Rhinoplasty – Aesthetic surgery of the nose
Rhinoplasty is the aesthetic procedure which modifies the size, shape and appearance of your nose to make it more harmonious with your facial features.
Also, if you have an obstruction in the nasal airways which difficult breathing, a septoplasty can be carried out to correct the deviation septum or partial resection of the turbinate, which helps to improve nasal respiratory function in the same procedure.
Indications
Rhinoplasty is one of the most common procedures that can be done at any age, but in young people it is recommended to wait until the facial features are fully development (15-16 years in girls and 16-17 in boys).
Rhinoplasty is suitable if you have any of the following conditions:
• The appearance of your nose is disproportionate to your face.
• There is a nasal hump or depression in the dorsum, accentuated in lateral view.
• The nose seems wide in the front view.
• The nasal tip points down.
• The nasal tip is thick.
• The nostrils are too open.
• The nose is crooked or collapsed.
• An accident or trauma has distorted your nose.
• Difficulty in nasal breathing.
Sometimes a chin increase may be necessary to improve the balance of the facial features.
First Visit
A personal visit is the first step for any woman who is thinking about rhinoplasty.
Dr. Saez will ask about your general health and what your expectations are. He will examine the internal nasal structures, the quality of the skin, as well as the size, shape and proportion of the nose in relation to the other facial features.
From an individualized evaluation Dr. Saez will explain the technique and the results that can be achieved by surgery.
Procedure
The specific techniques for rhinoplasty will be determined by your facial and nasal anatomy. It may be necessary to increase or decrease the dorsum (nasal bridge), the width, to reduce the holes, refine the tip, modify the angle between your nose and lip, among other procedures.
The procedure can be performed from the mucosa through the nostrils, called closed rhinoplasty.
When the nasal tip has to be modified or in patients with previous surgery, an open rhinoplasty is preferable, in which, besides the mucosal access, a small incision is made in the columella (skin that separates the two nostrils).
Through these incisions, bones of the nose and cartilage framework are remodelled to get the desired shape. Bones are repositioned, reduced or increased using small grafts from your own septum.
• The operation usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours.
Post-op care
Although each person’s recovery is different, it is common to follow the next steps:
After the operation the usual stay at the clinic is 24 hours, thereafter the patient can be discharged.
THE FIRST DAY:
• It is advisable to rest with the head lifted.
• You should not manipulate the nasal packing.
DURING THE FIRST WEEK:
• You must take moderate rest, avoiding efforts and blowing your nose.
• It is advisable to rest with the head slightly lifted.
• The nasal packing will be removed after 3 or 5 days. However, you may feel discomfort when breathing through the nose due to mucus.
• In the case of an open rhinoplasty, stitches will be removed after 7 days.
AFTER THE FIRST WEEK:
• The swelling will begin to decrease after 7-9 days, then the splint is removed.
• You can progressively start to work and return to normal activity.
AFTER THE FIRST MONTH:
• Inflammation will reduce and you will start to see more defined final results.
• You can do more vigorous exercises.
Results
This intervention improves the appearance and proportion of your nose, giving patients more fulfilment with their new image.
The results achieved are permanent. However, you must remember that some variation can occur due to the physiological process of aging.