What is Rhinoplasty?
The
nose, a prominent facial feature, usually determines the
overall attractiveness of one’s face. A nose that is
unattractive, misshapen or out of proportion, whether seen
in frontal or profile view, will distract the looker from an
otherwise beautiful or handsome face. With equal importance,
a nose that is always blocked makes breathing more difficult
and uncomfortable.
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that re-shapes the
outside of the nose to provide better balance with the rest
of the face, which also improves the breathing passages that
reduce nasal stuffiness and sinus headaches. The procedure
involves correcting the deformities of the nose by removing,
re-arranging or re-shaping bone and cartilage.
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Effects of Rhinoplasty
Appearance can be improved for those people who are
dissatisfied with the shape and size of their nose. An
unacceptable appearance of the nose may occur because of
inherited nasal shape or acquired deformities may occur as a
result of trauma. Functional improvement of breathing
difficulties can also be accomplished through septoplasty
(correction of deviated septum), or reduction of excessive
tissues (turbinates) inside the nose. Rhinoplasty will
create a more pleasing look and also boost your
self-confidence.
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Candidates for Rhinoplasty
Both
men and women are candidates for Rhinoplasty, assuming that
facial and nasal growth is complete, and especially if they
have any of the following symptoms:
• Your
nose appears too large for your face.
• There is a bump on the nasal bridge when viewed in
profile.
• Your nose seems too wide.
• The tip of your nose appears to droop or plunge.
• The tip of your nose is too thick or enlarged.
• Your nostrils are excessively flared.
• Your nose is crooked or off-center, or has changed its
shape after an injury.
• You have difficulty breathing through one or both
nostrils.
Ideal
patients should be realistic about their ideas on how their
nose should look like. Patients seeking a subtle, natural
improvement that appears harmonious with their other facial
characteristics are usually the most satisfied.
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Your
Consultation
BHMG’s
Certified Surgeon will take your medical history and ask you
questions regarding your general health, especially if it
relates to your nose. You will be asked to point out
features of your nose that you wish to improve and will
perform a gentle examination of the nose, in
addition to assessing the skin quality, size and shape of
your nose in relation to your other facial features.
Photographs and digital images will allow you and our
surgeon to evaluate the appropriate procedures that will
give you the best results. There are times when other
procedures like Chin Augmentation or Lip Enhancement may
help in achieving a more pleasing appearance and profile.
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The Rhinoplasty
Procedure
Rhinoplasty is usually performed under IV sedation or
general anesthesia.
Below
are the different types of Rhinoplasty Procedure
Closed Rhinoplasty-
In
most cases involving a reduction in shape or size of the
nose or removal of a hump, small incisions are placed inside
the lining of the nose.
Open Rhinoplasty -
In
some cases, the internal incisions may be joined by making a
small external incision across the columella, the skin
bridge between the two nostrils near your upper lip.
The
skin of the nose is separated from the underlying skeleton
of bone and cartilage. The bone and cartilage are then
sculpted and reshaped, either by removing areas of excess,
or by building up other areas, usually with cartilage taken
from the nasal septum itself. Patients who have a deviated
septum may benefit by correction of this problem, which is
also done through incisions inside the nostril. After the
framework of the nose has been sculpted to your desired
goals, the skin and soft tissues are re-draped over the
surface, and the internal incisions are then closed. In
cases where the nostrils flare, a small external incision
may be placed at the junction between the nose and the skin
of the upper lip to narrow the flared appearance. The
resulting scar will be hidden in the natural skin fold at
the base of the nose.
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Recovery
After
surgery, a lightweight external splint is applied to
maintain the new shape of the nose and to protect the nasal
bones, if they have been fractured and narrowed. This
splint is removed within a week. Internal nasal splints may
be inserted at the time of surgery to protect the septum.
These are removed within a week. There is always some
stuffiness of the nose, especially when work has been done
on the nasal septum.
It
would generally take about 1 to 2 weeks for a patient to
recover. Normal activities can be resumed within 2 to 3
weeks time.
Pain
is minimal and is controlled with medications. Bruising may
occur around the eyes, but will fade within a few days.
Discoloration usually disappears within a couple of weeks.
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Risks
Complications are usually infrequent and minor when
Rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. As
with any other procedure, there is always a possibility of
complications such as infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to
the anesthesia. You can minimize your risks by following
your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.
Post-surgery, small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny
red spots on the skin's surface. These are usually minor but
may be permanent. As for scarring, when Rhinoplasty is
performed from inside the nose, there is no visible scarring
at all. When an "open" technique is used, or when the
procedure calls for the narrowing of flared nostrils, the
small scars on the base of the nose are usually not
visible. Other scars near the bridge of the nose can come
from sculpture of the nasal bones from an external approach.
Rarely
does a second procedure occur. Though a corrective surgery
may be required, for example, to correct a slight deformity,
the procedure is usually minor. Such cases are unpredictable
and happen even to patients of the most skilled surgeons.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: Who
is a good candidate for Rhinoplasty?
A:
Any
man or woman can undergo Rhinoplasty as long as he or she is
in good health and has realistic expectations on the
procedure.
Q: How
should I prepare for the consultation with a surgeon?
A:
Be
prepared to answer any question regarding your medical
history and get ready to point out what features you wish to
improve. It would be helpful if you provide photographs
that will allow you and your surgeon to evaluate the
appropriate procedures needed.
Q: Is
Rhinoplasty done for cosmetic reasons only?
A:
Aside
from enhancing your facial appearance, Rhinoplasty can also
improve your breathing passages in order to reduce nasal
stuffiness and sinus headaches.
Q:
Will there be obvious scars from the procedure?
A:
During
the procedure, only small incisions will be made so the
resulting scars will be hidden in the natural skin fold at
the base of the nose. And there
is no visible scarring when Rhinoplasty is performed from
inside the nose.
Q: How
long is the recovery period?
A:
Normally, it would take about 1 to 2 weeks for a patient to
recover from Rhinoplasty. You can go back to work and
resume other normal activities within 2 to 3 weeks.
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