
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, sometimes referred to as a “nose job” or “nose reshaping” by patients, is performed to correct aesthetic or functional deformities (breathing changes) of the nose. It enhances facial harmony and the proportions of the nose and can correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.
Rhinoplasty can treat nose size in relation to facial balance, nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils, nose profile with visible humps or depressions and nasal asymmetry. Rhinoplasty can also correct a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment. However, nose surgery that’s done to improve an obstructed airway requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing.
Although it is a frequently performed procedure it is considered the most demanding of all cosmetic surgeries.
Technical points
The surgical procedure takes 2H to 4H.
It is performed under general anaesthesia.
It can be performed on inpatient basis (1 night).
Postoperative care
Medication
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for routine pain control
- Antibacterial ointments application
- Prophylactic antibiotics (short course)
Split or packing
A splint and/or packing may be placed inside your nose
Activity
- Light aerobic exercise or professional activity after 15 days
- Heavy lifting after 6 weeks
Other recommendation
Avoid sun exposure
Expect bruising around the eyes after surgery
While swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine.
Complications and surgical risks
Rhinoplasty surgery risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor wound healing or scarring
- Change in skin sensation (numbness or pain)
- Unsatisfactory nasal appearance
- Asymmetry
- Difficulty breathing
- Skin discoloration and swelling
- Possibility of revisional surgery