Rhinoplasty (Nose reshaping)

Symptoms & Suitability

Nose reshaping is an operation designed to re-shape the nose and/or improve nasal breathing. Rhinoplasty is a highly indivualised procedure, and no two surgeries are ever the same.

The exact type of rhinoplasty suitable for you will be discussed at length in your consultation with me. For many, rhinoplasty will be an aesthetic (cosmetic) procedure only (ie it will have no impact on nasal function or respiration). Some patients however have a damaged internal structure of their nose that affects their breathing, and this also can be repaired using similar approaches, with cartilage reshaping.

Occasionally a non surgical rhinoplasty may be suitable using dermal fillers to achieve your desired nose profile without needing surgery.

Surgery

A rhinoplasty or “nose job” can require manipulation/ remodeling of the cartilage of the nose only (approximately the lower two-thirds of the nasal skeleton is cartilage) or may involve surgery to the nasal bones (it usually requires some refinement of both components). In some instances where the structure of the nose has been damaged or is congenitally deficient, it may be necessary to insert support into the nose.

This is usually achieved by the use or cartilage grafts since the patient’s own tissue is very much more reliable than other prosthetic (artificial) material.

Stay

Recovery from rhinoplasty usually takes around 2-3 weeks (external plaster/ splint for a week) but it is important to avoid any potential contact sport for a period of 6 weeks to avoid displacing the newly shaped nasal bones and cartilage.

Scars

There are two approaches (scars) used for rhinoplasty – open and “closed” which isn’t actually closed, but comprises incisions on the inside of your nose, where the hairs are. I prefer to use an open approach as I feel that much more detailed refinement of your nose shape can be achieved using this incision.