Health

The ability to breathe comfortably can promote a better night’s sleep and is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Bennett treats many patients referred by other surgeons with complex breathing issues or when previous surgery has uncovered breathing concerns of which the patients were not previously aware.  He is well-known for his revision rhinoplasty method, which restores the patients’ ability to breathe and improves the appearance of the nose by rebuilding previously removed cartilage or bone.

Your Consultation

Dr. Bennett individualizes every patient’s care. A minimum of half an hour is needed to fully understand your expectations and to get a complete history and evaluation of the inside and outside of your nose. Knowing what to expect will make the entire experience more pleasant and increase your satisfaction with the surgical results. Dr. Bennett will discuss the cosmetic and functional expectations of your rhinoplasty in detail to make sure all of your questions are answered.

NYC Computer Imaging

Reviewing photographs of your nose from several different angles gives you the opportunity say what you like or dislike about your nose, and what you would like to change. Computer imaging provides an additional step where we can agree on a final goal for the procedure. Computer imaging is not a guarantee of outcome and individual results may vary.

The Procedure

Knowing what to expect will make for a smoother and more enjoyable experience. Dr. Bennett performs the procedure at Lenox Hill Hospital or at Center for Specialty Care, a state-of-the-art Upper East Side ambulatory facility. You will need to arrive – with a chaperone – two hours before your procedure is scheduled to begin. You will speak with the nurse about your medical history and what to expect during the procedure and change into a surgical gown. Dr. Bennett will discuss your treatment and goals before you receive any medications. You will then receive some medicine to relax you, followed most times by a general anesthetic. Dr. Bennett will come to speak with you again after you have awakened (one to two hours after the procedure). He will have already spoken to the person taking you home.  You will leave the ambulatory center with your chaperone about an hour after surgery. Dr. Bennett’s techniques minimize the recovery period and allow most patients to return to a normal routine the week after surgery.

The Week after the Procedure

Dr. Bennett places a small plastic splint over the healing nose for protection (Dr. Bennett rarely finds it necessary to pack the nose). It is normal to have a mild headache for a day or two. You will be given some medicine, although most patients take only one dose and then switch to an over the counter pain medication. If you see scant, reddish fluid draining from the nose, you should place a dressing under the nostrils to avoid sniffling. You will probably feel a lot of congestion, although some people can breathe very well immediately after surgery. You may have bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes. This will start to resolve within a few days. Most swelling will go down after a couple of weeks, but changes in the nose can continue  for a year or more. You will return to the office one week after surgery to have the bandage removed, then return as needed to have the nose checked. Avoid strenuous exercise for three weeks. Avoid wearing glasses for six weeks.

Techniques

Dr. Bennett employs both the advanced closed (endonasal) and open (external) surgical techniques to sculpt an attractive and natural-looking nose with minimal incisions and rapid recovery time. When performing a rhinoplasty, Dr. Bennett emphasizes preservation of nasal breathing and structural support. A natural-looking nose is also very important. These concepts are the basis for an excellent long-term outcome.

To see the results of some of Dr. Bennett’s rhinoplasty procedures, please visit the photo gallery.