ABOUT RHINOPLASTY
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgery which changes the shape of the nose. The procedure involves making the nose bigger or smaller, changing the shape and proportion in order to make it fit better with other facial features, or correcting a bump or any other imperfections.
Rhinoplasty is commonly performed for aesthetic reasons, but is also performed to help patients with a deviated septum or breathing problems to help them breathe better. The surgery may be performed by an otolaryngologist, (which is an ear, nose and throat specialist, commonly referred to as ENT specialist), a plastic surgeon, or a maxillofacial surgeon, who specializes in treating the jaw, face, and neck.
Recommended for
- Patients who are unhappy with the shape or size of their nose
- Patients experiencing breathing problems due to the shape and structure of the nose
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 1 – 2 days.
Sometimes patients can leave the hospital the same day.
- Average length of stay abroad: 1 – 2 weeks.
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HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE RHINOPLASTY ABROAD
Patients will attend an initial consultation where they can discuss their desired results and talk through any issues with the surgeon.
The surgeon will usually check the patient’s medical history and run tests such as a blood test and a physical exam.
The surgeon may take photographs of the nose, in order to study it and possibly to make digital enhancements to establish and show what the nose may look like. The photographs can then be used as a reference and can show the before and after surgery.
The patient will usually be advised to stop taking certain medications before the surgery, such as aspirin and to refrain from smoking.
It is advisable for patients to arrange for someone to accompany them back to the hotel.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
The patient is usually administered with a local anesthetic and sedation, or with a general anesthetic. The surgeon will begin by making an incision either inside the nose, which is a common procedure as there is no visible scarring, or at the base of the nose.
There are many different rhinoplasty methods, including inserting an implant, bone shaving, or repositioning the bones. If there is cartilage being used to change the shape, size or angle of the nose, this may be taken from deeper inside the nose or from other areas of the body, such as the ribs, if larger amounts are required.
Anesthesia
Local or general anesthetic.
Procedure duration
The Rhinoplasty takes 1 to 4 hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER RHINOPLASTY
Post procedure care
Most patients experience some swelling, bruising, black eyes, and bleeding from the nose. It is recommended to use ice packs to stop the swelling, and take painkillers if needed. Most surgeons advise waiting 2 weeks or more before doing any exercise.
Possible discomfort
Swelling and discomfort following surgery is inevitable, and patients should expect to have a day or two of rest following the procedure, and may need to refrain from strenuous activities for a longer period.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RHINOPLASTY
Potential risks
- Numbness
- Prolonged bleeding
- Skin necrosis
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Unhappiness with the result
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort as it is performed under general or intravenous anesthesia. After the procedure, most patients say they have a dull ache or a headache for a day or 2. The pain is usually controlled with an NSAID pain reliever such as ibuprofen. Severe pain is uncommon and many patients say it doesn’t hurt as much as they expect it to.
A “closed” rhinoplasty procedure conceals all of the incisions within the nasal cavity and leaves no visible scar. Many surgeons prefer the “open” procedure, though, as it allows them more control over the final outcome and patients are usually happier with the results. Scars from an open procedure typically heal within months after the surgery and are not permanently visible. Your surgeon can provide you with the best advice on how to avoid scarring.
Patients usually need a week off from work. After one week you should be able to return to a desk job or something similar. Most can return to activities such as exercising after about 2 weeks. Ask your surgeon how long to wait until you can travel home, but most patients should be able to fly after one week. The length of time will depend heavily on what type of work is done and how extensive it is. You will likely need to spend at least one night in the hospital.
Your nose will continue to change over 2 to 12 weeks after the surgery as swelling goes down and the healing process continues. It can take as long as a year for it to reach its final shape. Your nose may look swollen or puffy to you for several months. Open rhinoplasty usually has more swelling than a closed procedure and if bones in the nose were broken (osteotomy) there will likely be bruising as well. Again, this will heal over several months.
Your surgeon may place a cast on your nose after the procedure. This will probably be in place for about one week and will also help reduce swelling.
Patients who have difficulty breathing through the nose often notice they can breathe better soon after a rhinoplasty procedure. As the swelling decreases, breathing will improve even more. Sometimes septoplasty is performed at the same time as rhinoplasty, and fixing the septum may also help with breathing.