Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to change the shape and appearance of the nose to make it more in balance with the rest of the face.

It can change the nose’s shape, size, or proportions, and some rhinoplasties are also performed to improve breathing.

During rhinoplasty, your plastic surgeon can alter bone, cartilage, or all three, depending on your needs. Your procedure will be customized based on your anatomy, other facial features, and your surgical goals.

Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who can enhance the appearance of your nose and give your face more balance and symmetry. She also can perform many other facial procedures in the New Jersey, New York City, and Tri-state areas.

The Rhinoplasty Procedure

There are two significant types of rhinoplasty your surgeon can use:

Open Rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty involves making an incision in the tissue that separates the nostrils. This allows the surgeon complete access to the nose’s underlying bone and cartilage.

The significant advantage of this procedure is it allows more access to critical nose structures so the surgeon can make more significant changes.

The open method may be used if you have, for example, a crooked nose or a large bump in the bridge.

This technique leaves a visible scar in the columella, but it fades with time and is barely visible.

Closed Rhinoplasty

Closed rhinoplasty makes all incisions inside the nostrils. This procedure doesn’t have any external incisions, so it’s less invasive and has no scars. In addition, the lack of an incision on the tissue between the nose means there is slightly less swelling.

This procedure is usually for patients who want to make less significant changes to the nose.

There are small differences between open and closed rhinoplasty, but they are important. The closed method allows the surgeon to do the surgery faster and there’s less swelling during recovery.

Open rhinoplasty allows the surgeon more precision in more challenging cases where there need to be major changes to the nose’s underlying structure.

Benefits Of Rhinoplasty

Many people are dissatisfied with the appearance of their noses. Some of the benefits of rhinoplasty in terms of appearance include:

Increasing or decreasing nose size
Changing the size or shape of the nose tip
Making the nose less crooked
Eliminating a bump from the nose bridge
Changing the size and shape of the nostrils
Building up a flattened nose
Flattening a nose that is too pointed

Some of the other benefits of this procedure can include:

Improving emotional health: If you feel self-conscious about your nose, this may make you feel unattractive and affect your self-confidence.
Enhancing breathing: Some patients have a deviated septum that impairs breathing, while others may have small nostrils that cause the same problem. Rhinoplasty can significantly improve these issues so your body can get the oxygen it needs.
Reducing snoring: This is a common issue that keeps millions of people awake at night. In addition, some patients may have restricted airflow through the nose that can be corrected with rhinoplasty.
Eliminating sinus issues: Some patients have chronically –

Ideal Candidates For Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty offers impressive results for many patients, but who is an ideal candidate? Below are some characteristics the plastic surgeon will look for:

Your nose makes you unhappy or self-conscious.
You don’t like how your nose has changed as you’ve aged.
You have a deformity in the nose that you want to correct.
You have reasonable expectations for your rhinoplasty.
You are a fully grown adult. Younger people can have this procedure, but you should wait until you are finished growing in your late teens or early 20s.
You understand what the procedure involves and are prepared for several weeks of recovery.

Surgery Preparation For Rhinoplasty

Before having rhinoplasty, you need to talk to your surgeon to discuss vital factors determining if this procedure is a good fit. This consultation usually includes:

Medical History

Your surgeon will review your medical history and previous surgeries, then ask about your motivation and goals. She also will go over medications you take and any history of nasal obstruction.

Physical Examination

Your surgeon will check the anatomy of your face and nose, then perform any necessary blood tests. She will also examine the inside of the nose to decide the best procedure for your situation.

The exam helps Dr. Smita to determine the changes that need to be made and how your anatomy can influence the results. This examination is also vital to check how rhinoplasty can affect your breathing.

Photographs

A staff member will take pictures of your nose from several angles, and your surgeon may use software to change the photos to show what your results might look like. Dr. Smita will use the images for reference during the procedure as well as before-and-after assessments.

Discussion

One of the essential parts of the pre-surgery consultation is to discuss your motivations and goals. Then, she’ll explain what the procedure can and cannot do and the results you can expect.

Rhinoplasty Risks And Complications

Rhinoplasty is significant surgery, and there are risks and complications to consider. Some of the most common ones are:

Infection
Bleeding
Anesthesia problems
Hematoma
Nosebleeds
Swelling
Scarring
Numbness

Also, note that rhinoplasty is a complex procedure and requires a great deal of skill and experience to do well. If your surgeon isn’t experienced with rhinoplasty, you could have a poor result that requires revision surgery.

In addition to the risks above, below are the most common side effects of the procedure:

Pain

Rhinoplasty can make a dramatic difference in your appearance. But it requires extensive changes to the nasal bone and cartilage, so you may have moderate pain and discomfort after the procedure.

Fortunately, the pain usually lasts only a few days, and most patients get through it with over-the-counter pain medications. However, Dr. Smita can prescribe strong pain drugs to get you through the first week if you have more pain.

Swelling

Swelling is the most common side effect after rhinoplasty and affects the nose and eye area. Swelling will be most apparent in the first few days after surgery but will fade after two weeks.

However, note that minor swelling can occur for up to six months after rhinoplasty, and final results can take a year.

Bruising

Rhinoplasty will involve a good deal of bruising in the first few weeks after surgery. How much bruising you have depends on the nature of the procedure and how sensitive your body is.

Bruising usually occurs around the eyes and lasts between seven and 10 days. Bruising isn’t indicative of complications, but you should keep an eye on it after your procedure. If the bruising doesn’t fade after 10 days, you should talk to your plastic surgeon.

