Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape the nose, which might be motivated by wanting to change the nose's appearance, improve breathing, or both. The upper portion of the structure of the nose is bone, and the lower portion is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can change bone, cartilage, skin, or all three. If you want to learn more about Rhinoplasty, join us in this article from the Doctour website.
Reasons for rhinoplasty
Usually, rhinoplasty is done to repair a nose that has had an injury, to correct breathing problems, or simply because the patient is unhappy with the appearance of their nose. Some of the possible changes through rhinoplasty include:
Removing a hump on the nose
Correcting the nose after an injury
A change in size
A change in angle
Straightening of the bridge
Reshaping of the tip
Opening breathing passages
Narrowing of the nostrils
Even though rhinoplasty can be performed at a younger age if you need breathing impairment; in case your reasons are to improve your appearance you should wait until the nasal bone is fully grown. For girls, this is about age 15. Boys might still be growing until they’re a bit older.
What to ask your surgeon before the procedure?
About their qualifications and experience
The number of nose-reshaping operations they've performed
How many operations they've performed where there have been complications
What sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong
What are their patient satisfaction rates are
Rhinoplasty surgery procedure
Rhinoplasty may be done inside your nose or through a small external cut (incision) at the base of your nose, between your nostrils. Your surgeon will likely readjust the bone and cartilage underneath your skin.
During the surgery
Rhinoplasty or nose job is usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning there is no overnight stay. You'll get general or local anesthesia.
Local anesthesia with sedation
This type of anesthesia is usually used in an outpatient setting. Which is limited to a specific area of your body. Your doctor injects a pain-numbing medication into your nasal tissues and sedates you with medication injected through an intravenous (IV) line. This makes you weary but not fully asleep.
General anesthesia
You receive the drug (anesthetic) by inhaling it or through a small tube (IV line) placed in a vein in your hand, neck, or chest. General anesthesia affects your entire body and causes you to be unconscious during surgery. General anesthesia requires a breathing tube.
Risks of rhinoplasty
As with any major surgery, rhinoplasty has risks such as:
Bleeding
Infection
An adverse reaction to the anesthesia
Other possible risks specific to rhinoplasty may include:
Difficulty breathing through your nose
Permanent numbness in and around your nose
The possibility of an uneven-looking nose
Pain, discoloration, or swelling that may persist
Scarring
A hole in the septum (septal perforation)
A need for additional surgery
Nose Job Recovery
Afterward, you’ll wear a nasal splint for the first week and will need to keep your head elevated for at least the first 24 hours post-surgery. Swelling and some bruising around the eyes are expected after surgery, which should begin to improve after the third day, but can last up to 2 weeks. There will be a little expected swelling which only you and your surgeon will notice, and will go away over the next 6 months. The final results of your new nose shape will be apparent after it’s fully healed.
Your doctor may tell you to avoid the following for a few weeks after your surgery:
Running and other strenuous physical activities
Swimming
Blowing your nose
Excessive chewing
Laughing, smiling, or other facial expressions that require lots of movement
Pulling clothing over your head
Resting eyeglasses on your nose
Vigorous tooth brushing
What could go wrong during rhinoplasty?
Permanent breathing difficulty
Damage to the cartilage wall between your nostrils
An altered sense of smell
Heavy nosebleeds
Your surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they would be treated if you have them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that can benefit a wide range of individuals. Those who are dissatisfied with the size, shape, or angle of their nose may consider rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons. It can also be beneficial for individuals who have breathing issues due to irregularities in the internal structure of the nose. Furthermore, rhinoplasty can help those who have suffered trauma to the nose or those who have a birth defect that affects the appearance or function of the nose. It’s important to note that candidates for rhinoplasty should be in good health, have realistic expectations, and preferably be non-smokers. As always, a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is essential to determine individual suitability for this procedure.
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