Rhinoplasty

Why opt for rhinoplasty (nose job)

Rhinoplasty can provide solutions for people who feel that their nose is too large in relation to their other facial features, or that it is too long with a “hump” or that it has any other defect as a result of a previous injury. It is one of those surgeries that can boost self-confidence and drastically change lives. It is also the only way to correct breathing through functional rhinoplasty, which can contribute positively to the quality of life.

Rhinoplasty in brief

Rhinoplasty can correct anything that might bother you about your nose. Depending on the problem, the optimal method is selected. There are two widely used methods: “open” rhinoplasty and “closed” rhinoplasty.

The difference is that in the open method a small incision is made in the stylus (skin between the two nostrils) of a length of three millimeters, which after three months will have faded away. The results of this method are clearly superior to “closed” rhinoplasty, which is why we in our clinic choose it for the majority of the cases we handle.

Functional rhinoplasty: breathing – diaphragm – nasal turbinates – nasal valves

Functional rhinoplasty involves interventions in both the septum and the inner nasal valve, thus improving respiration. A complete clinical examination will reveal the underlying problems and doctors will propose the appropriate and most suitable course of action.

Rhinoplasty reoperations

If you have already undergone an unsuccessful rhinoplasty, our clinic is able to improve existing conditions using cartilage or bone grafts from other areas of the body. A complete clinical examination will reveal the underlying problems and doctors will propose the appropriate and most suitable course of action.

Incisions

Both closed and open rhinoplasty will result in the absence of apparent scars.

Medication

In our clinic, a complete medical history is always taken before each surgery. As a precaution, over-the-counter medicines or herbal products should not be taken before and for 3 days after surgery. It is also considered necessary to avoid taking non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin (salospir), ibuprofen (Nurofen), diclofenac and any other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug.

Smoking

If you are a smoker you should try to stop smoking for at least 1 week before and 1 week after the surgery as this will dramatically reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and help achieve the best possible result.

Recovery from rhinoplasty

Duration of the procedure

Depending on the technique used, the procedure will take approximately 1.5 to 3.5 hours.

Hospitalization/Duration

The duration of hospitalization ranges from a few hours to one night.

Wound dressing and suture removal

Immediately after the operation, your nose will be covered with a splint which will be held in place by tape. If the operation involves the nasal septum, two thin sheets of silicone are placed inside the nose, which is removed within a week, as well as a special gauze which is removed within two days. Sutures from the columella are removed within a week along with the splint, which however should be used for another month when sleeping.

Absence from work

Although recovery time varies from patient to patient, patients should be given a recovery period of at least one to two weeks. Most patients feel quite well and comfortable after a few days, and the only reason to abstain from work is probably the swelling and bruising that occurs postoperatively. These naturally subside completely by the second week. You may experience relative difficulty breathing through the nose for up to a month.

Refraining from exercising

Patients are usually able to go brisk walking within five to seven days and swimming in 3 weeks (if they have fully recovered). However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least four weeks.

Post-op instructions

On day one you should ideally avoid any activity. You should not take care of small children or do household chores without help.

From day 2 to day 7 you will be able to get up and move, but you will experience some discomfort and you must protect your nose with the splint.

By the end of this period, you will feel minimal pain. From that point on, you will start to feel much better and after ten days, you will be able to start a mild exercise gradually picking up the pace. You should only resume your activities if you feel healthy.

From the third week onwards you will be able to fully return to your normal pace of life and do whatever you want.

60% of the swelling will go away in a month and the nose will continue to improve for over a year.

Driving

Patients who have undergone breast reduction should ideally avoid driving until they are completely free of any discomfort or restriction, in order to be able to make a sudden movement, such as braking, freely and without any pain. This parameter is proposed so that patients can secure coverage from their insurance company in case of an accident. Thus, it may take up to two weeks for them to fully recover. There are of course patients who feel able to drive after 4-5 days, but always at their own risk.

Postoperative follow-up

The tamponade will be removed from the nose on the second postoperative day and sutures, splints, and silicone sheets will be removed on the seventh postoperative day. Your next appointments will be after ten days, three, six, and twelve months respectively and during said appointments postoperative photos will be taken. However, if you need any clarification or there is something that worries you, doctors are always at your disposal. For these visits, there will of course be no extra charge for any follow-up related to your surgery.

Final outcome

After rhinoplasty, swelling of the nose is common, which will gradually subside over two to four weeks, while the final result of the operation will continue to improve during the first twelve months.

Possible complications from rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a routine operation and is completely successful for the vast majority of our patients, which is a result of the large number of cases that doctors have in their belt. However, as with any surgery, it is very important to understand that there is a possibility of complications. Possible complications are listed below:

Bleeding

Mild bleeding is common and stops within 24 hours. In a very small number of cases (less than 1%), bleeding may be so severe that the patient may need to return to the operating room.

Scars

Both closed and open rhinoplasty will result in the creation of very small/indistinguishable scars.

Inflammation

It is quite an uncommon phenomenon, but if it occurs, antibiotics will be required.

Skin unevenness

Although it is rather rare, when the dorsal hump is removed from the back of the nose, the remaining bone and cartilage may have small abnormalities that may be distinct – palpable under the skin.

Change in skin color

The skin of the nose may become a little pinker, but this tends to happen only in patients who have undergone repeated rhinoplasty surgeries.

Asymmetry

There may be very small differences between the two sides of the nose due to the different positions of the bone or cartilage.

Pain

A very small percentage of patients experience mild pain for several weeks after surgery.

Loss of smell and taste

The loss of smell and taste is usually temporary and when it does occur, smell and taste are completely restored after a few months.

Edema

Patients usually have mild swelling in the nose area. In the case of open rhinoplasty, swelling is more intense and takes longer to subside.