What is rhinoplasty?
It is the process of reshaping the nose. Sometimes referred to as reshaping the nose, or simply nose job. Although the aim of this operation is done primarily for aesthetic purpose to increase the consistency between the nose and the rest of the features of the face, but in many cases it is performed for the purpose of treating breathing problems and disorders resulting from deformities or defects in the structure of the nose, or due to accidents.
The Purpose of Rhinoplasty
– changing the size of the nose (either to reduce it or enlarge it).
– changing the width of the nose or the size or position of the nose tip.
– adjusting the nasal size, such as their heights, which affect the overall shape of the face, or to adjust the symmetry of the nose.
Steps for rhinoplasty
The anesthesia may be general or local, according to the doctor’s opinion, which is mainly determined by the patient’s case. Then the operation begins by making an incision in the nose.
Reshaping the Nose
By removing/adjusting the needed cartilage and bone. In some case, the doctor may be obliged to transplant some cartilage.
Correcting the shape of the septum If it is deviated, then the incision is closed in case it is used and a nose splint is installed.
The duration of rhinoplasty varies from person to person. If the nose job is simple, it only takes one hour, if it is complicated, then the operation may take several hours.
Recovery and recovery period after rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty and nose correction are simple surgeries that do not require a long recovery period. As the patient can leave the hospital on the day after the surgery. In some cases, the patient can leave on the same day. However, it differs from person to person. It is always recommended to adhere to the doctor’s instructions after the operation to ensure a healthy and speedy recovery.
After the operation, the nose will be different and its shape gradually changes with the disappearance of the swelling.
It takes between 2 and 12 weeks for the nose to reach its final shape.
It is normal for those who just left the operation room to find their nose congested and swollen after removing the surgical template. This is completely normal. However, it take around a year after surgery to reach the final image of the nose, so patients have to be patient and completely adhere to the doctor’s instructions.
There are several things that must be taken into consideration to determine the eligibility of an individual to undergo a rhinoplasty, such as:
– the growth of the facial bones must be complete. The operation cannot be performed in the age of childhood or adolescence. In addition, the facial bones must be healthy without any kind of deformation.
– the candidate for this operation must be in good health. He/she must also not be a smoker since smoking causes complications for this operation and increases the expected recovery period for it.
– Nasal reduction surgery: It may include certain areas such as the tip of the nose, the frontal part of the nose, or the width of the nose.
– Nose augmentation surgery: This type of surgery is often therapeutic, as it may be a result of deformation or incomplete growth of the nose, or after the surgical removal of part of the nose due to an accident.
– Ethnic rhinoplasty: which is spread in certain races and it is characterized by the shapes and edges of the nose, such as the people of the Middle East or the peoples of the Mediterranean regions.
– Rhinoplasty caused by accidents: which cause the destruction of some of the nasal bones or cartilages.
The patient must undergo some laboratory tests as well as an electrocardiogram. The patient should also avoid taking any medications that may cause blood thinning, such as aspirin and drugs that contain ibuprofen.
The patient must also stop smoking or taking nicotine badges. It is also necessary to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages in the period before and after the surgery. If the patient is going to be under general anesthesia during the surgery, then he/she must avoid from consuming any food or drinks for at least 8 hours before the operation.
Smoking and alcohol should be avoided. In addition, strenuous exercise must be avoided for at least three weeks after the rhinoplasty operation. The dryness of the nasal splint should also be maintained in the week following the operation and removed. Being exposed directly to sunlight should be avoided in the weeks following the operation until complete recovery.
The recovery period after the operation is an important period. It must be taken seriously by the patient. In addition, the patient must adherence to the doctor’s instructions to ensure that he/she will get the nose that he/she wants. Otherwise, the healing of the skin or the parts under it leads to an imbalance in the shape of the nose, and some problems may appear as a result of not following the instructions.
Results are evaluated within a year of surgery, and after the swelling in the nose area has completely gone.
– The first potential risk in rhinoplasty is the risks of general anesthesia: in which a person may experience an unknown sensitivity to one of the drugs used in the anesthesia process.
– The risks of mistakes of the doctor or the treatment center: the doctor must be carefully selected by the hospital and the patient and be experienced and skilled to perform the operation.
– It is common for rhinoplasty to lead to breathing problems. This, however, was recorded in about 70% of those who undergo rhinoplasty.
– Risks of tissue transplantation to beautify the nose. This includes displacing some tissues if the patient’s body rejects the implant (tissues coming from outside the patient’s body).
– Postoperative risks of infection, which can be avoided as much as possible by adhering to the doctor’s instructions, and by taking the drugs prescribed by the doctor at the specified time.
– In some cases, the patient may feel numbness in the nose, and tissue fibrosis.
– The patient often experiences swelling in the nose right after the operation. This recovers gradually.
• There may sometimes be a change in the color of the skin of the nose.