Cosmetic Nose Surgery

The nose is the most visible part of the face. Its appearance has a much bigger impact on the visual appearance of the face than any other structure. It also has a highly important function of breathing and controlling (cleaning, moisturising, and heating) the air before it enters the lungs.

Corrective nose surgery can be:
– septoplasty: corrective surgical procedure of the nasal septum. It is usually required by invisible nose deformations connected with difficulty breathing.
– rhinoplasty: aesthetic corrective surgery of the nose.

Both operations can be performed through incisions inside of the nose in the so called closed technique or through a small incision on the nasal septum in case of an open technique. Which technique will be used depends on the situation on the nose which needs to be changed or if the patient wants to change it. In the last few years, the open technique is used mostly.

The nose is a highly complicated facial organ and unique for each person. In planning a new nose it is very important to consider the unique characteristics of the nose and the proportion with other facial elements. There is no such thing as a perfect nose which would be acceptable for all people and faces. During the procedure we operate on live tissue which reacts differently in different people. This means that internal scars and reactions of different tissue are different (subcutaneous tissue, cartilage, bones etc.). The predictability of the result thus depends on the condition of the patient’s tissue, type of deformation and nature of nasal and facial bone structures as well as genetic factors. Just like in any surgical procedure, complications are possible. In 15–20 % of nose jobs, a minor corrective surgery needs to be done after the initial operation due to the above mentioned facts; usually it is performed under local anaesthesia.

During the first visit, the patient’s medical condition needs to be examined regarding any possible injuries, allergies, or previous surgical procedures on the nose. The problems the patient has with breathing or appearance are discussed in detail. The nasal interior and exterior are examined. Further on, the possibility for a surgical procedure is evaluated. During the conversation, a photographic analysis is made and possible changes after the nose surgery are shown. Its purpose is to understand the surgical procedure and changes which can be achieved with a certain type of procedure.
The patient must not take aspirin 14 days before the procedure.

The majority of nose surgeries are performed under general anaesthesia, depending on the size of the procedure. Minor corrections can also be performed under local anaesthesia. The patient has to be completely healthy for the procedure: without cold, stuffy nose, herpes or any other inflammatory rashes on the nose and in its proximity, conjunctivitis or any similar conditions. The procedure is done early in the morning so the patient can leave the clinic in the afternoon on the same day.

After the Procedure is finished, tampons are inserted into the nostrils which are then removed after two to three days after the surgery. In this time, the patient has to breathe through the mouth.

After the surgery, the patient feels sleepy, and sleepiness goes away that evening and overnight. He or she can also feel nauseous especially if they get up and start to move too fast. Six to eight hours after the surgery the nausea goes away. After the surgery, taking pain killers is usually not necessary. The patient receives antibiotics during the surgery via infusion and then for three to five more days based on the doctor’s judgment. Infection after cosmetic surgery occurs very rarely. In case of redness, swelling, or fever an immediate check-up is necessary.

After the Procedure, bruises appear under the eyes which last for seven to ten days. After seven days, stitches and immobilisation are removed. That is also when the patient can go back to work. The pain after nose surgery is usually moderate and lasts for one to two days. After removing the tampons, washing the nose with a spray with saline a few times a day is recommended. After open rhinoplasty, the nasal tip is a little less sensitive. The swelling of the nasal tip persists for a few months, rarely even for a year.

For at least three weeks after the surgery, intense physical activities must be avoided. Elevated heart beat accompanied by elevated blood pressure can cause bleeding. Activities can be pursued again two to three weeks after the surgery. At least four to six weeks after the surgery, contact sports are not recommended as any strong hit on the nose during this period could damage the fixed parts of nasal bones. Medium strong hits on the nose should not damage the bones in most cases.

When the bandage is removed, the nose feels weird when you feel it. The skin will be a little numb. If the nasal bones were operated on, you may feel tiny bumps, tissue thickening, or creases. After it heals, they will be significantly reduced.