How do you know if you have indications for rhinoplasty?
According to the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, indications for rhinoplasty include any visual defect that is embarrassing to the person and functional impairment such as difficulty breathing.
Vision defects that patients most often want corrected include:
- disproportion of the nose in relation to other facial features;
- asymmetry;
- the presence of a coat of arms;
- large or asymmetrical nostrils;
- a large, excessively indented or drooping tip;
- the back is too thick, thin or uneven;
- too much or too little length.
Among the deficiencies that cause functional impairment:
- congenital or acquired deformation of the nasal septum;
- fractures.
What are the types of rhinoplasty?
Based on the problem that the procedure solves, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons distinguishes the following types of rhinoplasty: aesthetic and functional. Let's understand how they differ.
Aesthetic rhinoplasty
This is a procedure for correcting the shape and size of the nose. According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, this type of rhinoplasty can correct:
- hump - remove bone and cartilaginous tissue in a certain area of the back of the nose;
- nostrils - change their shape and size, make them symmetrical;
- columella (bridge between nostrils) - straighten or make thinner;
- top - raise, lower or lower;
- wings - make them symmetrical or less expressive.
During the procedure, the doctor can change the shape of the nose not only by removing tissue, but also, conversely, by increasing its volume. For this, he uses an artificial implant or cartilage, which is obtained from another part of the patient's body. Plastic surgeons call this operationaugmentation rhinoplastyorgrafting.
Functional rhinoplasty (septoplasty)
According to Stanford University Medical Center, the goal of septoplasty is to restore breathing function that has been impaired due to a congenital abnormality, injury, or some other change in the body.
If a patient who is indicated for surgery to restore breathing decides to additionally correct the shape of the nose, the doctors of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons recommend a combined interventionrhinoseptoplasty.
There are also 2 subtypes of functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty:
- Reconstructive rhinoplasty- this is how the American Association of Plastic Surgeons calls an intervention to correct the shape of the nose due to congenital defects (for example, cleft palate and cleft lip rhinoplasty) or to recreate a shape that has changed due to injury.
- Revision rhinoplasty- This is a repeated correction of the nose. Plastic surgeons recommend it if the patient is dissatisfied with the results of the previous intervention.
How is rhinoplasty performed?
The Spanish Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery distinguishes between 2 methods of rhinoplasty - open and closed. Their main difference is the approach through which the doctor performs the operation.
How is closed rhinoplasty performed?
Plastic surgeons call closed rhinoplasty the least traumatic method of surgical correction of the nose. The procedure does not leave scars, because the doctor performs all operations through the nostrils, without cuts on the outside of the nose. Doctors resort to this technique for minor curvatures or defects.
How is open rhinoplasty performed?
In open rhinoplasty, the rhinosurgeon makes an incision on the columella and outer corners of the nose. After that, he lifts the skin and corrects it. Open rhinoplasty can correct serious defects and deformities. In this case, a small mark remains at the bottom of the nose, which becomes less noticeable over time. It can be removed with special cosmetic preparations and procedures.
How to determine which nose suits me?
Before deciding to undergo surgery, it is important to understand whether the face with the desired shape of the nose will become more beautiful. After all, there are cases when after rhinoplasty people lose their individuality and become less interesting and attractive.
According to the study, the 3D modeling machine allows you to choose a nose that will be in maximum harmony with other features. This setting takes a 3D photo of your face. The doctor and the patient process it in a special program and adjust the nose until the optimal shape and size are selected.
Is any preparation required for such a procedure?
According to the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, rhinoplasty requires some preparation. This includes:
- Consultations with a plastic surgeon. During it, the person says exactly what he wants to change. The doctor examines the nose, explains how realistic it is to achieve the desired result and creates a model to be operated on. During the consultation, it is important to ask the doctor all the questions, ask about pre- and post-operative restrictions, learn about the risks and possible complications.
- Preoperative examination, which helps to ensure that there are no contraindications. It includes blood and urine laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG), fluorography.
The American Association of Plastic Surgeons recommends that you do not smoke or take aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or herbal supplements during the preparation period because they can impair blood clotting.
How is rhinoplasty performed?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the patient is under general anesthesia or local anesthesia during surgery. The doctor determines the type of anesthesia during the preoperative consultation, focusing on the complexity of the procedure.
Depending on the type of approach, the surgeon makes incisions inside or outside the nose and corrects the tissue, focusing on the 3D model.
At the end of the procedure, the doctor places stitches, fixes the nose with special tampons or splints/septal splints (silicone plates that follow the shape of the nose) and plaster.
In general, the procedure lasts from 1 to 2 hours (according to the Spanish Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery).
How is the recovery progressing and when are the results visible?
Recovery after rhinoplasty raises the most questions. Patients want to know how quickly the signs of intervention disappear, when they can return to their normal lifestyle, and most importantly, when the results are visible.
