Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the nose. It can be done for both cosmetic and medical reasons. Cosmetic rhinoplasty aims to enhance the appearance of the nose by altering its size, shape, or proportions. Medical rhinoplasty can correct breathing issues or fix deformities caused by injury or birth defects.
A good candidate for rhinoplasty is someone in good overall health, both physically and mentally. They should have realistic expectations about the results and understand the limitations of the procedure. Ideal candidates often have specific concerns about the appearance or function of their nose, such as a bump on the bridge, a crooked shape, or breathing difficulties. It’s important that they have completed facial growth, typically around age 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Non-smokers or those willing to quit smoking before and after surgery are also preferred, as smoking can affect healing.
Surgery
General anesthesia is preferred for most rhinoplasties as they often involve deep structural work to reshape bone and cartilage.
There are 2 type of nose jobs, “closed” and “open”. Although both involve an incision of some sort, closed is hidden inside the nose and is the perfect approach for simple nose jobs like shaping a dorsal hump or for removing the portion of crooked septum with patients with breathing difficulties. This approach can also be used for crooked noses where the bones need to be reshaped to make the nose more narrow or straight again.
Open rhinoplasties involve a V shaped or zig-zag stair step incision on the underside of the nose in the area of skin and cartilage between the nostrils (columella). This will extend into the nose and from this open approach, you can have complete access to all nasal structures to reshape the bone, cartilage, and tip.
The nose is comprised of bone, cartilage, skin and nasal lining. Small changes can make a large difference in the nasal shape and consequently, the face as a whole. There are many variable to consider when reshaping the nose (narrowing, widening, reducing, augmenting, and tip position changes, to name a few). Dr. Hustak will go over your desires and own anatomy, often with pictures, to give you an idea of what to expect as your final outcome.
This can be approached with both the closed (inside nose incisions) or open incision as part of a total rhinoplasty. ONLY the central portion that is deviated is removed during septoplasty. The septum is needed to maintain open paths for breathing inside your nasal passages and is also the main internal support structure for the nose.
All sutures inside the nose are absorbable and will go away within 2 weeks on their own. Nasal saline will be provided for nasal rinses as nose blowing is prohibited during the healing phase. The incisions on the outside of the nose will be removed in 1 week. Rarely is nasal packing used and if so, it will be removed in the first 1-2 days. If your nose was broken in order to reshape it, an external splint will be placed and removed in the subsequent weeks.
Recovery
During the initial recovery you will have a splint and/or packing placed to support and protect the new structures of your nose. Recovery typically takes one to two weeks, with swelling and bruising gradually subsiding. Patients often see their final results after a few months. Rhinoplasty can boost confidence and address medical issues like a deviated septum, making it a popular choice for those seeking functional or aesthetic improvements.
FAQ's
Once the external and internal splints are removed, one can usually resume light duty activities. This is usually 1-2 weeks.
It is important that the nose stabilizes before strenuous activity so the delicate sutures and bones can heal properly. Normal workout routines usually don’t commence until 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Your nose is very fragile during the initial recovery. Be sure to avoid crowds and situations where your nose can be bumped. Do not bend over during the initial recovery this will cause more swelling. Nose blowing and strenuous activity is prohibited early in recovery until the internal healing is stabilized.
