Rhinoplasty

Because the nose is an important and central point on the face, it plays a major role in how you look to others. Perhaps you would like your nose to be better balanced with your face. Sometimes people are dissatisfied with its appearance, whether due to a birth defect, age, trauma, or just unhappiness with the nose you were born with, you may want your nose reshaped to better complement your other features. Rhinoplasty or “nose job “is the surgical procedure that improves the nose appearance in a way that looks natural. The tip, bridge or indeed the entire profile of the nose may be re-shaped. it’s common for surgery to be performed for aesthetic reasons, it can also improve nasal function and correct deviated septum.

TYPES OF RHINOPLASTY

There are three primary types of rhinoplasty:

  • Standard rhinoplasty – this involves a full nose correction of the bridge, nose tip and alar bases or nostrils
  • Septorhinoplasty – this involves a full nose correction, including the alteration of a deviated nasal septum (the cartilage partition in the nose). If you suffer from symptoms of a deviated septum, this procedure is also suitable
  • Nasal Tip plasty – this involves correction of the tip and alar bases

RHINOPLASTY TECHNIQUES

Majorly two rhinoplasty techniques, depending on the needs of the patient:

  • Open rhinoplastyallows the most direct access to the interior of the nose and requires a small incision on the thin strip of tissue between the nostrils called the columella and extending to the interior lower margins of nostrils
  • Closed rhinoplastyrequires incisions only on the interior of the nose, leaving no visible scarring. This technique is appropriate for making minor changes such as tip correction or septum correction

WHAT CAN A RHINOPLASTY DO?

Depending on whether you’re considering rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons or to make it easier to breathe through your nose, goals may include:

  • Reducing a prominent dorsal hump
  • Correcting a bulbous or over-projecting tip
  • Straightening a crooked nose
  • Revising the unsatisfactory results of a previous rhinoplasty
  • Treating physiological irregularities, such as a deviated septum, that contribute to nasal breathing problems
  • Reducing wide alar base
  • Correction of alar flaring

WHAT DOES SURGERY INVOLVE?

Both rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty surgery are performed under general anaesthetic and take approximately two to four hours depending on the exact nature of the procedure. You will be admitted to hospital, normally for one night. Most incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. Sometimes a very short incision is made across the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils called the columella. This technique is called an “open rhinoplasty”. The technique used will depend on the surgical goal. Through these incisions, work is done on the cartilages and bone that form the framework of your nose. The skin and tissues of the nose along with the underlying bone and cartilage are sculpted by the surgeon to your desired new shape. The incisions used, will ultimately be very inconspicuous. Sometimes, the position of certain bones may need to be altered with osteotomy in order to make your nose look narrower and straighter. If your nose needs to be built up in some areas, this can be done using cartilage graft, bone graft or an implant. The skin and soft tissues then re-drape themselves over this new framework. If the base of the nose is narrowed or the nostrils reduced, small wedges of skin at the base of the nostrils will be removed. Depending upon the time of your surgery and your recovery you may be able to return home on the same day.

RHINOPLASTY COST

The cost for rhinoplasty depends on several factors, including if:

  • The reason for the procedure is cosmetic, functional, or reconstructive
  • You’ve had previous rhinoplasty surgery
  • You are combing other procedures with your rhinoplasty

RECOVERY

Most patients describe the first few days after surgery as somewhat uncomfortable, but not painful. You may feel stuffed up or have headaches during this time, but these effects fade quickly. You will be prescribed painkillers and you should take these regularly for the first week or so. A protective splint will be worn across the nose for 7–10 days and it is normal to experience bruising and swelling of the eyes which will subside within approximately two weeks. Some people choose to work from home during this time. After just a few weeks, the vast majority of the swelling and all bruising should be gone. Trace swelling may remain for up to a year, but it won’t be noticeable.

· You must avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and swimming for approximately six weeks after surgery.

· Apply cold compresses during the first 48 hours after your rhinoplasty surgery.

· Keep your head elevated at all times for the first week to help minimize swelling and bleeding. Sleep propped up with pillows or in a recliner.

· For the first 6 weeks, avoid putting pressure on your nose and any activity that may risk trauma to your nose.

RISKS

Rhinoplasty is commonly performed and is generally a safe operation. Nonetheless, all surgery and anaesthetic have some risk associated. Risks to all surgeries include infection, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthetic. Swelling may cause some difficulty breathing during the first week.

FAQ’s

Yes. Rhinoplasty may be performed at the same time as surgery such as septoplasty, which is done to straighten a deviated septum that is making it difficult to breathe through the nose. Rhinoplasty makes aesthetic changes to the nose, while septoplasty makes functional alterations.

Medical insurance typically does not cover the cost of procedures such as cosmetic rhinoplasty. If you are seeking rhinoplasty to improve breathing, called a functional rhinoplasty, or to correct injury, called reconstructive rhinoplasty, your procedure may be covered by your medical insurance.

Rhinoplasty surgery is only suitable for patients who have reached complete facial maturity, i.e., patients whose noses have stopped developing further. People reach full nasal maturity at different ages, but generally speaking, you should be 18 years of age before getting the procedure. Patients shouldn’t undergo a rhinoplasty surgery until they reach full facial maturity because the nose is still growing and changing. Thus, the results of a nose job may not be proportionate to your more mature facial anatomy. In some cases, the patient’s nose may continue changing even after the surgery, negating the treatment’s results.

Some patients are often surprised by how much a nose’s appearance is influenced by the shape of the chin. A recessed chin, for example, can make the nose look larger. Combining rhinoplasty with a chin implant during the same procedure is possible for the right candidates. The benefit of a combined surgery is the convenience of going through a single recovery and saving money on surgery fees.

The tiny scar that results from open rhinoplasty, located in the columella, it so faint that it is virtually undetectable. Closed rhinoplasty does not leave an external scar.

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