What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery is done to change the shape of the nose and/or to enhance facial aesthetics. It can be done to improve how your nose looks, or for improved breathing, or even both. It can involve change of the upper part of the nose, which is bony or the lower part, which is cartilage or the skin on the nose or maybe all three, as per the desires . Apart from being a cosmetic surgery, a rhinoplasty may also be done to correct impaired or obstructed breathing, which may be caused due to structural defects in the nose.
Why is it Done?
Rhinoplasty can be done for several reasons, ranging from aesthetic changes to correcting structural defects to improving impaired breathing. You may choose to undergo a rhinoplasty for the following reasons:
Who can Opt for this Surgery?
Anyone can opt for a rhinoplasty. But if you want a nose reshaping surgery for aesthetic purposes, that is, for improving your appearance, you should wait until the bone in the nose is fully developed and grown, which is about 15 years for girls and 18 years for boys. But if you want a rhinoplasty for health reasons and improved breathing, then the surgery can be done at an earlier age as well.
Rhinoplasty: Preparation and Procedure
Prior to the rhinoplasty, it is necessary for you to meet with your surgeon and discuss the course of the surgery and how it would work for you. The pre-surgery appointments would include
Depending on what is expected from the procedure and how complex the surgery is, a local anesthesia with sedatives or general anesthesia is given. Rhinoplasty may be done in a hospital, or your surgeon’s clinic, again depending on how small or large is the correction that you need.
Rhinoplasty can be done either by giving incisions inside your nose or by making a small incision at the base of your nose. The bone or cartilage, as the case may be, is adjusted under the skin itself. There are several distinct ways in which your nose may be reshaped or resized- by adding or removing something.
If the modifications are small, the cartilage from the septum of your nose or ear can be used.
If the surgery involves making far complex or larger modifications, cartilage from your ribs or bones from other parts of the body may be used or even implants may be added. Once these modifications are done, the nasal skin and tissues are placed back and incisions are stitched.
Recovery
This surgery is a slightly complex procedure and during the recovery period you may require some extra care. To avoid any kind of excessive swelling or bleeding, you will need to be on bed rest with your head raised higher than your chest. The dressings and splints are usually removed after one week.
You may feel like your nose is blocked due to the splints, or experience some amount of bleeding and mucus. The small drip pad and gauze may be attached for this, which you must change as advised by the surgeon. The doctor may prescribe you some pain and anti-inflammatory medications. In case any of these conditions become severe, immediately contact your surgeon.
To avoid any severe risks or complications, the doctor will advise you the following
You may be able to return to work and daily life within a week after the surgery, but while following the above instructions and others given by the doctor.
To Wrap it Up!
Rhinoplasty can make a big difference to how your nose and face look, or even how you breathe as the case may be. It is a safe procedure. Recovery is also fast, but may require some extra care. It may take about four to six months for the results to show fully.