Rhinoplasty

Why Choose Rhinoplasty?

There are many reasons why people choose to have surgery on their nose. Each reason can be categorised in to 2 main categories: medical and cosmetic.
The two categories can also merge when patients have undergone surgery for medical reasons, such as a sports injury, but then been unhappy at the results some time later, and therefore opted for cosmetic correction.
People who undergo cosmetic rhinoplasty often have an issue with a particular part of their nose. The most common cosmetic areas are; the tip of the nose, and the bridge, or dorsum.
The issues / complaints surrounding the bridge of the nose is that it has a bump / hump that sticks out. People who are unhappy with the tip of their nose complain that their nose appears too wide / thin, too round or beaked.
Length is also a common issue for some patients.
Rhinoplasty that is carried out for medical purposes is often done so because of an injury to the nose.
Accidents and sports injuries are two of the main culprits when it comes to medical rhinoplasty. Issues with the nose can also impact on the quality of life of a patient such as; mental health and causing breathing problems.
You may undergo rhinoplasty to:

• Change the length of your nose
• Change the width of the nose / nostrils
• Change the size of the nostrils
• Change the bump at the nose bridge
• Reposition your nose after accident / injury

About Rhinoplasty

Surgery on the nose is carried out under general anaesthetic.
You can speak to your consultant about the procedure as each patient is treated individually depending on their aim, nose size and shape.

The four most common procedures carried out are:

• To break the nose and change the shape of it, as well as the nostrils. During this procedure the cartilage is also rearranged.
• Making the nose bigger, also known as nose augmentation. This is performed by taking cartilage from other parts of the body, such as the ears or hips, to build up part of the nose. This process is commonly known as a graft.
• To change the angle or direction of the nose and the lips.
• Making the nose smaller, also known as nose reduction. During this procedure part of the bone or cartilage is removed.

Each operation mentioned above is carried out by making incisions in one of two ways:

• Open rhinoplasty – where an incision is made across the skin between the nostrils.
• Closed rhinoplasty – whereby small incisions are made inside one or both nostrils. This method is known to cause less swelling and does not leave visible scarring as cuts are inside the nose. However, closed rhinoplasty is not always an option.

If you are concerned about what happens to the skin on your nose during and post-surgery, speak to your consultant. However skin on the nose is very adaptable and can expand or shrink to its new shape.

Overall, rhinoplasty surgery takes around 2-3 hours on average to complete. Patients would expect to stay in hospital for 1-3 nights for immediate recovery and aftercare.

Recovery

After you undergo surgery on your nose, you will need ample time off work and normal activities to rest and recover.
Patients should expect to have around 1 to 2 weeks off work.
However, to see the full effects of your nose job it will take approximately 3-4 months, with swelling lasting up to 6 months on average.
Following surgery and your stay in hospital, you will leave with dressings on your nose and in each nostril.
A splint is usually held over your nose and you may be unable to breathe through your nose at first.
Regular painkillers are provided to ease any discomfort or pain.
Although your surgeon will advise you on the necessary aftercare in a recovery plan tailored to you, driving is often ruled out for all patients post-surgery. Patients will be able to drive within 4-5 days on average.

What to expect in recovery:

• After the first week your stitches will be removed. If your surgeon used dissolvable stitches, they will dissolve within this time-frame.
• After the first month any swelling, bruising or redness may subside and you can return to light activities, such as swimming.
• After 2 months you will be able to return to more strenuous exercise and activities.

As with all surgery, it is important to rest and recover to make sure you get the most out of your procedure and not jeopardise the results.

You should aim to rest in bed for at least 2-3 days after you have returned home with your head propped up to help reduce any swelling.
Patients are advised to avoid bathing in hot water, wetting the splint, blowing your nose and sneezing through your mouth. Not sneezing through your nose will keep pressure off it and aid recovery.

If possible, try to avoid areas that may be dusty or contain smoke and stay away from contact sports.

Complications And Side Effects

After undergoing surgery for the reshaping or resizing of your nose, there are common side effects you should expect. These include:

• Your nose feeling numb or stiff.
• Light nosebleeds.
• Blocked nose. Patients are required to breathe through their nose for the first 7 to 10 days.
• Bruising and swelling around the eyes and nose. This can last up to 21 days.
• Soreness, which can be eased with painkillers.
• Scarring. Scars will be red following surgery but will fade over the next 6 to 12 months.

There are also complications associated with rhinoplasty, but they are rare. These include:

• Heavy bleeding – you may experience heavy or excessive bleeding immediately after surgery.
• Infection – this is not exclusive to rhinoplasty and all operations come with a risk of infection. If your wound gets infected you may need antibiotics.
• Blood clots
• Increased sensation
• Breathing trouble
• Altered sense of smell
• Asymmetry

You can find out more about the risks and complications related to nose surgery from our health professionals. Our team are on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have and put your mind at rest.
Booking a consultation is a great way to get everything off your chest in a pressure-free environment with absolutely no obligation. We put patients wellbeing and safety first and always ensure they are 100% happy with the decisions they make before proceeding.

Why Choose Us For Rhinoplasty?