Length of procedure:	1:30 hours to 2 hours
Hospital stay:	1 night
Anaesthesia:	GA
Recovery:	2 to 4 weeks

An attractive nose is one that achieves a harmonious balance with your other facial features. The characteristics of the nose are inherited. The objective of the operation is to make your nose look right for your eyes so that you lose your self-consciousness. It is, therefore, most important that you are clear in your mind what it is that you dislike about your nose, and that you are able to explain this to your surgeon. It is usually recommended that young people wait until facial growth is completed, at around 16 years old, before considering rhinoplasty.

Sometimes the size of the nose as a feature of the face is influenced by the proportions of the other facial features, such as the chin and cheek bones, and to ‘normalise’ the appearance of the face, it may be advisable to alter these features as well, either at the same time as the rhinoplasty, or during a separate procedure.

Rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. It can be performed from within the nose, with incisions made inside the nostril (closed rhinoplasty), or by making incision across the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostril (columella), as well as within the nose (open rhinoplasty). The type of technique depends very much on the nasal work required. The sacrs resulting from the surgery is usually satisfactory. However, in a small number of patients, it may be thick, and can take several months to settle.

Working through these incisions, the nose’s framework of bone and cartilage is sculpted to the desired shape. Your surgeon may reshape or reposition the bones in your nose, or build up certain areas, using either nasal cartilage or bones and cartilage from other body site, or other materials. The skin and soft tissue are then redraped over the reshaped framework. If the lower part of the nose is being narrowed or the nostrils are being reduced, small wedges of skin at the base of the nostrils may be removed through incisions that are hidden in the nose’s natural creases.

Every surgical procedure carries a certain amount of risk, and it is important that you understand the risks before embarking on any surgical procedures. It is quite common to experience some difficulty in breathing through the nose during the first week after rhinoplasty, which disappears as the swelling settles. Occasionally though, the difficulty persists and can be permanent. Sometimes the operation is complicated by heavy nose bleed, or infection. In about 10% of patients, surgical revision may be necessary 6-12 months after nasal surgery when all the swelling has settled. Secondary surgery like this will involve additional expenses.

There are certain limitations to the surgery, such as: If the skin on the tip of your nose is thick and oily, it may not be possible to reduce its bulk as much as you like. There may be limitation to the amount of reduction that can be achieved to the size of your nose. If your nose is bent from previous injury, it may not be possible to make it completely straight. Large nostrils can be difficult to reduce without leaving noticeable scars.

 

Rhinoplasty Examples - Before and After Photos