Procedure
Preparation
Before scheduling rhinoplasty, you must meet with your surgeon to discuss important factors that determine whether the surgery is likely to work well for you. This meeting generally includes:
- Your medical history.
- Your concerns for undergoing nose reshaping surgery.
- The changes you are trying to make.
- A physical exam.
- The results you would like achieved – you need to maintain realistic expectations.
- Activities to be discontinued prior to surgery including smoking and taking certain medications.
- Photographs
During the surgery
Discuss with your doctor before surgery which type of anesthesia is most appropriate for you. You will be asked to be ‘nil-by-mouth’ for up to six hours :
- Your surgeon will prepare you for surgery – and may draw marks on the skin
- Final consent will be obtained at this time your surgeon will answer any last minute questions Immediately after surgery
- A splint is placed over the bridge of your nose, possibly packs inside the nostrils and possibly ice packs over your eyes, to minimize bruising and swelling
- You may not be able to breathe through your nose; drink plenty of fluids to help avoid a sore throat
- Painkillers will be offered; however, the congested nasal feeling is more the reason for the discomfort
Post procedure
- Experience some numbness, bruising and swelling which gradually fades
- Have slight bleeding from your nostrils which can be dabbed away.
- Need to rest in a semi-upright position for the first few days and avoid bending down.
- Be required to come in to the clinic for a post-operative appointment 7-10 after surgery.
- Find contact lenses are difficult to insert or remove; glasses may be uncomfortable.
- Hold your head upright as much as possible.
- Avoid contact sports and take about two weeks off from work to recover
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rhinoplasty right for me?
If you’re unhappy with the size, shape or position of your nose then Nose Reshaping surgery – technically known as Rhinoplasty – could be the right option for you.
Nose surgery is suitable for most people, but everybody is different, so the first step is always a free consultation with a member of our qualified team.
I am worried it will be very painful.
This is a usual and understandable concern, especially as sometimes reshaping of the nose can involve removal of a bony hump or fracturing of a nasal bone to make it narrow. Despite this it is not a painful procedure. You will be given the appropriate painkillers after this procedure and usually paracetamol on its own is enough after the first 24 hours.
Will I have a plaster on my nose?
In order to allow the broken nasal bone to reset in a new position, a splint is put on which is removed in seven to ten days. Like any bone fracture, nasal bones take three months to heal. Therefore, during this time you have to be very careful to not injure the nasal bone. For example, avoid contact sports during this time but you can do other exercises after two to three weeks.
Can you perform nose surgery to help with breathing difficulties?
In most cases we can. Many of our patients come to us following an injury to the nose which has caused breathing difficulties, or because the natural shape or position of the nose is causing problems.
Your dedicated Cosmetic Surgeon will talk to you in detail about your symptoms, examine your nose and give you advice on the best way forward.
What other techniques can be used to improve the appearance of my nose?
It is not uncommon for people with large noses to have small, somewhat receded chins. This produces a profile that greatly exaggerates the prominence of the nose. Along with reducing the nose, a simple procedure can be done to enlarge the chin, dramatically balancing the face. This procedure is called chin augmentation, and is done through a small incision inside the mouth or under the chin. Healing time is no longer than with a standard rhinoplasty.
Will my nose be blocked and will my smell change?
You may experience an initial altered sense of smell with the occasional offensive odor. However, this is not permanent and settles down to normal in a few weeks. This initial altered sensation of smell occurs due to crust formation inside the nose. This can also cause some difficulty breathing completely from your nose during this time. After three weeks you will be able to blow your nose and these crusts will then clear. Your throat may become dry due to breathing through mouth and frequent small sips of water can be helpful.
Which nose shape is best for me?
In the past, so-called “nose jobs” could be easily sourced given their lack of individuality. Observant people could even identify different surgeons’ signature styles! Modern techniques have changed all this, allowing us to design noses that appear utterly natural, and well-suited to the person’s face. If you have a large face, for instance, a small upturned nose is probably ill-advised. Conversely, if you have a large hump with otherwise classic features, a straight nose with a refined tip is the goal.