Rhinoplasty Surgery (Nose surgery)

There are many people who are unhappy with the size, shape or angle of their nose. These symptoms can be easily corrected thanks to reconstructive rhinoplasty. A rhinoplasty procedure, also known as a ‘nose job’ or ‘nose reshaping’, is a fairly painless and quick way for people to get the kind of nose they want. This surgery is beneficial for both cosmetic and practical purposes.

To learn more about this procedure or to book a consultation with one of our consultants, please call 020 7901 8500 or fill in the form the form on this website and we will respond to you by email or phone.

Benefits of Rhinoplasty Surgery

Rhinoplasty can significantly enhance the balancing of facial features which can increase self-esteem and confidence. It is also used for reconstructive purposes, which include correcting breathing problems, birth defects or trauma.

Is this Cosmetic Procedure Right for You?

Cosmetic rhinoplasty can make the nose smaller or bigger by adding to or reducing the size of the supporting nasal skeleton. It can also be used to straighten the nose and improve breathing.
As with any medical procedure, it is important to maintain realistic expectations regarding results, and these will be discussed at the consultation with the consultant.

About The 4 Types Of Rhinoplasty Surgery

• Open Rhinoplasty Surgery - This surgery necessitates making a small incision across the columella (small column of skin separating the nostrils). This rhinoplasty procedure is preferred for complicated cases as surgeons can work on inner structures and cartilage networks freely. It will however leave a faint scar on the nose. Open rhinoplasty is the technique of choice for many surgeons.
• Closed Rhinoplasty Surgery - Incisions for this procedure are made from the inside the nostril which means that there’s no external scaring.
• Augmentation Rhinoplasty Surgery – This is used primarily to increase the size and definition of the oriental nose. It is also used after trauma and in the event of the collapse of the nose. The bridge line is elevated by adding support. This could be the patient’s own cartilage or bone, but more commonly an artificial manmade material, of which there are many options. Finally, there is the simpler augmentation achieved by the injection of a longer lasting, but not permanent, filler. Wide nostrils can be reduced by removing a wedge at the bases.
• Septal Surgery – A septum or division between the 2 nostrils and airways behind may be bent because of trauma or simply because it was always so. A bent septum usually means that the external nose will also be bent and tends to obstruct the airways making breathing difficult and increasing the tendency to sinusitis and snoring. It is thus often necessary to carry out septal surgery before or at the same time as carrying out a rhinoplasty procedure.

What You Need to Know About This Procedure

Before Rhinoplasty Surgery: The surgeon will discuss with you exactly the type of result you are hoping to achieve. This is an individual decision and will need very careful discussion. Your surgeon will also know what procedures are most viable and will be able to tell you whether you are suited to the procedure. 
The surgeon will use diagrams and photographs during the discussion. He may also use other imaging techniques. However, please be aware that morphing a nose on a screen is a different technique from surgery. A surgeon will never guarantee to be able to reproduce these images identically.

During Rhinoplasty Surgery: The procedure takes an hour or more and is usually carried out under general anaesthesia. However, smaller adjustments to the tip and nostril can be done under local anaesthesia. The surgeon separates the nasal skin from its supporting framework of cartilage and bone. This framework is then sculpted into the desired shape and the skin re-draped over it. Complex reconstructive and secondary nose re-shaping may take up to 4 hours.

After Rhinoplasty Surgery: A soft plastic or Plaster of Paris splint is usually applied to maintain the new shape. Sometimes packs are left in the nostrils. Generally, patients experience very little pain. There may be bleeding during the first 12 hours, but this may last longer if septal surgery is carried out.
The splint is removed 7-10 days post operatively and at this point there may still be some bruising below the eyes, which is to be expected. The nasal features may look blunted at this stage, but the final shape emerges over time.

Learn more about facial cosmetic procedures.

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