Rhinoplasty improves the appearance and proportion of your nose, enhancing facial harmony and your self-esteem.
Each year, around half a million people interested in improving the appearance of the nose, schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon. While the shape of the nose is usually the result of heredity, there are also cases in which the appearance of the nose changes in the aging process, as a result of trauma or previous surgery. One thing is certain: nothing is more important for the appearance of the face as the size and shape of the nose. Because the nose defines character of the entire face, even a small change can significantly improve your appearance. What rhinoplasty can improve:
- the size of your nose – in relation to the other facial structures,
- the width of the nose bridge,
- profile of the nose with a prominent hump or depression on bridge,
- the tip of the nose, which is too large, bulbous, dropping or upturned,
- Too big, too wide or upturned nostrils,
- Nasal asymmetry and deviation.
Preparing for the operation
- Do the tests prescribed by a physician necessary for qualification to the surgery.
- Follow the instructions of your doctor for medication, to assist the body before surgery.
- 2-4 weeks before surgery quit smoking or at least limit the number of cigarettes.
- Two weeks before surgery it is forbidden to take aspirin (and any other medicine that contains salicylic acid) and herbal supplements that affect blood thickness.
Operation
Depending on the surgical technique the nose operation can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Incisions are performed according to indications. The treatment consists of correction of cartilage and/or nasal bone, depending on the desired shape. Sometimes rhinoplasty requires transplantation of cartilage from other parts of the body. Most transplants are performed from the nasal septum, but tissue is also collected from the ear or – very rarely – from the ribs. The treatment ends up with a suturing of cuts in the skin or mucous membrane, placing the nasal packing and immobilization of the nose with a small dorsal splint. The procedure usually takes 1-3 hours. The outcome of the surgery is visible after few months. The time in which swelling disappears varies depends on personal inclinations and sometimes the nose looks very good in couple of weeks after surgery, in other cases, recovery lasts few months – even up to a year.
The decision to undergo nose surgery is extremely personal matter. You must assess whether the procedure will meet your expectations and if you are able to accept fully the possible risk and potential complications.
Risk includes:
- rupture of small superficial blood vessels of the nose,
- infection,
- poor wound healing,
- the risks associated with anesthesia,
- excessive bleeding,
- asymmetry of the nose,
- changes in skin sensitivity (numbness)
- a change in the process of air inhalation may occur after surgery or nose or the nasal septum
- uneven nasal septum- this complication happens rarely and requires corrective surgery,
- bad scars,
- changes in skin color
- swelling,
- the possibility of re-operation.
Post-operative procedures
Nasal packing is kept for about 48 hours. After 8-10 days the dorsal splint can be removed. The swelling usually subsides after 3-4 weeks of treatment. On the first day after surgery it is required to stay in bed with the head lifted up. Use cold compresses to reduce bruising and swelling. In the first few days you should not clean your nose from the inside. After removing the external dressing you can apply makeup. For first three months avoid injury, overheating or cooling. Please be careful when playing sports, wearing glasses before 3 weeks after the surgery is also not recommended. At the beginning you should avoid excessive sun exposure and use of the solarium and sauna. Each patient receives detailed information about the further procedures on the day of discharge.
