Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) Overview

The nose is a central component of the face. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, you may want to change the size, shape or symmetry by means of nose surgery or rhinoplasty.

Some individuals need to have nose surgery for medical reasons or a defect. Nose surgery can also be used for reconstructive purposes to reshape the nose resulting from facial disfigurement.

Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures available to men and women today. People who feel embarrassed about the way their nose looks can get the profile they have always wanted just by undergoing this relatively direct procedure. The most common type of rhinoplasty is when patients desire the raised bump on the bridge of their nose to be removed.

It can greatly increase their confidence if they have been embarrassed by their nose for years. Of course, there are a number of nose surgery risks and side effects that patients need to be aware but many of these can be avoided by added care before, during and after surgery.

Some nose surgery procedures are quite dramatic while others are very minor. Some individuals reduce the size of their nose while others concentrate on a particular area. Each nose surgery is very individual and ultimately carried out to give the patient their desired outcome.

The smallest changes can give the face a significantly different look. If a person is not happy with their results, they can undergo nose surgery revision.

The cost of nose surgery can be very expensive in the United States and United Kingdom which is why many people travel abroad for treatment. They can combine rhinoplasty with an amazing holiday and save a significant portion of money.

The cost of nose surgery in most medical tourism hubs is remarkably less than plastic surgery treatments in the US and Western Europe. Notably, countries like Dominican Republic, Mexico and Cyprus are the most renowned destinations for low-cost nose surgery and other cosmetic treatments abroad.

The UAE is where a bag of sand was transformed into a city of skyscrapers and glitzy designer boutiques. Besides the oil reserves the UAE depends on for the country's gross revenue, plastic surgery in Dubai also contributes to their larger-than-life economy.

Nose surgery in Dubai draws interest from the growing expatriate community, especially Lebanese women in the UAE and bordering Gulf countries.

A Good Candidate for Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Do you feel self-conscious about your nose? Do you think it is too big or has an awkward shape?
Perhaps, your nose is not as symmetrical as you would like it to be.

If you have answered yes to any of these questions then you may be a good candidate for nose surgery. Rhinoplasty is a relatively undeviating cosmetic procedure where the surgeon modifies a patient’s nose to achieve the desired look.

Open nose surgery is a more complicated and takes longer to recover from. Nose surgery is a great solution for someone who wants to change the size, shape or symmetry of their nose.

To be a good candidate for nose surgery, you need to be healthy and a well-balanced individual. You also need to understand and accept the nose surgery risks and side effects. Although this procedure is fairly safe, various complications can arise and you should be aware of them.

It is important that you know what is involved and can openly communicate with the surgeon about any questions or concerns you may have.

To determine if you are a good candidate the surgeon will discourse with you the reasons you are interested in treatment. He will also analyze your bone structure and surrounding cartilage. Most individuals are suitable for treatment and have reasonable expectations of their rhinoplasty outcome.

Those who end up requiring nose surgery revision are typically individuals who did not have very realistic expectations.

Both young and older individuals can be good candidates for rhinoplasty. Of course, a patient needs to be at least 18 years of age to have any type of surgery. This age requirement ensures their nasal structure is fully developed. A large proportion of younger patients undergo nose surgery more than any other type of plastic surgery.

If you are taking certain medications that can adversely affect your nose surgery recovery, you may need to look into alternative medications or stop taking them. Smokers do not make good candidates for nose surgery because smoking slows down the healing process and sometimes leads to skin death around the incisions.

Patients with very thin upper nasal cartilage may be more difficult to operate on. Your plastic surgeon can further discourse with you if you are a good candidate or not.

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) Procedure

Nose surgery can be open or closed. During your nose surgery preparation, the plastic surgeon will examine your nose and discuss the desired outcome in order to decide what type of procedure is best for you. Both open and closed nose surgery procedures are common, but it is important to choose a plastic surgeon who is experienced. This will avoid nose surgery revision later.

The surgeon makes an incision below or inside the nostrils then separates the skin from the cartilage and bone. He then cuts down or reshapes the targeted area. If a patient requires extra cartilage, the surgeon can take this from other parts of the body.

Open Nose Surgery

Open rhinoplasty is a more extensive form of surgery and consequently takes longer. It also allows the surgeon to have greater access to the inside of your nose. First, the surgeon makes a small incision on the skin that separates the nostrils and inside the nose. These incisions provide a direct view of the lower one-third of the nose. With the desired outcome in mind, the bone or cartilage is reshaped before stitching up the incisions. If you require grafts; soft tissues, cartilage or other material may be placed inside the nose for additional support.

