Beauty Doc Blog

Patients often visit a plastic surgeon to improve the appearance of their nose.  Whether patients are displeased with their nose because of an injury or because they simply feel it does not “fit” with their face, a rhinoplasty can improve its appearance.

There are several different kinds of nose jobs available in plastic surgical rhinoplasty that can change the size and/or shape of a patient’s nose.  The procedure chosen depends on the patient’s physical issues and goals.

Standard Rhinoplasty.  During a standard rhinoplasty procedure, the surgeon makes incisions incside the patient’s nostrils.  The external contour of the nose is improved by reshaping the nasal bones, cartilage and soft tissues for an improved exterior appearance.

Open Rhinoplasty.  An open rhinoplasty procedure is typically used for large or more difficult noses. A surgeon makes one external incision across the columella, which is the strut located between the patient’s nostril.  Under direct vision, the surgeon reshapes bones, soft tissues and cartilage to correct the nose.

Tip-Plasty.  A tip-plasty procedure is done when only the nasal tip is abnormal.  An abnormal nasal tip may be corrected by using either an open and external approach or a standard approach.  Often large nostrils are reduced by making tiny incisions at the outer base of the patient’s nostrils using either type of rhinoplasty.

Before surgery, the patients meets with the plastic surgeon for a consultation.  At the beginning, the patient fills out a medical background form to provide essential basic information.  Once the form is completed, “before” photos of the patient are taken so the surgeon has a reference point throughout the cosmetic procedure.  Also, patients can compare “before” and “after” photos to see the results of their surgery when the procedure is complete.  After the intake form and photos, the patient discusses their goals with the plastic surgeon and get information about the procedure.  Patients may choose to schedule cosmetic surgery at that time or take time to make a decision in accordance with their unique goals.

After the surgery, the patient returns home with a splint or cast.  Their nose may be packed for 24 to 48 hours after surgery.  After a week to ten days, the splint or cast is typically removed.  Within two to four weeks, most of the swelling and bruising subsides.  In around three months, the patient can get a good idea of how their rhinoplasty surgery will look.  The final result of rhinoplasty surgery is usually evident in about a year.

Other procedures performed with a rhinoplasty may include a chin implant to improve the balance of the patient’s face or a Septoplasty, to correct a deviated septum and improve the patient’s breathing.  A rhinoplasty gives patients options for improving the appearance of their nose to face their lives with greater confidence.