Rhinoplasty is a surgical method of aesthetic shaping of the nose for reducing, enlarging, removing nasal deformities, shaping the tip of the nose and correcting the nostrils. Correction of a deviated nasal septum (septoplasty) as part of plastic surgery on the nose also eliminates breathing difficulties. An aesthetic nose operation can be performed as early as on teenagers. One condition is that facial growth has stopped; this is usually in girls aged 16 -17 years and later in boys. Since the nose is one of the dominant features of the face, changing it will quite significantly alter one’s appearance. A well-performed operation softens the face, rejuvenates it, and places emphasis on the upper lip while optically enlarging the eyes. The profile becomes straighter. The result of the operation is a nose befitting the other features of the face – the chin, the forehead, the spacing of the eyes and the like.

Pre-operative preparation

Rhinoplasty is preceded by a very thorough consultation and pre-operative examination so that the plastic surgeon is able to decide on which type of operation is most appropriate for the patient – whether a so-called open or closed nose operation.

Course of the operation

The operation is performed under local or general anaesthesia, and lasts 1 to 2 hours, depending on the severity of the finding. The operation is done from the inside the nose using special fine tools. The bones, cartilage, and soft tissues of the nose are reduced, reshaped, or shaped to get the desired more natural results. No external scars remain if the nostrils don’t have to be reduced. If external incisions are necessary, they are always discussed with the clients and masked through very small incisions in the natural folds of the skin.

Post-operative care

Wearing the fixation splint for 2 weeks will cause some discomfort. A firm fixation is necessary for four to ten days, occasionally longer, particularly after nasal septum surgery. A soft fixation then follows for one to two weeks. After two to three weeks, the face is swollen (mild swelling may persist, particularly on the sides of the nose or in the area of the base of the nose). The nose may be less sensitive for a certain time, especially the nasal tip, and there may be prolonged absorption of swelling and haematomas. A quiet regimen is required for 2-3 weeks (depending on the type of surgery).