How do you know if you have an indication for rhinoplasty?
According to the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, indications for rhinoplasty include any visual defect that is embarrassing to a person and functional impairment such as difficulty breathing.
The visual defects that patients most often want corrected include:
- disproportion of the nose in relation to other facial features;
- asymmetry;
- presence of hump;
- large or asymmetrical nostrils;
- a large, excessively retracted or drooping tip;
- the back is too thick, thin or uneven;
- excessive or insufficient length.
Among the defects that cause functional impairment:
- congenital or acquired deformity of the nasal septum;
- fractures.
What are the types of rhinoplasty?
Based on the problem that the procedure solves, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons distinguishes the following types of rhinoplasty: aesthetic and functional. Let's find out how they differ.
Aesthetic rhinoplasty
This is a procedure to correct the shape and size of the nose. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, this type of rhinoplasty can correct:
- hump - removal of bone and cartilage tissue in a certain area of the back of the nose;
- nostrils - change their shape and size, make them symmetrical;
- columella (bridge between nostrils) - straighten or thin;
- tip - raise, lower or reduce;
- wings - make them symmetrical or less expressive.
During the procedure, the doctor can change the shape of the nose not only by removing tissue, but also, conversely, by increasing its volume. For this purpose, he uses an artificial implant or cartilage, which is obtained from another part of the patient's body. Plastic surgeons call this surgeryaugmentation rhinoplastyorgrafting.
Functional rhinoplasty (septoplasty)
According to Stanford University Medical Center, the purpose of septoplasty is to restore respiratory function that has been impaired due to a congenital abnormality, injury, or some other change in the body.
If a patient who is indicated for surgery to restore breathing decides to further correct the shape of the nose, doctors from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons recommend a combined interventionrhinoseptoplasty.
There are also 2 subtypes of functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty:
- Reconstructive rhinoplasty- this is what the American Society of Plastic Surgeons calls an intervention to correct the shape of the nose due to congenital defects (for example, rhinoplasty for cleft palate and cleft lip) or to recreate a shape that has changed due to injury.
- Revision rhinoplasty- This is a multiple nose correction. Plastic surgeons recommend it if the patient is dissatisfied with the results of the previous intervention.
How is rhinoplasty performed?
The Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery distinguishes 2 methods of rhinoplasty – open and closed. Their main difference is the access through which the doctor performs the operation.
How is closed rhinoplasty performed?
Plastic surgeons call closed rhinoplasty the least traumatic method of surgical correction of the nose. The procedure leaves no scars, as the doctor performs all actions through the nostrils, without incisions on the outside of the nose. Doctors resort to this technique for minor distortions or defects.
How is open rhinoplasty done?
In open rhinoplasty, the rhinosurgeon makes an incision in the columella and outer corners of the nose. It then lifts the skin and performs correction. Open rhinoplasty can correct serious defects and deformities. In this case, a small mark remains at the base of the nose, which becomes less noticeable over time. It can be removed using special cosmetic products and procedures.
How do I determine which nose is right for me?
Before deciding on surgery, it is important to understand whether the face with the desired nose shape will become more beautiful. After all, there are cases when after rhinoplasty people lose their individuality and become less interesting and attractive.
According to the study, a 3D modeling machine allows you to choose a nose that will be in maximum harmony with other features. This setup takes a 3D photo of your face. The doctor and the patient process it according to a special program and adjust the nose to the optimal shape and size.
Is any preparation required for such a procedure?
According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty requires some preparation. Includes:
- Consultation with a plastic surgeon. During it, a person says exactly what he wants to change. The doctor examines the nose, explains how realistic it is to achieve the desired result and creates a model to operate on. During the consultation, it is important to ask the doctor all your questions, ask about the restrictions before and after the operation, and learn about the risks and possible complications.
- Preoperative examination, which helps to ensure that there are no contraindications. It includes laboratory tests of blood and urine, electrocardiography (ECG), fluorography.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends against smoking or taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or herbal supplements during the preparation period, as they can impair blood clotting.
How is rhinoplasty performed?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the patient is under general anesthesia or local anesthesia during the surgery. The doctor determines the type of anesthesia at the preoperative consultation, focusing on the complexity of the procedure.
Depending on the type of access, the surgeon makes incisions inside or outside the nose and performs tissue correction, focusing on the 3D model.
At the end of the procedure, the doctor applies stitches, fixes the nose with special tampons or splints/septal splints (silicone plates that follow the shape of the nose) and a plaster cast.
In general, the procedure lasts from 1 to 2 hours (according to the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery).
How does the recovery process and when are the results visible?
It is the recovery after rhinoplasty that raises the most questions. Patients want to know how quickly the signs of the intervention disappear, when they can return to their normal lifestyle and, most importantly, when the results are visible.
