Rhinoplasty is a surgery to reshape the nose. The procedure can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the nostrils or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip.

Rhinoplasty begins with the skin on the nose being separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage. Then the nose is sculpted into the desired shape. The nature of how the nose is sculpted is dependent on the desired effect. The skin is then rewrapped around the newly formed framework.

There are two different techniques to create the initial incision. An incision can be made within the nose. This leaves no visible scarring. If the surgery is more complicated or the doctor prefers the technique, there is also a procedure where a small incision is made across the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils. Scarring is not generally a problem with this method because the incision is underneath the nose where it cannot be seen.

Rhinoplasty is a safe surgery. When Rhinoplasty is performed by an efficient, knowledgeable doctor, complications are infrequent and usually minor such as nosebleeds. There is a possibility of infection or a reaction to the anesthesia.

There will be some downtime. The first day after surgery should be spent lying down with your head elevated. Swelling will reach its peak after two to three days, but most patients are up and about after two days. You can return to work a week after surgery, but it will be about two weeks before most of the swelling and bruising are gone.

The swelling and bruising will be greatly decreased by the first two weeks, and the new nose will be apparent.

Surgery usually lasts for one to two hours. If the procedure is more complicated, it may last longer.

The best candidates are patients attempting to achieve improvement, not perfection. Good candidates are physically healthy and realistic in their expectations. Rhinoplasty can also help people with birth defects or breathing problems.

When the surgery is completed, especially during the first twenty-four hours, the face will feel swollen, the nose may tender and you may have a dull headache. Medication will be prescribed by your doctor to aid in these discomforts. You may also experience stuffiness for the next several weeks.

Rhinoplasty can be a difficult surgery. At times one surgery may only fulfill part of what the patient had anticipated, and a second surgery can bring desired results.

Sometimes the bones and cartilage won’t retain their original shape. The original cartilage is smooth, but the new cartilage the doctor uses sometimes contains a few small imperfections.

Treatments are provided by plastic surgeons and ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctors. Rhinoplasty is performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center or a hospital.

The patient’s individual surgeon will provide specific instructions prior to surgery. There will be guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking and medications to take and avoid. Patients should make arrangements for someone to drive them home after the surgery.

Stay in bed with your head elevated for twenty-four hours after the surgery. Apply cold compresses for the next two to three days to reduce the swelling. A little bleeding is common during the first few days. Do not blow your nose for a week after the surgery even though stuffiness may be somewhat uncomfortable. Blowing your nose can tear the tissue and work against the healing process.