Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a type of surgery that reshapes the nose. It is a branch of cosmetic surgery rather than plastic surgery which is more to do with reconstruction.

Rhinoplasty serves to make the nose bigger or smaller; it can change the nose’s angle in relation to the top lip; it can change the nose’s tip and it can also make corrections to indentations, bumps, or other nose defects.

What Happens During Rhinoplasty?

The surgeon has to make incisions so as to make it easier to access the cartilage and bones that give support to the nose. These incisions, to help to cover up any signs later on, are normally made inside the nose.  It depends on the likely outcome whether any bone or cartilage is removed, or, in some cases tissue may be added. This can be done by getting tissue from another part of the body or through the use of a synthetic filler.

Once the surgeon has completed the job of rearranging and reshaping the bone and cartilage, any skin that was folded back is replaced back over the nose again. A splint is then placed on the outside of the nose as a way of supporting the newly formed shape of the nose while it heals.

Rhinoplasty is usually performed through the use of a local or general anaesthesia. It is normally completed on the recipient as an outpatient but on occasions it might be necessary to spend a night in hospital to facilitate recovery.

Surgeons who perform rhinoplasties usually do additional training in plastic surgery or otolaryngology which is specialism in nose, ear and throat surgery.

What Happens After Surgery?

The bandage and splint which is placed around your nose will usually be removed once one week has passed.

At this stage your face may feel swollen and the area surrounding your nose and eyes will remain swollen and bruised for a few days following the rhinoplasty. The application of cold compresses can help in minimising the effects of the swelling and lower pain. Your doctor could also suggest taking a pain relief medicine. The healing process takes between 10 and14 days and by that time is up most of the bruising and swelling has subsided.

You may find you need to keep your head elevated and fairly still in the first few days following surgery. It could take several weeks to get back to normal so that you are able to participate in more strenuous activities.

Two Reasons for Having a Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty can alter the shape, size and angle of the nose so that it is in better proportion with the remainder of your face. It can also correct  problems with the nose associated with breathing problems and chronic congestion. .

How Well does Rhinoplasty Work?

The outcome of a rhinoplasty could be quite minor or it could make significant changes depending on the sort of correcting you want. Before the surgery commences it is vital that you and your plastic surgeon come to an agreement on a satisfactory outcome.

The outcome of a rhinoplasty is normally permanent, but obviously an injury could change the appearance of the nose. Cosmetic surgery can only be performed on a mature nose. This normally has taken place by the age of 15 or 16 in girls and 17 or 18 in boys. If surgery is performed earlier then as the nose is still developing the surgery may lose its effect altogether.

Risks of Rhinoplasty

Temporary bruising and swelling around the nose and eyes after rhinoplasty generally takes place.  Additional problems that could occur are:

• bleeding;
• holes or damage to the septum, which is the wall that divides your nostrils;
• skin tissue breakdown and skin irritation from the  bandaging and tape;
• infection could occur but preventive antibiotics could be taken following surgery to minimise the infection risk;
• serious swelling occurring inside the nose which could initiate a nasal blockage.

Will Rhinoplasty Make me Happy?

Without a doubt the nose is an important part of your appearance and can affect people’s opinion of you. If you’re not happy with your nose shape and it has a debilitating effect on you, then rhinoplasty may be just what you are looking for.

Rhinoplasty, unless it is necessary to use it to correct an injury to the nose, is not available through the NHS. The costs of surgery covers the surgeon’s fee, but there are also fees needed for the operating room, medicines, an anaesthesiologist, splints, and any other extra materials.

There are very stringent qualifications in the UK for practising rhinoplasty but if you are in need of a surgeon go to www.anyclinics.co.uk and you will find an appropriate one in your area that suits your requirements.