CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGEON
RHINOPLASTY
What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, sometimes referred to as a "nose job" or "nose reshaping" by patients, enhances facial harmony and the proportions of your nose. It can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.
Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to produce better alignment and requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure.
“Rhinoplasty is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfil someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image, especially those coming from social media. Choosing a procedure based on “what’s new” is never a medically sound decision. Hearing about a procedure on television, through an advertisement or online does not necessarily mean it is the best procedure for you.”
Who is a good candidate for rhinoplasty?
In general, you may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if your nose is too large, too small, or not in proportion to the rest of your face, you want to change the nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge, want to change the nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned or hooked, your nostrils are large, wide or upturned, you have nasal asymmetry, you have a nasal blockage inside your nose and have trouble breathing, you have a birth defect that you would like improved, you are physically fit, nonsmoker or have stopped smoking recently and have realistic expectations of the outcome of your surgery.
What should I expect during a consultation for rhinoplasty?
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Dr Ricardo will evaluate you as a candidate for rhinoplasty and clarify what approach is best for you. Alternative and additional treatments may be considered, once he understands your goals and medical condition. It is important to be completely honest during the consultation and be prepared to discuss your surgical goals, both appearance and breathing, medical conditions, drug allergies, previous medical treatments, current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and previous surgeries and your expectations and desired outcome.
Dr Ricardo will also evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors, take photographs, discuss the approach to your surgery, including the type of procedure or combination of procedures and tell you whether your expectations are in line with typical results, discuss any risks or potential complications and share before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours.
The success and safety of your rhinoplasty depend very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. It's very important to understand all aspects of your procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement about your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr Ricardo.
How should I prepare for rhinoplasty?
In preparing for rhinoplasty, you may be asked to get lab testing or a medical evaluation, take certain medications or adjust your current medications, stop smoking in advance of surgery and avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
The surgery will be performed in an accredited hospital and is usually performed on an outpatient basis unless you and Dr Ricardo have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery. You must arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you the first night following the hospital’s discharge.
Dr Ricardo and the entire staff will provide thorough preoperative instructions and answer any questions you may have. The goal is to help you achieve the most beautiful and natural-looking results, as well as to make your surgical experience as easy, comfortable, and safe as possible.
What are the steps of a rhinoplasty?
Step 1 – Anaesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia. Dr Ricardo will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
Rhinoplasty is performed either using a closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose or an open procedure, where an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. Through these incisions, the skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilages is gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose.
Step 3 – Reshaping the nose structure
An overly large nose may be reduced by removing bone or cartilage. Sometimes surgery of the nose may require the addition of cartilage grafts. Most commonly, cartilage from the septum, the partition in the middle of the nose, is used for this purpose. Occasionally cartilage from the ear or rarely a section of rib cartilage can be used.
Step 4 – Correcting a deviated septum
If the septum is deviated, it can be straightened and the projections inside the nose reduced to improve breathing.
Step 5 – Closing the incisions
Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue are redraped and incisions are closed with sutures. Additional incisions may be placed in the natural creases of the nostrils to alter their size.
Step 6 – See the results
For a few days, splints and gauze packing may support the nose as it begins to heal. The visible improvements of a rhinoplasty appear once swelling and bruising subside.
What should I expect during my rhinoplasty recovery?
During your rhinoplasty recovery, a splint and/or packing may be placed inside your nose and a splint or bandages placed on the outside to support and protect the new structures during initial healing. It is important to keep your head elevated above your heart to minimize swelling. Do not use ice or heat on the operated area.
You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with Dr Ricardo. Remember to always follow his instructions to ensure the success of your surgery.
Cosmetics can help camouflage any bruising. The surgical incisions mustn't be subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Initial wound healing may take 10 to 14 days. Sutures will be removed within a week. You should be ready to return to work and normal activity after 5-7 days. You must realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
What results should I expect after my rhinoplasty?
While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
The results of rhinoplasty are permanent, so it is important that you have clear aesthetic goals when this procedure is planned. Rhinoplasty should only be performed on a nose that has finished growing; complete development has usually occurred by age sixteen or seventeen. If rhinoplasty is performed before development is complete, continued growth can change the outcome of your surgery and cause potential problems and complications.
Your final result should help you feel more confident about yourself, achieving the most beautiful and natural-looking results.