Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty or “nose job” is surgery of the nose and is one of the most common and satisfying of any plastic surgery procedure. In fact Rhinoplasty is amongst the first cosmetic plastic surgery operations ever performed, back in 1898.
Rhinoplasty surgery can:
- Remove humps over the bridge of the nose
- Modify and refine the nasal tip
- Narrow or widen the nostrils
- Improve the angle between the nose and the upper lip
- Shorten or lengthen the length of the nose
- Alter the slope or angle of the nose
- Increase or decrease nasal tip projection
Septoplasty (to repair the septum of the nose) may also be performed to correct an injury or birth defect, or to improve breathing. The septoplasty or reconstructive rhinoplasty is performed at the same time as the surgery to improve the aesthetics of the nose.
As Rhinoplasty surgery can change your profile, many of our patients make use of digital imaging to help them envisage not only what is possible and what they might look like.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Rhinoplasty Surgery?
The best candidates for rhinoplasty are those people who are looking for an improvement in the way they look, not those searching for perfection. The trend in rhinoplasty today is all about the “natural” look. Whether or not you are a suitable candidate is for our surgeon Mr Rahdon and you to discuss. We undertake a complete analysis of your medical history as well as a thorough clinical consultation. If you are suitable, Mr Rahdon will discuss with you whether you need an open or a closed rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty Surgery
The surgery usually takes 2-3 hours and is performed under a general anesthetic. You will generally need to stay in hospital for one night. Rhinoplasty can be performed in a number of ways depending on the specific features of your nose – some procedures may be simpler, whilst others may involve greater complexity.
The procedure can be either a:
- Closed rhinoplasty – all the cuts are hidden on the inside of the nose; or an
- Open rhinoplasty – most of the cuts are made on the inside of the nose and an additional small incision on the skin of the nose half way down the columella (the thin piece of skin in the midline between the tip of the nose and the upper lip).
The nose is reshaped via a number of techniques – reducing any hump on the top of the nose, augmenting any flatness of the nose with bone grafts, straightening the nose, narrowing the bridge of the nose by breaking the bones of the nose and resetting them, straightening the septum to improve the air passages, and altering the tip of the nose by either removing and sculpting the existing cartilage, or adding more cartilage to give better support – through these access incisions. The wounds are then closed with dissolving stitches and then splints and dressings are applied to the outside of the nose.
Rhinoplasty is not a particularly painful procedure and during the operation local anesthetic is given so that when you wake from the surgery you will be comfortable. However, some discomfort can be expected following surgery and this can be alleviated with cold compresses and medication prescribed by your doctor. Once you leave hospital, simple painkillers such as paracetamol can be taken to manage any discomfort.
What is the Recovery Time following Surgery?
You may experience bruising and swelling around the area and this can sometimes take several weeks to subside following surgery. The splint and dressings are removed 1 week after the operation and most people feel able to return to work 2 weeks after the surgery. You should refrain from contact sports for 3 months.
What are the Potential Risks and Complications?
Major complications are uncommon following a rhinoplasty, however, you need to be aware that any operation carries with it the risk of complication. During your initial consultation Mr Rahdon will cover with you in detail the risks and complications associated with the surgery. Should you choose to proceed with surgery, we will again explain any risks as part of the consenting process.
We ensure that risks are kept to a complete minimum with the help of selecting suitable patients as well as the selection of the appropriate procedure for your specific requirements. You should also understand that our highly qualified and experienced surgeon, Mr Rahdon, will not perform any cosmetic procedure unless he believes that the benefits significantly outweigh the risks for you.
To further discuss nose surgery, please give us a call on (03) 5215 1070 or make an appointment with Dr Rahdon online to discuss any questions you have.
