Rhinoplasty (nose re-shaping)
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, or nose re-shaping, is cosmetic surgery designed to correct and reconstruct the shape of the nose. The tip, bridge or indeed the entire profile of the nose may be re-shaped.
Whilst it’s common for surgery to be performed for aesthetic reasons, it can also improve nasal function and correct deviated septums.
There are three primary types of rhinoplasty:
- Standard rhinoplasty - this involves a full nose correction of the bridge, nose tip and alar bases (nostrils)
- Septo-rhinoplasty – this involves a full nose correction, including the alteration of a deviated nasal septum (the cartilage partition in the nose). If you suffer from symptoms of a deviated septum, this procedure is also suitable
- Rhino-tip - this involves correction of the tip and alar bases
Your consultant will recommend the type of surgery best suited to you following consultation.
What does surgery involve?
Both rhinoplasty and septo-rhinoplasty surgery are performed under general anaesthetic and take approximately two hours depending on the exact nature of the procedure. You will be admitted to hospital, normally for one night, so that our clinical team can monitor your recovery.
Rhino-tip correction may be carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation. Depending upon the time of your surgery and your recovery you may be able to return home on the same day.
Standard rhinoplasty involves your surgeon making incisions inside your nose to allow for alterations to the bony structure. Your surgeon will operate on the cartilage inside your nose, either removing or re-shaping parts of it to give the desired shape.
How soon will I recover?
The length of time you will need to take off work will depend on the type of work you do, however it is usually between one and two weeks.
You will be prescribed painkillers and you should take these regularly for the first week or so. Please discuss any discomfort with our nursing team.
A protective splint will be worn across the nose for 7–10 days and it is normal to experience bruising and swelling of the eyes which will subside within approximately two weeks. You may also experience a sore throat after surgery.
You must avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and swimming for approximately six weeks after surgery.
The swelling inside your nose may take a few months to disappear completely.
It will take a couple of months for all bruising and swelling to disperse and it’s only then that the full effect of surgery can be assessed.
What are the risks involved?
Rhinoplasty is commonly performed and is generally a safe operation. Nonetheless, all surgery and anaesthetic have some risk associated. Risks to all surgeries include infection, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anaesthetic or blood clotting.
Swelling may cause some difficulty breathing during the first week. In some patients this can last longer than a week and, in rare cases, be a permanent side effect of the procedure.
