Knife Styles

Rhinoplasty - Nose Reshaping

What is it?

Rhinoplasty the procedure commonly known as nose reshaping or having a nose job - involves surgery to reshape the nose.

Demand for the procedure has gone up by 34 per cent in one year, making it the fifth most popular procedure for women in the UK and the most popular for men.

Various parts of a nose can be altered to change its appearance, including the tip, bridge (which runs from between the eyes to the tip) and nostrils. There are two main types of nose surgery: reduction and augmentation (which makes the nose larger).

'Tip reshaping' or 'tip-plasty' is also popular.

The mark of a balanced nose is a tip that's in proportion.

Reduction is still the most popular type of rhinoplasty.

Fortunately, the days of the "button nose" are gone and patients are now after a more natural look.

What can it do for you?

Many patients who seek rhinoplasty want to look "normal" and fit in. They want a nose that complements their face. Having surgery can completely change their life and give them the confidence and self­esteem they were previously lacking.

In addition, rhinoplasty can be carried out to improve nasal function - for example, due to a birth defect or injury that's led to breathing difficulties. People often have rhinoplasty when they get older.

Some may decide to opt for rhinoplasty to rejuvenate their nose. Ageing can often cause a drooping of the nose tip because the fat in this area has been partially absorbed - and because, as the skin thins with age, the tip becomes more prominent.

The procedure

In a reduction rhinoplasty, the bone in the upper part of the nose and the gristle in the lower part is pared down to produce a sleeker, narrower definition.

The main method is a 'closed' operation, carried out from inside the nose and leaving no visible scars. The surgeon enters the nose through cuts inside the nostrils and sculpts the bone or cartilage to give the desired shape.

A procedure now gaining popularity is the 'open' rhinoplasty, where the nose skin is peeled back to gain easy access and allow a surgeon to look at what they're doing, rather than relying on feeling their way. This procedure leaves just a small scar on the columella (the skin between the nostrils), which should fade over time.

Cost

Expect to pay between £3,000 and £4,000.

Recovery time

When you wake up from surgery, you may have facial bruises and swelling that'll give you the appearance of having been in a fight.

This will last for around two weeks. Your reworked nose will be held in place with a splint or plaster cast for about a week.

Don't perform any strenuous activities, spend too long in direct sunlight or bend forward for the first week for risk of bleeding.

Be aware that the tip of the nose can feel numb for 6-12 months, but feeling will eventually return.

What can go wrong?

There are very few risks with rhinoplasty. Some patients may get a runny nose (rhinitis) after surgery, but this usually returns to normal quite soon.

There's also a minor risk of infection, reaction to the anaesthetic or the appearance of tiny red blood vessels.

But the biggest discomfort resulting from this procedure is a blocked nose caused by swelling. This may affect breathing, but should start to improve as the swelling disappears.

Removing too much cartilage or bone can create an unnatural look and isn't advisable because it may interfere with breathing. On a more positive note, some people find that rhinoplasty can actually help to ease their breathing problems.

How long does it last?

Unlike other cosmetic surgery procedures (many of which need to be redone later), you shouldn't need to repeat a nose job unless you're unhappy with the outcome.

In about 10 per cent of rhinoplasty cases there's a 'poor aesthetic outcome' and five pee cent of patients will want to have the surgery again.

It's importal for patients to know that it takes 12-18 months for them to see exactly what their nose will look like. Until then, while it's still settling after surgery, they just get a glimmer of the result. They have to be patient.

 


Categories

Articles


Sponsors