Rhinoplasty

Nose Surgery

One doesn’t have to own a nose like Cyrano to want to hide from the world. However, this obvious central appendage can cause many mental blocks and psychological problems. A cosmetic nose surgery or rhinoplasty may then change many things and not only the nose!

One will definitely feel more self-confident with a harmonious face; the improvement will also help interaction with others. Rhinoplasty is certainly one of the most frequent operations in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Anyone suffering from hereditary specific features, or disfigurement following an injury , can be treated with cosmetic nose surgery.

Nose job can improve a particular defect for purely aesthetic reasons. As in any other form of surgery, it is essential for the patient to have a trusting relationship with the surgeon, and to be prepared to openly discuss all aspects of the procedure during consultation. For example, your health, your desires, expectations and lifestyle. The surgeon will then be able to predict what can be achieved, possibly with the help of (non-contractual) computer simulation, and what will be the most harmonious option for the patient’s morphological facial physique. The surgeon will also assist the patient through the psychological aspects of the procedure.

NOSE SURGERY IN SHORT

There are two types of rhinoplasty:

1. Functional rhinoplasty will correct impaired breathing due to structural abnormalities in the nasal passage (septum).
2. Corrective rhinoplasty to reshape nose structure by reducing or augmenting cartilage and bones .

Rhinoplasty can change:

• Nose size, in relation to the other facial structures
• Nose width, at the bridge
• Nose profile, with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
• Nasal tip, that is large or bulbous, drooping, or too upturned
• Nostrils that are large, wide or upturned
• Nasal asymmetry and deviation

All of the above is possible within certain limitations, for example, a short thick nose will never become long and thin.

THE PROCEDURE OF A RHINOPLASTY

Precautions

No aspirin based medication or any other medication not approved by your surgeon should be taken fifteen days prior to surgery.

The operation of nose surgery

Nose surgery will last between one and two hours and will be carried out under local or general anesthesia. It can be done as a closed procedure or open nose surgery. If closed nose surgery, all the incisions will be inside the nostrils. If it is done as a open procedure, there will also be a short incision through the columella , that is the narrow part between the two nostrils. Sutures inside the nose are resorbable, and those done in the columella will be taken out after one week. To stabilize and protect the nose , you will have a splint over the nose.

Hospitalization will last one day, plus maybe one night.

Post operative care after nose surgery

Splints and internal packing will likely support the nose as it begins to heal for approximately one week. Bruising and swelling may occur around the lower eyelids, and will disappear after one to two weeks. Breathing may be impaired by the internal supports and bandages (to prevent bleeding) for a couple of days following surgery.

Complications of rhinoplasty

Complications are generally linked to general anesthesia, but exceptional as are also, bleeding and infection

Even if it is not a medical consideration, a cosmetic nose surgery may not meet the patient’s expectations. For this reason the thoroughness of the consultation is very important. Occasionally, even if the nose is technically and aesthetically perfect, the patient may be unsatisfied because of a change of mind. A patient may suffer from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) a condition marked by excessive pre-occupation with an imaginary or minor defect in a facial feature or localized part of the body. The result is a pathological and permanent incapacity to accept oneself. The fear or conviction that one has an imperfection has to be treated in psychotherapy rather than by cosmetic surgery.

In other cases, the nose surgery may be technically perfect, but may present technical problems due to the individual’s capacity to heal (skin tissue, bone, cartilage).

A specific complication can also occur, such as secondary displacement of bone or septal cartilage, which can be taken care of with secondary nose surgery.

THE RESULT OF A RHINOPLASTY

The new nose will appear after three months. A close to definite result will become visible after six months. The final result will become apparent after a year, because of the healing procedure, causing the skin to retract , the bone structure , fibrous tissue and cartilage to settle. If you had a rhinoplasty before , the healing will take longer time.

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