The nose is a prominent part of your face and the respiratory system. In addition to directing air in and out of your respiratory system, it has a significant impact on the appearance of your face. This is why nose surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States. But in addition to improving the appearance of your face, nose surgery can also be performed for medical reasons.
Here are some important things you need to know about nose surgery
What Is Nose Surgery?
Nose surgery, also known as rhinoplasty or nose job, is a cosmetic or medical surgical procedure performed to improve the shape of the nose. The procedure can enhance a patient’s facial appearance and breathing. In other words, nose surgery can be done for both medical and aesthetic purposes. If you can breathe properly without undergoing nose surgery, the procedure will be seen as cosmetic surgery. On the other hand, if you need nose surgery to correct a breathing issue, the procedure will be seen as medical.
The Ideal Candidate for Nose Surgery
Nose surgery can be helpful for people with medical conditions like cleft palate, chronic sinus problems, deviated nasal septum, and broken noses, among others. Those going for cosmetic nose surgery usually do so to narrow or widen the nostrils, narrow the nose bridge, reshape the tip of the nose, change the angle of the nose and the upper lip, or straighten a crooked nose. However, the ideal candidate for the procedure should:
- Be physically healthy
- Be a non-smoker or willing to quit smoking
- Have realistic expectations and a positive outlook
During your initial appointment with your plastic surgeon, several tests will be done to ascertain if you are healthy enough for the procedure. If you have conditions that could compromise the healing process, you may be advised to avoid the procedure, especially if it is for cosmetic purposes.
What Nose Surgery Involves
Nose surgery is done under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. This is meant to ensure that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your surgeon will recommend the right choice for you.
Once the anesthesia has been administered, the incisions are made either across the columella or inside the nose. The skin covering the underlying nasal tissue is raised, allowing the surgeon to change the structure of the nose.
The size of your nose may be reduced by removing some cartilage or bone. If the size of the nose needs to be increased, cartilage grafts will be added. If the septum is deviated, it will be corrected accordingly. Once the desired shape of the nose has been achieved, the surgeon will close the incisions using skin adhesives and sutures.
Recovery After Nose Surgery
During rhinoplasty recovery times, a packing is placed inside the nose, while the outside of the nose is bandaged. This is meant to support the structure of the nose. Your surgeon will prescribe the right medications to prevent surgical site infections and manage pain. You will also be instructed on how you are going to take care of the surgical site for optimal healing.
Nose Surgery Risks
Like other surgical procedures, rhinoplasty can involve several risks. Some risks associated with nose surgery include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Poor healing
- Unfavorable scarring
- Breathing difficulties
- Surgical site infections
- Numbness
- Swelling
Before you can sign the consent to go for the procedure, you need to discuss the risks with your surgeon and ask any questions you may have.
Rhinoplasty FAQs
What Is the Ideal Age for Nose Surgery?
Some people think that they are too old or young for the procedure. However, the truth is that as long as your face is fully developed, you can seek a nose job at any age. Males need to be at least 21 years old, while qualified females should be over 15 years old.
How Long Is Recovery for Rhinoplasty?
This usually varies on a case-to-case basis. Rhinoplasty recovery time usually depends on factors such as the type of nose surgery performed and the extent of the surgery. But on average, recovery should take anywhere between two weeks and three months.
What Is the Difference Between Open and Closed Rhinoplasty?
The difference between closed and open rhinoplasty has to do with where the incisions are made. In closed rhinoplasty, the incisions are made inside the nostrils. On the other hand, when it comes to open rhinoplasty, incisions are made on the outside of the nose. Although open rhinoplasty is easier to perform, it is less popular than closed rhinoplasty. This can be explained by the fact that the risk of unfavorable scarring is much lower in closed rhinoplasty.
Is Rhinoplasty an Inpatient or Outpatient Procedure?
Rhinoplasty is usually done on an outpatient basis. Therefore, although you may be required to rest for a few hours as health professionals observe you after the procedure, you will most likely be allowed to go home on the same day unless there is a serious complication arising from the procedure.