Rhinoplasty Procedures:

Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a “nose job,” is a surgical procedure used to contour, reshape, or repair the nose. This is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures performed on an annual basis. Since it is an elective surgery, there are a variety of reasons why a patient may want to have rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is generally performed in order to:

1. Change the size of the nose
2. Contour or change the tip of the nose
3. Make nostril openings smaller
4. Change the angle between the nose and upper lip
5. Correct birth defects or injuries
6. Alleviate breathing problems

The length of the surgery is 1 to 2 hours in general.

Most patients are released from the hospital one day after the procedure is done.

You should be able to return home within 7 to 10 after having had rhinoplasty.

You are going to need to remain in the country 7 to 10 days after your procedure because your surgeon is going to require a follow-up visit a few days after the surgery. Therefore, you should find a hotel that is relatively close to the hospital so that you can have easy access to your follow-up visit.

If you need assistance finding a hotel, Medical Travel International can help you find a hotel that is near the hospital.

Details of the Procedure:

You will go into the room where the procedure will be done, and the application of general anesthesia will signal the beginning of the surgery. There are some surgeons who may elect to apply a local anesthetic and sedation, and you will be awake but comfortable during the surgery, but you will not experience any pain during your rhinoplasty.

The surgeon will then make incisions inside your nostrils to be able to reshape, contour, or make any other necessary changes. Your surgeon might also make an incision around the base of the nose, and the underlying structure of the nose will be shaped through these incisions.

A splint will be placed outside your nose in order to help hold the new shape of the nose as it heals. Nasal packs will also be used so that air passages are kept stable, and sutures will be used to close the incisions that were made during surgery.

After Your Procedure:

You will be taken to recovery directly after your surgery where your vital signs will be carefully monitored. Once your vital signs are stable, you will go to your hospital room, or you will be released from the hospital.

You need to be aware that your face and nose will be swollen and painful, and you may experience frequent headaches directly after surgery. Anywhere from 3 to 5 days after your surgery, the nasal packing will be removed.

Rhinoplasty Self-care:

1. You must not blow your nose for at least 1 week after surgery
2. You need to void wearing glasses or resting anything on your nose for a minimum of 2 months
3. You need to keep your head elevated while you sleep for 7 days
4. You need to keep your activity very light for 2 to 3 weeks

Results:

Rhinoplasty often makes a person less self-conscious which results in more self-confidence. However, you need to know that it can take several weeks to heal from this type of procedure.

There are patients who experience swelling, pain, and numbness for months following the procedure. There are patients whose final results may not be entirely visible for about a year.

Complications and Risks:

There are risks involved with any procedure, and rhinoplasty is no exception. The list that follows contains the most common complications and risks:

1. Reaction to anesthesia or medication
2. Bleeding
3. Infection
4. Breathing problems
5. Burst blood vessels
6. Abnormal nose shape
7. Airway obstruction
8. Nerve damage
9. Visible scar o keloid
10. Loss of smell
11. Perforation of septum
12. Septal hematoma
13. Skin necrosis
14. Loss of structural support
15. Toxic Shock Syndrome
16. Skin discoloration or irregularities

If any of the following occur, you have to contact your surgeon or physician:

1. Uncontrolled pain even with medication
2. Fever is 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit, 38 degrees Celsius or above
3. Chills
4. Discharge from nose or wound is green, yellow or foul smelling
5. Redness develops around incision site
6. Warmth of surgical site
7. Nose bleed that does not subside within 4 to 7 days
8. Bump to the nose or nose injury
9. Signs of allergy
10. Signs of sinus infection