Nose Surgery

Nose Surgery, or Rhinoplasty, is one of the most common facial surgeries in the country. Every year, half a million people who are interested in improving the appearance of their noses seek consultation with facial plastic surgeons. Some are unhappy with the nose they were born with, and some with the way aging has changed their nose. For others, an injury may have distorted the nose, or the goal may be improved breathing. But one thing is clear: nothing has a greater impact on how a person looks than the size and shape of the nose. Because the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, a slight alteration can greatly improve one's appearance.

As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Understanding nasal surgery is also critical. Since there is no "ideal" nose shape, the goal is to improve the nose aesthetically, making it harmonize better with other facial features.

Skin type, ethnic background, and age are important factors to be considered in discussions with your surgeon prior to surgery. Young patients must reach full growth, usually around age fifteen or sixteen, before the nose is altered. Exceptions are cases in which breathing is severely impaired.

The definition of rhinoplasty is, literally, shaping the nose. First, incisions are made and the bone and cartilage support system of the nose is accessed. The majority of incisions are made inside the nose, where they are invisible. In some cases, an incision is made in the area of skin separating the nostrils. Next, certain amounts of underlying bone and cartilage are removed, added to, or rearranged to provide a newly shaped structure. For example, when the tip of the nose is too large, the surgeon can sculpt the cartilage in this area to reduce it in size. The angle of the nose in relation to the upper lip can also be altered for a more youthful look or to correct a distortion.

The tissues are then re-draped over the new frame and the incisions are closed. A splint is applied to the outside of the nose to help retain the new shape while the nose heals. Soft, absorbent material may be used inside the nose to maintain stability along the dividing wall of the air passages called the septum. Alternatively, soft nasal supports that permit nasal breathing post-operatively can be placed.

Immediately after surgery, a small splint will be placed on your nose to protect it and to keep the structure stable for at least five to eight days. Your face will feel puffy, especially the first day after surgery. Pain medication may be required. In the days immediately following surgery, you may experience bruising and minor swelling in the eye area, often relieved by cold compresses. Absorbable sutures that do not have to be removed are usually used. Nasal dressing and splints are usually removed six to seven days after surgery.

Some activities will be prohibited in the weeks after the procedure. Sun exposure, exertion, and risk of injury must be avoided. Follow-up care to monitor healing is vital for this procedure.

Insurance does not generally cover nose surgery that is purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve nasal function or surgery for major deformity or injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part. As with any procedure, it is the patient's responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree of coverage.

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