Understanding Rhinoplasty: Plastic surgery for the nose

However much we deny it, we live in a superficial world where we’re judged by our looks. Of all the different look-enhancing techniques out there, plastic surgery is by far the most popular. Earlier

By: Dr Debraj Shome | | Updated: August 18, 2013 1:19 pm

However much we deny it, we live in a superficial world where we’re judged by our looks. Of all the different look-enhancing techniques out there, plastic surgery is by far the most popular. Earlier a practice exclusive to the rich and famous, the procedure has become far more accepted with everyone from college kids, housewives and even middle-aged men opting for it. One of the most popular plastic surgery procedures is rhinoplasty – surgery performed on the nose. Dr Debraj Shome, a renowned plastic surgeon tells us more the procedure: Also Read - Want to look young? Go in for a nose job

It’s no surprise that the nose commands so much attention. It is the only visible projection on the human face and it’s usually the first thing people notice about your face. This desire for that perfect nose means drives many people to surgeons. Also Read - DCGI approves Specialized Centre to conduct Clinical Trials for Plastic Surgery, Dermatology and Cosmetic Products in India

So how does rhinoplasty help? Also Read - Reasons to try the new Z-wave cosmetic technology to get rid of cellulite

While performing the procedure the surgeon will shorten the nose, make the tip go upwards thereby making it look more pert, and make the bridge of the nose thinner so that it decreases in size. There are mainly two types of rhinoplasty open and closed rhinoplasty and which one serves you best will be decided by your surgeon:

Open rhinoplasty involves going in from the base of the nose, to correct the features of the nose while closed rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose.

What to expect during the procedure

Rhinoplasty is a day care procedure. You will be asked to come in a day prior for the pre-operative investigations. The following day the surgery should last one and a half to two hours. The procedure is very safe and predictable and the final results can be seen within 6 weeks to three months.

Post op care:

During the surgery, the doctor would have placed a dressing over your nose and gauze pad inside. This is done to absorb any residual blood or secretion after the surgery. Right after the surgery, here are some of the most common symptoms you might have:

You might feel a bit unwell and will have a headache for a day or two.
Your nostrils will be tender to touch.
There will be discomfort from the packing and cast on your nose.
You might feel discomfort while trying to breath.
When your cast is removed you might feel some pain.
There will be visible bruising around the nose and eyes for a few weeks to months.
You will have to sleep with your head in an inclined position

In some cases, people feel nauseous after the surgery; this could be either due to the anaesthesia or just the trauma of the surgery. If you do vomit after surgery, you might see a blackish discharge; this is residual blood that you might have swallowed during the procedure. The nausea usually subsides with time. If the vomiting is accompanied with fever, contact your surgeon immediately.

Risks

Most surgeons will tell you about how rhinoplasty absolutely safe. That’s a blatant lie. No surgery is 100% safe. Rhinoplasty has the highest rate of revision of cosmetic surgery. Even with a highly skilled surgeon, sometimes your body may not heal correctly, have adverse reactions or end up with an undesirable result.

Here are some of the things that may go wrong with the procedure:

There is the risk of infection, adverse reaction to the anaesthesia and excessive bleeding.
You may lose your sense of smell for a period of time, and in some cases permanently.
In some cases you may develop scar tissue inside your nose. This interferes with breathing or may cause a whistling noise.
You might develop a permanent runny nose.
There may be red spots or bruises on your nose that fade very slowly, and in some cases be permanent.
If the incision is made inside the nose, there is usually very little visible scarring. In the case of an open rhinoplasty scars may be visible for some time.
You may also simply be unhappy with the results.

By pointing out these things I don’t intend to scare you off the procedure but just remind you that at times things might not work out. It’s prudent to have a detailed informative discussion with your surgeon to completely understand the risks and dangers involved before opting for the procedure.

Dr Debraj Shome is a noted plastic surgeon. Along with Dr Arbinder Singal, he is the co-founder of www.MediAngels.com – The World’s First Global eHospital.

Published : January 3, 2013 7:27 am | Updated:August 18, 2013 1:19 pm

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