RHINOPLASTY (Nose Surgery)

If you are considering rhinoplasty...
Are You A Good Candidate For Rhinoplasty?
Selecting A Surgeon
Consultation
Planning The Surgery
Preparing For Your Surgery
The Risks Of Surgery
Anesthesia

Rhinoplasty, or plastic surgery of the nose, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. The nose occupies the prominent central area of the face, and thus determines to a major extent whether the face is considered attractive or not.
You may be considering rhinoplasty to enhance your appearance, or for reconstructive purposes such as correcting birth defects or traumatic injuries to the nose.

If you are considering rhinoplasty...

the following information can help you understand the procedure, how it's done and what results can be expected. However, each patient has individual needs and features, and it is only by consulting with a plastic surgeon that you can best understand how plastic surgery can help you.

Rhinoplasty is most often thought of as either a nose "lift" or a nose reduction. In actuality, plastic surgery of the nose may involve the following techniques, done singly or in combination:
-nasal bridge augmentation or reduction (changes the height of the bridge of the nose), -nasal tip augmentation or reduction (changes the shape of the tip, change the angle between nose and upper lip)
-alar plasty (reduction of width of the nasal base to narrow the span of the nostrils).
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Are you a good candidate for rhinoplasty?

To be a good candidate for rhinoplasty, you should be physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations.

You may think having rhinoplasty will make you look like your ideal or give you perfect looks. You may think that people will treat you differently or that you will be a happier person after your rhinoplasty. These are unrealistic expectations. Good results will help you increase your self-confidence but you won't necessarily look like your ideal.

Your age is also a consideration. You should be at least 14 or 15 years old for girls and a little later for boys because it is best to have rhinoplasty after you've completed your growth spurt. Having the surgery should be something you want and not something other people want for you. Your social and emotional adjustment is also important to consider especially if you are a teenager.
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Selecting a Surgeon

Although rhinoplasty is generally safe, the discerning patient should consider some factors to ensure safety, minimize the risks involved, and get a good result.

Oftentimes, patients choose their surgeon on the basis of price. However, the success of the procedure is largely dependent on your choice of surgeon. There are no laws in the Philippines that regulate who can perform rhinoplasty. Thus, to avoid unsatisfactory results, it is best to choose a surgeon who has had accredited training in plastic surgery and extensive experience in rhinoplasty. This delicate operation also requires aesthetic judgement, sense of beauty, and the ability to visualize the end result.

Your surgeon's skill can make all the difference between a good result and one which will require correction and additional expense. Specially since he will be working on a very prominent feature on your face, select your surgeon on the basis of his professional qualifications and experience and not on the price.

The patient must also be able to trust the surgeon for proper evaluation and advice.

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Consultation

Cosmetic surgery of the nose is one of the most delicate plastic surgery operations. There is so much artistry involved in the planning and execution of this operation. Everyone has a different nose and there are many techniques that the surgeon can use to achieve the desired results.

When you first consult with your surgeon, he will ask you what your expectations are and what you would like your nose to look like. He will also evaluate the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, your skin, and your age since these factors influence his decisions about what techniques to use for the surgery to get the desired result. He may also use computer imaging to help you visualize your surgery options.

Your surgeon will explain what he plans to do and what anesthesia he plans to use, considering your preferences. He will discuss where the surgery will be performed, as well as the risks and costs involved. You can also ask him any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations about the results.

He will also ask you if you've previously had nose surgery or have had an injury to your nose. If you have allergies, breathing difficulties, if you smoke, or take medications, vitamins, or other drugs, you should also inform your surgeon.

Before you undergo your operation, your surgeon will ask you to have blood tests done to ensure that you will not have any bleeding problems as a result of the operation. If you are 40 years of age or older, you will also be requested to have an electrocardiogram done and to visit your internist or cardiologist for cardiovascular clearance. This is to ensure that you are physically fit to undergo the surgery.

If you are planning to have a nasal bridge augmentation (noselift), it is ideal to have a mold of your nose done before the operation. This nasal mold will help the plastic surgeon carve or sculpt a silicone implant that will be specially appropriate for your face. It is important that the silicone implant blends harmoniously with your existing nasal framework so that the surgical result will look natural.
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Planning the Surgery

After evaluating the patient, the plastic surgeon plans the operation and determines whether incisions can be hidden inside the nose, (a "closed" rhinoplasty) or if incisions on the outside skin have to be made (an "open" rhinoplasty).

The shape and position of the incisions are carefully planned so that the resulting scars are practically invisible after healing. It is rare for a patient to have visible scars if her surgeon is competent. However, if the operation isn't performed skillfully, incisions that are made randomly and haphazardly will result in visible scars and an unnatural new nose. Thus, you have to be very careful in your selection of your surgeon. The most important factor in the success of your surgery is your surgeon's training, skill and experience.
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Preparing for your Surgery

To avoid any complications and risks, your surgeon will give you specific guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications, and washing your face. Follow these instructions carefully.
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The Risks of Surgery

All surgery has some uncertainty and risk involved but complications are infrequent and usually minor when rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, since he has the necessary training, skill and experience. If you follow your surgeon's instructions closely both before and after surgery, you can also reduce your risks of complications such as infections, nosebleeds, or reactions to the anesthesia.
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Anesthesia

Rhinoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure and on what you and your surgeon prefer.

With general anesthesia, you'll be sleeping during the operation and wake up after it is finished. With local anesthesia, you'll be awake during the surgery, but in a relaxed state, since you will be lightly sedated. You will be insensitive to pain and your nose and the surrounding area will be numb. There is less risk when the operation is done under local anesthesia.
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Alar Plasty