in rhinoplasty consultations?

Accepted Answer

The Vectra 3D morphing software is an invaluable communication tool during rhinoplasty consultations, helping Dr. Lozada and the patient achieve a shared understanding of the desired outcome. It allows the practice to change the nose's shape in front of the patient, demonstrating what is surgically possible with *their* own nose from various angles (including three-quarters and profiles). Tools within the software allow for adjustments like lowering the bridge to smooth a bump, bringing the tip forward for balance, or adjusting tip height. The software helps determine when a rhinoplasty tip is too high or low, indicating a 'break point' when changes become unbalanced, and can also demonstrate when a nose appears too long or too short. Initial adjustments may temporarily make the nose appear unbalanced, which is an expected part of the process. Patient excitement during this process indicates alignment with their vision, and the software helps demonstrate that a patient will still look like the same person after rhinoplasty, with small, natural-looking changes.

Question 8

Does 3D morphing software guarantee rhinoplasty results?

Accepted Answer

No, while 3D morphing software is an invaluable communication tool, it does not guarantee rhinoplasty results.

Question 9

Where are nasal bones typically broken during rhinoplasty in your practice?

Accepted Answer

During rhinoplasty, Dr. Lozada typically breaks the bones low on the nose, not up high.

Question 10

What is the guidance for wearing glasses after rhinoplasty in your practice?

Accepted Answer

While a standard caution period for wearing glasses after rhinoplasty is typically four to six weeks to avoid pressure on the nose, Dr. Lozada is more liberal. In his practice, patients can typically wear glasses right away if they are wearing the splints underneath, as this should not affect the outcome. Wearing glasses over the splints, however, will push the splint down, which is undesirable. This policy is in place because Dr. Lozada understands patients need to wear their glasses.

Question 11

Does buccal fat removal really make you look significantly older as you age, or is that an overblown concern?

Accepted Answer

In Dr. Lozada's experience, buccal fat removal surgery typically results in a subtle change, not a dramatic one, and does not make patients look weird, older, or significantly noticeable as much as people think online. Dramatic changes seen in online photos attributed to buccal fat removal are often due to lighting, makeup changes, or individuals sucking their cheeks in, rather than the actual procedure.

Question 12

Is the change in nose shape after rhinoplasty primarily due to swelling, or can the underlying bone and cartilage actually shift over time?

Accepted Answer

After rhinoplasty, the shape and structure (cartilage, bones) created are set and not expected to change significantly for at least a year, if not many years. The perceived changes are due to the skin 'shrink-wrapping' over the underlying surgical shape as swelling reduces. This process of the skin losing swelling occurs over many weeks to months.

Question 13

How accurate is the 3D morphing software in predicting the final rhinoplasty result, and what factors can cause discrepancies?

Accepted Answer

No, while 3D morphing software is an invaluable communication tool, it does not guarantee rhinoplasty results.

Question 14

What are the potential long-term complications or aesthetic issues with an overly narrow or 'pinched' rhinoplasty tip?

Accepted Answer

Patients should be wary of rhinoplasty photos that only show a super narrow, defined, small, and pointy nasal tip from the front view. To achieve such definition, nasal structures often need to be pushed out 'really far and tight,' which can result in the nose appearing 'really, really weird' or projecting 'ridiculously far out' from other perspectives, particularly the side view. Patients would likely dislike the side view of such noses.

Question 15

What is the typical waiting period before a patient can wear regular glasses or heavy sunglasses after rhinoplasty?

Accepted Answer

While a standard caution period for wearing glasses after rhinoplasty is typically four to six weeks to avoid pressure on the nose, Dr. Lozada is more liberal. In his practice, patients can typically wear glasses right away if they are wearing the splints underneath, as this should not affect the outcome. Wearing glasses over the splints, however, will push the splint down, which is undesirable. This policy is in place because Dr. Lozada understands patients need to wear their glasses.

Question 16

What does Dr. Lozada say about their approach?

Accepted Answer

We want to do the most minimal, the most conservative, the smallest thing that we can do in the office or surgery or whatever it is. Dr. Lozada allows patients to wear glasses right away (with splints underneath) because he understands people need to do so.

Question 17

What does Dr. Lozada say about consultations?

Accepted Answer

The doctor explains the concept of skin changes versus structural changes during rhinoplasty healing to patients in the office.

Question 18

What does Dr. Lozada say about the technology they use?

Accepted Answer

Here I have a tool that will allow me to bring the bridge of a patient's nose down, and we're not worried about any other part of the nose right now. We're just trying to get this bump smooth. We can go three-quarters, we can go the other view, we can see the other profile.

Question 19

What does Dr. Lozada say about recovery?

Accepted Answer

I'm much more liberal about people wearing glasses under the splint right away.

Question 20

What does Dr. Lozada say about results?

Accepted Answer

In my experience, buccal fat removal surgery is not something that's going to make you look weird or older or even be that noticeable as much as people think online. For most patients, buccal fat removal alone results in a pretty subtle change, not a super dramatic one, and patients generally like these results.

Question 21

What does Dr. Lozada say about what they specialize in?

Accepted Answer

Sebaceous cyst removal is performed in the office.

Question 22

What does Dr. Lozada say about safety?

Accepted Answer

Patients are awake during sebaceous cyst removal when performed in the office.

Dr. Kirk Lozada, MD

In Dr. Kirk Lozada's own words

About

Connect with Dr. Kirk Lozada on Social Media

Specialties

Procedures & Services

Procedure details

Average Cost of Surgery

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Kirk Lozada

What patients ask Dr. Kirk Lozada

Videos from Dr. Kirk Lozada

From Dr. Kirk Lozada's Instagram

Technologies & brands Dr. Kirk Lozada mentions

Patient Experience

Overall Patient Experience Rating

Summaries of Detailed Patient Reviews

Your Opinion Matters

Ratings from Other Platforms

pennmedicine.org

Google Reviews

Book a Service Consultation

Industry Payments

What this means for your care

Insurance Information

Help us improve this profile

Location & Contact Information

Where does Dr. Kirk Lozada practice?

Doctor's Office

Hospital Affiliations

Hospital affiliations unknown

Education & Experience

Frequently Asked Questions