Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to reconstruct the nose. The nose is one of the most visible features of a person’s appearance and can make or break their overall look. Rhinoplasty can help patients who have a crooked nose, one that is too big or too small, or even one with a bump on it.
Rhinoplasty can be performed using either open surgery or closed surgery techniques. During an open procedure, an incision is made in front of the ear and down along the side of the nose to expose the cartilage and other tissues inside the nose. This type of procedure allows for greater flexibility in terms of sculpting and modifying your new nose shape after surgery.
Rhinoplasty is generally safe and effective, but there are some risks involved and it’s important to know what they are before making a decision about whether rhinoplasty is right for you.
If you are considering rhinoplasty surgery, it’s important for you to understand all aspects of this complex procedure before making any decisions about your surgery date or desired results from your surgery.
Here are some things you should know about rhinoplasty:
1. Why do people get rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty can be used to improve the shape and appearance of your nose by reducing its size or changing its angle. It can also be used to repair damage caused by injuries or congenital defects.
2. What happens during the procedure?
During the procedure, your surgeon will make incisions inside your nostrils and remove any excess cartilage or bone that needs to be removed in order to reshape your nose according to your desired look. The incisions will then be closed with stitches and covered with bandages so they heal properly without affecting your breathing pattern or causing discomfort while sleeping at night.
3. How long will it take me to heal?
Rhinoplasty surgery is a relatively minor procedure that typically takes around two hours. Patients often return home the same day and can expect their nose to be swollen for about two weeks after surgery.
Some swelling can last up to six weeks, but most of this subsides within two months of the operation. You may experience some bruising and discomfort for a few days after your surgery, but most patients find that their pain quickly disappears as long as they follow their surgeon’s instructions regarding post-operative care.
It’s important to keep in mind that everyone heals differently, so there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for recovery. Your surgeon will let you know how long it will take for you to feel back to normal after your rhinoplasty procedure.
4. How safe is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience performing this procedure. The majority of surgeons use general anesthesia during the procedure to ensure patient comfort and safety. If a patient has underlying health problems or takes certain medications that increase their risk of complications, they may require local anesthesia instead.
5. What should I avoid after rhinoplasty surgery?
After rhinoplasty surgery, it’s best to avoid strenuous physical activity for at least six weeks. This includes exercise or sports that involve contact with other people or objects, such as football, soccer and basketball. You’ll also want to avoid swimming in a chlorinated pool for at least one month after your surgery. This is because chlorine can irritate the tissues around your nose and cause scabs to fall off prematurely, which could lead to scarring or deformity.
6. Will my nose look natural after surgery?
The answer is yes, but it will take time. The changes that occur during rhinoplasty surgery are subtle at first and may not be fully apparent until six months or more after the procedure. In most cases, the nose will appear more refined than before surgery, but it might also look swollen for several weeks after the operation. This swelling should resolve within two months or so and then your surgeon will give you instructions on how to maintain proper care during this period of recovery.
7. Can additional procedures be performed at the same time as rhinoplasty?
While many people opt for rhinoplasty alone, there are some who choose to undergo additional procedures during their surgery. The most common additional procedures include eyelid surgery and ear pinning (otoplasty). Eyelid surgery is often performed on patients who have excess skin around their eyes (either due to aging or weight loss) and would like more youthful-looking lids without having to undergo multiple surgeries. Otoplasty, on the other hand, involves repositioning the ears so they sit closer together and look more natural in relation to the size of your face. If you’re considering undergoing rhinoplasty but are worried about how it will affect your appearance.
8. Will my rhinoplasty results last a lifetime?
The short answer is yes, but there are a lot of caveats. Rhinoplasty can be an excellent way to change your appearance and enhance your self-confidence. But it’s important to understand that the results of this surgery are not permanent — they will continue to evolve over time. Fortunately, the changes that occur after rhinoplasty are generally for the better. The vast majority of patients who undergo the procedure report that their noses look more attractive and natural than ever before. Even minor changes in your lifestyle or environment can impact how you feel about yourself in years to come.
9. How do I decide which surgeon is right for me?
When choosing a surgeon, it’s best to consult with more than one specialist. You may find that there are several surgeons in your area who have been performing rhinoplasty for many years and have excellent reputations. You can obtain referrals from friends or family members who have had a successful experience with a particular surgeon, or ask your primary care doctor to recommend someone he or she has worked with in the past. However, keep in mind that some doctors may not be comfortable referring patients directly to another doctor’s office; therefore, you may need to call several offices until you find someone willing to share their ‘referral list.’ Another option is to contact your local plastic surgery society (see below) for assistance in finding a qualified specialist near you.
10. Who is an ideal candidate for rhinoplasty surgery?
Rhinoplasty is designed to improve the aesthetic appearance of your nose. The goal of this procedure is not to correct functional issues (such as breathing problems), but rather to change the way that you look.
Because of this, rhinoplasty is often considered cosmetic surgery rather than reconstructive surgery. One of the biggest determinants in choosing to undergo rhinoplasty — or any type of cosmetic surgery — is whether or not you believe it will make you more attractive.
If your goal is simply to look better and feel more confident about yourself, then rhinoplasty may be right for you. However, if there’s nothing wrong with your nose that bothers you on an emotional or psychological level, then rhinoplasty may not be worth the risks associated with undergoing a surgical procedure.
11. What if I don’t like my new nose?
The results of rhinoplasty surgery will likely be immediately noticeable, but they will not be permanent until two years after the procedure. While most people are happy with their new nose, there are some who do not like it and choose to have another surgery to fix it. If you are unsure about having rhinoplasty, then it might be best to wait until you are confident in your decision before going through with it. This way, if you do decide against having rhinoplasty, you won’t feel as though you wasted money and time on something that didn’t work out.
12. Am I too young for a rhinoplasty?
If you are under the age of 18, you may be wondering if you’re too young for rhinoplasty surgery. This is one of the most common questions we receive from our patients and one I always answer with an emphatic no! While some surgeons may turn down certain patients who are younger than 18, it’s not because they’re too young but rather because they don’t feel they have enough experience or training to perform such an operation on someone so young. However, rhinoplasty can be performed on anyone over the age of 7 with proper consent from both parents (if applicable) and doctor approval.
13. Can rhinoplasty fix breathing problems or sleep apnea?
There are two types of breathing disorders that can be corrected through rhinoplasty: septal deviation and saddle nose. In some cases, sleep apnea can also be treated with this type of surgery.
Septal deviation occurs when the cartilage in the middle section of your nose grows unevenly, creating an indentation near your nostrils. This can interfere with airflow and cause nasal stuffiness or snoring problems at night. The doctor will reshape this area during surgery to make sure the airway remains clear when you breathe through your nose.
Saddle nose occurs when one side of your nose has become flattened over time due to injury or illness (such as influenza).
14. When is the best time for rhinoplasty surgery?
It’s best to have a rhinoplasty when you are in good physical shape and have achieved a stable weight. Most surgeons will not perform surgery on a person who has recently lost or gained more than 10 pounds because they want to give your body time to stabilize before undergoing surgery. Additionally, if you smoke cigarettes, it’s best to quit before having this procedure done.
It’s important that your nose is healthy before undergoing rhinoplasty surgery. If you have any medical conditions that affect your nose or face, such as diabetes or heart disease, your doctor may recommend waiting until these conditions are under control before going ahead with this procedure.
