ose reshaping (or “rhinoplasty”) is an operation in which the size and shape of the nose is refined to meet the patients’ aesthetic goals. Examples include removing a hump, raising or lowering the tip of the nose, shortening or lengthening the nose and refining or shaping the tip of the nose. The procedure may be very complex and involve changes to the cartilage and bony support as well as redraping of the skin of the nose.
Most patients seeking a rhinoplasty want to make their nose match the size and shape of their face, so their facial features are balanced. They should have a clear understanding of the changes they wish to make in their nose and communicate them to their surgeon. The surgery may be combined with other procedures such as genioplasty (enhancement of the chin), to create a balanced facial appearance. In cases where patients have difficulty breathing through their nostrils due to injury or disease, part of the rhinoplasty may be done to improve the function of the nostrils and nose. In these cases, insurance may pay for this part of the operation.
A rhinoplasty usually takes 2-3 hours, depending on the complexity of the operation. During a rhinoplasty the surgeon will make modifications to the bone, cartilage and skin necessary to achieve the desired results. This may involve incisions on the skin between the nostrils, inside the nostrils, or tiny incisions on the side of the nose. After the surgery it may be necessary to wear a splint inside the nose and a cast placed atop the nose for a few days.
Side effects may include swelling, bruising, scarring, numbness, and difficulty breathing. Risks are few, but may include bleeding, fluid collections, infection, blood clots and tissue loss. Serious problems are very rare.
Recovery time depends on the extent of the surgery. In some cases a moderate amount of swelling and bruising may be present for a few days. Most patients are back to work in about 2 weeks and resume strenuous exercise within 6 weeks.