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Who Considers Rhinoplasty?
Patients seeing an abnormal, unattractive or ‘ill-fitting’ nose often consider rhinoplasty. The best candidates are people unhappy with specific aspects of their nose and who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look.
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty means reshaping of the nose and the goal of rhinoplasty is to balance the nose with the rest of the face. Since everyone’s nose is different the procedure can involve refining the tip, removing a hump or irregularity, narrowing or elevating the nose or completely re-building a nose with severe damage.
Good communication is essential - Be sure to address your expectations, concerns and goals during consultation.
How is the Procedure Performed?
- Incisions are made inside the nostrils or at the base of the nose. The cartilage, bone and soft tissues are then sculpted into their new shape.
- Reshaping may include removal of a hump on the bridge, narrowing the nose and refinement or elevation of the nasal tip.
- Surgery takes about 1-3 hours.
- It is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia.
- When surgery is complete a splint is placed on the nose to maintain the corrected shape and nasal packing may be required.
- Chin implants may be needed at the same time as nose reshaping to enhance results.
What is Normal Recovery?
A nasal splint and any necessary sutures are present for about one week. The nose may be packed for 3-4 days. Ice and head elevation greatly reduce swelling and discomfort following nose reshaping, but prescription medications are used as well. A little bleeding is common during the first few days, and you will need to avoid blowing your nose for several weeks. Most swelling is resolved in 2-3 weeks, but a full year is required for any final swelling to resolve. Most patients are back to work within 2 weeks and full activity (except contact sports) within one month.
What are Expected Results?
A more attractive nose, in better proportion to the rest of the face is the usual outcome. Results can be optimized by combining procedures and being very careful to follow post-operative instructions.
Are There Potential Complications?
When rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including nosebleed, small burst blood vessels, areas of numbness or residual fullness. In about one case out of ten, a second procedure may be required- to correct a minor deformity. Such cases are unpredictable and happen even to patients of the most skilled surgeons. The corrective surgery is usually minor. These and other, more rare but significant problems can be reviewed on the ASPS link below.
Additional information:
Copy adapted from the joint ASPS and PSEF website.
