 Rhinoplasty is the surgery to reshape the nose and it is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today. With rhinoplasty, it is possible to increase or decrease the overall size of the nose, remove a hump, alter the tip of the nose or the bridge of the nose, decrease the nostril width, or change the angle between the nose and upper lip. These changes can create better balance between the facial features.
Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the appearance of the nose. During surgery, the nose may be reshaped by reducing or increasing the overall size, removing a hump, changing the angle between the nose and upper lip, reshaping the nasal tip or bridge, or reducing the span of the nostrils. These changes can improve the overall harmony of the face, allowing the nose to balance better with the other facial features. Some breathing problems may also be treated with rhinoplasty.
If you are considering rhinoplasty, it’s important that you be in good physical health and that you have realistic expectations for your surgery’s outcome. Younger patients can undergo rhinoplasty once they have reached full growth which may be around fifteen or sixteen years of age.
The surgical time for rhinoplasty typically lasts between one and two hours, with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation being used. Incisions may be confined to the inside of the nose or a small incision may be made on the area of skin separating the nostrils on the underside of the nose. Procedures with incisions made on the inside of the nose are referred to as closed rhinoplasty while those involving an incision on the underside of the nose are known as open rhinoplasty. Working through the incisions, the nose may be reshaped by removing, adding to or rearranging the underlying bone and cartilage.
After the surgery, absorbent material known as nasal packing may be placed inside of the nose if necessary and a splint will be applied to the outside of the nose. Nasal packing is usually removed the following day while the splint may remain in place for about five to eight days. Patients can expect some noticeable swelling and bruising for about two weeks after their rhinoplasty surgery, though some unnoticeable swelling may last up to a year. Bleeding and discomfort may also occur and pain medication can be prescribed to help relieve the discomfort. Stitches are generally removed after about one to two weeks. It will take one to two weeks before work and other normal activities can be resumed and two to three weeks before resuming more strenuous activities. Sun exposure will need to be limited for about eight weeks.
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