Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

The nose is one of the most prominent features of the person's face. Men and women who are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their nose can improve their appearance through a procedure called rhinoplasty.

View Rhinoplasty before and after photos.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure in which deformities of the nose are corrected by removing, recontouring or rearranging bone and or cartilage. Nasal deformities can be a result of inheritance, trauma or a birth defect as in cleft deformities. In addition to the aesthetic reasons, patients seeking surgery may have a functional problem such as breathing obstruction, which can be corrected by the operation.

During the consultation we will discuss the patient's expectations and how the nose should look in relation to other facial features. It is important for the patient to understand that the goal of surgery is not to achieve perfection but rather to improve the appearance. Photographs and computer imaging is frequently used for this operation to show the patient the anticipated result and help the surgeon understand the patient's desires. The timing of nasal reconstruction will depend on many factors. In general, cosmetic rhinoplasty should be delayed until a patient's facial development is approaching maturity.

Surgical Procedure:
Rhinoplasty can be performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Most of the incisions are inside the nose therefore visible scarring is limited. In some cases a small incision is made at the base of the nose just above the lip. This incision heals well and is rarely visible.

Each operation is different, but basically by removing, reshaping and sometimes adding to the nasal bones and cartilages we modify the framework of the nose. The skin of the nose is then redraped over the new framework. In some cases, it is necessary to narrow the base of the nose. In these cases, some skin is removed from both sides of the nostrils. In some cases the procedure will be combined with chin and/or cheek augmentation.

Recovery:
Following surgery, a small plastic splint is placed over the nose, which remains in place for about a week. The patients can wash or bathe normally after surgery. The nostrils are cleaned several times a day with cotton tip applicators wet with peroxide. Some swelling, bruising and stuffiness are normal after surgery.

It is important to realize that each operation is individualized according to the patient's anatomy and their desires. In many cases, the surgery requires only changes of cartilage, in which case recovery is quicker and bruising and swelling are less likely. In general, bruising resolves within 7-14 days.

The major part of the swelling resolves with in three to six weeks but the nose continues to improve for as long as a year after the operation. Pain associated with the procedure is mild to moderate and is well controlled with oral medication.

During the healing process, great care must be taken to protect the nose from injury. Eyeglasses should be adjusted to minimize pressure on the nose. Although patients are up and around the day after the procedure, strenuous exercise, particularly those that might elevate the blood pressure, must be avoided for four to six weeks. Most patients can return to their daily activities within one week.