Rehabilitation
Depending on the general condition, the patient stays in the clinic for 1 night or goes home the same day. This time is enough for him to recover from anesthesia and gain strength. Subsequent recovery takes place at home. During this period, nosebleeds may occur, so it is important to keep in touch with your doctor to inform him of your condition.
It is important to understand that after rhinoplasty facial swelling lasts 2-3 weeks, and the final result cannot be estimated (according to plastic surgeons). If after this time the patient notices that the new nose does not match the 3D model at all, the doctor should be informed. In that case, he will perform a revision rhinoplasty.
Possible side effects
Plastic surgeons warn of the following possible complications:
- difficulty breathing;
- numbness in the operated area;
- asymmetry;
- pain;
- pigmentation;
- scars;
- creating a hole in the septum (perforation).
Restrictions
During recovery, plastic surgeons recommend:
- avoid heavy physical activities and running;
- do not bathe;
- do not blow your nose;
- eat foods rich in fiber (eg fruits, vegetables) to avoid difficult bowel movements and, as a result, high blood pressure;
- smile and laugh less;
- brush your teeth carefully so that the upper lip does not move actively;
- choose clothes that do not need to be pulled over the head to reduce the risk of accidental injuries;
- don't wear glasses;
- use sunscreen.
The result
If we talk about the final result of rhinoplasty, it is visible after 6 months (according to the information of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). During this time, the swelling completely disappears and the tissues grow together.
Is one operation enough to achieve results?
It is enough if the patient clearly understands what result he wants before the intervention, discusses all the nuances with the doctor, together they create a 3D model of the future nose, and the surgeon recreates it exactly.
If after removing the cast or after complete recovery, the patient realizes that he would like to correct something, the doctor performs another operation.
It is important to understand that rhinoplasty is a surgical intervention, which means that it is stressful for the body. Therefore, before agreeing to surgery, make sure you clearly understand what kind of result you want to get and communicate this to the surgeon.
How is non-surgical rhinoplasty performed?
People who want to straighten their nose, but for some reason are not ready to solve this problem surgically, can pay attention to other methods of rhinoplasty - non-surgical. They provide a temporary effect and help you decide if the operation is worth it. Procedures are performed under local anesthesia and do not require rehabilitation - redness and swelling disappear within a few hours. There are the following types of non-surgical rhinoplasty:
Correction with fillers (contour rhinoplasty)
According to the data, the procedure consists of injecting medicine into the area to be changed (for example, the back of the nose to smooth out a hump, or the tip of the nose to increase it). Doctors most often use hyaluronic acid as a filler, less often collagen. These are natural substances found in the body of each of us. Thanks to this, the risk of complications is minimal. The results of such injections last up to 14 months. After this period, the fillers dissolve. Possible side effects include encapsulation (compaction of tissue around the drug). This process is the body's natural reaction to a foreign substance.
Be careful!
If you decide to have contour rhinoplasty, be sure to check with your doctor which medicine he uses. Some doctors suggest the introduction of biopolymer (biogel) - a synthetic substance that, unlike hyaluronic acid and collagen, is not excreted from the body. Such practices are considered dangerous and are prohibited in some countries. The biopolymer can cause inflammation and migrate. This means that over time, filler injected into the nose can end up in the chin, cheek or eye area. Biogel can only be removed by surgery, after which scars remain on the face.
Nose lipofilling
According to information from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, with lipofilling, correction occurs by injecting one's own fat under the skin (this material is also called autologous filler). The procedure gives an effect similar to the injection of hyaluronic acid and collagen: bumps are filled, tissue volume in a certain area increases. The effect of lipofilling lasts for about 3 years. To maintain it, you cannot lose weight.
Botox (botulinum toxin) injections.
According to data, botulinum toxin reduces tissue volume by relaxing muscles. The technique allows you to raise or lower the tip, make the nose symmetrical and correct the shape of the nostrils. Possible side effects include difficulty breathing and changes in the height of the upper lip when smiling. The effect lasts up to 2 years.
Mesothreads
This type of nose correction is called thread lifting or mesothread lifting. According to research, it allows you to change the shape of the wing and raise the tip. The essence of the procedure is the subcutaneous introduction of special threads. Over time, they dissolve, forming a collagen framework that fixes the tissue and maintains the new shape of the nose. The effect lasts up to 2 years.
And the most important thing. . .
Before agreeing to any of the above procedures, check the competence of the plastic surgeon.
When it comes to surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgery recommends first considering the doctor's experience with a particular procedure. Pay attention to his profile - it is necessary that he specializes in face correction operations. It is important that the doctor has international certificates and accreditations that confirm his qualification. It is recommended that the doctor do an internship abroad (for example, in the USA and European countries) to improve his skills.
Do you want to undergo non-surgical rhinoplasty? Choose a cosmetologist with a higher medical education who does not see patients at home, but in a specialized clinic. In such centers, sterility and all conditions for the safe performance of medical procedures are respected.
Take care of your health and beauty, entrust them only to professionals!