Rhinoplasty in Facial Feminization Surgery | Live with Dr. Bellinga
Rhinoplasty in facial feminization surgery is one of the key gender markers patients want. It’s also the one many are most concerned with.
Feminizing rhinoplasties, Livestream Interview
Watch our livestream on YouTube with Dr. Bellinga, Facialteam’s rhinoplasty specialist, to learn more. Here are some answers to important questions!
How many articles have you published about rhinoplasties?
There are 2 articles published talking about feminization rhinoplasty and we are awaiting a new article. Here’s a video about the importance of one:
How many conferences / courses have you done on the subject?
Around 5 courses, the most important being a recent one from the American College of Surgeons and a talk on the Ibero-American Rhinoplasty Day. In January 2022 I have been invited to a congress in the Netherlands.
How many feminization rhinos have you done in how many years?
I started in 2013, so to date a total of 1148
What advantages does the piezo offer in the rhino compared to conventional techniques?
Mainly precision and control, respecting the soft tissue.
What are the advantages of 3D planning with cutting guides in the rhino?
We seek greater accuracy and symmetry in the work on the bone
What is Dorsal preservation rhinoplasty?
It is a technique that became fashionable in 2016 and consists of reducing the hump on the bridge of the nose while preserving the integrity of the cartilage, so avoiding a complete breakage.
Why do you use plasma in rhinoplasty patients?
It provides an extra value in terms of the regenerative capacity of the plasma, so the skin adheres more easily.
What is the biggest challenge for the rhino surgeon?
That the results are consistent in the long term. That is the main challenge.
What risks to prevent?
Mainly avoid asymmetries and long-term functional problems.
How to manage the most common problems such as swelling, bruising, or symptoms such as nasal congestion?
Fortunately we are talking about effects that are expected and, fortunately, temporary. You simply have to maintain proper hygiene and follow the prescribed medical treatment. Here is a video we did on postop care:
You comment on the fact that the rhino is the procedure with the highest redoing number.
Worldwide, a percentage of about 10-12% of the need to do some type of revision after a rhinoplasty is estimated as an acceptable figure. Facialteam’s statistics are around 3%.
How do you manage realistic goals and expectations with patients?
It is essential that there is good communication between doctor and patient and understanding what the anatomical limitations are. It is the surgeon’s job to ensure that each patient understands what can be achieved with nose surgery.
How is a feminization rhino different from an ordinary rhino?
Feminization rhinoplasty has its own entity, mainly because the surgeon is faced with a generally larger anatomical structure, with longer and thicker cartilage, wider bones and thicker skin, so the techniques used must be very well structured to avoid unwanted changes in the long-term postoperative period. The relationship with the forehead and upper lip must be carefully studied in each case to achieve not only a feminine result, but also a beautiful and harmonious one.
What is your philosophy regarding natural and feminine results in terms of aesthetics?
The key is in the proportionality, beyond the tendencies and personal tastes of each individual or passing fashions.
What are the essential questions that any patient should ask in rhino consultations?
If the surgeon is exclusively dedicated to doing rhinoplasties, the number of rhinoplasties he has done, how many he does a week or every month … those are the questions they should ask and that very few patients actually ask us. It is essential to know that you can always count on your surgeon if there is any problem, there must be fluid contact and above all trust. If the surgeon, in the first consultation, you have seemed arrogant, does not listen or you simply did not like him, it is best not to operate with him or her.
Here we leave you with a video answering some frequently asked questions about rhinoplasty in facial feminization surgery:
Hello world! I’m Lilia Koss and I use she, her, and they pronouns. What are yours? With a background in humanities and diverse professional experiences, I have been working with the Facialteam founders and directors since 2008. Involved from the ground up, so I’ve had hands in many pots: patient coordination, orientation events on 3 continents, social media, written and audiovisual content about our gender-affirming healthcare...but now life is more defined. Lately, I focus my energies on Public Relations, community management and live streaming to help raise the visibility of trans health. Life is pretty complete.