Rhinoplasty
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty enhances facial harmony and the proportions of your nose.
It can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.
Rhinoplasty surgery can change:
Nose size in relation to facial balance
Nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
Nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned or hooked
Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
Nasal asymmetry
If you desire a more symmetrical nose, keep in mind that everyone’s face is asymmetric to some degree. Results may not be completely symmetric, although the goal is to create facial balance and correct proportion.
Rhinoplasty to correct a deviated septum
Nose surgery that’s done to improve an obstructed airway requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing.
Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to produce better alignment.
Rhinoplasty candidates
You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if:
Your facial growth is complete.
You are physically healthy.
You don’t smoke.
You have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance.
Preparing for rhinoplasty
– preparing for rhinoplasty surgery:
you may be asked to:
Get a lab test.
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
Stop smoking.
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed.
– Rhinoplasty surgery steps:
Rhinoplasty surgery includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
Rhinoplasty is performed either using a closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, where an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
Through these incisions, the skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilages is gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose.
Step 3 – Reshaping the nose structure
An overly large nose may be reduced by removing bone or cartilage. Sometimes surgery of the nose may require the addition of cartilage grafts.
Most commonly, cartilage from the septum, the partition in the middle of the nose, is used for this purpose. Occasionally cartilage from the ear or rarely a section of rib cartilage can be used.
Step 4 – Correcting a deviated septum
If the septum is deviated, it can be straightened and the projections inside the nose reduced to improve breathing.
Step 5 – Closing the incision
Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue is redraped and incisions are closed.
Additional incisions may be placed in the natural creases of the nostrils to alter their size.
The results of Rhinoplasty:
For a few days splints and gauze packing will likely support the nose as it begins to heal. Get more information about rhinoplasty results.
Rhinoplasty results
The results of rhinoplasty surgery will be long-lasting.
While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
As your body ages, it is natural to have some gradual changes to your face including your nose. But most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.
A healthy lifestyle will help extend the results of your new appearance.
