Rhinoplasty

• Your facial growth is complete, ideally 16 for girls and 18 for boys.
• You are physically healthy.
• You don’t smoke.
• You have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance.

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will provide extensive pre- and post-op instructions, learn about the patient’s goals, answer any questions, and perform an examination to create a personalized surgical plan. Before the procedure, patients need to quit smoking, stop any medications that will exacerbate bleeding, plan time away from work and child/pet care, and find someone to assist them at home after the surgery.

Rhinoplasty can be performed using either a closed procedure, with incisions hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, with an incision across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils. These incisions allow the surgeon to lift the skin covering the nasal bones and cartilage to reshape the nose’s structure. To reduce an overly large nose, bone or cartilage may be removed. Sometimes, cartilage grafts are needed, typically from the septum, ear, or rarely, rib. If the septum is deviated, it can be straightened to improve breathing. The nasal skin and tissue are then redraped, and the incisions are closed. Additional incisions may be made in the nostril creases to adjust their size.

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. You will be given specific instructions about how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for pain and discomfort. All sutures are removed by day5-7.

You will likely need to take about one week off from work, depending on your job and how you feel. Avoid strenuous activities like cycling, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise for 2 to 3 weeks, or until your doctor approves. While the 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 as your nose settles into its permanent shape. As your body ages, it is natural to have some gradual changes to your face including your nose. But most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.

• Anesthesia risks
• Change in skin sensation (numbness or pain)
• Difficulty breathing
• Nasal septal perforation (a hole in the nasal septum) is rare. Additional surgical treatment may be necessary to repair the septum but it may be impossible to correct this complication
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Unsatisfactory nasal appearance