What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty can enhance facial harmony by augmenting the proportions of your nose. It can also correct breathing obstructions caused by structural defects in the nose.
Rhinoplasty surgery can change:
- Nasal size in relation to facial balance
- Nasal asymmetry
- Nasal profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
- Nasal width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
- Nostrils that are wide, large or upturned
- Nasal tip that is enlarged drooping, upturned or hooked
Ideal candidates for rhinoplasty:
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that may impair healing
- Individuals whose facial growth is complete
- Individuals with a realistic outlook in mind for a more improved appearance
- Non-smokers
If you are bothered by the overall look of your nose, rhinoplasty may be right for you.
Rhinoplasty surgery steps
Rhinoplasty surgery includes the following steps:
Step 1 – Consultation
Our surgeon will meet with you to evaluate your eligibility for your requested surgery, to discuss your goals and to advise you on the expected outcome. You will be required to complete a health questionnaire which will be reviewed during your consultation. It is very important to understand all aspects of your rhinoplasty procedure, so be sure to ask questions. It is natural to feel some anxiety and preoperative stress and our team will make every effort to put your mind at ease.
Step 2 – Hospital admission & Surgery prep
On the morning of your surgery, you will be admitted to the hospital and our surgeons will go over your health questionnaire, take your vital signs and do a full blood panel to ensure you have no conditions barring you from surgery. The surgeon will come and mark the areas that will be treated and photographs will be taken.
Step 3 – Anesthesia
Once you have been cleared for surgery, medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Our surgeons will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 4 – The incision
Rhinoplasty is performed either using a closed procedure (incisions hidden inside nose), or an open procedure (external incision is made across the strip of tissue that separates the nostrils).
Step 5 – Reshaping the nose structure
The underlying structure of the nose can be reduced by removing cartilage and bone tissue. In some cases, the nose may require the addition of cartilage or bone grafts. Typically, cartilage is taken from the septum for this purpose.
* Any breathing obstructions due to a deviated septum, can be corrected by re-aligning the nasal structure in conjunction with the rhinoplasty procedure.
Step 6 – Closing the incision
Once the underlying structure of the nose is augmented to the desired shape, nasal tissue and skin is repositioned and incisions are closed. Incisions may be placed in the creases of the nostrils to alter their size.
Step 7 – Post Surgery
Immediately following your rhinoplasty procedure, our surgeons will fit you gauze packing inserted into the nostrils and splints and bandages externally, to support the structure of your nose through the initial healing period. You will then be taken to the recovery ward for about two hours prior to being moved back in your room. On staff doctors and nurses will monitor you overnight and once cleared by our surgeon, you will be released the following afternoon and accompanied back to your hotel.
Step 8 – You will see our surgeon the following day and up to 3 follow up visits post-surgery. The gauze packing and splints will support your nose as it begins to heal and will typically be removed after a few days.
Although rhinoplasty results are noticeable immediately, full results will be noticeable once the swelling, bruising and will continue to improve up to one year following surgery.
*All of our Rhinoplasty procedures are performed in an accredited, licensed ambulatory, surgical hospital facility.