Rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in plastic surgery. It is a surgery designed to modify the shape and size of the nose in order to achieve a better facial harmony.
Rhinoplasty can decrease or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or the back, narrow the nostrils or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. Besides being a key element in facial aesthetics, in many cases rhinoplasty has a restorative and functional function since it corrects congenital problems, trauma and some breathing problems.
Who is the ideal candidate for rhinoplasty?
The ideal candidates to undergo rhinoplasty are those people who seek to solve an aesthetic problem, an improvement, and not the absolute perfection in their appearance.
The most important thing is to have realistic expectations about the results you can achieve, so it is essential to talk with your surgeon and discuss together the desired result.
1 hour
4 hour
1 week
Local with sedation or general
1 week
Permanent
Augmentation rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is not always a reductive surgery. There are patients who need to increase the size of their nose by raising the tip, lifting a sunken dorsum or correcting deformities of congenital or traumatic origin. In these cases, the surgeon usually uses tissue grafts from the patient to give shape or support to the nose.
The technique of dermal regeneration, invented and published by Dr. Jorge Planas, is very useful to correct noses sunken by trauma, previous unsuccessful surgeries, oriental noses or simply noses with a depressed nasal ridge.
The use of the dermal regenerator Integra in rhinoplasty allows generating a thicker dermis to shape the nose, increase the size and/or modify the nasofrontal angle.
The great advantage of this technique is that it does not use any synthetic material, and avoids using .
Short nose: Occassionally it is necessary to graft cartilage from the patient themselves to lengthen a short nose.
In the cases where the patient has breathing difficulty, an otolaryngologist will carry out a thorough examination so as to determine what is causing the poor function. In the same aesthetic rhinoplasty surgery performed by the plastic surgeon, the otolaryngologist surgeon will also correct the respiratory function by a septoplasty or cornet surgery.
Before scheduling rhinoplasty, you should meet with your surgeon to discuss important factors to see if surgery may work for you. The key points to achieve a satisfactory and realistic result of the surgery are: An exhaustive medical history, a physical examination, taking photographs and a conversation to talk about motivations and expectations of the patient.
As in all procedures, a prior medical examination is essential to detect any possible anomaly that could contraindicate surgery. The skin of the nose and its surroundings should not have any inflammation or infection and also any flu or cold that cause nasal congestion symptoms should be controlled.
If there is difficulty breathing, the otolaryngologist will evaluate the patient to indicate the appropriate treatment to improve function.
All patients who breathe badly will also be examined by an otolaryngologist who will diagnose and indicate the treatment to be followed so as to achieve a perfect respiratory function.
If surgery is needed to improve function (either septoplasty or turbinate surgery), the otolaryngologist will carry out surgery at the same time as the plastic surgeon performs the aesthetic rhinoplasty.
When ossification (bone tissue formation) has finished in the facial bones which normally happens between 15 and 17 years of age. Nevertheless, it is always better to wait until the age of 18 before making the decision to operate.
No, it does not. Normally, no painkillers are needed.
Possible complications are very rare in this type of intervention. An infection may be caused or more nose bleeds than usual, an abnormal reaction to the anaesthesia, or little veins may appear in the skin on the nose which are generally only temporary (very rare complications, but they may appear in any surgical intervention).
For the first three days of surgery, a small sponge plug must be worn and breathing has to be done through the mouth. Once the plug has been removed, you can then breathe through your nose, although this may be difficult at first as small crusts may have formed inside the nose and there may be unavoidable post-surgical inflammation.
Once the dressing is removed after ten days, your nose will be correctly shaped and rather attractive so as to be able to live a completely normal life. As for the specifics, the final results will need more time, in general around six months.
You should avoid sun exposure for the first two months after surgery. The area which needs the most protection from the sun is the lower eyelids and if they are exposed to the sun and have any bruising, dark marks can be left in the skin which will take time to disappear.
Even though it is not visible, swelling produced by the operation remains for a long time. This is very noticeable when wearing glasses as a deep mark is left at the resting point on the nose. There is no contraindication, however it is recommended not to wear glasses for long periods during the first month after the operation.
With some of my patients that I often see, either as friends or professionally, I have observed many times that after having rhinoplasty done, they experience a real and positive change in the way of looking at life and the level of their own self-confidence rises considerably.
The results are very gratifying and the best cosmetic surgery helps the patient to forget their previous appearance quickly.
