Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
Considering a rhinoplasty, often referred to as a “nose job”? This surgical procedure is designed to reshape your nose and can be pursued for a variety of reasons, including enhancing facial proportions, achieving aesthetic objectives, addressing structural breathing issues, or a combination of these factors. Your consultation with a skilled surgeon is where the journey begins, as they consider your unique facial features, the condition of your nasal skin, and your desired outcomes.
A rhinoplasty is a highly personalised procedure, and it’s crucial to remember that you should undertake it for yourself, not to meet anyone else’s expectations or conform to societal beauty standards. This surgery can address:
- The size of your nose in relation to your facial harmony
- The width of your nose at the bridge or the size and positioning of your nostrils
- The profile of your nose, which includes visible humps or depressions on the bridge
- The appearance of your nasal tip, whether it’s enlarged, bulbous, drooping, upturned, or hooked
- The size, width, or upturned nature of your nostrils
- Any nasal asymmetry
Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty are individuals whose facial growth is complete, do not smoke, are in good physical health, and hold realistic expectations for improving their appearance. It’s essential to recognise that everyone’s face exhibits some degree of asymmetry, and while rhinoplasty can address it, achieving complete symmetry may not always be possible. The primary goal is to correct your nasal proportions, enhancing your features and creating facial harmony.
The Consultation
During your consultation, you will discuss various aspects, including your medical history, surgical objectives (both in terms of breathing and appearance), medical conditions, current medications, and past surgeries. A physical examination will also be conducted, involving the examination and measurement of your facial features. This examination helps determine the necessary changes and how your physical attributes, such as skin thickness or cartilage strength, may influence the results. You will also have a conversation about expected outcomes and any potential risks or complications associated with the procedure. Collaborating with a certified cosmetic surgeon who understands your aesthetic vision and can personalise the procedure to achieve it is the key to a successful outcome.
The Procedure
Rhinoplasty is customised to each individual and is performed under general anaesthesia.
Incisions
Rhinoplasty can be carried out using two methods: closed or open. In a closed procedure, a small incision is made inside the nasal cavity, while an open procedure involves an incision across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. These incisions allow the surgeon to gently lift the skin covering the nasal bones and cartilage, providing access to reshape the nose’s structure.
Correction of Deviated Septum
Rhinoplasty is occasionally combined with septoplasty, which corrects a deviated septum. This condition occurs when the dividing wall between your nasal passages is off-centre. After making an incision inside the nasal cavity or across the columella, your surgeon will straighten the septum.
Reshaping
Reducing the size of a large nose typically involves removing bone or cartilage. If necessary, additional cartilage grafts may be used, most commonly harvested from the septum. Once the underlying structure is sculpted to the desired shape and size, the nasal skin and tissue are re-draped, and incisions are closed.
Recovery
Following your procedure, a splint and/or packing will be placed inside your nose, while splints or bandages will support and protect the external structures during the initial healing phase. Initial swelling will subside within a few weeks, but expect fluctuations and morning swelling over the next six months during your healing process.