While rhinoplasty is one of the most popularly requested facial surgeries, it is also one of the most complex. It’s also a surgical procedure that has a lot of misinformation circulating around it.
Gathering the right information before you make a decision to have nose reshaping surgery will help you understand the procedure and have a realistic expectation of the outcome.
What Is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a type of surgery designed to improve the shape, size, appearance and function of the nose.
10 Facts About Nose Reshaping
Fact #1: Rhinoplasty Is About Shape and Function
Rhinoplasty is performed for a variety of reasons. While it can certainly improve the shape, size and appearance of a nose, nose reshaping surgery is also often used to treat functional issues. For example, nose reshaping may be necessary to correct a deviated or crooked septum (septoplasty), fix breathing issues with the sinus cavities (sinus surgery), or repair an injury from facial trauma (maxillofacial surgery). Rhinoplasty can also correct noses that have been damaged by cancer or birth defects.
Fact #2: Nose Reshaping Is One of the Most Challenging Cosmetic Surgeries
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex cosmetic surgeries to perform. It takes a trained hand to sculpt the delicate cartilage (lower part) of the nose and correct deviated nasal bones (upper part). To cut down on the risk for complications or revision rhinoplasty, it’s important to find an accomplished surgeon with many years’ of specialist experience in nasal surgery.
Fact #3: Rhinoplasty Is Highly Customisable
There are many changes to your nose that are possible, however, it is important to remember that some issues may be impossible to resolve. Your surgeon will guide you & plan your surgery to match the unique needs your facial shape, whilst trying to achieve the desired look.
For example, it may be necessary to consider a combined surgery (rhinoplasty and septoplasty; rhinoplasty and genioplasty; rhinoplasty with turbinate or sinus surgery) or a single procedure to change the size, shape or projection of your nose. Thus ensuring both better nasal function & appearance to complement your individual facial features.
Rhinoplasty can result in a narrower nose, a higher bridge, a more refined tip, fill in a dent, remove a bump, or set a crooked nose straight. You may choose to reduce the size or width of the nose, narrow your nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and the upper lip. The goal is a natural look that achieves a harmonious balance with your other facial features and improves the function of your nose.
Fact #4: Your Health Is Critical For A Positive Outcome
Your health plays a significant role in the success of your cosmetic surgery. The healthier you are, the safer the surgery will be. Why? Certain health conditions put you at greater risk for complications during and after the surgery procedure.
Before rhinoplasty, your surgeon will discuss your medical history and current health with you. If you have any health issues that may complicate the surgery, your surgeon will recommend postponing the nose reshaping surgery until the health issues are resolved.
Fact #5: Rhinoplasty Has A Long History
Rhinoplasty has been practiced for 2,500 years. Nose reshaping surgery, which originated in India, actually used extremely similar techniques to modern rhinoplasty. The original purpose of rhinoplasty was to repair noses that were damaged or cut off in battle.
Fact #6: Cartilage And Skin Are Often Harvested From Other Parts Of The Body
Nose reshaping may involve using nasal cartilage, or bone or cartilage from another site on the body. Rhinoplasty may use cartilage or skin from the ear, rib area or forehead to make a nose longer or reconstruct a damaged nose.
Fact #7: Rhinoplasty Has Two Types of Incisions
There are two types of rhinoplasty incisions. With a ‘closed’ or endonasal rhinoplasty, an incision is made on the inside of the nose. In ‘open’ or external rhinoplasty, a very short incision is made across the columella, the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. These incisions are barely visible and heal very well.
Fact #8: Rhinoplasty Recovery Is Straightforward
Recovery from rhinoplasty is a simple process, but it’s important for patients to have realistic expectations about when the final result will be visible. While most patients will experience mild to moderate discomfort for two weeks following surgery, swelling will take between three weeks to three months to subside and skin contracture can take up to nine months to settle. In fact, your new nose take up to a year after surgery to look like the finished result.
Rhinoplasty patients must wear nose splints on the inside and outside of the nose for the three to eight days after surgery to protect the fragile nasal bones and cartilage while they are healing. During this time, you’ll also need to clean out your nostrils with peroxide and antibiotic ointment.
You should be able to return to work a week to ten days after surgery. Avoid strenuous physical activity, such as jogging or swimming, for three weeks after surgery.
Visit your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty with breathing or excessive bleeding a day or two after the surgery.
Fact #9: Rhinoplasty Age: Physical and Mental Age Are Key When Making A Decision
A patient’s face must reach skeletal maturity before rhinoplasty can be performed. Even more importantly, the patient must be certain they fully understand the procedure and emotionally mature enough to make the decision. The only exception is pediatric patients who have a facial birth defect, such as a cleft palate.
Fact #10: Rhinoplasty Is A Short Stay Surgery
Rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgery. What does this mean? The patient can usually return home on the same day that the surgical procedure is performed. The surgery itself takes between 1.5 and 3 hours from start to finish.
While rhinoplasty is a safe procedure, it’s vital that the surgery is performed by an expert. The nose is a complex structure made of delicate cartilage and bone. Rhinoplasty requires expertise to achieve a natural, subtle-looking result.
If you’re considering rhinoplasty, contact the specialists at Dental Implant & Specialist Centre today on (07) 5503 1744.