Closed Nose Surgery

Closed nose surgery or “endonasal rhinoplasty” is generally recommended to patients requiring less modification to the nose. It is similar to open nose surgery but does not involve the same exterior incision. During closed nose surgery the surgeon modifies the interior bone and cartilage through small incisions within the nostrils. This can be difficult due to less visibility than open nose surgery. Endonasal rhinoplasty is the least extensive nose surgery.

Average Duration of Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty): 1-4 hours

Risks and Side Effects of Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Nose surgery risks and side effects can be avoided or minimized by closely following the surgeon’s instructions during your nose surgery preparation and nose surgery recovery. Complications may beyond your control and you need to know what to do should any arise.

The surgeon needs to ensure that you are a good candidate for nose surgery so that you are not exposing yourself to any surgical risks. Certain illnesses and conditions will prevent you from having surgery because it will be unsafe.

Both nose surgery revision and open nose surgery are particularly risky. Keep this in mind while you are making decisions.

Nose surgery can give you the nose you have always wanted and greatly increase your confidence. All surgical procedures need to be carefully considered beforehand.

Cosmetic Risks and Side Effects of Nose Surgery

· Dissatisfaction with results and desiring a revision

· Unwanted scarring – a common cosmetic side effect that the surgeon will try to avoid

· Asymmetry – it is exceptionally difficult to make the nose perfectly symmetrical

Surgical Risks and Side Effects of Nose Surgery

· Infection – the risk you must accept with any plastic surgery procedure

· Inability to breathe through your nose – this usually subsides within a week or so

· Damage to the septum

· Hematoma – collection of blood under the skin

· Excess bleeding – may also occur during recovery

· Necrosis (skin death) – common in smokers because they don’t heal as fast

· Ruptured blood vessel

· Nosebleeds – their frequency may increase after surgery

· Pain, bruising and swelling – expected side effects of this procedure

Recovery from Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Patients usually start planning for nose surgery recovery long before the actual surgery takes place. You do this by researching the treatment and having a consultation with a plastic surgeon. The surgeon needs to make sure you are a good candidate for nose surgery and not a surgical risk.

During your nose surgery preparation you and your surgeon will have made some decisions that will affect how you recover and how long it takes you to recover.

These include decisions regarding the anesthetic used (general takes longer than local) and if you are going to have open or closed nose surgery (open takes longer than closed).

You may experience bleeding after your surgery. You may also have bruising and swelling on your nose and around your face. Bandages, pain medication and a cold compress can alleviate your discomfort. The bleeding will not be progressive and the pain and swelling will subside within 1-2 weeks. You will need to sleep with your head elevated for the first couple of days or longer if permitted.

During your nose surgery recovery your nose will feel very stuffy and you will want to blow your nose. Unfortunately, you will not be able to do so for about a week. Decongestants should help with the stuffiness.

You can start moving around within a couple of days and return to work in a week. Be sure to take it fairly easy because your body is still recovering from surgery.

You will not be able to wear glasses for the first 1-2 weeks of your rhinoplasty recovery. This is due to swelling and bruising around your eyes. Contacts are a good alternative during this time.

If you have traveled overseas benefiting from the cost of nose surgery abroad, you will need to give yourself ample time to recover. You will not be able to fly in an airplane for a few weeks after your rhinoplasty.

Revision of Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Nose surgery revision is increasingly becoming common. The slightest change can dramatically alter the way a person looks. Many individuals are unsure about their new nose and often see revision surgery.

Nose surgery is complicated and difficult due to the fact that the nose is the central part of the face; the slight modifications are extremely obvious. Individuals wanting nose surgery didn’t prepare for nose revision surgery.

During your nose surgery preparation, the plastic surgeon will talk to you about why you are having nose surgery and exactly how you want your nose to look. To avoid nose surgery revision, really take the time to explain yourself and communicate clearly. Bring in pictures of the nose you like to make sure the surgeon knows precisely what you want.

You can begin to see the results of your rhinoplasty a few weeks into your nose surgery recovery. As the nose takes a long time to heal, the full results won’t be seen for another 12 months. If you desire nose surgery revision, you will have to wait for this time to pass. If you have endured two previous nose revisions, very few surgeons will feel comfortable about operating on you again.

Nose surgery revision is typically open nose surgery. If not enough changes were made the first time, they are implicated the second time. If the size of the nose was reduced and it now needs to be augmented, surgeons can insert grafts into the nose. Grafts are tiny pieces of bone, cartilage or soft tissue.

The best way to avoid rhinoplasty revision is to make sure you are an initial good candidate for nose surgery. Listen to your surgeon’s advice and make sure he understands exactly what you want.

Results of Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

The nose takes longer to heal than any other facial feature so you will not be able to see the full results of your nose surgery for 12 months.