Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that alters the form of the nose. Rhinoplasty may be performed to alter the appearance of the nose, improve breathing, or both.
The upper portion of the nose’s structure is composed of bone, while the lower portion is composed of cartilage. Rhinoplasty is capable of altering bone, cartilage, or skin, or all three. Discuss with your surgeon whether rhinoplasty is right for you and what it can accomplish.
When planning rhinoplasty, your surgeon will take into account your other facial features, the skin on your nose, and your desired alterations. If you are a candidate for surgery, your surgeon will create an individualized treatment plan.
Occasionally, a rhinoplasty may be partially or entirely covered by insurance.
How you prepare
Before scheduling rhinoplasty, you must meet with your surgeon to discuss crucial factors that determine the likelihood of a successful outcome. Typically, this meeting includes:
Your medical background. Your doctor will ask you the most important question regarding your motivation for surgery and your desired outcomes. In addition, your doctor will inquire about your medical history, including a previous history of nasal obstruction, surgeries, and medications. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, rhinoplasty may not be an option.
Physical examination Your physician will conduct a comprehensive physical examination, which will include laboratory tests such as blood tests. Additionally, he or she will examine your facial features as well as the interior and exterior of your nose.
Your doctor is able to determine what changes are necessary and how your physical characteristics, such as the thickness of your skin or the strength of the cartilage at the end of your nose, may affect your results through the physical examination. The physical examination is also essential for determining how rhinoplasty will affect your breathing.
Photographs. Someone from your physician’s office will photograph your nose from various angles. Your surgeon may use computer software to manipulate photographs to demonstrate potential outcomes. Your doctor will use these photographs for before-and-after evaluations, surgical reference, and long-term evaluations. Most importantly, the photographs permit a detailed discussion of the surgical objectives.
A discussion of your anticipated outcomes. Your doctor and you should discuss your motivations and expectations. He or she will describe what rhinoplasty can and cannot do for you, as well as possible outcomes. It’s normal to feel a little self-conscious when discussing your appearance, but it’s crucial that you’re honest with your surgeon about your desires and objectives for surgery.
If you have a small chin, your surgeon may discuss the possibility of augmenting it surgically. This is due to the fact that a small chin will make the nose appear larger. In such cases, chin surgery is not required, but it may help to better balance the facial profile.
Once the surgery is scheduled, you will need to make arrangements for a ride home if you are having outpatient surgery.
Memory lapses, slowed reaction times, and impaired judgment may occur in the first few days following anesthesia. As you recover from surgery, arrange for a family member or friend to stay with you for one or two nights to assist with personal care tasks.
Changes to your nose’s structure that are often measured in millimeters can have a significant impact on its appearance. Most of the time, an experienced surgeon can achieve satisfactory results for both of you. In some cases, however, the minor adjustments are insufficient, and you and your surgeon may decide to perform a second surgery. In this case, you must wait at least a year before undergoing the follow-up surgery, as your nose may undergo changes during this time.
Who is good candidate
Rhinoplasty is a procedure that is highly individualized. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill the desires of others or to conform to some idealized image.
If you meet the following criteria, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty:
Your facial development is complete.
You are in good physical health
You have a positive outlook and reasonable goals for the enhancement of your physical appearance.
To reduce bleeding and swelling, you must rest in bed with your head elevated above your chest following surgery. Your nose may be congested due to swelling or splints implanted during surgery.
After surgery, internal dressings are typically left in place for one to seven days. In addition, your doctor applies a nasal splint for protection and support. Typically, it is in place for about one week.
A few days after surgery or after removal of the dressing, it is normal to experience light bleeding, mucus drainage, and old blood. To absorb drainage, your doctor may place a “drip pad” — a small piece of gauze held in place with tape — under your nose. Change the gauze as per your doctor’s instructions. Do not press the drip pad against your nose tightly.
Your doctor may ask you to take precautions for several weeks after surgery to further reduce the likelihood of bleeding and swelling. Your doctor may request that you:
After the procedure
After the treatment, you might anticipate some pain, swelling, and bruising. A combination of painkillers and antibiotics may be recommended by your surgeon to lessen the chance of infection.
The surgeon might keep your incisions open after the treatment and insert temporary drains to encourage fluid drainage. Typically, you must put on restrictive compression clothing for a few weeks in order to reduce swelling.
You might have to wait a few days to go back to work and a few weeks to carry on with your regular activities, including exercising.
As the residual fat settles into place at this time, anticipate minor inconsistencies in the shape.
Healing Process
On average, it takes approximately one year to fully recover from rhinoplasty or nose reshaping. If you do everything possible to maintain optimal health and take excellent care of your nose during this time, you may be able to shorten the recovery period. To give you a better idea of what to expect during your rhinoplasty recovery, the following timeline is broken down by week:
In the first week, your facial plastic surgeon will examine your nose and remove the splint. During this time, you may experience minor bruising around the eyes, but you should otherwise be able to resume your normal activities. Simply be mindful of everything you do, your sun exposure, and avoid applying pressure to your face or lifting heavy objects.
By week 2, the majority of facial bruising and swelling should have subsided.
Weeks 3 and 4: If you exercise, you can resume cardiovascular exercises at this point.
At this point, resistance training and strength training can be resumed because the bones should be stable. Before resuming strenuous physical activities, however, you should consult your facial plastic surgeon and general physician.
3 to 6 Months: At this point, numbness and abnormal skin sensations around the nose should be completely eliminated.
The healing process should be complete at this point, give or take a few weeks or months. At this point, you should not experience any swelling, bruising, discomfort, redness, or pain. Additionally, you should be able to observe the complete results of your rhinoplasty. Immediately consult your facial plastic surgeon if you experience any unusual side effects.
