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Rhinoplasty Guide
Rhinoplasty Guide
Introduction to Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty which is often called nose job in colloquial terms is a popular plastic
surgery performed throughout the world to correct nasal defects. People who
want the shape and size of their nose to be changed usually go for this surgery.
Since nose is the center of the face and the first thing to be noticed about a
person, it is apparent that most people who have slight defects want it to be
corrected and yet maintain their natural appearance.
Nose reshaping or restructuring procedures improve the appearance of the nose
along with adjusting the shape, size, proportion and symmetry considering the
overall facial and personality traits of the person.
During a Rhinoplasty procedure, the surgeon makes incisions along various parts
of the nose and corrects the internal structure of the nose consisting of cartilages,
tissues and tiny bones. The idea is to makes corrections in such way that the nasal
profile is adjusted to the desired shape and size.
An experienced surgeon will usually take into account various aspects to the
patients nose type, personality and ethnic identity, and decides on the best
technique and procedure to be carried out in order to get the perfect results.
When a highly reputed and experienced surgeon performs the nose job, it can
change the life of the person as they see an overall improvement in the
appearance and the nose looks more natural and complimenting to their overall
face.
A successful nose job is one which does not leave any scars or weird looking
marks on the nose and provides the patient with the confidence for being their
true self. If the person gets compliments on his appearance by others but they
cannot pin-point what exactly has changed in his personality then we can safely
assume that the procedures were a total success.
Nose job can correct many defects pertaining to the alignment of the nose and
the shape or size of the nasal traits. The defects are mainly categorized into two
types
Functional Defects These are the aspects related to the working of the nose and
the functions it performs. People with these defects usually face health issues and
require immediate medical intervention to ease them of the pain.
Deviated septum is one of those serious issues which lead to a lop-sided nasal
profile causing breathing and other respiratory problems to the patient. The
septum causes obstruction in the breathing leading to lack of oxygen to the vital
organs in the body.
By operating on the tissues, cartilages and nasal bones the surgeon can fix the
septum and ease the airflow through the nasal passage. This correction will
automatically lead to more straighter and attractive looking nose. It also helps in
improving his overall health.
Cosmetic Defects These are the slight or sometimes more prominent physical
features and appearance of the nose which the person wants to correct. These
are usually related to how the nose looks and whether the person feels it is
congruent with other facial features.
Rhinoplasty surgery is also an aesthetic enhancement surgery where the surgeon
makes slight corrections to the nasal profile and improves the overall appearance
of the nose.
The defects corrected by nose job are
Nasal asymmetry and dislocation of prominent nasal parts
Uneven nostrils making the nose look disfigured
Upturned, hooked, flat, crooked, celestial, pointed, protruding, drooping
nose
Visible humps, bumps, depressions and protrusions on the nose
Enlarged nostrils with smaller upper nasal structure
Bulbous nostrils with excessive volume and flesh with weaker or narrower
nasal wall
Excessive or too narrow width of the nasal bridge
Perforated nasal septum or other damaged internal parts
Some of the questions to ask your surgeon while making the final decision are
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (equivalent
board for your country of choice)?
The American Association of Plastic Surgeons
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Are you a permanent member of (country) Medical Association and
Medical Professionals?
Were you trained in the field of plastic surgery and especially Rhinoplasty?
What is the experience you have in nose job procedures?
Where would you be conducting the surgery?
Does your clinic have license to perform such surgeries?
Will you be using the surgical facility of hospitals or other medical centers?
Am I fit for nasal surgery?
How can I prepare best for the surgery?
Which surgical technique are you going to use?
Are your methods conservative or radical?
How long will it take to recovery completely in my case?
What complications may arise during surgery and how will you handle
those?
What are the changes which can be seen overtime in my nose?
What options do I have if I am dissatisfied with the results?
Do you provide financing options or discounts for full cash payments?
Can I see some before and after pictures of your past Rhinoplasty patients?
Here are some questions which are warning signs for you to stop and reassess
your decision. These questions hint more towards your psychological setup,
emotional stability, rationality and connection to the reality.
Do I want to get the surgery done to look like my favorite celebrity?
Am I doing this to please my spouse, partner or someone I admire and want
to emulate?
Is this surgery purely meant to help me in my career or relationships?
Am I over critical about my appearance and always think what others might
be thinking about my nose and overall appearance?
Do I want a picture perfect nose created by the surgeon?
Do I spend most of my day looking at my nose and its shape in the mirror?
Do I have emotional balance to live with the current nose that I have?
Will I still be happy and satisfied in my life if I do not get this nose job?
Am I still a teenager who is going through the growth phase?
Have I gone through multiple cosmetic surgeries in the past?
Am I attaching all my failures and disappointments to the defect of nose?
If you said yes to any of the questions above, it shows that, to some degree, you
are relating your self-worth to the shape of your nose. While, getting a nose job
done to look better is not wrong, it shouldnt become an obsession or a meter to
measure your beauty and personality.
