The nose is the most visible part of the face and it is its shape and general appearance that determine a person's perception of others. Many of us are unhappy with our nose: some do not like its size or shape, others suffer from a hump or too wide wings, and others want to fix the tip of the nose, which protrudes decently upwards or, conversely, hangs down. All these problems are solved simply for the joy of patients with the help of one of the most ancient plastic surgeries - rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty- surgery to correct (change) the shape or size of the nose, which is aimed at improving its appearance, as well as eliminating problems with nasal breathing and creating a psychologically comfortable condition of the patient.
Types of rhinoplasty
Distinguish between aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty.
The main purpose of aesthetic rhinoplasty is to correct the "mistake" of nature by changing the shape or size of the nose and thus give the face a more harmonious and attractive appearance. Aesthetic rhinoplasty can be either complete or superficial (partial).
Complete rhinoplasty is a plastic operation during which the surgeon touches all the structural parts of the so-called outer nose: bone tissue, cartilage tissue, and soft tissues. Such an operation is indicated for patients who wish to reduce the length or width of the nose, change the shape of the saddle and remove the hump.
Partial (or superficial) rhinoplasty is an operation to correct (change) the shape of the nose, when the surgeon confines himself to treating only some of the outer parts of the nose without affecting the bone tissue. Partial rhinoplasty is performed if it is necessary to correct the tip of the nose or reduce the wings, although complete rhinoplasty may be necessary to eliminate such problems - this is decided by the doctor after examination and conversation with the patient.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty is mainly aimed at solving such a problem as eliminating difficulty breathing due to curvature of the nasal septum or hypertrophy of the turbine. Reconstructive rhinoplasty involves restoring the appearance of the nose, which has been damaged (for example, "sliding sideways" due to a fracture), and partially or completely lost due to injury. Sometimes the plastic surgeon has to literally "sculpt" a new nose using the cartilage of the ear or rib cartilage (especially in severe cases), as well as artificial materials.
Often the patient has to undergo surgery not so much for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes, but to restore normal breathing, which was disrupted due to the deformation of the nasal septum, obtained during the trauma. Typically, post-traumatic surgery involves nasal plastic surgery and septoplasty (surgery aimed at correcting the nasal septum, its main purpose is to restore normal nasal breathing).
Preparation for rhinoplasty surgery
Before deciding on surgery, the patient, together with the plastic surgeon, discusses the future parameters and appearance of the nose, it turns out exactly what the patient wants to achieve and the final result is simulated with the help of a computer. This approach helps to "test" the new nose of the patient's face before the operation and to ensure that his new appearance does not disturb the overall proportions of the face, and the shape of the nose will blend harmoniously with all facial features.
It should also be borne in mind that rhinoplasty is not performed if the patient is under 17-18 years of age. This is due to the growth of the body and the formation of cartilage and bone skeleton; the consequences of rhinoplasty at an earlier age can be unpredictable. But it is preferable to resort to rhinoplasty no earlier than 21 years - doctors say that it is by this age that the bone skeleton is finally formed.
Features of the operation for nose correction
Rhinoplasty is recognized as one of the most difficult plastic surgeries: after all, it is important not only to change the nose and give it the desired size or shape, but also not to disturb nasal breathing. Therefore, such an operation should be performed only by an experienced specialist who has already proven himself and has good feedback from patients.
Rhinoplasty can be performed with both open and closed access. Open access involves an incision of the skin on the outside, which will eventually be almost invisible. In closed access, the surgery is performed on the side of the nasal mucosa (through the nostrils) without any external incisions and leaves no traces at all. Closed rhinoplasty is considered more difficult and requires the special skills of a plastic surgeon.
The type of access is determined directly at the consultation and depends on many factors: the shape of the nose, the peculiarities of its structure and the desired end result. The operation to correct the size or shape of the nose is performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia: the choice of anesthesia is influenced by the complexity of the surgery and the duration of the proposed operation. In any case, the patient completely gets rid of the pain and does not feel discomfort.
Postoperative period
Rhinoplasty is a serious surgical intervention that requires not only the professional approach of the doctor, but also the responsibility of the patient during the rehabilitation period. The postoperative period is painless. Only for the first few days, tampons, which make nasal breathing difficult, bring some discomfort to the patient.
A fixative plaster bandage is applied to the nose, which is removed from time to time for skin care, in general, wearing such a bandage is mandatory for 7 to 10 days. During this time, the primary swelling usually disappears, and the bruising and puffiness under the eyes disappear. Residual subcutaneous induration, almost invisible to others, disappears completely in 6-8 months. After this time, the final result of rhinoplasty will be visible.
As a rule, the patient is discharged the day after the operation, but he still remains under the supervision of a doctor arriving at the clinic for examinations and dressings. The process of general recovery after rhinoplasty surgery takes about a month, during which the patient is prescribed to wear a special bandage in the nose, as well as to limit physical activity and eliminate bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).
A patient undergoing rhinoplasty should undergo mandatory examinations by a plastic surgeon 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.
Contraindications for rhinoplasty
An experienced plastic surgeon will refuse to perform the operation if the patient has a history of the following diseases:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- blood clotting disorders;
- chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys in the acute stage;
- oncological diseases;
- infectious diseases;
- mental illness.
Of course, rhinoplasty is a serious step in the life of a person who dreams of changing his nose, and at the same time his life. But many of us understand perfectly well: if any - even significant - figure flaws can be "hidden" or even turned into advantages with the help of clothes, then the ugly nose is the first thing that others pay attention to when looking at a person. And if exactly this nose is too big or bumpy, then such a "spectacle" can not be hidden in any way, it will always spoil the look and mood. Therefore, sometimes you need to decide on surgery and adjust the shape or size of your nose, rather than suffer all your life, sighing every time you look in the mirror.