Nose job – Rhinoplasty
The nose, as we all know, is very important for being able to smell and the sense of smell also gives part of the taste to the food we eat and not least for being able to breathe. The appearance of the nose has a decisive influence on how we look on the face and for those who feel dissatisfied with their nose, a rhinoplasty, where the appearance of the nose is changed, can have an incredible effect on both appearance, self-image and self-confidence. For some, it is the nose's bump or "hump", as it is also called, that is perceived as too big and the rest of the nose is fine. Sometimes it is the tip of the nose, which is large and wide, that needs to be corrected. Some people think their nose is a bit long and may pull it down when you laugh. More rarely, the nose is perceived as too short and too small. Sometimes there are several things that need to be changed at the same time. We can try to make crooked noses straighter, but it can be difficult to completely correct.
Regardless of what is not felt good about the nose, it is important to understand the limitations of a rhinoplasty. Not everything can be changed and the most important thing is to have realistic expectations. In addition, the healing of the nose after surgery can be unpredictable in that scar tissue inside the nose changes the shape or can make the nose a little uneven. Despite this, most people are happy with their “new” nose.
Risks and complications
The biggest risk with a nose job is that your expectations are too high, but most people get a very good result that they are happy with.
Common complications:
- Transient nasal congestion or feeling of difficulty breathing
- Persistent crookedness (if nose was crooked from the beginning)
- Swelling
- Nosebleed right after surgery
Unusual complications:
- Difficulty breathing because the nose has become too narrow
- The skin on the nose receives too little blood supply, which causes wounds with subsequent scars.
- The scar under the nose becomes thick and visible
This is how the operation works
Before the operation, you have had a consultation where you and your plastic surgeon have discussed what concerns you are experiencing and what could be done. A new visit is booked and then a 3D photo is planned on the computer that allows you to see what your new nose could look like. This image is for you to understand what is possible to do and for your plastic surgeon to understand how you want your nose to look. It is not certain that your nose will be exactly like this image, but it should be seen as a target image.
The operation is done while you are asleep and usually an open technique is used, which means that you get a scar over the collumella, that is, under the nose, while the other scars are inside the nostrils and are not visible. During the operation, it is not uncommon for the nasal bones to be broken to make the nose narrower and for part of the cartilage in the nose to be reshaped. The operation ends with you getting a plaster cast over your nose that will stay on for between 7-14 days. Inside the nose are two tamponades/nasal plugs that will counteract swelling. You take these out yourself after 2 days.
Follow-up
After about 7-9 days you will come for a follow-up and then we will remove the plaster, which is mainly used to counteract swelling. Sometimes you will get a new plaster that will then stay on for another 7 days, but sometimes taping is enough after 7-9 days of plaster. After 2 weeks you will come back for a second check-up, in some cases removal of the plaster. After about 1-1,5 years the nose can be considered to be completely healed and a final visit is planned.
Convalescence
During the first 1-2 weeks of your rhinoplasty, you may have some bruising under your eyes, on the side and on your nose, which will gradually disappear. Your nose may feel a little stuffy during the first few weeks, but this will gradually decrease. During the first few visits, your nose is usually so swollen that it is impossible to see the final result. After the cast is removed, you will continue to tape your nose at night for about 4-6 weeks to prevent swelling.
Book a consultation and talk to a specialist to find out what is best for you.