Rhinoplasty (Nose job – nose surgery)

Anesthesia

In most cases, nose job is done under general anesthesia. However it can be done under local anesthesia as well, the decision depends on the extent of the treatment and on the choice of you and your surgeon. With local anesthesia, the nose will be numbed with an injection, you will not feel any pain during the treatment. However, the surgery can be individually more or less annoying. With general anesthesia, you will sleep during the whole surgery. The patient is usually requested not to drink, eat or smoke for about 6 hours before general anesthesia and may need an overnight stay in hospital.

Procedure of nose job (rhinoplasty)

Nose job usually takes one or two hours, more complicated treatments can last longer. Many plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, making the incision inside the nostrils. The resulting scar is invisible. Others prefer an “open” procedure, especially in more complicated cases. In this case, the incision is lead across the columella, with resulting scar on this place. The scar is very discrete. During the normal surgery procedure, the skin is separated from its supportive framework, cartilages are partly removed and eventually sculpted, nasal hump is removed and bone part of the nose narrowed, if desired. Finally, the resulting shape of the nose is stabilized with bandage and plaster fixation. Nasal packs are placed into the nostrils.

Are you a suitable candidate for nose job – rhinoplasty?

Best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement of their look. If you are in a good state of health, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate. Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for remodelling purposes to correct birth defects or breathing problems. Age may also be a consideration. The surgery should not be performed before the development and growth of the person is finished. It is around 18 years of age in case of men, 16 years in case of women.

Before rhinoplasty

During first consultation, your surgeon will explain the operational procedure in detail, assess your case and discuss with you the possibilities of surgery and choose the most appropriate one for you. Be sure to tell the surgeon if you have had any previous nose surgeries or an injury to your nose, even if it was many years ago. You must also inform the doctor if you suffer from breathing difficulties. Be sure to discuss your nose job expectations frankly with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank to you, describing your possibilities, risks and limits of every procedure. It is assumed that no acute illness (viral illness, cold etc.) occurred in the period preceding the surgery. Inform the surgeon about any illness. While making the preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help out for a few days, if needed.

After the nose surgery

Immediately after the surgery, a small plaster splint will be placed on your nose to stabilize it. It will be removed after approximately 7 or 14 days, depending on the type of the treatment. During the first days after surgery, count with smaller or bigger swelling of the face, especially in the area of eyelids. The swelling can be easily reduced with cold compresses. Smaller swelling can last for weeks or months. Your nose may feel stuffy for some time, which is caused by swelling of nasal mucous membrane. For a week, it is not recommended to drivel. Most patients do not complain of bigger pain. Most clients can return to job when the plaster is removed, it means after approximately two weeks. Heavy physical activity is not recommended for about three weeks.

How long will the effect of nose surgery (rhinoplasty) last?

The results of the operation are lasting. It is however necessary to realize that the final results will stabilize no sooner than a year after the operation.