Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as nose surgery or a nose job, is a cosmetic surgery procedure to change or correct the shape and structure of the nose. This could be done for aesthetic purposes, to enable better breathing, or to improve other functions of the nose.
Dr. Satya Saraswat is a highly qualified and internationally-certified Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon with over 19 years of experience. He has performed more than 13,000 cosmetic surgeries in his long career.
If we are to consider the anatomy of the nose, it can be divided into three parts: the bone, cartilage, and skin. By undergoing this surgery, patients can change any one or all three aspects of their nose.
Rhinoplasty is the ideal surgery for changing the size, proportions, or shape of the nose. It is most commonly opted for to enhance the looks and beauty of a face. But a nose job can also be needed for medical reasons such as to correct a birth defect or to improve breathing problems caused by a sinusitis condition or any injury.
By undergoing Rhinoplasty surgery, patients can make the following changes to their nose:
A nose surgery is a cosmetic procedure that directly affects the way a patient looks. One must be at least 18 years of age or above to be eligible for a rhinoplasty. Other criteria are as follows:
Undergoing a nose surgery can have a direct impact on the way a patient looks. Hence, one must choose an experienced and qualified surgeon for the procedure to ensure successful results.
Below, we look at the key points of discussion to consider before opting for rhinoplasty surgery.
When you consult the doctor for a nose surgery, be prepared to answer questions regarding your complete medical history. Does the patient have any kind of nasal obstruction? Have they had any previous surgery? What are the current medicines taken by them? Do they suffer from any usual conditions, such as haemophilia? Are they anaemic? Do they have any allergies? All of this information will help the doctor to determine the viability of the patient.
The patient is made to go through a series of thorough physical check-ups, including multiple blood and laboratory tests. The doctor will also check the interior and exterior of the nose to study the facial features in order to pick the best-suited technique for the surgery. They also check the thickness of the nose skin and cartilage to determine the estimated recovery period.
Before going through with the surgery, the doctor must sit down with the patient and understand what the patient expects from the procedure. They can use hand drawings or computer graphics to show how the patient’s nose will look after the surgery. This will enable patients to keep their realistic expectations from the surgery and not be too disappointed with the results afterwards.
A nose surgery can be performed using either local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. The decision usually depends on the complexity of the procedure. Those who undergo local anaesthesia are allowed to go home on the same day; whereas those who undergo general anaesthesia have to stay one night at the hospital or clinic.
Rhinoplasty can be done using either the Open Procedure or the Closed Procedure. In the open technique, the incision is made across the narrow tissue separating the nostrils, known as the columella. In the closed technique, the incision is made in the inner part of the nose and remains hidden from sight.
The surgeon changes or corrects the shape of the nose as discussed with the patient. If the nose job is for small changes, the surgeon can take cartilage from the nose or the ear. If the surgery involves big changes, they might take cartilage from the patient’s ribs, implants, or bone.
Once the surgery is complete, the surgeon re-drapes the underlying skin tissues on the nasal structure. Then, stitches are made to close the incisions.
It takes about 7 days to 2 weeks for the incisions from the surgery to heal completely. The stitches are also removed around this time.
After 4 weeks, patients can go back to their normal routine. They are free to return to work, resume wearing contact lenses, and start light exercise.
