Rhinoplasty treatment
An individual dissatisfied with the shape or appearance of his nose may opt for a rhinoplasty, the plastic surgery procedure designed to change the shape or definition of the nose.
Often referred to by patients as a nose job, rhinoplasty surgery should be performed by a surgeon skilled in this particular cosmetic surgery specialty. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will decide how much bone or cartilage in the nose will be modified during surgery to achieve the desired new shape and appearance. Rhinoplasty can help to define the tip of the nose, make the overall nose look more petite or more proportioned to the rest of the face, can straighten a crooked or misshapen nose bridge, or change the nose’s relationship to the upper lip.
In more extreme cases, rhinoplasty is sometimes a necessity rather than elective surgery in order to correct a defect since birth, structural abnormalities in the nose that interfere with breathing, or correct breaks to the nose caused by injury or trauma.
The incisions required for a rhinoplasty are well concealed inside the nose except for one small incision at the base of the nose which should eventually heal with no scar. Swelling and bruising around the site of the rhinoplasty are expected for about two weeks following surgery, with complete elimination of swelling sometimes not evident until at least six months.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with rhinoplasty, including post-surgical bleeding, adhesions or scarring, numbness around the area, discoloration that doesn’t go away, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds and infection. If the surgeon removes too much bone or cartilage, revision rhinoplasty may be necessary in time to make corrections for a more aesthetic result. To avoid revision rhinoplasty, it’s important to select a qualified surgeon who fully explains what to expect and offers adequate follow-up care to minimize any health risks.
Anyone who undergoes a rhinoplasty must ultimately be a patient person, because the ultimate success of the operation may not be fully evident for as long as one year following surgery. In some cases it may take as much as 12 months to have the nose completely heal and settle in order to determine if any follow-up revisions are in order.
