Discover What Awaits You with Rhinoplasty

**What is Rhinoplasty?**

We spend a lot of effort enhancing our features, like adding extra mascara for striking eyes or picking the perfect lipstick for luscious lips. But when it comes to our nose, most of us prefer it not to be the center of attention. This explains why over 4,500 people in the UK chose to have a rhinoplasty, or “nose job,” last year.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at reshaping or realigning the nose to improve its appearance. Besides cosmetic reasons, rhinoplasty can also be performed for medical purposes, such as improving breathing.

**How is Rhinoplasty Performed?**

**Anesthesia Administration**
Depending on what the patient prefers and the surgeon’s advice, rhinoplasty can be done under IV sedation or general anesthesia.

**Making Incisions**
To minimize visible scarring, most incisions for rhinoplasty are made inside the nose. This is known as a closed procedure. For more complex cases, the incisions might be made under the nose or at the sides of the nostrils.

**Cartilage and Bone Repositioning**
If the surgery aims to remove a bump on the nose, the bone may be planed down to get the desired look. Narrowing the bridge of the nose involves using a small hammer and chisel-like tool to break the nasal bones. Sometimes, no bone adjustments are necessary, and only the cartilage needs to be repositioned.

**Excess Skin Removal**
After reshaping the nose, there might be extra skin from the previous structure. This excess skin will be removed during the surgery.

**Closing Incisions and Dressing**
Once the surgery is finished, the surgeon will close the incisions and dress the nose with gauze and external dressings. Sometimes, a splint is added to help with healing and protection.

**Recovery Time**

In about 3-4 days, patients can get back to their daily activities. However, it might take up to 10 days before returning to work, especially if the job isn’t physically demanding. For more strenuous positions, the recovery period might be longer.

To aid in healing, patients should avoid lifting heavy objects, bending over, or engaging in strenuous activities for the first few weeks post-surgery. It’s also important to sleep with your head elevated for up to two weeks and avoid direct sunlight for the first few months after the procedure.