Nose surgery, otherwise known as a nose job or rhinoplasty, has come a long way. As techniques have advanced and been refined, nose surgery has become a wonderful way to reshape your nose, either for breathing or cosmetic purposes. If you have a medical condition, such as a deviated septum or sinus problems, or if your nose has been injured by sports or injury, nose surgery may even be covered by your insurance!
The nose is a complicated organ, with many aspects to consider. Nose surgery can alter many things, including nose size, the width of the bridge of your nose, size and position of nostrils, nose profile, the nasal tip. Nose surgery can remove bumps, depressions, hooks and humps on the bridge and is an option for people born with birth defects. It is easy to see why this is such a versatile surgery.
There are two major types of nose surgery; open and close rhinoplasty. Closed nasal surgery is for minor procedures, the incision is made from the inside of the nose. Open nasal surgery is for major reshaping, the incision is made in between the nostrils.
A couple of other types of nose surgery are secondary, which is used to correct persistent problems after a previous surgery, and filler nose surgery, where injectables are used to make changes.
There are some risks associated with rhinoplasty, including infection, bleeding, breathing issues, dissatisfaction with the results, and anesthesia complications, to name a few. You can minimize these risks by taking the steps below.
How Should I Prepare for a Nose Surgery?
Find a cosmetic surgeon you trust and meet with him or her. Your surgeon will examine your nose, discuss your goals for the procedure and walk you through the surgery. A good plastic surgeon has before and after photos and a waiting list.
Bring pictures of noses you like so your surgeon has a better idea of what you are looking for. Your surgeon will take your goals into account with balancing your face and give you the best recommendation for your procedure. Average cost of a preliminary nose job is $5000-7000, again, this varies with region and complexity of the surgery.
Once you have selected a plastic surgeon, you will be given a list of pre-operative instructions: follow these exactly.
What Can I Expect During the Procedure?
Nose surgery is usually an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia and sedation. If you are having major work done, a general anesthesia in a hospital may be a better choice. The length of the nose job depends on the complexity of the surgery.
What Can I Expect During Recovery?
More than other surgeries, patience is the key with nose surgery. The nose is filled with many blood vessels and sinus tissue that swells and bleeds easily, which will make the recovery time longer than, for example, a brow lift.
For the first 24 hours, you will not be able to breathe through your nose because of nasal packing. Nasal packing reduces swelling and bleeding. There may be some bleeding and swelling through the first week, and you have to keep your nose safe from trauma. Nose blowing is strictly prohibited!
Swelling is 85% gone by after one month, but it can take up to a year to be fully evident. Have patience, the results are well worth the wait!