Plastic Surgery

Rhinoplasty is plastic surgery to reshape the nose.  It is more requested than all the plastic surgery procedures.  For cosmetic purposes, it can make your nose smaller or larger.  If your nose is crooked, it can be made straighter.  The bridge of your nose can be reshaped and the nostrils narrowed.  It will improve your looks but it won't give you perfection.  Some people need rhinoplasty because of injuries like nasal fractures.  Others were born with a defect that affects their breathing. 

This type of surgery should only be performed if your nose is fully developed.  Full development happens in females around age 15 or 16.  In males, it occurs around age 17 or 18.  There could be complications if plastic surgery is done when the nose is still growing.  

Rhinoplasty should only be considered if you're in good physical and psychological health.  You need to be realistic in what you expect the surgery to do for you.  The surgeon's advice is influenced by the structure of your nose, face and skin.  Photographs are good to help with the preoperative goals and postoperative results.  

It isn't a long surgery unless there is some complicated procedure you need to have done.  The surgeon will separate the skin of the nose from its sustaining framework of cartilage and bone.  It is then sculpted into the desired shape.  Your nose will be sculpted according to what kind of problem you have.  The skin will be redraped over the fresh framework.  

Some surgery is performed inside the nose where the incisions will be made.  Other surgeons prefer the surgery to be an open procedure.  This is used a lot if the operation is going to be complicated.  A tiny incision is made across the vertical strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.  This is called columella.  In order for your nose to hold its shape, a splint will be applied and worn for at least a week.  There will be swelling and bruising around the eye area.  It should improve in a couple of days.  Slight swelling will go away in approximately six months.  No one but you and your surgeon will notice it.  Another problem that could possibly occur is skin necrosis.  This is a breakdown of the skin tissue.  Your skin might also feel sore from the bandages.  To reduce infection your surgeon may prescribe antibiotics.  Remember that healing takes time.  After your nose heals completely the new shape of your nose will be apparent.  

Common suggestions are to make an appointment to have a check-up in approximately one week.  Always finish all your antibiotics to make sure any infections are completely cleared up.  Try to avoid blowing your nose.  Get a hold of your doctor immediately if you suddenly have a nose bleed or other unusual symptoms.  

A small change to the shape of your nose can make a difference in how your nose looks.  Some people might not like the way the surgery turned out.  You need to wait a year if a second operation is needed.