Surgical procedures

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Please note that the content featured in this section is for informational purposes only and is by no means exhaustive; nor can it be considered as recommendations on surgery.

Remember that all types of surgery bear a degree of uncertainty and risk. Patients must consult with a specialized plastic surgeon prior to deciding on any operation and must always follow the instructions provided by their surgeon.

The nose is one of the most important and prominent of all of facial features and a very complicated facial feature structurally. Its contribution to the aesthetic appearance of the face is immense, both in desirable and undesirable characteristics. Rhinoplasty is the surgical procedure that aims to improve the external appearance of the nose, while septoplasty corrects septal abnormalities. Thus in rhinoplasty, perhaps more than any other aesthetic operation, the individuality of the patient's nasal structures and their relationship to other facial features must be recognised and respected. The principle of conservatism and symmetry is very important for this operation.

The procedure is performed through small incisions made inside the nose or inconspicuous ones on the surface of the nose, it takes one to two hours and usually is done under general anaesthesia. During surgery the skin of the nose is dissected from its skeleton, the necessary "sculpting" is done and the skin is re-draped back. An overnight stay in the hospital will be necessary. At the completion of the procedure, internal splints or packs maybe necessary. Due to drainage of material and fluid following surgery, some degree of blockage of the nasal airways is normal. An external splint is applied to the outside of the nose if nasal bones have been repositioned. The external splint is fixed in place by tape and usually remains in place 7 - 10 days.

Bruising is normal following rhinoplasty procedures and resolves within seven to ten days. Extensive bleeding occurs in less than 5% of cases. When tapes are removed, almost all areas of change are easily noticeable. Swelling will decrease gradually and subtle refinements will continue to occur for months. A different sensation while breathing moves through the nose will occur, and several weeks are required to fully adjust to the new sensation. The membranes may also be irritated and require several weeks to equilibrate. These adjustments are usually minor in degree and require no medications. Strenuous exercise should be minimised for at least two weeks following surgery. Activities such as stooping over and lifting heavy objects, or having the head lowered below the level of the rest of the body for any extended periods should also be avoided to minimise the chance of postoperative bleeding.

Minor adjustments or additional revisions following initial rhinoplasty may be necessary in some of the patients, but these are minimal compared to the major problem of dealing with an initial procedure. It should be said that there is no such thing as 'the perfect nose'. People who enjoy the benefits of rhinoplasty are those able to focus on the degree of improvement rather than on any small lack of perfection.

back