Rhinopasty

Procedure

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Rhinoplasty is s surgical procedure which changes the shape and improves the appearance of the nose. Most frequently patients become unhappy with the appearance of their nose after it grows in their late teens and early 20s. The procedure can be done after the age of 18 provided you are fit for the anaesthetic.

 

Process

 

Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. Various incisions can be used to access the nasal bone and cartilage. Typically we might make incisions inside the nostrils with a small connecting cut across the underside of your nose. This examines the cartilages and bones of your nose.Surgery to reduce the size of the nose involves removing the prominent area and refining the tip by combination of judicious cartilage reduction and sutures. If necessary the side walls can be brought inwards to narrow the nose. Sometimes if selected areas are deficient cartilage can be put back for selective enhancement. Many tweaks and refinements have been described in rhinoplasty and utilised on a case by case basis.At the end of the procedure some very fine sutures are used for the skin and a lightweight splint is applied. Ken rarely uses internal packs.

 

Aftercare

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Typically you would be asked to sleep with a couple of extra pillows to reduce swelling. Patients go home the following day and return after one week to have the splint and sutures removed.

Most of the discolouration and swelling settles after 10-14 days. If you don't want to tell your colleagues, two weeks off work are most often sufficient.

Pain is not a major issue after rhinoplasty but we usually prescribe some mild painkillers just in case.

It takes several months for your skin to shrink down to fit the new shape of your nose and for the final results to be fully appreciated. Ken discharges patients when they are happy with the outcome.