Nose Correction

Nose

     Statistically, corrective nasal surgery is near the top of the list as the most common aesthetic surgical procedure. This operation has its origin centuries ago when Indian surgeons reconstructed the noses of women who had been disfigured as punishment for adultery. Children with birth disorders (cleft lips) have also undergone nose and lip reconstructions for centuries. In the early part of this century, a European orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Joseph, first performed the landmark operation of aesthetic reduction rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) to improve the appearance of an unmarried female relative. Since that time, dramatic refinements in technique have occurred. Rhinoplasty today can improve both appearance and function of the nose.
     Nasal surgery can alter the appearance of both profile and frontal face views. It also opens blocked nasal passages.
     There are numerous corrections that people desire. Some persons may wish to reduce the size of their nose, while others have a bump on the top of the nose that appears prominent from a profile view. Still others want the tip of the nose to be narrowed and less prominent. This is the so-caed tip procedure. It is this procedure that benefits the aging nose, since one of the telltale signs of aging is a sagging nasal tip. Often rhinoplasty is considered as a midlife improvement for self-esteem or nasal breathing. The desire for correction may have been present earlier in life, but the operation may have been postponed because of financial or other considerations.
     Most people today are aware of the benefits that a nose operation offers them and what can be achieved if you are not timid about altering appearance. Although society in general thinks favorably of aesthetic surgery, some people may wish to remain low key about their surgery. In many cases your friends and family may not even notice that you've had a nose operation, but for the most part simply think you look "better."
     It is important to realize that the goal by today's standards is to achieve a natural-looking nose that fits the face, not a "nose job" that looks unnatural. When the nose does not look natural or fit the face, it presents an element of distraction, preventing the natural focus of attention to the person's eyes. It is extremely important for the surgeon to strive for balance of the face to achieve naturalness.

Surgery

     Operations on the nose are often performed with incisions placed inside the nose, out of sight. Under certain circumstances, however, incisions may be placed on the outside of the nose. These incisions will be carefully located in natural folds of the skin so as to be hardly noticeable.
     Modeling of the tip of the nose involves working on the tip cartilages. Two cartilages that make up the nostril and wrap around to the top of the nose are often trimmed and/or rotated to form a finer, more sculptured tip. Bumps on the nose often involve removing portions of the upper cartilages and nasal bones that form the dorsum of the nose. After a nasal operation, tape will be applied to the outside to hold the skin to the new bony and cartilaginous framework, which has been provided by the surgery and is responsible for the new, improved appearance. A splint may be placed over the tape to, help hold the bones in position during healing. This cast may be in place from five to seven days.
     It is best to discuss with your physician exactly what procedure will be necessary to remove a hump, decrease the length or width of the nose, correct a deviation, or build up depressions of the nose. The doctor will also be able to tell you if you require work on your septum or turbinates, especially if you suffer from a stuffy nose, snoring, or sinus problems.
     Most patients want a pleasing natural look to the nose. Discuss in detail what you wish to have done to your nose with your physician before the surgery.

Postoperative

     It is important to limit strenuous physical activities in the immediate postoperative period. You may return to light work in a few days, but do not strain for two to six weeks. Again, discuss this with your surgeon, because there are individual variations in allowable activity.
     After surgery on your nose, you may expect to have some stuffiness in the nostrils, especially if packing is used. There is very little pain associated with the procedure. You may have "Black eyes" which will clear in a week or two, but most people have only mild swelling and/or mild bruising.
     When the splint is removed, there will be some swelling of the nose, both inside and outside, but this usually dissipates within two to six weeks. It will, however, be several months before every bit of the swelling is gone from the nose and the final result can be appreciated. Swelling around the tip may take somewhat longer to dissipate, sometimes up to one year, although this is not obvious to the observer.

Complications

     Due to individual differenrels in the way the bones and cartilages of the nose heal, it is possible to have a surgical result that is not as pleasing as possible. In this case, touch-up operations or "fine tuning" may be necessary. These are usually minor procedures that are often performed under local anesthetic. If you notice problems in the healing process, return to your surgeon who will give the appropriate treatment. Your surgeon may suggest at the time of your postoperative visit any corrective or "fine tuning" procedures that in his opinion would further enhance your appearance.
     Some numbness and swelling in the tip of the nose generally persists for several months. Healing is a gradual process that cannot be hurried. Often, residual bumps will resolve as the healing progresses. Thick skin of the nose will also affect the end results.