What Happens During Nose Reshaping?
The operation can take up to three hours depending on what needs to be done.
Reduction rhinoplasty
If you're having your nose made smaller, your surgeon will usually make cuts inside your nostrils to reach the bone and cartilage. Sometimes, a cut is also made across the skin between your nostrils (the columella) and this technique is called €open rhinoplasty'. Some of the bone and cartilage will be removed or rearranged to achieve the shape you have agreed with your surgeon. The skin over your nose won't be touched - it will shrink down to its new shape.
It may be necessary to also make your nostrils smaller to keep your features in proportion. Your surgeon will need to make cuts in the skin of your nostrils to do this. This will leave fine scars on each side.
Augmentation rhinoplasty
If you're having your nose made larger or giving it more bulk, your surgeon may make a cut inside or between your nostrils and reshape the bone and cartilage. You may need extra bone or cartilage (a graft) to build up your nose. Your surgeon may take cartilage from your ears or ribs, and bone from the back of your elbow, your skull or your hip bone. Sometimes artificial implants, such as Gore-Tex or silastic, are used instead.
The cuts inside your nose are usually closed with dissolving stitches so they don't need to be removed. If you have stitches in the outside skin, these will usually need to be removed. This is done about a week after your operation.
What to expect afterwards
You will need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have passed. You may need pain relief to help with any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off.
You may have dressings (packs) in each nostril for a day or two. These will stop you from breathing through your nose. You may also have splints inside your nostrils as well as over your nose to keep the nasal bones in place for a week or two.
You will usually be able to go home when you feel ready.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. Try to have a friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Your nurse will give you some advice about caring for your nose when you go home. You will be given a date for a follow-up appointment.
Reduction rhinoplasty
If you're having your nose made smaller, your surgeon will usually make cuts inside your nostrils to reach the bone and cartilage. Sometimes, a cut is also made across the skin between your nostrils (the columella) and this technique is called €open rhinoplasty'. Some of the bone and cartilage will be removed or rearranged to achieve the shape you have agreed with your surgeon. The skin over your nose won't be touched - it will shrink down to its new shape.
It may be necessary to also make your nostrils smaller to keep your features in proportion. Your surgeon will need to make cuts in the skin of your nostrils to do this. This will leave fine scars on each side.
Augmentation rhinoplasty
If you're having your nose made larger or giving it more bulk, your surgeon may make a cut inside or between your nostrils and reshape the bone and cartilage. You may need extra bone or cartilage (a graft) to build up your nose. Your surgeon may take cartilage from your ears or ribs, and bone from the back of your elbow, your skull or your hip bone. Sometimes artificial implants, such as Gore-Tex or silastic, are used instead.
The cuts inside your nose are usually closed with dissolving stitches so they don't need to be removed. If you have stitches in the outside skin, these will usually need to be removed. This is done about a week after your operation.
What to expect afterwards
You will need to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have passed. You may need pain relief to help with any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off.
You may have dressings (packs) in each nostril for a day or two. These will stop you from breathing through your nose. You may also have splints inside your nostrils as well as over your nose to keep the nasal bones in place for a week or two.
You will usually be able to go home when you feel ready.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. Try to have a friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Your nurse will give you some advice about caring for your nose when you go home. You will be given a date for a follow-up appointment.
