Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Nose Reshaping / Rhinoplasty

What is nose reshaping?

Cosmetic nose reshaping is also known as rhinoplasty. The procedure can reduce or increase the size of the nose, narrow the span of the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and upper lip, and/or change the tip or bridge of the nose. It can also correct some breathing problems.

Rhinoplasty involves the resculpting of the bone and cartilage. When operating on the nose, the surgeon can either work from within the nose by making an incision inside the nose, or work from the outside by making a small incision across the tissue that separates the nostrils. The latter is known as an "open" procedure.

Possible complications associated with rhinoplasty:

repetitive surgery
Although not common, sometimes a second procedure may be required to correct a minor deformity that occurs as a result of the initial rhinoplasty.

surgery complications
As in any surgery there is a risk of infection or reaction to the anesthesia. Nosebleeds can also occur after surgery.

burst blood vessels
Sometimes small blood vessels may burst causing tiny red spots on the nose to surface. The spots are usually minor in appearance but can be permanent.

scarring
With the "open" procedure there is the possibility of scarring on the base of the nose.

About the procedure:

Location options include:

surgeon's office-based surgical facility

outpatient surgery center

hospital outpatient

hospital inpatient

Anesthetic options include:

local anesthesia

general anesthesia

Probable length of procedure: about two hours

Probable recuperation period:

usually up and around in a few days

usually return to school or sedentary work a week or so

surgeon will provide guidelines for resuming normal activities

Short-term side effects of surgery:

splint applied to nose to help maintain new shape

nasal packs or soft plastic splints may be placed in nostrils to stabilize septum

face will feel puffy

nose may ache

dull headache

swelling around the eyes

bruising around the eyes

small amount of bleeding in first few days

small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's surface

Final results:

Healing is a slow and gradual process. Some swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip of the nose. Final results of nasal surgery may not be apparent for a year or more.

When a traditional open surgical technique is used, or surgery is performed to narrow flared nostrils, small scars will be located on the base of the nose. The scars usually are not noticeable. Scarring is not visible when rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose.

This page was last updated on: March 21, 2008.

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