Nose Surgery
Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) alters the configuration of your nose to give it a more pleasing appearance and shape, improving facial symmetry or harmony. Many people choose rhinoplasty to change the nose’s natural shape due to hereditary factors. Others may have suffered from trauma or degenerative injury, or had their nose altered during a previous surgery. Some need surgery to fix a breathing problem.
What improvements can be made?
Nose surgery can change such specifics as:
- Nose size, creating a more balanced facial arrangement,
- Width of the bridge or nostril placement,
- Asymmetry of the nose,
- Wide, excessively big or unappealingly shaped nostrils,
- The tip of the nose, correcting imperfections such as a bulbous, hooked or upturned point,
- A deviated septum to help with breathing abnormalities,
- Appearance of the nose in profile, eliminating noticeable bumps or pits.
How the procedure works
After a thorough consultation to determine your suitability for surgery, the procedure can be scheduled and performed by your chosen qualified surgeon. You will first be placed under general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation, depending on which method is most appropriate.
The surgery begins with careful and precise incisions which are made either inside the nose itself (closed procedure), or along the columella between the nostrils (open procedure). This allows easy access to the nose below the protective tissues. Both are often required if the surgery aims to correct several diverse problems. When altering nostril size, the surgeon cuts further incisions in the folds of the nostrils.
The desired corrections are made, and this is regularly achieved through grafting cartilage from other parts of the body, most commonly the septum but sometimes the ear. Cartilage allows the surgeon to add or take away from the nose’s structure. After the nose has been sculpted and reshaped for the best results, the tissue and skin is draped back over the nose and the incisions secured shut.
Results and post-operative care
Usually tubes, splints or packing are necessary to support the nose in the first week, with bandages around the outside. The swelling should start to diminish within weeks, but the full results might take up to one year to achieve their best appearance. Cartilage grows and so the progress of the nose is not completely predictable. While the nose takes its new form you should notice changes in proportion and contour, refining as the year goes on. The swelling can strike and subside intermittently during this period.
Risks and Safety
Before signing the mandatory consent forms, make sure you ask the surgeon or professional about all your specific concerns and anxieties regarding treatment so that you enter the process fully informed. There are numerous risks associated with all surgeries, but those particular to nose surgery include the possibility of tiny vessels becoming ruptured within the nose, nasal asymmetry following the procedure, changes in the workings of the airway, or a hole in the septum, the last of which is especially rare.
How much will it cost?
The price will depend on variables such as the surgeon, the extent of the surgery, and your location. Between $5000 and $6000 is an average cost, and most insurance providers are unlikely to cover surgery for purely cosmetic purposes. You may have a better chance of receiving help with the costs if rhinoplasty is required to improve your breathing.