Rhinoplasty Explained
The central location of the nose makes it a key component to a balanced visage. A variety of causes ranging from genetics, trauma, and age can all contribute to a nose that is disproportionate to the rest of one’s features. A rhinoplasty, or nose job, can create a more desirable and proportionate nose.
The changes made during a rhinoplasty procedure are determined by the patient’s current nasal condition and desired results. An ideal nose differs from one patient to the next, and will accentuate other facial features, such as the eyes, cheekbones, and lips. To achieve this, excess bone is commonly removed so the nose can be restructured; the bridge may be lowered and thinned by this process. If the nose is under-projected, a nasal implant will add material to the bone structure to create a more prominent underlying formation. The cartilage that makes up the lower two-thirds of the nose is refined to produce a more elegant tip.
Cosmetic nasal surgery can be performed as an open or closed rhinoplasty. During an open rhinoplasty, the tissue is manipulated through a small external incision on the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils, called the columella. A closed rhinoplasty does not require an external incision as certain techniques can be performed solely within the nose.
Bruising around the eyes forms slowly over the first few post-operative days, but usually disappears a week to ten days following surgery. Surgical sutures are removed along with the nasal splint a week after surgery. The final results of your rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more, though the majority of nasal swelling will subside within weeks. It may take months to a year for residual inflammation to cease entirely. The minor changes that morph over this year are often noticeable only to the patient
