A crooked nose, a distorted nasal tip, and broad nostrils can make people feel self-conscious about their looks. Rhinoplasty is a surgical operation that alters the shape and visual appearance of your nose. Rhinoplasty may be performed to enhance breathing, change the look of the nose, or both.
The upper part of the nose consists of bone, while the lower part is cartilage (a firm tissue). Rhinoplasty can restructure bone, cartilage, skin, or all three at the same time. Consult a professional to see if Rhinoplasty is right for you and how it can help you.
Your surgeon will evaluate your other facial characteristics, the skin on your nose, and what you want to change while considering Rhinoplasty. If you're a surgical candidate, your surgeon will create a unique treatment plan for you.
Why opt for Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is performed to repair the nose following an injury, cure breathing problems or a congenital deformity, or improve the nose's appearance. Your surgeon might be able to make the following alterations to your nose through Rhinoplasty:
- A shift in size
- A shift in angle
- Levelling the bridge
- Shaping the tip
- Reducing the nostrils
If you want to get Rhinoplasty done just to improve your appearance, then it is advised that you should not proceed until your nasal bone is fully matured. This is around the age of 15 for girls.
Boys may continue to develop until they are a little older. On the other hand, Rhinoplasty can be done at a younger age if you're having surgery for a breathing problem.
How FaceTouchUp works?
If you are thinking about getting nose surgery or Rhinoplasty, uploading a photo to the virtual nose job simulation feature in our FaceTouchUp app can help. You can reshape sections of your nose using this tool to discover what your ideal nose might look like after Rhinoplasty.
The tool is excellent for changing the side profile of your nose or narrowing the front profile of your nose.
After you have finished reshaping your nose in the animated version, send before and after images to your facial cosmetic surgeon to discuss your options.
Finally, you can use your own images to test the application in multiple ways.
Preparation for Rhinoplasty
To find out if you're a good candidate for Rhinoplasty, schedule an appointment with your surgeon. You'll discuss why you want the procedure and what you hope to achieve from it.
Your surgeon will do the following steps for evaluating whether the surgery is appropriate for you.
- He will look at your medical history before proceeding and inquire about any current drugs or illnesses.
- If you have hemophilias or a bleeding disorder, he might advise you to avoid any elective surgery.
- He will do a physical examination, scrutinising the skin on the inside and outside of your nose to see what modifications can be made.
- He might order blood tests and other lab tests.
- He will also assess whether any other procedures should be performed concurrently. For example, some people combine Rhinoplasty with chin augmentation, a technique that improves the definition of your chin.
The procedure
- Location of procedure: Rhinoplasty can be performed at a hospital, a doctor's office, or an outpatient surgical centre.
- Use of Anesthetic: Your doctor will use a local or general anesthetic.
- Local Anesthesia: If the operation is uncomplicated, you will be given a local anesthetic for your nose, which will also numb your face. You might potentially obtain sluggish medication through an IV line, but you'll still be awake.
- General Anesthesia: With general anesthesia, you will be rendered unconscious by inhaling or receiving medication through an IV. General anesthesia is commonly provided to children.
- Steps for the procedure:
- Once you are numb or unconscious, your surgeon will make slight cuts between or inside your nostrils.
- Next, they will detach your skin from your cartilage or bone before beginning the contouring process.
- Next, they may extract cartilage from your ear or deep inside your nose if your new nose requires a little bit of extra cartilage.
- You may need an implant or a bone graft if more is required. A bone graft is an extra bone that is added to your nose structure. It usually takes between one and two hours to complete the process.
- Time for procedure: The time taken to complete this procedure may vary depending on whether your nose requires extra cartilage or if you need an implant, as suggested in steps 3( c ) and 3( d ) above.
The recovery procedure
Post-surgery recovery instructions:
- After surgery, you will be observed in a recovery room for at least a few hours. If all goes well, you will be able to leave the hospital in few hours. The anesthetic takes time to wear off, so you will need someone to drive you home.
- On the other hand, if the procedure ends up being more complicated with extra steps (as described above), you may need to stay at the hospital for a day or two.
- What to expect: Your doctor may apply metal or plastic plaster on your nose after surgery. While your nose heals, the splint will help it maintain its new shape. They may also use nasal packs or splints to stabilise your septum, which is the section of your nose that connects your nostrils.
- Keeping your head elevated even while resting would help to decrease bleeding and inflammation.
- You may have congestion if your nose is clogged or stuffed with cotton.
- Splints and dressings are necessary to be worn for up to a week after surgery.
- You may have self-absorbing stitches, which will dissolve on their own and will not require you to come to the office for removal. If, however, your stitches are not self-absorbing, you will need to return to your doctor a week following surgery to have them removed.
Some possible side-effects:
- Memory lapses, cognitive impairment, and a sluggish reaction time are all common side effects of drugs used during surgery. Try to have a friend or relative spend the first night with you.
- You may have bleeding for a few days following your procedure. Blood and mucus can be absorbed by a drip pad, which is a piece of gauze glued underneath your nose. The doctor's office will give you instructions on the usage of the drip pad.
- You may get headaches, puffiness in your face, and your doctor may prescribe pain medication.
For a few weeks after your operation, your doctor may advise you to avoid the following:
- Running and other physically demanding activities
- Swimming
- Breathing via your nose (try to breathe via mouth)
- Chewing excessively, laughing, smiling, or making other facial emotions that involve a lot of movement.
- Draping your clothes over your head and resting your spectacles on your nose.
- Brushing your teeth vigorously.
- Sun exposure should be avoided at all costs. If you are out there for too long, the skin around your nose may become permanently discoloured.
The results
- Although Rhinoplasty is a very safe and straightforward technique, recovery time can be lengthy.
- The tip of your nose is particularly sensitive, and it might go numb and swollen for months.
- Although you may feel completely cured in a few weeks, some side effects can last for months.
- It may take a year for you to understand the outcome of your operation fully.
Risks involved with Rhinoplasty
Infection, bleeding, or a severe anesthetic reaction are dangers associated with all surgeries. Rhinoplasty can potentially put you at risk for:
- Problems with breathing
- Nosebleeds
- A numb nose
- Unequal scars on the nose
Patients are occasionally unsatisfied with their procedure. If you want a second surgery, you'll have to wait until your nose is completely healed. This may take up to a year.
Bottom-line
To sum it up, it is a significant decision to find the appropriate plastic surgeon for yourself! Your surgeon's expertise, success, and experience will determine your post-surgical outcome.
Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that you are at ease during the evaluation stage. For all that, you need to select a board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon with extensive experience.
We really hope that this article helps you in making the right decision towards achieving that cosmetic change you've always wanted!
