Overview

A Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, is surgery that changes the shape of the nose. It can be done surgically or non-surgically.

Anatomy of the nose

The upper portion of the structure of the nose is bone, and the lower portion is cartilage. There is a layer of fatty tissue as well at the tip of the nose. Rhinoplasty can change bone, cartilage, fat or all three.

Why should I have a rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty is done to repair deformities from an injury, correct a birth defect, improve breathing difficulties or simply for aesthetic reasons. .

Preparing for the surgery

1. Stop medications like NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen) two weeks before surgery
2. Stop smoking one month before surgery
3. Stop herbal remedies two weeks before surgery
4. Arrange to have someone at home to look after you after the surgery
5. Have a one week shopping at home
6. Wash your body and hair the night before the surgery
7. Have a good night sleep before your surgery

During the surgery

Rhinoplasty requires local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on how complex your surgery is and what your surgeon prefers.

The incision for a rhinoplasty may be done inside your nose (a closed rhinoplasty) or through a small external cut at the base of your nose (an external rhinoplasty). We will then work on the bone and cartilage to reshape the nose. Sometimes we may use cartilage taken from deeper inside your nose or from your ear, or from the ribs. The wall wall between the two sides of the nose (septum) is bent we can remove it to correct the breathing problem.

Splints are sometimes needed inside the nose and on the outside of the nose. The ones inside are kept overnight while the on outside is kept for two weeks.

After the surgery

After the surgery you need to rest in bed with your head raised higher than your chest, to reduce bleeding and swelling. Your nose may be congested because of swelling or from the splints placed inside your nose during surgery.

Slight bleeding and drainage of mucus and old blood are common for a few days after the surgery or after removing the dressing.

To further lower the chances of bleeding and swelling, it is advisable to follow the instructions below:

• Avoid strenuous activities such exercise.
• Take baths instead of showers while you have bandages on your nose.
• Not blow your nose.
• Eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to avoid constipation. Constipation can cause you to strain, putting pressure on the surgery site.
• Avoid extreme facial expressions, such as smiling or laughing.
• Brush your teeth gently to limit movement of your upper lip.
• Wear clothes that fasten in the front. Don’t pull clothing, such as shirts or sweaters, over your head.
• Don’t rest eyeglasses or sunglasses on your nose for at least four weeks after the surgery, to prevent pressure on your nose. You can use cheek rests, or tape the glasses to your forehead until your nose has healed.
• Use SPF 30 sunscreen when you’re outside, especially on your nose. Too much sun may cause permanent irregular discoloration in your nose’s skin.
• Don’t put anything such as ice or cold packs on your nose after surgery as your skin might be numb and can cause a frost burn.

Results

Do not expect the final result until a 18 months after surgery. A lot of swelling will go down over this time.

Risks

• Bleeding
• Infection
• An adverse reaction to the anesthesia
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• Permanent numbness in and around your nose
• The possibility of an uneven-looking nose
• Pain, discoloration or swelling that may persist
• Scarring
• A hole in the septum (septal perforation)
• A need for additional surgery

Non-surgical rhinoplasty is an aesthetic treatment that’s recently risen in popularity with women and men alike. A filler is injected into the nose to reshape. Different materials can be used to reshape the nose, the post popular being either hyaluronic acid or fat, or by injecting botulinum toxins to release the muscles.

How can injections reshape the nose?

By carefully injecting dermal filler above and below the dorsal hump or the bump on the nose, we can convert the nose profile to a straight profile. By manipulating the filler we can also make the nose look narrower. Working on the tip of the nose, we can make it look lifted, smaller and more refined. By injecting botulinum toxin (like Botox), we can lift the tip of the nose by relaxing a muscle called the depressor nasalis, the muscle which continuously pulls the nose down.

What are the benefits of this treatment over traditional rhinoplasty?

A non-surgical rhinoplasty is not an alternative to a rhinoplasty. It can achieve similar results, but they are not permanent. It also does not address structural changes, breathing problems and functional problems.

The benefits of an non-surgical rhinoplasty is that it gives an instant change to the nose, without the downtime. It is also possible to envisage what the nose could look like with a surgical rhinoplasty.

What if you don’t like the results of the non-surgical version?

A  non-surgical rhinoplasty is not permanent is the right filler is used. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the safest to use because they can be dissolved. Other types of fillers cannot.

Why are filler in the nose so popular now?

Non-surgical rhinoplasties provide a quick and convenient way to reshape the nose for many patients, especially those that do not have the time to have surgery and for those that are worried about surgery.

How is a non-surgical nose job procedure actually do?

The procedure is done is a clinic setting and takes around 10 minutes to do. After cleaning the skin, area is planned. The injection of the filler into the nose to achieve the desired effect then follows.

Does the procedure hurt?

Most people find the procedure not painful or have little discomfort. It is in general very well tolerated.

How long do the results of a non-surgical nose job usually last?

The results of a non-surgical rhinoplasty vary depending on the type of filler used, but one should expect it to last between 12 to 18 months.

How safe is a non-surgical nose job?

In the right hands the procedure is safe, however in the untrained hands it can be very dangerous. We only use hyaluronic acid or fat in our treatments, as the body sees these as natural. 

Are there any side effects?

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Lumpiness
• Asymmetry
• Granuloma
• Skin necrosis
• Breathing problems