Rhinoplasty - Know Which Type Is Suitable For You!

A rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures undergone by men and women. Rhinoplasty involves reshaping the nose to improve its size, shape and contours to better suit the overall facial structure of the person. This is done by cutting and repositioning the bone, cartilage, skin and tissue within the nose.

Some of the common reasons people choose to undergo this surgery are to straighten a crooked nose or smoothen a bump on the nose, narrow or broaden the nose, restore symmetry to the nose after an accident or injury, correct breathing difficulties etc. Rhinoplasty can also correct birth defects and help a broken nose heal properly. This procedure is usually performed while the patient is under general anaesthesia. However, hospitalization is rarely required. There are two main types of rhinoplasty surgeries.

1. Open Rhinoplasty: This involves making an incision between the two nostrils, under the tip of the nose and gives the surgeon more access to the nasal structure. This type of surgery is usually preferred for those seeking extensive restructuring.
2. Closed Rhinoplasty: In this case, an incision is made inside the nostril through which the surgeon may make minor adjustments to the nasal structure. Though this gives the surgeon lesser access to the nose, it leaves behind no visible scars after the surgery.

If the nose is to be made larger or reshaped, cartilage may be taken from the ear to create an implant. In some cases, the bone may also be used to make an implant. Once the nose has been reshaped, splints and internal tubes will be placed to support the nose as it heals.

Recovering from a rhinoplasty surgery can take a few weeks, but it may take up to a year for the nose to heal completely. Immediately after the surgery, there may be slight bruising and inflammation under the eyes, but this is temporary and should resolve itself within a few weeks. You may be prescribed some medication to relieve the pain.

Regular activities can be resumed 3 weeks after the surgery but most patients are advised to abstain from strenuous work and exercise for a little longer. The results of a rhinoplasty surgery should become noticeable as soon as the swelling reduces. The results of this procedure are permanent and hence you should be very sure of what you want your nose to look like and find a good cosmetic surgeon before thinking of undergoing rhinoplasty.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!