Introduction
Rhinoplasty, sometimes referred to as a “nose job” or “nose reshaping” by patients, enhances facial harmony and the proportions of your nose. It can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.
If you desire a more symmetrical nose, keep in mind that everyone’s face is asymmetric to some degree. Results may not be completely symmetric, although the goal is to create facial balance and correct proportion.
Nose surgery that’s done to improve an obstructed airway requires careful evaluation of the nasal structure as it relates to airflow and breathing.
Correction of a deviated septum, one of the most common causes of breathing impairment, is achieved by adjusting the nasal structure to produce better alignment.
Candidates
Rhinoplasty is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if:
Cost
The average cost of rhinoplasty is $5,409, according to 2019 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon’s office to determine your final fee.
A surgeon’s fee for rhinoplasty will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic office location.
Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans for rhinoplasty, so be sure to ask.
When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a rhinoplasty procedure, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.
When rhinoplasty is performed to improve breathing function, the cause is most commonly an obstructed airway. This procedure, whether performed alone or in conjunction with cosmetic rhinoplasty, is considered reconstructive and may be covered by insurance.
This requires a detailed examination to verify the cause of your breathing impairment and prior authorization from your insurer.
Consultation
During your rhinoplasty consultation be prepared to discuss:
Your rhinoplasty surgeon may also:
The consultation is the time to ask your plastic surgeon questions. To help, we have prepared a checklist of questions to ask your rhinoplasty surgeon that you can take with you to your consultation.
It’s very important to understand all aspects of your rhinoplasty procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
Questions to Ask
Use this checklist as a guide during your rhinoplasty consultation:
Risks and Safety
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of rhinoplasty are acceptable.
Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks or potential complications.
Rhinoplasty surgery risks include:
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
Preparation
In preparing for rhinoplasty surgery, you may be asked to:
Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed.
Rhinoplasty may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility, a licensed ambulatory surgical center or a hospital. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Procedure Steps
Rhinoplasty surgery includes the following steps:
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Rhinoplasty is performed either using a closed procedure, where incisions are hidden inside the nose, or an open procedure, where an incision is made across the columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
Through these incisions, the skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilages is gently raised, allowing access to reshape the structure of the nose.
An overly large nose may be reduced by removing bone or cartilage. Sometimes surgery of the nose may require the addition of cartilage grafts.
Most commonly, cartilage from the septum, the partition in the middle of the nose, is used for this purpose. Occasionally cartilage from the ear or rarely a section of rib cartilage can be used.
If the septum is deviated, it can be straightened and the projections inside the nose reduced to improve breathing.
Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, nasal skin and tissue is redraped and incisions are closed.
Additional incisions may be placed in the natural creases of the nostrils to alter their size.
For a few days, splints and gauze packing may support the nose as it begins to heal. Get more information about rhinoplasty results.
Recovery
During your rhinoplasty recovery, a splint and/or packing may be placed inside your nose and a splint or bandages placed on the outside to support and protect the new structures during initial healing.
While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
Swelling may come and go and worsen in the morning during the first year following your rhinoplasty surgery.
You will be given specific instructions that may include:
Be sure to ask your rhinoplasty surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:
Results
The results of rhinoplasty surgery will be long-lasting. While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. During this time you may notice gradual changes in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome.
As your body ages, it is natural to have some gradual changes to your face including your nose. But most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.
A healthy lifestyle and life-long sun protection will help extend the results of your new appearance.
Before and After Photos
View before and after photos of rhinoplasty procedures performed by members of the Clinic Saha.
Glossary of Terms
Connective tissue that forms the structure of the nose.
The narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
Cartilage that separates the nostrils is misaligned which may cause partial nasal airway obstruction.
Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
Surgery to reshape the nose.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
Rhinoplasty surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust who is a member of the Turkey Society of Plastic Surgeons (TSPS).
TSPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:
Do not be confused by other official-sounding boards and certifications.
The TBPS is recognized by the Turkey Board of Medical Specialties (TBMS), which has approved medical specialty boards since 1934. There is no TBMS recognized certifying board with “cosmetic surgery” in its name.
By choosing a member of the Turkey Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board certified by the TBPS
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Copyright © Etkin Defter – Mehmet Şakir Arslan. Web Architect: +90 507 730 5678