What is Rhinoplasty or Nose Surgery ?
What is rhinoplasty surgery?
Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that corrects the nose shape: hump, shape of the tip, width, size of the nostrils, deviation. Septoplasty corrects the function of the nose: ensuring proper breathing.
If the operation is related to functional disorders or malformations as sequelae of cleft lip and nose and other nasal malformations, ventilation problems related to the nasal valve, sequelae of nasal trauma (ensellurement, deviation), the operation may be covered by the health insurance. Otherwise, it is a cosmetic surgery procedure, which is not covered by the insurance company : you are responsible for all costs and no work stoppage can be prescribed.
Why have rhinoplasty surgery?
Nose reshaping surgery has 2 different goals:
- To improve the aesthetic aspect by removing a hump, refining a tip, correcting an important width, reducing the size of the nostrils.
- To improve ventilation when it is associated with a septoplasty (intervention on the nasal septum).
What will happen before my operation?
The plastic surgeon must talk to the patient in order to analyze his request and motivations before a rhinoplasty. He performs a clinical examination: endo-nasal examination, study of the nasal bone pyramid and of the facial skin.
The expected result can be visualized and discussed based on projections by photographic retouching or computer morphing.
The anesthesiologist then performs a pre-operative assessment.
A delay of several weeks must be respected between the first consultation, the decision and the surgical act, so as not to decide on the operation in haste and to benefit from the recommendations of the plastic surgeon to ensure the smooth running of the operation.
How is the surgery performed?
During rhinoplasty, the surgeon will make incisions inside the patient’s nose, in each nostril. In some cases, an incision may be made on the outside of the nose, across what we call the columella, so that the surgeon has easier access to the nasal structure. Once the incisions have been made, the surgeon can reshape the structure of your nose:
- Raise or stretch the tip of the nose.
- Refine the tip of the nose
- Reduce a nose that is too long or too wide.
- Correct a deviated nose.
- Improve the appearance of the bridge of the nose
- Reconstruct the entire nose: tissues, mucosa, cartilage and bone structure.
Rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The duration of the procedure is estimated at 1h30 to 3h. An overnight stay in the hospital is necessary to allow the medical team to check on your health.
Choosing a surgeon
The best way to be sure of the credibility of a plastic surgeon remains his status, his diplomas and his experiences. For a first criterion of selection, find your plastic surgeon in the list of practitioners recognized by the order of doctors. It is good to know that any doctor can try plastic surgery but only those recognized by the order of doctors are admitted as specialists in plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, their curriculum being authentic.
The transparency of the price can also be a criterion of choice. To choose your practitioner, prefer those who show a total transparency at the level of the price. Many cosmetic surgeons give you details on the price of each type of procedure and what is included in this price or at least the practitioner gives you a price range. You will find these on the practitioner’s website, a site that serves only as an information portal, more than an advertisement.
A good plastic surgeon will be the one who will not say yes to all your requests, even the most extravagant. The good surgeon will say no to a risky operation. A good plastic surgeon will also take into account the details of your health: medical history, alcohol or cigarette consumption, sugar level, etc … Another clue to recognizing a good plastic surgeon: he or she will ask you that your intention to undergo surgery be well thought out and not just a whim.
How can I help my operation be a success?
During the two weeks preceding the operation:
- no medication containing aspirin should be taken
- current treatments (even oral contraceptives) must be reported to the plastic surgeon and the anesthesiologist who will decide if they should be interrupted
- It is recommended to stop smoking because of the risks of necrosis linked to smoking.
On the day of the hospitalization:
- Do not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before the operation (the operation is performed on an empty stomach);
- come to the clinic or hospital without make-up;
- Wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off.
The operation must be postponed in case of illness or pregnancy.
What is the alternative treatment?
If you want to reshape your nose, rhinoplasty might be the only valid option for you. Nevertheless, there are several types of rhinoplasty: aesthetic rhinoplasty, functional rhinoplasty, mixed rhinoplasty, septoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty.
What to expect after the operation
After an aesthetic nose operation, the pain is slight, calmed by painkillers. On the other hand, the discomfort to breathe can be more or less important and can persist for several days.
Dressings
The evening or the day after the procedure, the cosmetic surgeon and the nurse remove the strands. The splint will be removed between 5 and 8 days after the procedure.
Recovery
After a nose reshaping, swelling and bruising of the eyelids is quite common. The nose remains swollen for about 10 to 15 days. A work stoppage is therefore recommended (from a few days to 10 days) depending on the type of professional activity. Additional precautions should be taken during the first 3 months to avoid any blow to the nose.
Seeing the results
The result of a nose job is almost immediate when the splint or cast is removed, but it is necessary to wait for the swelling to subside. The evolution is slow and subtle. The final result occurs after 6 months to a year, the time it takes for the final healing to take place.
