Thinking About Getting a Nose Job? Here is What You Need to Know
What is it?
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure done to reshape the nose to improve its appearance. This is a cosmetic surgery done for people who are unhappy with the way their nose looks, or to correct certain deformities which resulted from injuries to their nose and also to improve breathing. A rhinoplasty surgery can enhance the appearance of your nose which would be a more perfect fit for your face.
Some people develop difficulty in breathing due to abnormally aligned nasal cartilage. These people can also be benefited from rhinoplasty which will help them breathe more easily.
There are 2 types of rhinoplasty:
1. Reconstructive rhinoplasty - restores the normal contour of the nose.
2. Reduction rhinoplasty – Reduces and reshapes the odd shape of the nose.
Who is a candidate?
You may be an excellent candidate, if:
• You are in an overall healthy condition.
• You do not smoke.
• You have realistic goals and expectations of the results the rhinoplasty would achieve.
• You facial growth is complete.
Preparing for rhinoplasty
Before the surgery, you surgeon may ask you to:
• Take certain blood tests.
• Take certain medication or adjust the ones that you are currently taking.
• Avoid taking aspirin or NSAIDs as they cause a bleeding tendency.
What does the procedure entail?
This surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia. If your nose needs only a little reshaping, then it can be done under local anesthesia. If you need more extensive work, you will probably need more general anesthesia.
There are 2 ways in which the surgery can be done; first is a closed procedure, where the incision is made inside the nose and therefore it will be hidden and the second is an open procedure, where the incision is made across the columella, the narrow tissue which separates your nostrils. Once the incision is made, the skin is lifted to gain access to the internal structures and the necessary steps to reshape your nose will be done. If the nasal septum is deviated, it can be straightened and the nose reduced to improve your breathing and check the best destinations for rhinoplasty.
Once the procedure is completed, the skin will be re draped and the incision will be closed. Your nose will be packed with gauze for the first few days to support your nose.
Recovery
A packing will be placed inside your nose and a bandage placed outside your nose to support and hold the structures which were newly inserted.
Within a few weeks, the swelling will subside and it may take up to about one year for the new nasal contour to fully appear. Within this year, the swelling may come and go.
Your recovery period may not be comfortable; You may develop nasal blockage, pain and blood stained nasal discharge. It is also important to care for your surgical site as explained by your doctor to prevent infection of the surgical site.
What are the complications?
There are a certain amount of risks and complications associated with a rhinoplasty surgery. Your plastic surgeon will explain you about the risks and complications associated with this surgery when obtaining consent from you.
The risks of a rhinoplasty surgery include:
• Infection – You may develop redness, swelling, discharge and a foul smell from your infected surgical site. It is possible for you to have a fever as well.
• Bleeding, hematoma, seroma formation.
• Risks of anesthesia such as aspiration.
• Poor wound healing.
• Nasal skin discoloration.
• Numbness or pain.
• Unsatisfactory appearance of your nose.
How much does it cost?
A rhinoplasty surgery costs may vary widely. The average cost of a rhinoplasty surgery in 2015 was 5000 dollars. Cost will include anesthesia fees, hospital charges, medicine charges, fees for medical tests and the surgeon’s cost. If your surgery is due to a medical necessity, insurance may cover some or all of the fees.
