Long, hump-shaped, Greek, Roman, potato-shaped, aquiline – if any of these definitions apply to your nose, you've probably considered rhinoplasty. But why hasn't this been done yet? Do you have concerns or questions that you can't find answers to? We have prepared an article with answers to the most common of them. We will tell you how rhinoplasty is performed, how to choose the right nose shape and, most importantly, through photos before and after the operation, we will show you how rhinoplasty changes your appearance.
How do you know if you are recommended for rhinoplasty?
According to the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, indications for rhinoplasty include any visual defect that is embarrassing to a person and a functional impairment such as difficulty breathing.
Visual defects that patients most often want corrected include:
- disproportion of the nose in relation to other facial features;
- asymmetry;
- presence of bulge;
- large or asymmetrical nostrils;
- large, excessively bent or droopy tip;
- the back is too thick, thin or uneven;
- excessive or insufficient length.
Among the defects that cause functional impairment:
- congenital or acquired deformation of the nasal septum;
- fractures.
What are the types of rhinoplasty?
Based on the problem that the procedure solves, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons distinguishes the following types of rhinoplasty: aesthetic and functional. Let's find out how they differ.
Aesthetic rhinoplasty
This is a procedure to correct the shape and size of the nose. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, this type of rhinoplasty can correct:
- humpback - removes bone and cartilaginous tissue in a certain area of the back of the nose;
- nostrils - change their shape and size, make them symmetrical;
- columella (bridge between nostrils) - straightens or makes thinner;
- tip - increase, decrease or reduce;
- wings - make them symmetrical or less expressive.
During the procedure, the doctor can change the shape of the nose not only by removing tissue, but also, on the contrary, increasing its volume. To do this, he uses an artificial implant or cartilage, obtained from another part of the patient's body. Plastic surgeons call this operationaugmentation rhinoplastyorgraft.
Functional rhinoplasty (septoplasty)
According to Stanford University Medical Center, the goal of septoplasty is to restore respiratory function that has been impaired due to a congenital anomaly, injury, or some other change in the body.
If a patient indicated for surgery to restore breathing decides to further correct the shape of the nose, doctors from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons recommend a combined interventionrhinoseptoplasty.
There are also 2 subtypes of functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty:
- Reconstructive rhinoplasty- this is what the American Society of Plastic Surgeons calls the intervention to correct the shape of the nose due to congenital defects (for example, rhinoplasty for cleft palate and cleft lip) or to recreate a shape that has changed due to an injury.
- Revision rhinoplasty- This is a repeated nose correction. Plastic surgeons recommend it if the patient is dissatisfied with the results of the previous intervention.
How is rhinoplasty performed?
The Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery distinguishes 2 methods of rhinoplasty - open and closed. The main difference is the access through which the doctor performs the operation.
How is closed rhinoplasty performed?
Plastic surgeons consider closed rhinoplasty to be the least traumatic method of surgical correction of the nose. The procedure does not leave scars, as the doctor performs all actions through the nostrils, without making incisions on the outside of the nose. Doctors resort to this technique for small curvatures or defects.
How is open rhinoplasty performed?
In open rhinoplasty, the rhinosurgeon makes an incision in the columella and outer corners of the nose. After that, he lifts the skin and makes the correction. Open rhinoplasty can correct serious defects and deformities. In this case, there is a small mark at the base of the nose, which becomes less noticeable over time. It can be removed with cosmetics and special procedures.
How do I determine which nose suits me?
Before deciding on surgery, it is important to understand whether a face with the desired nose shape will look more beautiful. After all, there are cases when, after rhinoplasty, people lose their individuality and become less interesting and attractive.
According to the study, a 3D modeling machine allows you to choose a nose that will be in maximum harmony with other characteristics. This setting takes a 3D photo of your face. The doctor and the patient process it in a special program and adjust the nose until the ideal shape and size are selected.
Is any preparation necessary for such a procedure?
According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty requires some preparation. Includes:
- Consultation with a plastic surgeon. During this, the person says exactly what they want to change. The doctor examines the nose, explains how realistic it is to achieve the desired result, and creates a model to operate on. During the consultation, it is important to ask the doctor all your questions, ask about pre- and post-operative restrictions and know the risks and possible complications.
- Preoperative examination, which helps ensure there are no contraindications. Includes laboratory tests of blood and urine, electrocardiography (ECG), fluorography.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends not smoking or taking aspirin, anti-inflammatories or herbal supplements during the preparation period, as they can impair blood clotting.
How is rhinoplasty performed?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the patient is under general or local anesthesia during surgery. The doctor determines the type of anesthesia in the preoperative consultation, focusing on the complexity of the procedure.
Depending on the type of access, the surgeon makes incisions inside or outside the nose and performs tissue correction, focusing on the 3D model.
At the end of the procedure, the doctor applies stitches, fixes the nose with special plugs or septal splints (silicone plates that follow the shape of the nose) and plaster.
In general, the procedure lasts 1 to 2 hours (according to the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery).
How does recovery occur and when are the results visible?
It is the recovery after rhinoplasty that raises the most questions. Patients want to know how quickly the signs of the intervention disappear, when they can return to their normal lifestyle and, most importantly, when the results are visible.
