Every third person on the planet has thought about a nose job at least once. 70% of patients choose rhinoplasty because they are 100% dissatisfied with their appearance and want to solve aesthetic problems: remove the hump, make the nose thinner, smaller and smoother. 30% of patients choose rhinoplasty for medical reasons - nasal injury, difficulty breathing, abnormal nasal septum, or frequent sinusitis.
Problems with the shape of the tip of the nose are not uncommon. But don't be shy, everything can be fixed. If body shape defects can be fixed with clothing, dieting, or exercising, you need to see a plastic surgeon to correct your nose or lips.
In this article we will talk about all the features of the procedure, preparation for plastic surgery and other important stages.
Indications and contraindications: medical, aesthetic, indirect, absolute
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that takes 1–2 hours. As a result, the patient's appearance changes and the face becomes more attractive. Before performing the plastic, all points must be agreed with the doctor and the implementation must be thoroughly prepared: pass tests, adhere to a diet, refrain from cigarettes and alcohol at least a week before the operation.
Indications for an operation
Indications for the procedure are congenital and acquired.
Congenital indications for plastic surgery are various aesthetic and physiological defects: hook-shaped, forked, thick or drooping tip, lateral displacement, too wide or narrow nostrils.
The operation may be necessary after injuries or illnesses in which a curvature of the nose occurs, as well as breathing difficulties due to the organ structure or age-related changes (skin aging). The above indications are considered acquired.
To restore or correct the tip of the nose, you need to consult a surgeon. If surgery is required, cartilage density, skin and tissue thickness, length, width of the nose, and other factors are all taken into account. The wishes of the patient are always taken into account and also realized as much as possible, but the final decision is made together with the doctor, as excessive cartilage removal can lead to poor health.
Before the operation, you need to examine the nasal cartilage and make sure that the skin around the respiratory system is healthy - there is no inflammation or signs of infection.
Contraindications to surgery
Correcting the tip of the nose is a serious process that must be approached consciously. What are the contraindications to the procedure?
- Age.The operation is performed from the age of 18. At this age, the formation of tissues occurs completely. However, surgeons recommend correcting the tip of the nose between the ages of 20 and 35. Then the formation of bones and cartilage is complete, the skin is elastic and regeneration after the procedure is active.
- Problems with blood clotting.If a patient has poor blood clotting, the risk of having an operation is higher than usual and therefore it is better to refuse to do it.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases.Surgeons do not recommend performing surgery during disease exacerbation. Better to wait for your health to return to normal and get a checkup. A rhinoplasty can only be decided upon if the test results are positive.
- Viral diseases, infections, inflammation.It must be remembered that with at least minimal health problems, it is better to postpone the operation until full recovery.
- Oncology.Rhinoplasty is contraindicated in patients with oncology.
- Menstruation.The operation is contraindicated during menstruation. Correction should be made within two weeks of the end of menstruation.
It is also contraindicated to have plastic surgery during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before the operation, the patient must be examined and tested to ensure the necessary preparation for the rhinoplasty.
Other types of correction. Why rhinoplasty is the safest method
To correct the nose, surgeons use different surgical techniques depending on the wishes of the client and the result expected by the patient. However, you can find other methods of correcting the tip of your nose on the web.
Clamps
In online shops you will find the so-called "brackets for correcting the nose". The manufacturers assure that when correctors are worn 2-3 times, the effect is noticeable, comparable to performing a surgical procedure. But of course that is far from the truth. No pseudo-specialist clips or other devices will work for rhinoplasty. If there is an effect, it is short-term - for 2-3 weeks, and the correction is insignificant.
Exercises
There are a number of exercises for the face that you can use to correct its shape. These exercises are useful for maintaining muscle tone, cheekbones, and double chin, but they don't work for correcting the shape of the cartilage. The effect after systemic exposure lasts for 2 weeks.
Correction with threads
The threading technique is carried out by a specialist with a special needle through micropunctions. Specially designed notched threads are inserted into the skin of the nose to form a frame. The sutures are inserted through small punctures and the framework holds them in place. After two days, the doctor removes the ends of the threads and the patient sees the end result, which lasts for about 3 years.