You would be a perfect candidate for Rhinoplasty if you expected just a minor
change in your nose and would want to retain the uniqueness of your nose
pertaining to your ethnicity. Of course, some nose jobs require a complete
reconstruction and makeover in order to make the nose look normal, but most
cases require just a minor adjustment.
You will be most happy and contended after your nose job if your expectations
are realistic and understand the limitations of Rhinoplasty surgery.
The patient should block out at least two weeks from his schedule for the surgery.
The entire operation will be done within a few hours and the patient will be given
discharge within a day.
The patient has to maintain a good and healthy diet to be physically healthy and
sustain the stressful event of surgery. He should maintain proper nutrition to
speed up healing after surgery. He should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,
whole grains and lean protein. Vitamin supplements of A and C are usually
recommended by the doctors.
Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided before and after the surgery for
at least a few weeks. This may slow down healing or may create undue
complications during the surgery. Any herbal medication or supplements should
also be stopped or discussed with the surgeon to take his consent for
consumption.
Surgeons also warn against certain foods which can cause surgical complications
and are known to be blood thinners. These make it hard for the blood to clot and
keep wounds fresh after the surgery. The surgeon may also prescribe certain
additional supplements if he finds your pre-surgery tests are not up to the mark.
The patient should maintain a proper sleep cycle and get plenty of rest before and
after the surgery. He should also maintain proper hygiene and avoid any makeup
or other creams before coming to the surgical facility.
During the initial phases of the surgery the patient should remain calm and follow
instructions. Placing trust in your surgeons ability will help immensely in
remaining relaxed throughout the surgery.
Recovery phase is as important as the surgery itself. After the surgery the patient
is given many instructions for proper and speedy recovery. He should record
everything sincerely and follow the advice to the T.
Rhinoplasty Techniques
There are many types of Rhinoplasty surgeries which vary according to the
requirements of the patient. But, the surgeon typically uses either of the two
techniques while performing these surgeries.
Open Rhinoplasty This procedure involves making incisions along the columella
and making adjustments or reshaping. The overlaying skin on the nose is raised
and secured and the surgery is performed. This gives the surgeon visual access to
the inner structure of the nose. This has an advantage of ease, perfection and
total control over the other technique.
Closed Rhinoplasty This procedure involves making incisions inside the nostrils.
The scars are hidden and the recovery is faster than the open technique. But, this
is difficult when compared to the prior.
The technique chosen for the surgery is left at surgeons discretion. He decides
which one would be the best option for the case and the goals of the surgery.
The patient may be given either a general anesthesia or a local anesthesia. Usually
the doctors prefer general anesthesia as it gives them total control over the
patient and help them complete the work without any difficulty.
The patient is made to wear a gas mask through which anesthesia is given. Within
a few seconds the patient become unconscious and the surgeon gets the green
signal to proceed with his work.
Step 2: Incisions Depending on the technique, the surgeon either starts making
incisions along the columella (the part where the upper lip meets the base of
nostrils) or inside the nostrils to access the nasal structure.
The skin is raised and secured with medical clips while other sensitive organs like
eyes are secured with protective gear. The flesh is cut through to access the bony
part of the nose which is to be operated upon.
Step 3: Correcting Deviations The surgeons first preference will be to correct
any functional problems. He corrects the deviated septum and anything which is
causing health problems to the patient.
If cartilages or tissues are required to be placed inside the nose to correct the
functional problems, the surgeon will harvest them from either an ear or through
the right lower rib.
Step 4: Reshaping and Restructuring the Nose After correcting functional
problems, the surgeon heads towards making cosmetic changes to make the nose
look beautiful and aesthetically fit in to the overall facial traits.
The surgeon may make use of implants or cartilage and skin grafts to achieve the
exact shape and size desired. He may also make small fractures and remove parts
of the bone to align the entire nasal structure perfectly.
After the procedure is completed the surgeon secures the new structure with
dissolvable medical sutures (threads) while the body adjusts to the new shape
and activates its natural healing mechanism.
Step 5: Closing the Incision The skin is gently brought back to its original place
and secured with medical stitches. Splints are placed within the nostrils and also
over the nose to protect the newly created structure. Bandages are placed
beneath the nostrils to soak blood and fluids oozing out.
Any protective gear is removed and the patient is ready to be shifted to the room.
The anesthesia effects will gradually wear out and the patient comes into full
consciousness.
Step 6: Recovery and Follow up The recovery period will take anywhere from a
few weeks to a full year. The nose will gradually take the new form where the skin
is adjusting to the internal structure.
The patient is required to visit the clinic for follow up sessions where the surgeon
will check the progress and give prescriptions for medication.
After a month or two when the surgeon gives his consent, the patient can resume
his day to day activities with low intensity exercise and aerobic activities. The
nose will take shape and will be fully recovered by the end of the year.
The risks involved are explained to the patient and his consent is sought before
beginning the procedure.
Some of the risks involved are