A nose surgery or rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, is the procedure of reshaping the nose. Typically it’s a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of the nose. Occasionally persons with difficulty breathing through the nose will also benefit from nose surgery.
Variations
Reduction
Most Caucasians who wish to have a nose surgery, want to have the size reduced. In this case the nasal hump will be made smaller.
Implants (Augmentation Rhinoplasty)
Many Asians and persons of African descent opt for a increase in size. Especially the height of the nasal bridge can be an issue. Apart from aesthetic concerns some will complain about glasses slipping off their nose. This will be done with nose implants.
Procedure
The procedure will start with after receiving general or local anesthesia. Most often the surgeon will start with a making a small incision on the inside of the nose. This gives access to the nasal framework.
Depending on the type of nose surgery the surgeon will either remove some cartilage or insert an implant. After the procedure you will receive stitches to close the incision. The procedure lasts about 2 hours.
Recovery after the procedure
Depending on the type of surgery the doctor might place a splint on the bridge of the nose to protect it from accidentally hitting it or sleeping on it. Most likely you can leave the hospital within a few hours after the operation, but sometimes a night has to be spent in the hospital.
During the first few days bruising and swelling around the cheek and eyes is normal. Sleep with your head elevated and avoid strenuous activity to prevent bleeding. Avoid aspirin and other blood thinners.
After a week to ten days you should be able to return to work. But it is important, especially in Thailand, to avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Wear sunblock the first month.
Risks
Nose surgery is one of the most common surgeries and serious complications are very rare. But occasionally blood vessels can burst leading to red spots on the nose. Often people feel unhappy with the result the first few months, since there will be swelling during this time. Re-evaluate your stance on the result after this period.
Who is a candidate for nose surgery?
Generally Caucasians who feel their nose is too large chose for a nose reduction, while Asians and people of African decent opt for a nose augmentation. The latter usually because they feel their smaller nasal dorsal or nasal bridge makes their nose look flat or wide.
People who have trouble breathing through the nose can benefit from a reduction of the cartilage in the nose.
As always when planning surgery consult a qualified physician before deciding.