Use of hormonal drugs
To correct the tip of the nose, you can also give hormonal drugs. First of all, you need to consult an endocrinologist. If there are no contraindications, a hormonal drug can be administered. This procedure is performed to remove excess soft tissue and lift the tip. To correct it, you need to undergo a procedure that lasts 2 to 3 weeks. It is worth noting that the drugs have a temporary effect - from 3 months to 2 years, depending on the drug chosen.
Surgical correction
According to experts, rhinoplasty is the most reliable and effective method of correction. Unlike previous methods, rhinoplasty provides a lifelong result. The procedure takes 1–2 hours under local or general anesthesia. The main advantages of the operation:
- all possible correction options (lowering or raising the tip, reducing, straightening or narrowing the tip of the nose);
- Elimination of breathing problems;
- Lifetime result;
- Correction of injuries, birth defects.
3 techniques for performing the surgery. What is the difference
There are different types of rhinoplasty: classic closed, open and hybrid methods. Surgeons resort to different types of plastic surgery depending on the result being achieved, the shape of the nose, the position of the bone and cartilage tissue, and other factors.
A feature of classic closed plastic surgery is that it can be used to correct the bridge of the nose, but tip correction is more difficult than using the open one. In this method, incisions are made in the nasal passages and access to the tip is only possible if the cartilage in the incision is removed. But there are also pluses - no visible scars remain after the operation. Closed plastic is useful for removing a hump or correcting bone tissue in the event of its curvature.
In open surgery, the surgeon makes an additional incision between the nostrils. This contributes to better access to the structures of the nose and offers a variety of possibilities to change their size and shape. The scar after the procedure is almost invisible and small. This method allows you to reshape the tip of the nose more effectively (compared to the closed method). Its disadvantage is the possible formation of a small scar on the outside of the nose and a longer recovery time. The scar will shrink a few months after surgery and it can also be removed with additional remedies and creams that the surgeon recommends if necessary.
Because the above procedures have their drawbacks, surgeons have developed a combined plastic technique. When using it, incisions are made in the nose, which are characteristic of both methods. In contrast to the open method, however, there are no external incisions on the skin.
The combined (also known as "hybrid") method was developed taking into account all the advantages and disadvantages of the closed and open method.
The main advantages are the ability to change the structure of the nose as much as possible and not leave any visible scars. Recovery after the combined method occurs within 2 weeks and there are no visible scars on the skin.
Using the hybrid method gives the surgeon the opportunity to make corrections during the operation and to control the desired result in order to avoid the possibility of excessive or inadequate correction. The combined method has only one disadvantage - it is more complicated from a technical point of view.
A few words about something important. Prepare for the operation
Before doing a nose job, you need to undergo a workout. You need to consult a plastic surgeon to discuss the changes you want. The surgeon examines the nose and explains reality to achieve the desired result. During the consultation, questions about the limitations, the operation, the specifics of preparation, rehabilitation after the consultation, as well as possible complications will be discussed.
Before surgery, the patient must be examined to make sure there are no contraindications and to pass the following tests:
- Blood for HIV infection and hepatitis C and B;
- clinical blood test;
- Blood biochemistry;
- Laboratory analysis of urine;
- Analysis of prothrombin index;
- Fluorography;
- Electrocardiography;
- Test for tumor markers;
- Roentgenogram.
In addition, the patient must listen to and comply with the doctor's recommendations. Avoid drinking alcohol for a week before the operation, stopping smoking, not using blood thinners, not drinking or eating water for five hours before the procedure. It is important not to engage in any active pastime and run under the scorching sun for a few days before the rhinoplasty.
About the course of the operation and its main phases
The rhinoplasty is performed under general or local anesthesia. The choice of type of anesthesia depends both on the client's wishes and the specifics of the operation, as well as the method the plastic surgeon will use in performing it. The patient can always share his or her wishes regarding anesthesia, but the final decision is made by the doctor. The process and quality of rehabilitation after rhinoplasty also depends on the choice of type of anesthesia.
