Rhinoplasty: All You Need to Know

What Is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty or nose job is a surgery done to change the shape of the nose. This can be done to alleviate breathing difficulties or just to change the shape of the nose for aesthetic purposes. In some cases, it is done for both. The nose is made up of bone and cartilage covered on top by skin. Rhinoplasty can involve changes to all the three.

Who Is a Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

A number of factors need to be considered before a person can undergo Rhinoplasty.

The doctor will examine the patient’s facial features thoroughly to make sure that the surgery will not cause any breathing difficulties.
The doctor will want to know about any previous surgeries that the patient may have undergone.
The patient’s expectations from the surgery and what is actually possible needs to be discussed in detail.
People suffering from haemophilia (a disease in which blood does not clot) are not advised Rhinoplasty.

What Does the Surgical Procedure Involve?

Every Rhinoplasty procedure is different. It is tailor made according to the patient’s anatomy while also taking into account, what the patient expects from the procedure. The procedure can use either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. Any apprehensions or preferences that the patient has, regarding this, should be discussed with the doctor. During surgery, the bone and cartilage in the nose are modified (either added or removed). To address breathing difficulties, a deviated nasal septum can also be corrected.

Surgery may require hospitalization overnight. Patients are advised to keep their head in an elevated position after surgery to reduce bleeding. Experiencing a congested feeling in the nose is common. Bleeding and mucous discharge can also to be expected for a few days after surgery.

What Are the Safety Measures to Be Followed After Surgery?

Any kind of strenuous physical activity is best avoided.
Nose should not be blown vigorously.
Teeth should be brushed cautiously so that it doesn’t accidentally injure the surgical site.
Constipation can lead to straining which could hurt the raw surgery site. Constipation can be avoided by eating fruits and vegetables.
Showers should be avoided till the nose heals. A bath without a shower is advised.
Usage of sunscreen is recommended.
Smoking is to be strictly avoided as it not only slows down healing but also increases the chance of infection.
Any medication consumed has to be approved by the doctor.

What Can Be Expected After Surgery?

A time period of a week is usually what it takes for a person to resume normal activities after surgery. Some swelling and discolouration are to be expected after surgery. This usually subsides within two to three weeks. Swelling, even if it is present for a longer duration, is not very discernible.

What Are the Risks Involved?

Any surgery has its attendant side effects and risks and so does rhinoplasty. The risks involved are:

Difficulty in recovering from anaesthesia
Possibility of infection after surgery
Breathing difficulties
Bruising of skin
Need for a second surgery if the result from the first one isn’t satisfactory

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