Rehabilitation
Depending on the general condition, the patient stays 1 night in the clinic or returns home the same day. This time is enough to recover from anesthesia and gain strength. Subsequent recovery takes place at home. Nosebleeds may occur during this time, so it is important to stay in touch with your doctor to inform them of your condition.
It is important to understand that after rhinoplasty, swelling on the face lasts 2-3 weeks and the final result cannot be assessed (according to plastic surgeons). If, after this period, the patient notices that the new nose does not correspond to the 3D model at all, it is necessary to inform the doctor about this. In this case, he will perform a revision rhinoplasty.
Possible side effects
Plastic surgeons warn about the following possible complications:
- difficult breathing;
- numbness in the operated area;
- asymmetry;
- pain;
- pigmentation;
- scars;
- formation of a hole in the septum (perforation).
Restrictions
During recovery, plastic surgeons recommend:
- avoid strenuous physical activity and running;
- do not take a shower;
- do not blow your nose;
- eat foods rich in fiber (e. g. fruits, vegetables) to avoid difficulty in evacuating and, consequently, hypertension;
- smile and laugh less;
- brush your teeth carefully so that the upper lip does not move actively;
- choose clothing that does not need to be pulled over the head to reduce the risk of accidental injury;
- do not wear glasses;
- use sunscreen.
Result
If we talk about the final result of rhinoplasty, it becomes visible after 6 months (according to information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). During this period, the swelling disappears completely and the tissues grow together.
Is one operation enough to achieve results?
It is enough that, before the intervention, the patient clearly understands the result he wants to obtain, discusses all the nuances with the doctor, together they form a 3D model of the future nose and the surgeon recreates it exactly.
If, after removing the plaster cast or after complete recovery, the patient realizes that he would like to correct something, the doctor performs another operation.
It is important to understand that rhinoplasty is a surgical intervention, which means it is stressful for the body. Therefore, before agreeing to surgery, make sure you clearly understand what result you want to achieve and convey this to the surgeon.
How is non-surgical rhinoplasty performed?
People who want to correct their nose, but for some reason are not ready to solve this problem surgically, can pay attention to other methods of rhinoplasty - non-surgical. They provide a temporary effect and help you decide whether surgery is worth it. The procedures are carried out under local anesthesia and do not require rehabilitation - redness and swelling disappear within a few hours. There are the following types of non-surgical rhinoplasty:
Correction with fillers (contour rhinoplasty)
According to the data, the procedure consists of injecting the medicine into the area that needs to be changed (for example, in the back of the nose to smooth out a protuberance, or in the tip of the nose to enlarge it). Doctors often use hyaluronic acid as a filler, and less often collagen. They are natural substances that are found in each of us’ bodies. Thanks to this, the risk of complications is minimal. The results of these injections last up to 14 months. After this period, the fillers dissolve. Possible side effects include encapsulation (compaction of tissue around the medicine). This process is a natural reaction of the body to a foreign substance.
Be careful!
If you decide to have contour rhinoplasty, check with your doctor about what medication he or she uses. Some doctors suggest introducing a biopolymer (biogel) - a synthetic substance that, unlike hyaluronic acid and collagen, is not excreted from the body. Such procedures are considered dangerous and prohibited in some countries. The biopolymer can cause inflammation and migrate. This means that over time, filler injected into your nose can end up in your chin, cheek, or eye area. Biogel can only be removed through surgery, after which scars remain on the face.
Nasal lipofilling
According to information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in lipofilling the correction occurs through the injection of the person's own fat under the skin (this material is also called autologous filler). The procedure provides an effect similar to the injection of hyaluronic acid and collagen: irregularities are filled and the tissue volume in a given area increases. The effect of lipofilling lasts about 3 years. To maintain it, you cannot lose weight.
Botox (botulinum toxin) injections
According to data, botulinum toxin reduces tissue volume by relaxing muscles. The technique allows you to raise or lower the tip, leave the nose symmetrical and correct the shape of the nostrils. Possible side effects include difficulty breathing and changes in the height of the upper lip when smiling. The effect lasts up to 2 years.
Mesothreads
This type of nose correction is called thread lifting or mesothread lifting. According to research, it allows you to change the shape of the wings and raise the tip. The essence of the procedure is the subcutaneous introduction of special threads. Over time, they dissolve, forming a collagen structure that fixes the tissue and maintains the new shape of the nose. The effect lasts up to 2 years.
And the most important. . .
Before agreeing to any of the procedures mentioned, make sure the plastic surgeon is competent.
When it comes to surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgery recommends that the doctor's experience with the specific procedure be considered first. Pay attention to his profile - he must be a specialist in facial correction operations. It is important that the doctor has international certificates and accreditations that prove his qualifications. It is advisable for the doctor to undertake an internship abroad (for example, in the USA and European countries) to improve his skills.
Do you want to have a non-surgical rhinoplasty? Choose a cosmetologist with a higher medical education who will see patients not at home, but in a specialized clinic. In these centers, sterility and all conditions for the safe performance of medical procedures are observed.
Take care of your health and beauty, trust only to professionals!