Local anesthesia is used for minor correction of the nose with hormonal injections, fillers or threads. These correction methods do not cause severe pain, so general anesthesia is not required in most cases. However, this type of anesthesia is practically not used in rhinoplasty when the surgeon has to touch the bones of the nose or cartilage.
In most cases, the surgeon will perform general anesthesia. This type of anesthesia allows you to completely avoid pain during the operation and the patient has no memories of the operation.
The operation takes 1–2 hours. After the anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the skin or mucous membrane. Depending on the wishes of the patient and the specific case, the doctor will choose an open or closed method for the operation.
During a nose job, the doctor separates the soft tissues of the nose from the bone and cartilage in the nasal cavity. Then he performs the movement of fragments of cartilage and bone, models a new shape of the nose. After the manipulations, the plastic surgeon places absorbable sutures on the skin or mucous membranes, depending on where the incision was made. The next step is to tampon the nasal passages with large gauze tampons. The final phase of the operation is the application of a plaster cast.
The type of incision is selected by the surgeon depending on the structure of the nose, the complexity of the procedure, and the surgeon's preferences at work. The cut can be axial, vertical, oval or angled.
Rhinoplasty itself is performed using three main methods: open, closed and combined. The characteristics of each of the methods are described in the "Operating Modes" section.
The choice of plastic surgery method is presented directly to the patient. However, doctors recommend choosing the methods with the least amount of trauma. Surgeons say that the least traumatic methods are closed and combined, since when using them, the incision is small and recovery after surgery is faster.
Recommendations of the surgeon in the postoperative period. This will avoid complications
Rehabilitation after the operation takes an average of 20 to 25 days. If the rhinoplasty was performed under general anesthesia, the patient must also be hospitalized for 24 hours after the operation.
For three days after the operation, gauze or cotton swabs should be in the nasal cavity to ensure the immobility of the new shapes and prevent swelling. On 5-8. Day (depending on the healing rate) after the plasticity, the suture material is removed. After a week or 10 days, the patient is removed from the cast, hematoma and swelling gradually disappear.
Doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period:
- Sleep on your back and use a high pillow.
- Use special solutions or pastes for softening to reduce the discomfort associated with dry mouth (as one of the possible consequences of the procedure).
- Do not abuse alcohol or smoke.
- Refuse trips to pools, solariums and saunas.
- Don't wear glasses.
- It is forbidden to engage in physical activity.
- Temporarily stop eating hot food and drinks.
- Do not touch, knead, or feel your nose.
Possible complications
Complications after a nose job are rare. Some of them appear immediately after correction, while others appear in later stages of healing. Natural complications are edema and bruising. Outward signs of swelling will go away within a week after plastic surgery, and deep swelling will go away after six months. The breathing difficulties go away on their own 10 days after the operation.
In order to protect yourself from possible complications as much as possible, it is important to carefully select a specialist and clinic and, if necessary, provide complete information about your health status, injuries or illnesses. The final result of the performed operation also depends on strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations during the rehabilitation period.
Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is used by both women and men of all ages. Surgeons advise performing surgery to correct the tip of the nose at a young age, rather than moving it. It is important to undergo a full exam to make sure there are no contraindications to plastic surgery. The most popular indications for a nose job are:
- Correction of the tip of the nose (large, sharp or round);
- a long nose;
- wide nasal bridge;
- raise or narrow the tip of the nose;
- Elimination of asymmetry;
- Shortness of breath;
- Eliminate the consequences of injuries or poor quality rhinoplasty;
- Correction of the split nose tip.
If the patient has a small defect, the operation is performed under local anesthesia. In 90% of the other cases, the rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The process itself takes one to two hours. The method of performing the procedure (open or closed) is based on many factors. This includes the complexity of the nasal defect and the wishes of the customer. However, the final decision rests with the plastic surgeon.
The quality of the rhinoplasty and the end result directly depend on the choice of a specialist and a clinic. Hence, this needs to be approached thoroughly.