Dr. Smith was taught a life-long lesson of excellence by his father. One fall afternoon his father instructed him to rake the leaves. After a close inspection, his father revealed a lackluster effort and made this statement, “Son, you can either rake the leaves properly the first time or stay out here all day until you do it right.” Since that moment Dr. Smith has been applying his best effort in all he does.
These ideals have been instilled at Smith Center, which is why he is one of the most prominent and sought-after facial plastic surgeons in Houston. His expertise in rhinoplasty (nose job) includes male, female, and various ethnicities, including Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern. Dr. Smith sees each patient’s nose as a canvas ready to become a work of art. During the consultation, he discusses the concerns the patient has with their nose. He has an innate ability, when crafting a person’s appearance, to beautify while also enhancing a person’s ethnic heritage.
Dr. Smith is board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and has successfully performed hundreds of rhinoplasty surgeries, which have included a number of Houston’s elite couples and celebrities.
Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job, is the most common facial plastic surgery conducted in the US. Quite often, individuals feel they have a nose that is too large, too wide, or too long. Due to injury the nose can become crooked, flattened, or bulky. All of these visual issues are common reasons for a rhinoplasty procedure which typically refines the nasal tip, bridge of the nose, nasal dorsum or nostrils.
Correcting the shape of the nose can create the facial balance patients desire. The nose is a focal point of the face. An aesthetically pleasing nose enables the eyes, mouth and cheeks to come together in beautiful harmony.
Dr. Smith uses a closed technique in performing the nose job, which means there are no visible external incisions.
Dr. Smith discusses which procedure would work best for each patient. The small, extra incision done during the open procedure is very well hidden and can only be seen when the head is tilted back, exposing the base of the nose. The open incision technique is often used during revision rhinoplasty, which is when external exposure is necessary in order to utilize cartilage grafting techniques.
As a former sports star at Carter High School in Dallas and a scholarship football player at University of Michigan, Dr. Smith understands how injuries can negatively effect the nose, aesthetically and functionally. When the nose is injured the nasal bones and the septum can be displaced causing breathing problems or headaches in addition to causing an external deformity. The appearance of the nose can be improved by addressing several areas- the dorsum or bridge, the nasal bones, the tip and the nostrils.
Dr. Smith is the first Black American to complete an Otolaryngology (ENT) residency at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He was also the first Black American to be selected and to have completed a Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship at the McCollough Plastic Surgery Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. Smith is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. He performs rhinoplasty on all ethnicities, including African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern in addition to Caucasian.
During the consultation Dr. Smith carefully listens to your concerns and thoroughly discusses your options. He explains realistic expectations and goals. Just like every person is different, every patient presents different challenges and opportunities. Houston has become one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Smith Center embraces the opportunity to assist every ethnic patient achieve their optimum result.
African American – Generally, the African American nose is sometimes flat with rounded features. Patients may desire a nose that is more defined and lifted. Dr. Smith utilizes a closed incision surgical approach and innovative techniques to reshape the bone-cartilage framework. Since African American skin is typically thicker, Dr. Smith may debulk it to allow better draping over the newly created foundation. The nostrils can be narrowed to provide harmony for overall facial balance.
Asian – The typical presentation of the Asian nose is one that generally has a low bridge, round tip and wide nostrils. Dr. Smith employs creativity with his tried and true rhinoplasty methods to ensure the result is a more refined nose complimenting the features of the face.
Middle Eastern – People of Middle Eastern descent usually have long noses with a prominent dorsal hump, narrow nostrils and nasal bones. A deprojection or shortening of the nasal tip is typically conducted and the hump is scaled down with removal of part of the nasal bones and cartilage. Dr. Smith is able to straighten the nose and create a narrower tip if desired creating a more elegant profile.
Hispanic – The Hispanic nose usually has a dorsal hump and a wide tip. Dr. Smith’s customized solution is to reduce the hump, narrow the tip or anything else required to provide a nose that is in balance with the face.
The rhinoplasty surgery itself takes between one and two hours to perform.
During the recovery process, Dr. Smith prescribes pain medication and saline nose spray. A splint is placed on the nose to help with shaping and stabilization, and is removed after the first week. He also provides a pressure wrap on eyes for four hours to prevent visible postoperative bruising.
Patients are able to resume normal activity within seven to 10 days. Exercise and strenuous activity can be resumed after the three week period. For the first six weeks after the surgery,the nasal bones are still fragile so it is imperative to avoid any situations that may put your nose at risk for injury. On average, your new nose will continue to heal and undergo subtle changes for the first year.
As a board certified otolaryngologist (ENT), Dr. Smith can also perform a septoplasty in conjunction with your rhinoplasty. His unique approach to septoplasty can help alleviate breathing or sleeping problems, and even cure some migraine-like headaches. A septoplasty is covered by insurance.
At the Smith Sinus Migraine Institute, we offer the very best in facial plastic surgery procedures, including facelift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Led by renowned board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Kevin Smith, we only provide the highest quality patient care and use only the latest in medical technology and surgical techniques.
