Rhinoplasty

(Nose Surgery)

Rhinoplasty, together with liposuction augmentation mammoplasty, is probable the most common surgery and, without a doubt, the most complex one, since the nose is the center of a person’s face. The plastic surgeon must exhibit a lot of sensitivity when making any change to this organ. He will have to be completely familiar with nasal structures and the changes they generate.

Will the rhinoplasty leave a scar?

When the technique is used to correct very noticeable nose defects, whether a hook or deformed nose or a bulbous tip, we can make the incisions inside the nose, so that no external scar is left. In the case of major nose deviations, nasal reconstructions or when we want to sharpen the tip to give it some projection, we have to make a small incision in the columella or the alar sidewalls, which hardly leaves a scar.

Can I choose the type of nose that I want?

The answer is no. No plastic surgeon, however expert he may be, can infer with a 100%-certainty what your nose will look like after surgery. Likewise, nor can we trust that a computer with simulated photographs will indicate what your future nose will be like. Only your surgeon’s skills and know-how can determine any change. The physical structures of the face and the proportions of the chin, the forehead, etc., are used by the surgeon to establish surgical planning. Again, we insist that the doctor-patient relationship is, without a doubt, a key factor in determining the approach to your surgery.

Will the result be immediate?

No. We always have to take into account that these structures are swollen and, sometimes, there may be hematomas. Normally, on the eighth days, that is, when we remove the plaster, we can have a comprehensive overview of the nose. However, it is after three to six months after surgery that your nose will assume a definite shape, although we may also see changes even a year after surgery, as the nose is one of the most dynamic organs in the body.

What will my breathing be like after surgery?

A rhinoplasty can improve breathing when there is a precarious breathing condition in the original nose. Perhaps you may experience some difficulty during the mid-term postoperative period (after a few weeks). This will be probably due to an edema in the inside part of the nose or to the movement of the breathing valve, which may have been transiently affected by the elasticity of the alar cartilages.

How long will the result obtained last?

The result will persist for long time. After a number of years, like any other part of our body, some morphological modifications may occur.

What type of anesthesia is used?

The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia.

How long will the procedure take?

The operation itself takes between one and two hours. We cannot mistake this time for the time spent in the surgical environment, as this latter includes the patient’s preparation and recovery.

What type of bandages will I have to wear?

A plaster will be placed, which will be removed after eight days. Then, very small adhesive tapes will be left. Remember: you must not get the plaster or the adhesive tapes wet.

Will I need to be hospitalized?

This is an out-patient surgery. You will be able to go back home four hours after the operation.

Will my nose bleed during the postoperative period?

There is some bleeding during the first forty-eight hours of the postoperative period. One the patient is at home, the small gauge placed on the nose can be changed as many times as necessary.

Will it be painful?

Very rarely is there strong pain right after the operation. If there is any, common painkillers will suffice to calm it down.

How should I sleep during the first few days?

Preferably, the head must be a bit raised up.

Will I be able to sunbathe?

Following surgery, there is no inconvenient with eventual exposure to sunlight in the street. If there is a hematoma around the nose, you will have to wear sunscreen (SPF 30) and avoid direct exposure to sunlight. To sunbathe at the beach, you will have to wait between thirty and forty-five days.