Nose reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
Rhinoplasty is a nose-reshaping surgery that can correct deformities or make subtle aesthetic changes for cosmetic purposes. It can be performed for various reasons: birth defect, injury, age-related changes or difficulty of breathing.
A rhinoplasty can change many things about the nose. It can change the nose size (in relation to your face), the nose width at the bridge, the size and position of the nostrils, the nose profile. The surgery can also improve the symmetry of the nose and correct certain breathing difficulties.
The surgery
Primary rhinoplasty is a nose-reshaping plastic surgery. The surgeon can reduce or augment nasal structures with cartilage implanted from other areas of your body (e.g. the septum, the ear or the rib cartilage), or straighten a deviated septum if necessary.
Two types of primary rhinoplasty include "open" and "closed":
Open rhinoplasty. If a major nose reshaping is required, the surgeon makes an incisions in the vertical strip of skin separating the nostrils. The surgeon removes the skin and soft tissue off the underlying structures to reveal the nasal anatomy.
Closed rhinoplasty. If only a minor reshaping is necessary, many surgeons make incisions within the nose. They separate the skin of the nose from the bone and cartilage, which form its supporting framework. This way the bone and cartilage can be removed, reshaped, augmented or rearranged to achieve the desired new shape.
Secondary rhinoplasty is also called revision rhinoplasty. It is performed to correct problems after a previous rhinoplasty. Sometimes these problems are major making the secondary rhinoplasty more difficult. This type of nose surgery can also be done as an open or closed procedure.
Filler rhinoplasty. Surgeons use injectable fillers to fill depressions, smooth out sharp angles or change the angle of the tip of the nose. It is an ideal way of restoring symmetry and making the nose look smaller and more attractive. The results are not permanent.
A primary rhinoplasty normally requires 60-90 min. in surgery, while a secondary rhinoplasty can take much longer. A filler rhinoplasty can take just 15 minutes.
For primary rhinoplasty your surgeon is likely to recommend local anesthesia with some sedation or general anesthesia. Since secondary rhinoplasty may be more complex, it often involves general anesthesia. A filler rhinoplasty requires just local anesthesia.
After surgery
Complete results are not immediate and can take up to one year to be fully evident.
After the surgery nasal packing is applied to reduce swelling and bleeding. You may experience limited bleeding during the first few days. Your nose will also be swollen for a few weeks, but typically most of it goes down by one month. Some swelling may remain for up to one year. Some pain medication is usually necessary in the first 48 hours.
Complications and risks
The risks of rhinoplasty include the general risks of any surgeries, including infection, bleeding or anesthesia complications.
Nasal surgeries may cause breathing difficulties (due to nasal obstruction) or septal perforation. In this case a small whole in the septum causes turbulence that makes a whistling sound when a person speaks.
You can avoid most complications by choosing the right cosmetic surgeon and following pre- and postoperative instructions.
Pre-op requirements:
Chest X-ray
ECG
Laboratory test
Paranasal sinus X-ray
Please provide the results of Pre-OP requirements before surgery, if cannot be done in your country we can give you the opportunity to do at the Clinic but requires an additional day to the time of stay.
Time of stay:
10 days
