RHINOPLASTY
RHINOPLASTY
Rhinoplasty is an operation to change the shape or size of the nose.
Depending on the type of surgery you're having, the surgeon may:
- make your nose smaller (nose reduction) – by removing some of the cartilage and bone
- make your nose larger (nose augmentation) – by taking cartilage from the ears and bone from the hips, elbow or skull, and using it to build up the nose (known as a "graft")
- change the shape of your nose (including the nostrils) – by breaking the nose bone and rearranging the cartilage
- change the angle between the nose and top lip
The skin over the nose should shrink or expand to its new shape.
The operation involves either making a cut across the skin between the nostrils (open rhinoplasty), or tiny cuts inside the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty).
A closed rhinoplasty leaves no visible scars and causes less swelling, but is not always possible or available.
The procedure can take 1.5 to 3 hours. You'll probably need to stay in hospital for 1 or 2 nights.
You'll have a dressing on your nose for the first 12 hours after the operation, and a splint held over your nose with tape for 7 days. You may not be able to breathe through your nose for about a week.
You'll be given painkillers to help control any pain or discomfort.
You may need to take up to 2 weeks off work to recover from nose surgery.
It might be several months before you see the full effect of the operation, and up to 6 months for the swelling to completely go.