Rehabilitation
Depending on the general condition, the patient stays in the clinic for 1 night or goes home the same day. This time is enough to recover from the anesthesia and gain strength. Subsequent recovery takes place at home. During this period, nosebleeds may occur, so it is important to keep in touch with your doctor to let him know about your condition.
It is important to understand that after rhinoplasty facial swelling lasts 2-3 weeks and the final result cannot be assessed (according to plastic surgeons). If after this time the patient notices that the new nose does not correspond to the 3D model at all, it is necessary to inform the doctor about this. In this case, he will perform a revision rhinoplasty.
Possible side effects
Plastic surgeons warn of the following possible complications:
- difficulty breathing;
- numbness in the operated area;
- asymmetry;
- pain;
- pigmentation;
- marks;
- formation of a hole in the septum (perforation).
Limits
During recovery, plastic surgeons recommend:
- avoid heavy physical activity and running;
- do not bathe;
- don't blow your nose;
- eat foods high in fiber (e. g. fruits, vegetables) to avoid difficult bowel movements and resulting high blood pressure;
- smile and laugh less;
- brush your teeth carefully so that your upper lip does not move actively;
- choose clothes that do not need to be pulled over your head to reduce the risk of accidental injury;
- do not wear glasses;
- use sunscreen.
Result
If we talk about the final result of rhinoplasty, it is visible after 6 months (according to the information of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). During this time, the swelling completely subsides and the tissues heal.
Is one operation enough to achieve results?
It is enough if before the intervention the patient clearly understands what result he wants to get, discusses all the nuances with the doctor, together they form a 3D model of the future nose and the surgeon recreates it exactly.
If, after removal of the cast or after full recovery, the patient realizes that he would like to correct something, the doctor performs another operation.
It is important to understand that rhinoplasty is a surgical intervention, which means that it is stressful for the body. Therefore, before agreeing to surgery, make sure you clearly understand what result you want to achieve and communicate this to the surgeon.
How is non-surgical rhinoplasty performed?
People who want to correct their nose, but for some reason are not ready to solve this problem surgically, can pay attention to other methods of rhinoplasty - non-surgical. They provide a temporary effect and help you decide if the operation is worth it. The procedures are performed under local anesthesia and do not require rehabilitation - redness and swelling disappear in a few hours. There are the following types of non-surgical rhinoplasty:
Correction with fillers (contour rhinoplasty)
According to the data, the procedure consists of injecting the drug in the area that needs to be changed (for example, at the back of the nose to smooth out a hump or at the tip of the nose to enlarge it). Most often, doctors use hyaluronic acid as a filler, less often collagen. They are natural substances found in the body of each of us. Thanks to this, the risk of complications is minimal. The results of such injections last up to 14 months. After this period, the fillers dissolve. Possible side effects include encapsulation (sealing of the tissue around the drug). This process is a natural reaction of the body to a foreign substance.
Be careful!
If you decide to undergo contour rhinoplasty, be sure to check with your doctor what medication he is using. Some doctors suggest the introduction of a biopolymer (biogel) - a synthetic substance that, unlike hyaluronic acid and collagen, is not excreted from the body. Such procedures are considered dangerous and are prohibited in some countries. The biopolymer can cause inflammation and migrate. This means that over time, the filler injected into the nose can end up in the chin, cheeks, or eye area. Biogel can be removed only by surgery, after which scars remain on the face.
Nose lipofilling
According to information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in lipofilling, correction is performed by injecting a person's own fat under the skin (this material is also called autologous filler). The procedure provides an effect similar to the injection of hyaluronic acid and collagen: irregularities are filled and the tissue volume in a certain area increases. The effect of lipofilling lasts for about 3 years. To maintain it, you cannot lose weight.
Botox (botulinum toxin) injections.
According to data, botulinum toxin reduces tissue volume by relaxing muscles. The technique allows you to raise or lower the tip, make the nose symmetrical and correct the shape of the nostrils. Possible side effects include difficulty breathing and changes in the height of the upper lip when smiling. The effect lasts up to 2 years.
Mesonites
This type of nose correction is called end lift or meso end lift. According to research, it allows you to change the shape of the wings and raise the tip. The essence of the procedure is the subcutaneous introduction of special threads. Over time, they dissolve, forming a collagen framework that fixes the tissue and supports the new shape of the nose. The effect lasts up to 2 years.
And the most important. . .
Before agreeing to any of the mentioned procedures, be sure of the competence of the plastic surgeon.
When it comes to surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgery recommends considering the doctor's experience with the particular procedure first. Pay attention to his profile - it is necessary that he specializes in facelift operations. It is important that the doctor has international certificates and accreditations that confirm his qualifications. It is recommended that the doctor do an internship abroad (for example, in the USA and European countries) to improve his skills.
Do you want to undergo a non-surgical rhinoplasty? Choose a cosmetologist with a higher medical education who accepts patients not at home, but in a specialized clinic. In such centers, sterility and all conditions for the safe performance of medical procedures are respected.
Take care of your health and beauty, trust only professionals!