Nose Surgery

What is Nose Surgery?

Nose surgery, officially known as rhinoplasty, is a relatively common type of cosmetic surgery. The purpose of this procedure is to reshape the nose to suit the appearance desires of the patient. In accomplishing this goal, surgeons may remove nose tissue, add tissue-like plastic inserts, adjust the width, contour and profile of the nose, and more. Rhinoplasty is designed as a cosmetic surgery only and is not intended to help cure or treat other medical issues.

What does Nose Surgery entail?

Each nose surgery operation is somewhat different. The reason for this is that the steps that are necessary to adjust the nose to the desired appearance will be different for each patient. In order to determine what your nose surgery will consist of, it's important to consult with a cosmetic surgeon about your nose surgery options before you plan to undergo surgery.

Who is a candidate for Nose Surgery?

Candidates for nose surgery may be in any stage of life, although it's most common to have the operation done on adults. Children may be discouraged from having a nose surgery operation, as the shape of the face and the nose may still be developing and changing. In order to be successfully considered for a nose surgery, the patient will need to pass a series of health tests to ensure that she is generally healthy and unlikely to suffer from complications due to underlying health concerns.

How is Nose Surgery performed?

There are two main types of nose surgery, and they are distinguished from one another based on the type of incision that is made. In order to avoid scarring, most nose surgeries involve a single incision inside of the nostrils or, in some cases, in the tissue in between the nostrils. In other cases, incisions must be made outside of the nose, although these may be somewhat more likely to leave a scar. All incisions and surgeries are made under anesthetic. Tissue can be removed or implants can be added through the incision, which is then sealed back up with stitches and treated.

What is the recovery like?

The recovery for a nose surgery will typically happen over a period of a few weeks. Most patients can return to work and most daily activities within just a few days, although certain precautions must be observed for a longer period of time. During the recovery process, the incision wound must be regularly cleaned and redressed. Most patients will also take pain killers and antibiotics to help address potential discomfort and the possibility of infection.

What are the risks?

As with other cosmetic surgeries that are related, there are a few risks associated with nose surgery. The biggest risk is loss of sensation to the nose and the other areas of the face. It is also possible that the cosmetic results achieved by the operation will not be in line with the desired results that the patient imagined before the procedure took place.

Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.