A ‘nose job’, as it is commonly known, or rhinoplasty, can change the shape of the nose, reposition the bridge, remove bumps or alter the tip.
The operation involves either making a cut across the skin between the nostrils (open rhinoplasty), or tiny cuts inside the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty).
A closed rhinoplasty leaves no visible scars and causes less swelling, but is not always possible or available.
The procedure can take 1.5 to 3 hours and a hospital stay of 1 or 2 nights. You’ll have a dressing on your nose for the first 12 hours after the operation, and a splint held over your nose with tape for 7 days. You may not be able to breathe through your nose for about a week and you’ll be given painkillers to help control any pain or discomfort….
The operation will take place under general anaesthetic and normally alterations are from the inside of your nose, although small cuts to the base of the nostril may also be required, and the bone and tissue is manipulated. For more control, the operation may take place from the outside of the nose so the bones and cartilage can be seen. If you have a bump, it will be shaved it down, your nose can also be straightened and narrowed breaking the nasal bones and then re-setting them and the tip can be refined simply by reducing the cartilage.
EAFPS – European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery
This animation video is designed to describe rhinoplasty procedure in detail to enlighten the patients who would like to learn. It is prepared by the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery.
FAQs
Rhinoplasty is an operation to change the shape of the nose. The type of rhinoplasty depends on which particular area of the nose needs correction. The nose can be straightened, made smaller or bigger, and bumps may be removed. The shape of the tip of the nose can be changed. Pieces of cartilage or bone may be removed from or added to the nose to change its shape. Sometimes the wall that separates the nose into right and left (nasal septum) is twisted. We may need to correct it at the same time. The combined operation is called septorhinoplasty.
Everybody’s nose is unique, so it may not be possible to make your nose look exactly like your perfect nose from the internet.
The thickness of the skin is important in how much better the nose will look after rhinoplasty and in what can be done.If the skin is thin, it makes bumps or hollows in the nose difficult to hide.
If it is thick not all changes that can be made on the inside will show up on the outside. Your surgeon will aim to produce a nose that looks natural and still functions.However, your surgeon may not be able to say exactly how your nose will look after your operation.It is important that you discuss your expectations with your surgeon.
Ninety to ninety-five out of one hundred patients are happy with the results of their operation, but some people request more surgery. Repeated surgery to your nose is often not in your best interests.
If you would like to have a second opinion about the treatment, you can ask your specialist. He or she will not mind arranging this for you.You may wish to ask your own GP to arrange a second opinion with another specialist.
Photographs will be taken to allow a record to be kept in your notes of how your nose looked before surgery, and to allow the surgeon to plan your operation.
Rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty are performed with you asleep under a general anaesthetic. Cuts are made inside your nose.Often a small cut on the skin between the nostrils or at the base of the nostrils may be necessary (the columella). The skin of your nose is gently lifted off the bone and cartilage underneath. A hairline fracture may be made in the nasal bones to allow the surgeon to change the shape of the nose.Pieces of bone and cartilage can be removed from or added to the nose to smooth out any bumps or dips.
We may need to put a dressing in each side of your nose to keep things in place and prevent bleeding.The dressings are called ‘packs’, and they will block your nose up so that you have to breathe through your mouth.
They slowly dissolve over a two-week period.You may still get a little bleeding from around these packs.
Sometimes we put small pieces of plastic in your nose to prevent scar tissue from forming.These are called ‘splints’ and we will take them out after a week.
You will have a temporary splint on the outside of the nose for a week. This should be kept dry.
The front of your nose can be a bit tender for a few weeks. You will be bruised and swollen. We recommend the use of regular paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Do not blow your nose for about a week, or it might start bleeding. If you are going to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open to protect your nose. You may get some blood-coloured watery fluid from your nose for the first two weeks or so, this is normal. Your nose will be blocked both sides like a heavy cold for 10-14 days after the operation. We may give you some drops or spray to help this. It may take up to three months for your nose to settle down and for your breathing to be clear again. Try to stay away from dusty or smoky places. There will be some stitches inside your nose, these will dissolve and fall out by themselves. You may have some bruising and swelling around your nose and eyes for one to two weeks. Sleeping upright with extra pillows for a few days helps. Following rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty, the skin of the nose is very sensitive to the sun. It is important to wear strong sunscreen and a hat for at least six months if you are in direct sunlight. The nose may feel a little stiff and numb for up to six months, particularly around the tip. Fine swelling may take up to a year to settle at which time the final results of surgery may be judged.