Many people are unhappy with their nose’s size or shape, perhaps it is large or crooked or maybe you feel it just does not fit in with the rest of your facial features. Nose correction surgery or nose reshaping is also often referred to as nose job surgery or Rhinoplasty surgery and can drastically alter your appearance. It involves a surgical procedure to alter the appearance of the nose. During surgery the cartilage and bones within the nose are reshaped to give a different look.
Am I a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?
If you have one or more of the following problems, you require nose operation:
- Nasal airway obstruction that impairs breathing
- Crooked/deformed nose
- Cosmetically unacceptable nose
Rhinoplasty Procedure
The procedure of Rhinoplasty takes about 1 – 2 hours. The Rhinoplasty nose job can be done either under local or general anaesthesia depending on the choice of patient and the preference of the nose specialist. If done under general anaesthesia, a stay of one night is required at the hospital or the patient can go home the same day if done under local anaesthesia.
Incisions for Rhinoplasty are made inside the nostrils, depending on the reshaping job that needs to be performed. The skin of the nose is separated from its underlying bone and cartilage which are cut and trimmed to obtain the desired results. The skin is then re-draped over the bone and cartilage. Incision(s) is sutured and nose packs are placed to minimize the chances of bleeding.
Broadly there are four different types of Rhinoplasty procedures based on the procedure and the requirement of the patient:
- Reduction Rhinoplasty: Bone or cartilage is removed in an effort to change the shape of the nose.
- Augmentation Rhinoplasty: Enhances the nose by adding cartilage, bone, or implant material when nasal deficiency (loss of structure) is encountered.
- Closed Rhinoplasty: Improves the contour of the nose by making the incisions inside the nose and removing, shaving or repositioning the cartilage and bone.
- Open Rhinoplasty: Improves the contour of the nose by making the incisions inside the nose along the nostrils and across the columella (vertical strip), and removing, shaving or repositioning the cartilage and bone.
Immediately After Treatment
After the nose correction surgery is completed the nose surgeon will put in a nose plug and a plaster splint to keep the nose in place whilst it heals. The plug can be removed the following day; however the plaster splint will need to remain for a week. Rhinoplasty surgery usually involves an overnight stay at your clinic or hospital and you should be able to go home the following day.
Outcome of Rhinoplasty or Nose Surgery
The final result of surgery may not be apparent until 3 to 6 months after surgery. Each day, your nose will begin to look better and your attitude will improve. Most people end up wishing they had had the surgery earlier!
