Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures done today. However, before you have the surgery, it is important to know what it is, the changes to the nose that can be made as well as any possible side effects that you could suffer. Only once you know all of this information will you be able to determine whether rhinoplasty surgery is the right option for you.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is the medical name for nose reshaping surgery that is completed to improve the size, shape, and symmetry of the nose. The basis of this surgery is to better proportion the nose to suit the overall shape of the face. Rhinoplasty surgery can also be completed as part of reconstructive surgery when there has been an injury to the face and the nose.
The surgery should only be completed by a trained surgeon who specializes in cosmetic or plastic surgery. If the operation is completed by a new professional, the results can vary, and major complications could come about.
What Changes Can Be Made To The Nose
There are some reasons why people choose to have rhinoplasty surgery, but the common goal is to improve the aesthetics of the nose. There are some changes that can be made to the nose to redefine the shape. Some of these changes will require the reshaping of the nasal structure which includes cartilage and bone.
One of the most common reasons for this surgery is to straighten a crooked nose or to smooth a prominent bump on the bridge of the nose. It is also possible to reduce the length of the nasal tip if it protrudes too far. Other changes to the nasal tip will include the refining of the size of the tip should it be bulbous.
Some people choose to have this surgery to narrow the nose when it is too wide for the overall face structure. It is also possible to reduce the overall size of the nose. Following an injury, you could have rhinoplasty surgery to restore the symmetry of the nose. This surgery will also correct any breathing problems that have been caused by block nasal passages or a nasal injury.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
As with all surgery, it is important to determine whether or not you would make a good candidate for the surgery. Rhinoplasty can be performed on men and women of all ages. This is also a popular type of surgery for people in their teens, but most surgeons will have an age limit for this surgery. In patients that are very young extra care will need to be taken as the nose will continue to grow.
To have the surgery, the nose will need to be fully formed, and this will be around the age of 16 for boys and 14 to girls. Younger patients will also need to demonstrate that they are emotionally mature enough for the surgery and that the fully understand the process and the potential consequences. Most surgeons will require strict screening for patients that are still in their teens.
Regardless of your age, it is important that you have realistic expectations about the surgery and the results that you can get. While rhinoplasty can enhance your nose, it will never be able to provide you with a perfect nose or give you a nose that is identical to someone else. Your surgeon will talk to you before the surgery and will help you to understand what the results of the surgery would be and how you can achieve the most natural nose for your face shape.
The Types Of Rhinoplasty
The kind of rhinoplasty surgery used for your case will be determined based on your individual needs and what the surgery is hoping to achieve. The exact technique of the surgeon will also vary depending on the procedure, your anatomy, and the desired changes. However, there are some general types of rhinoplasty that you should know about before you go under the knife.
Open Rhinoplasty
When open rhinoplasty is done the small incision for the surgery will be made under the nasal tip and between the nostrils. This allows the surgeon to have complete access to the whole nasal structure so that they can reshape the structure into the desired shape. This technique will be used for patients that are having extensive work done.
One of the benefits of open rhinoplasty is that the scars from the surgery will be well hidden. This is due to the incision being in an area where the natural contours of the nose will hide the scarring.
Closed Rhinoplasty
When close rhinoplasty is completed the incision will be made inside the nostril. This is a standard approach that will be used when small alterations are being made to the nose. These little alterations will include slight adjustments to the nasal structure to achieve symmetry.
The benefit of closed rhinoplasty is that there will be no visible scarring as the incision is inside the nose. However, this technique should not be used if extensive reshaping will be completed as part of the surgery.
Tip Plasty
The last technique used for rhinoplasty is tip plasty. This refers to the area that is being reshaped instead of the method used for the incision. As the name suggest, tip plasty will be used when the surgery is looking to reshape only the nasal tip. When this technique has used the rest of the nasal structure will be untouched. It is possible to complete tip plasty using open or closed techniques.
Can You Have A Non-Surgical Nose Job?
There are many people who want to reshape their nose but do not want to undergo surgery, and this is why many of them ask about non-surgical nose jobs. In some cases, it is possible to reshape the nose using a dermal filler which will improve the nose shape for up to a year. A surgeon will need to inject filler into certain points of the nose to smooth our bumps, to reshape the nasal tip or to improve the symmetry of the nose.
It is important to note that the results of non-surgical nose jobs will be temporary. However, this is a cost-effective means of “test-driving” the changes before committing to surgery.
Choosing A Rhinoplasty Surgeon
If you do decide to have rhinoplasty surgery, then you need to choose the right surgeon. Rhinoplasty is a complicated procedure, and there are many problems that could result from a poor job. It is recommended that you choose a rhinoplasty surgeon with a track record of rhinoplasty surgeries. You should also consider if the surgeon has had any further training or certifications related to rhinoplasty.
When you consult with the surgeon, you should ask about the number of rhinoplasty surgeries that have completed. You should also ask to see any before and after images that they have their previous patients. The results in these pictures should look natural, and you should be comfortable that they will complete the job correctly.
Recovering From Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure that is completed with general anesthesia, but local anesthesia could be used in certain circumstances. Once the procedure has been completed, the nose may be placed in a splint. The splint is used to support the nose as it heals and to protect it from accidental contact. It is also possible that packing will be placed inside the nostrils and you will be asked to keep them in for a set amount of time.
The packing will be removed a week after the rhinoplasty has been completed. The packing will be uncomfortable, but it is essential that it remains in until the doctor removes it. Your surgeon will also prescribe pain medication for any discomfort during the initial stages of recovery.
Bruising and swelling are common during the first two weeks after the procedure, and at first, you will not be able to see the results of the surgery. After 10 to 14 days the majority of the swelling and bruising will be gone. Most patients can return to their daily lives after the initial two weeks depending on the level of activity that is required.
You surgeon will provide you with some instructions on what you can and cannot do during the initial recovery. These instructions could include propping your head up on pillows to reduce the swelling, avoiding hot baths or getting the splint wet, avoid blowing your nose and avoiding pressure on the nose. You may also be advised to stay away from smoky or dusty areas and to avoid any strenuous exercise or contact sports.
Once the initial swelling and bruising are gone, you will be able to see the results of the surgery. However, it is possible that there will be some residual swelling in the area for up to a year. This will not be very noticeable. After this point, the results of the rhinoplasty will be permanent, and if any changes need to be done, you will need to undergo surgery again.
The Possible Side Effects And Problems
As with any medical procedure, there are some side effects and problems that you could face with rhinoplasty. Some of the common side effects are a blocked nose, numbness or stiffness in the nose and light nosebleeds. The blocked nose will reside once the swelling from the surgery has gone down. The nosebleeds will also generally last for the first few days after the procedure has been completed.
Rhinoplasty has been known to occasionally result in permanent difficulty breathing and damage to the cartilage wall between the nostrils. Some patients have suffered from heavy nosebleeds and an altered sense of smell. There is a smaller risk of excessive bleeding and the developing of a blood clot in the veins.
There are some patients who have had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia which has been used, but this is a problem that is not directly linked to the rhinoplasty surgery. It is also possible that the nose could become infected. It is important that your surgeon goes through all of the potential problems that could result from the surgery and how they would be treated should they occur.
There is a lot of information that you need to know before you decide to have rhinoplasty surgery. You should be able to talk about all of this with the surgeon that you choose. If you are unsure about the results, then you could turn to a temporary non-surgical nose job.