Nose Re-shaping (Rhinoplasty)

This is probably the most common request with a rhinoplasty. Fortunately, done carefully, this is a very successful operation.

The cartilage and bony ‘hump’ are removed through the nostrils (closed rhinoplasty). The side bones of the nose are then broken to allow the nose to be reshaped and narrowed slightly.

Straightening a bent nose often involves a mixture of straightening both the bones and cartilage in the nose. The central strut to the nose is called the septum. If this is bent it often curves into one side making it difficult to breath.

All of this can be improved but not always fully corrected. Sometimes it can all be done through the nostrils and sometimes the nose skin is lifted in an open rhinoplasty.

Changing the tip of the nose is possible but it is one of the more difficult areas to guarantee changes. This is because the skin of the nasal tip can be quite thick and does not always shrink to the shape we want it to.

The tip cartilages are fine structures and if we cut and change them too much it can lead to deformity or other problems. So, yes we can make your nasal tip smaller, more feminine but there are limitations! This would be done through an open rhinoplasty.

The main bruising is around the eyes and can last 2-3 weeks, although is usually less than this.

Unless there is a significant health issue which would require urgent attention, it is advisable to wait until a young person has finished growing as features can change. This is roughly around 17-18 years old for boys and 16 years old for girls.

Each individual is different however, and emotional maturity is also likely to be taken into account.

Although rhinoplasty can have huge confidence enhancing benefits for young people, undergoing cosmetic surgery is still a serious decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

It is possible to have nostril reduction surgery (alarplasty) without having to undergo a complete rhinoplasty.

The surgery is likely to involve narrowing the nostril by removing a crescent shaped piece of tissue from the area where the nostril wall meets the cheek.

As the incision is made at the base of the nose, scarring is likely to be relatively inconspicuous.

As with all post-accident reconstructive surgery, different injuries will require different approaches. With this in mind, it is advisable to speak to your surgeon shortly after the accident to give them chance to decide whether urgent action needs to be taken or not.

In most cases, a broken nose will come hand in hand with a considerable amount of swelling, and is therefore advisable to let the injury settle down before scheduling rhinoplasty surgery.

Most surgeons will suggest waiting between 4-6 weeks, for the swelling to subside. However, in some cases, when the bones in the nose are badly broken and displaced, your surgeon may prefer to operate immediately.

Rhinoplasty will help the functionality of the nose by creating a less obstructed nasal package with clearer channels to breathe through.

Sometimes, however, breathing can be affected by sinus problems, so it is worth highlighting the source of the problem before electing to have rhinoplasty for this purpose alone.