If you want to see what the amazing difference a refined nose can have on your face, have a look at the images taken before and after nose surgery, otherwise known as rhinoplasty.
This type of surgery usually has small incisions but brings great improvement in your facial features. The rhinoplasty procedure is typically done for aesthetic purposes, for eg. reshaping a nose tip, droopy tip, nasal hump, nose reshaping and boxy tip etc. It may also be carried out for medical purposes such as nasal airway obstruction, deviated septum, nasal deviation etc.
The role of nose jobs in plastic surgery
As your most prominent facial feature because of its central location, your nose plays a big part in how people see you. Your anatomy is unique, but all noses are made up of bone, cartilage and skin.
Depending on your goals for surgery, your nose procedure could involve changing any combination of these structures.
The journey to your new nose starts with meeting with Dr Alan Evans to discuss what you would like to change and mapping out exactly how we can achieve it together during your pre-surgical visits.
Having a good relationship with your surgeon and being able to effectively communicate means that you know what to expect during every step of the surgery process.
What to expect before a nose job?
To start, your ENT surgeon will determine if you’re qualified to get rhinoplasty. Among other things, this means that you’re old enough that you have completed puberty and grown taller. Before anything else, your surgeon will want to know about your medical history and what concerns or fears (if any) you have related to the surgery.
Your surgeon will then go over all potential risks and side effects of the surgery with you before continuing with any treatment. They may employ the use of 3D imaging so that you can get an accurate visual of what your results will look like post-surgery. Pictures of both your nose and profile from different angles will be taken. These photos are used in digital editing software to give you a realistic simulation of the kind of changes possible with this type of surgery.
Will any other procedure be required?
If you have a small chin, getting a chin augmentation could be recommended to you to achieve facial balance. When your chin is small, it can make your nose look bigger than it really is.
Is nose job surgery painful?
You will be given anaesthesia for your nose job and won’t have to stay in the hospital overnight since it is an outpatient procedure. The surgery usually takes up to three hours, but this may differ based on how much needs to be done. Once you’re finished with the surgery, you shouldn’t drive yourself home because of the effects of the anaesthesia – ask a friend or family member for help to get you home safely.
What to expect after a nose job?
After your nose job, you will have a splint supporting your bandages. The splint might be attached to your cheek or forehead. You may experience some bleeding, and gauze will be placed to absorb it. When the anaesthesia wears off, you may feel some discomfort and swelling along with congestion, causing breathing difficulties.
To manage post-operative swelling, keep your head elevated as much as possible and take the pain medication only as needed. Aspirin and ibuprofen can increase bleeding, so be sure to ask your doctor for an alternative recommendation.
About a week after your procedure, you’ll have to go back to see your surgeon to get the bandages off. They will usually remove any stitches and the splint during this time as well. There’s a high chance that you will still look swollen and bruised, but it definitely won’t be as bad. Most patients can return to their jobs (if these aren’t too physically straining) and everything else they normally do around this time frame too, as long as they avoid heavy lifting.
Initially, your post-operative recovery from rhinoplasty surgery might appear to decelerate because the swelling will decrease weekly. However, it is only temporary and will eventually take around 12 months for the swelling to dissipate entirely and for your new nose to reach its intended size and shape. This is why most surgeons advise against getting a second nose job until at least 12 months have passed since the first surgery. You need time to get used to your new nose, and how it looks with the rest of your face, so you shouldn’t make any rash decisions about another surgery.
Planning in advance and making sure you have strong support will help your recovery by allowing you to focus on resting and healing. Taking a few days off from work can significantly improve your healing process.
What to do for a quick and smooth recovery?
If you’ve recently had nose surgery, there are a few things you can do to help the healing process along:
- Following your ENT surgeon’s post-surgical care tips is crucial for a speedy recovery.
- To avoid putting pressure on your newly operated-on facial bones, you should plan to sleep exclusively on your back for four weeks following rhinoplasty surgery.
- A healthy diet is crucial for recovery, so make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
- It is important to get enough rest and sleep so that your body can heal more effectively.
- Don’t forget to set follow-up appointments with your surgeon so he can monitor your healing and remove the splints when it’s time.
What to avoid after rhinoplasty?
These are some things you can do to avoid exacerbating your rhinoplasty
- Avoid strenuous physical exercise
- Do not blow your nose
- Prefer a bath over showers
- Wear buttoned clothing which does not require pulling down.
- Brush teeth gently so as not to move upper lip too much
- Do not smoke cigarettes
- Avoid putting pressure on the bridge of the nose by wearing glasses and sunglasses, etc.
- Do not attempt to clean your nasal passages using a cotton bud or anything else right after the procedure.
If you’re still unsure about what to expect before and after the nose job, please contact Dr Alan Evans on (02) 9158 6375 for a private consultation to get an expert opinion and insight on what you can expect from your rhinoplasty.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Cosmetic surgery for the nose
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-nose-job-rhinoplasty#:~:text=You%20can%20expect%20swelling%20and,over%20the%20next%206%20months.
Rhinoplasty
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/rhinoplasty/about/pac-20384532
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