Rhinoplasty Recovery

After you awake from surgery, you will be taken home by a friend or family member who should stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.

You will probably have a splint on or inside your nose to support the nasal structures as healing begins. Dr. Smita will prescribe pain medication to help you manage any discomfort for the first week or so.

The first three or four days after rhinoplasty are usually the most uncomfortable and require you to take it easy. Resta as much as you can with your head elevated to reduce swelling.

If you want to speed your rhinoplasty recovery, follow these tips:

Listen to your surgeon: It’s vital to listen to what Dr. Smita tells you. She will give you specific instructions to follow on medications to take, when to take them, and how to care for your incisions to prevent infections.
Listen to your body: Dr. Smita can observe your recovery from the outside, but only you know what you feel. So if something seems off after surgery – excessive pain or swelling lasting more than a few days, for example – talk to Dr. Smita immediately.
Elevate your head: Sleeping on your side after a nose job isn’t just uncomfortable, it can increase swelling and bruising. And it can even displace the nose. That’s why you need to keep the head elevated for six weeks at night after surgery.
Use cold compresses: For the first three days after surgery, use cold compresses to reduce swelling.
Don’t smoke: Using tobacco slows healing and increases infection and scarring risks.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating good foods is essential after surgery, so make sure you get plenty of protein from meat, eggs, yogurt, and fish after rhinoplasty. In addition, consume a lot of dark, leafy, green vegetables to give your body the vitamins it needs for a quick recovery.

Avoid heavy exercise: Your nose will need about six weeks to heal, so you should avoid strenuous workouts, so you don’t get additional swelling.

Complementary Procedures

You can have other cosmetic procedures when you have rhinoplasty, including a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, and more. In addition, many patients have other procedures simultaneously to get their post-surgical recovery done at once and save considerably on surgical fees.

Dr. Smita will perform a medical evaluation during your consultation and determine your goals and other options to consider.

Rhinoplasty FAQ

Below are the most common questions we receive about rhinoplasty:

How Long Will It Take My Nose To Recover?

It takes about six weeks for the bones in your nose to heal after rhinoplasty. During this period, you should avoid strenuous exercise and keep your head elevated when you sleep. Following these instructions will reduce swelling and speed your recovery.

How Many Rhinoplasties Go Wrong?

It’s estimated that about 10% of patients need to have revision rhinoplasty eventually. That is the reason you should choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience with nose jobs.

Can I Touch My Nose One Month After Surgery?

It’s recommended to avoid pushing, touching, or poking your nose in the first six weeks after surgery. This could misalign the nose and require a revision procedure.

What Shouldn’t I Do After Rhinoplasty?

To reduce the chances of bleeding and swelling, you should avoid jogging and other strenuous activities for at least a month. Also, you should take baths instead of showers as long as your nose is bandaged.

How Much Pain Will I Have After Rhinoplasty?

You will have mild to moderate pain for one or two weeks after rhinoplasty, but Dr. Smita will prescribe pain medication to get you through this period. After the first two weeks, you can probably get by with over-the-counter pain medications.

Can Rhinoplasty Go Wrong?

Yes. The most common problem people have after rhinoplasty is in how it looks. However, you should wait at least a year for all swelling to dissipate before you consider having another procedure.

What Causes Rhinoplasty To Go Bad?

Some unskilled or inexperienced surgeons may remove too much internal nasal tissue or take too much cartilage from the tip. Doing so can narrow the nose and nostrils so they are slits instead of holes.

Will My Nose Look Bigger After Rhinoplasty?

It’s common for the nose to look larger after rhinoplasty because of swelling. It can be annoying to go through the time and expense of a nose job and have a ‘big’ nose. But the good news is it’s temporary and will reduce in size as swelling dissipates.

Can I Die From Rhinoplasty?

Deaths from all cosmetic procedures in the United States are rare. The most common problem with rhinoplasty is a reaction to general anesthesia. Deaths from general anesthesia are only about 1 in 200,000 patients.

Why Does My Nose Look Shiny After Rhinoplasty?

After this procedure, you will have swelling, which can make the skin oilier for several weeks. This can make the skin look shinier, but your nose will return to its normal appearance after a month or two as the swelling recedes.

Is 40 Too Old For Rhinoplasty?

No. But as patients enter middle age and beyond, there are more challenges to rhinoplasty that the surgeon must confront. This is another reason to select a board-certified plastic surgeon for your procedure.

Will I Have Scarring After A Nose Job?

Yes, there will be some scarring, but most of us cannot see it. Closed rhinoplasty makes an incision inside the nostrils where you cannot see the scars.

In open rhinoplasty, your surgeon creates a small incision in the tissue that separates the nostrils. This incision usually heals well, and most people won’t notice the faint scar.

Your Best Nose

Nose surgery is a great solution to address the distaste you might feel when looking in the mirror at your appearance. If you are unhappy with the look of your nose or if you are experiencing breathing problems, nose surgery may help. Nose surgery is a very common cosmetic procedure with great success rates. Plastic surgeon Dr. Ramanadham aims to improve your nose so your entire face appears more attractive and proportionate. Even minor adjustments can lead to an impressive difference. We encourage you to contact our practice in New Jersey to schedule an appointment.

References

Rhinoplasty Safety. (n.d.). Accessed at

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/rhinoplasty/safety

Rhinoplasty Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at

https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_eb0eflgn

Rhinoplasty. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about/pac-20384532