If you have a misaligned, bent, or crooked nose, perhaps it affects your health and self-confidence. Whether this problem results from a genetic misalignment, an accident, or an injury, a rhinoplasty procedure can be worth considering.
What Rhinoplasty Is?
Also called a ‘nose job,’ rhinoplasty surgery is a popular option for people who aren’t happy with the shape and size of their nose. The procedure has now evolved to a more versatile procedure, being applied to improve nasal function after an illness or a traumatic injury and help in breathing problems affecting the ability to exercise and sleep.
Why Is It Performed?
People have rhinoplasty performed on them to improve their aesthetic performance. With the procedure, you can enhance your aesthetic appearance by simply correcting the symmetry, proportions, size, and shape of your nose.
Rhinoplasty can also correct breathing issues. Structural deformities or issues inside your nose may narrow the airway as well as make breathing more difficult. During the procedure, these issues will be corrected to enhance respiratory function. This, in turn, positively impacts your overall health as well as quality of life by increasing your breathing capacity. Other reasons may include the following:
- Increasing self-confidence
- Healing injuries or trauma
- Preserving natural appearance
Rhinoplasty Approaches
There are two major forms of rhinoplasty treatments. These include closed and open. Closed is just a minor reshaping procedure of the nose. During the procedure, a surgeon makes incisions in your nose to separate the skin from the cartilage and bone to reshape it.
On the other hand, opening is a major procedure for reshaping the nose. A surgeon often makes incisions in order to separate the skin of a patient’s nose from the cartilage and bone, allowing them to see the anatomy of the patient. You will also come across secondary, functional, non-surgical, and cosmetic rhinoplasty approaches.
Preparing for the Procedure
Before you schedule a rhinoplasty procedure, you must meet the surgeon first. During the meeting, you will discuss things that dictate whether or not you are a suitable candidate. This meeting will include a physical exam, your medical history, photographs, and a discussion of what you expect.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Every surgery, including rhinoplasty, should be conducted within accredited and licensed facilities. Registered anesthetists should be present to treat adverse reactions you might have to the anesthetic.
What Happens After the Procedure?
After the procedure, your surgeon will put a small split on your nose to protect it as well as stabilize the new structure. That small splint must stay on for five days or so. If your surgeon packed absorbent dressing in your nose after the procedure, the packing will come out after one or two days.
The Risks
Like all forms of surgery, the rhinoplasty procedure has some risks. Some of the risks that come with the procedure include the following:
- Permanent nerve damage
- Swelling
- Need for a third or second operation
- Nosebleeds
- Numbness
Final Remarks
While rhinoplasty is a relatively easy and safe procedure, healing may take some time. The nose tip is especially sensitive and might remain swollen and numb for weeks. You can fully recover within a couple of weeks, but some effects may linger for several months.