Cosmetic Surgery For Sports Injuries

Although there are some athletes who proudly show off their ‘battle scars’, others are eager to get these injuries and scars repaired through cosmetic surgery. It’s entirely a personal preference.

If you’ve decided to start the process of researching cosmetic surgery for your sports injury, you’ll quickly find that you’re not alone. Many amateur and professional athletes alike have opted for a nose job to fix a crooked nose and blocked airway, or facial implants to correct the structure and shape of the face after damage to the jaw or cheekbones.

Let’s learn about some of the most common types of cosmetic surgery available to injured athletes, and what you can expect from each procedure.

The Most Common Types of Cosmetic Surgery for Your Sports Injury

After an injury, most athletes are eager to get back into the game, and return to peak physical performance. Cosmetic surgery can help with that.

Although many non-athletes undergo cosmetic surgery that’s entirely focused on the aesthetic outcome, it can also be extremely useful in returning the site of the injury back to its full working capacity. Here are some of the most common types of cosmetic surgery undergone by athletes.

Rhinoplasty

Many athletes undergo a rhinoplasty, or a nose job, after a broken nose. It can help improve the look of a crooked nose that’s never set right, but it can also be used to help fix breathing issues that are the result of a sports-related break.

The rhinoplasty should be conducted by someone who is board certified in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) or facial plastic surgery. For best results, look for someone with both certifications.

Ear surgery

Ear surgery, also known as an otoplasty, is ideal for athletes like boxers, wrestlers, and rugby players who often experience ear injuries like cauliflower ear. This condition is caused by blood clotting in the connective tissue of the ear, causing permanent scar tissue that makes the ear look swollen and misshapen.

During ear surgery, the surgeon works carefully to correct misshapen ears and create improved symmetry. If the ears are protruding, the doctor will carefully pin them back so they’re closer to the head.

Blepharoplasty

If you’ve experienced an eye-related injury in the course of your athletic career, you may find that your eyelids are droopier because of the new position of your ocular or orbital bones. To fix this, a plastic surgeon may recommend a blepharoplasty.

This eyelid surgery focuses on contouring the eyelid to the new shape of the eyes, and removing excess skin and fat. The incisions are done carefully, so they’re essentially invisible after the healing process is complete.

Facial Implants

As you recover from a facial injury sustained during an athletic event, many people are concerned about whether their face will return to its original appearance. Fortunately, broken facial bones, including those in the cheeks and chin, can be supported by facial implants, to help the shape of the face return to normal.

The procedure is done after facial implants are custom fit to the individual. Recovery time is moderate- it takes around one week for the initial swelling and bruising to subside.

Finding the Right Cosmetic Surgeon in Toronto

If you’re looking for a surgeon to discuss a blepharoplasty or rhinoplasty in Toronto, it’s worth doing your research first. Don’t be hesitant to ask for a meeting to discuss your options, and get their professional recommendation. They should be able to use imaging and illustrations to show you what services they can offer.

Dr. Richard Rival is one of Toronto’s premier cosmetic surgeons, and has worked with many athletes and sports enthusiasts to fix both new and old injuries, and improve their quality of life.

Contact us today to arrange for a consultation, and to learn how Dr. Rival can use his expertise to help you get back into the game.