Rhinoplasty, or nasal reshaping is a surgical procedure designed to improve the shape and size of your nose.  The degree of change may range from a subtle refinement of your nose to a dramatic change in the size and overall shape the nose.  Perhaps of all the cosmetic surgical operations available to the patient, rhinoplasty demands the greatest degree of precision and technical skill of the surgeon.  This is because the nasal skin and fine contour belies any small underlying imperfections.

Before Surgery

Some issues considered at the time of your consultation include: 

• Your general health
• How you breath through your nose, and whether or not this needs to be addressed with the surgery
• Previous nasal injuries of surgeries
• The size and shape of your nose in relation to the rest of your facial features (e. g. your chin, lower jaw, etc)
• The size and shape of each part of your nose (tip, bridge, nostrils, etc.) in relation to the other parts of your nose, i.e. is it proportional

Some of the more common reason patients seek consultation include:

• A hump on the bridge of the nose
• A wide bridge
• A wide nasal tip
• A boxy or bulbous nasal tip
• A "ski-jump" nose
• Being able to see the nostrils too much
• A crooked nose
• Large of wide nostrils
• "high" or flared nostrils
• etc.

These concerns can be addressed with the various techniques of rhinoplasty that an experienced and well trained Plastic Surgeon should have.

The Surgery

Rhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia and you may go home the same day.  The details of the specific type of rhinoplasty suited to your specific aesthetic concerns and functional requirements and the placement of the incisions is determined and discussed at length during the first consultation.  Depending on the desired result and the complexity of your specific problem, the surgery may take anywhere from less than an hour to more than three hours.

There are risks and complications with all surgical procedures such as bleeding and infection.  These as well as complications specific to rhinoplasty will be discussed at the time of your consultation.

After Surgery

• 1st post-operative visit within 48 hours after surgery to check for bleeding, level of discomfort, to answer any immediate concerns and remove gauze packing if used
• 1 week after surgery; splint is removed, sutures (if external sutures are required) are removed, in spite of swelling, difference in appearance of nose if often immediately evident, resume normal light daily activities
• 10 - 14 days after surgery:  return to work, bruising gone, swelling reduced, vigorous activity (exercise, heavy lifting) restricted
• 6 weeks after surgery:  swelling significantly reduced, resume normal activities, exercising etc.
• 3  - 6 months; most of swelling gone
• 6 months - 1 year:  remainder of swelling disappears.

[Top of Page]