It is human nature to want the best of everything, and for many people that includes their version of the best looking nose. Whether the shape of your nose is the one you were born with, or the result of an injury or previous surgery, you can change the appearance of your nose through cosmetic surgery.
Nose surgery, also known as rhinoplasty or a “nose job”, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. Because nose surgery is usually an elective surgery (something you chose to do, not a medical necessity) insurance often won’t cover the cost. But if your nose was injured in an accident or you are having difficulty breathing, it’s possible that your insurance will cover the procedure.
In planning your rhinoplasty, your surgeon will need to take into account the other features of your face, the skin on your nose, and your reason for requesting the surgery. It’s important to have realistic goals and to fully discuss them with your surgeon. Rhinoplasty can change the shape of the nose in a number of different ways:
• Reduce or increase size of the nose
• Narrow the opening of the nostrils
• Lift or define the shape of the tip of the nose
• Change the width of the nose at the bridge
• Change the profile of the bridge of the nose to adjust visible humps or depressions
• Change the angle between the nose and the upper lip
• Correct a birth defect or injury
• Relieve some breathing problems
Rhinoplasty may be performed in a surgeon’s office, at an outpatient surgery center, or at a hospital. Depending on how complex your procedure is, you may go home the same day or you may have to stay in the hospital for a short time.
Your doctor will decide what type of anesthetic is needed for your procedure. Discuss which option is best for you.
• Local anesthesia –pain-numbing medicine is injected into the nose and surrounding tissues. You will be sedated with intravenous medication (IV) that will make you groggy, but not fully asleep.
• General anesthesia – medication is inhaled, or giving into a vein through an IV line. You will be unconscious during the procedure.
Rhinoplasty is usually done inside the nose, which means no incisions or scarring on the outside of the nose or face. The upper portion of the nose is made up of bone covered by mucus membrane and skin. The lower portion of the nose is more flexible cartilage. During surgery, portions of bone or cartilage may be removed to reshape the features. If more cartilage is needed, it can be taken from the septum (dividing wall) inside the nose, or from an ear or rib. If cartilage is being added, or work is being done to reshape the tip of the nose, the surgeon may make an incision on the outside, around the base of the nose. If the dividing wall in the nose is bent or out of alignment (deviated septum), your surgeon may also do a septoplasty to straighten the septum and improve breathing.
Following nose surgery, your doctor will probably use splints and tubes in the nose to support the new shape during the first week of healing. Immediately after surgery, your face and nose will be swollen and painful, and headaches are common. Swelling and bruising may last for several weeks after nose surgery. In some cases, subtle swelling and numbness can continue for up to a year. Healing from rhinoplasty is a slow and gradual process. You may not see the final results of your procedure for up to a year.
As with all medical procedures, it’s important to have a trained and certified plastic surgeon that you can trust. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons offers suggestions for choosing a qualified doctor.
Sources:
National Institutes of Health Medline Plus
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Mayo Clinic