Your nose may be just one part of your face, but it dramatically affects your entire appearance. You can have either a cosmetic concern because of the appearance of your nose, but a surgical approach might be a medical necessity to improve your nasal breathing.
Rhinoplasty, sometimes referred to as a "nose job" or "nose reshaping" by patients, enhances facial harmony and the proportions of your nose.
It can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose. Nose surgery that's done to improve an obstructed airway requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing. Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to produce better alignment.
Every face is different, and each nose should fit the face. Having an eye for culture facial differences is central to having the best ethnic rhinoplasty result.
Who are the candidates for rhinoplasty?
There is no upper age limit for rhinoplasty, though most plastic surgeons recommend you should be over 16 and should have achieved full facial growth prior to undergoing the procedure. All of requirements—and any further factors that may apply to your unique case—will be comprehensively discussed at the time of the consultation and physical examination.
What are the steps of the procedure?
The operation, which is mostly performed under general anesthesia, can be performed under local anesthesia in some cases, with the decision of the physician.
The key difference between open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty is the location of the incisions through which surgery is performed. In open rhinoplasty, an incision is generally made in the vertical strip of the nose (columella), enabling the skin to be separated from the nasal framework underneath. In contrast, closed rhinoplasty is typically performed through the nostrils using small incisions located on the inside of the nose—resulting in no external scarring. Each method has distinctive benefits, and our clinician will recommend the most appropriate option for your needs and goals at the time of the consultation.
The operation may be completed in an average of 3 hours and depending on the patient’s condition, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital overnight. With the development of technology, rhinoplasty operations take place for a short time and with comfort that will prevent the patient from feeling pain. If a nausea health problem is not observed at the end of 2-3 hours, the patient can start drinking water and eating. Silicone pads are placed in the nose against the risk of bleeding during the operation and the pads placed 2-3 days after the end of the operation are removed.
What should I expect during my recovery after rhinoplasty?
During your rhinoplasty recovery, a splint and/or packing may be placed inside your nose and a splint or bandages placed on the outside to support and protect the new structures during initial healing.
While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
Swelling may come and go and worsen in the morning during the first year following your rhinoplasty surgery.
You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health and when to follow up with your rhinoplasty surgeon.
To help reduce swelling after rhinoplasty your rhino surgeon will recommend you some tips like to keep your head in a slightly elevated position—even when lying down and/or sleeping, to apply cold compresses gently to the areas around the nose (not directly on the nose) during the first few days of recovery or to avoid adjusting or excessively touching the nasal splint.
You will be asked to avoid blowing your nose for at least one-week post-rhinoplasty. If possible, waiting three to four weeks after surgery is ideal, as this gives the nose longer to fully heal before enduring the force caused by blowing.
Glasses can usually be worn overtop the nasal splint after rhinoplasty; however, once the splint is removed approximately one-week post-surgery, all types of glasses (including readers and sunglasses) will typically need to be avoided for at least six weeks. This is particularly true if the nasal bridge was a focus of treatment, as any pressure placed on the bridge too early may negatively affect the final outcome. Once patients are cleared to wear glasses again, it is usually recommended wearing light-weight frames until about three months post-op.
What should I expect as a result after rhinoplasty?
The visibility of scarring after rhinoplasty will depend on the technique used during surgery. When the closed rhinoplasty approach is utilized, there will typically be no external scarring as all incisions are made on the inside of the nostrils. For open rhinoplasty, a small external incision is made on the tissue between the nostrils; however, the resulting scar tends to be rather inconspicuous and often fades over time with proper care.
The results of your rhinoplasty will be long-lasting. It will take one year until your nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome. As your body ages, it is natural to have some gradual changes to your face including your nose. But most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.
