Nose Surgery - Rhinoplasty

A prominent, asymmetric, bumpy or personally undesirable nose leads to extreme self-consciousness, perhaps this is why rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, or change the size or shape of the tip, the bridge, or nostrils. It is also performed to correct nose-related breathing and to correct disfigurement of the nose caused by trauma or birth defects.

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and the desired outcome. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework. After the procedure is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints may also be placed in the nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.

After Nose Surgery

If the nose is being reduced in size, a splint will have been applied and the nose will be packed lightly with a medicated gauze. Sometimes, only tape supports the nose while it is healing. The stitches are self-absorbing and do not require removal. If an incision is made across the columnella, or vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils, skin stitches are placed which require removal in 3-5 days. The need to do this is usually identified and discussed fully prior to the procedure, and is usually necessary in only about 5-10% of people. There will be some swelling and stuffiness for several weeks, but patients usually resume normal light activity after a few days. It will take several weeks before the nose is completely healed to allow full physical activity.

Many people blossom with positive personality changes after a nose-reshaping procedure. A new sense of confidence is the most frequently observed change. It's important to remember: (1) results can take up to one year to be evident after surgery and (2) rhinoplasty changes the appearance that you and your loved ones have grown accustomed to.