Guide To A Rhinoplasty Procedure

The nose is the central feature of the face that enhances overall beauty. If you are considering changing the shape of your nose, rhinoplasty is a great option for you. The procedure also helps to improve the function of the nose and impaired breathing. If you are considering getting a rhinoplasty, you should consult with a Harley Street rhinoplasty surgeon and read the following step-by-step guide to the procedure.

What are the steps of a rhinoplasty procedure?

Step 1 – Anaesthesia

Your anaesthetist will give you anaesthesia for your comfort during the procedure. Most rhinoplasty surgeons in London prefer general anaesthesia. 

With general anaesthesia, you’ll receive a drug (anaesthetic) through a IV line placed in a vein on your hand or by inhaling it. It also requires a breathing tube which will help you keep comfortable whilst having your operation.    

Step 2 – The incision

Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you don’t need to stay overnight in the hospital. During the procedure, the surgeon will make incisions within the nostrils. In other rhinoplasty procedures, the surgeon may also make incisions in the piece of the skin which separates the nostrils. Then, the surgeon reshapes the inner cartilage and bone to achieve the desired nasal shape. Rhinoplasty can be performed either using the open technique or the closed technique.

• Open rhinoplasty: In this technique, the surgeon makes an incision at the base of the columella (a tissue that links the nasal tip to the nasal base and separates the nares) before lifting the skin back from the nose. Once the surgeon gets good visibility of the nasal structure, he or she will make the desired changes.

• Closed rhinoplasty: In this procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions along the inside rim of the nostril. The surgeon will then carry out the procedure through your nostrils without venturing near the outside tissue or skin. 

Step 3 – Reshaping the nose structure

An overly large nose may be reduced with rhinoplasty by removing the cartilage or bone. This procedure is also a good option to increase the size of the nose by grafting the cartilage from the ear, nose or rib and using it to reconstruct the nose.

Step 4 – Closing the incision

Once the changes are made, your surgeon will place the nose’s tissue and skin back and stitch your nose’s incisions. After the procedure, you’ll be transferred to a recovery room, where the clinic staff monitor you until you awake. 

What can you expect after the procedure?

After the rhinoplasty, you need to wear a nasal splint for the first week. You need to raise your head a little higher than your chest while sleeping. 

You can experience some bruising and swelling around the eyes that will begin to improve in a few days. The swelling will go away over the next six to twelve months. The swelling usually takes longer with revision operations. Once the nose completely heals, you will see the final shape of your nose.

You may also notice some bruising and tenderness on your cheeks and under your eyes for a couple of weeks. Moreover, your rhinoplasty surgeon in the UK will give you post-operative instructions, including post-op care and medication schedule. 

Here are some tips which will help you in speedy recovery: 

1. Follow your surgeon’s recovery advice

It’s recommended to follow the surgeon’s instructions. You can read many web articles about the recovery process, but nothing compares to the information you’ll get from your rhinoplasty surgeon in London.

2. Listen to your body

If you notice something is not going right as per the surgeon’s advice, discuss it with a Harley Street rhinoplasty surgeon.

3. Get plenty of rest

You may experience congestion in the nose after the procedure for some days, making it difficult for you to fall asleep, but rest is vital for the recovery process. So try and get a seven or eight-hour sleep every night.

4. Maintain a healthy diet

A balanced diet can help you to speed up your recovery.

5. Avoid vigorous exercise

During the recovery process, you should avoid strenuous exercise.  After two weeks of the procedure, you can gradually resume some of your activities and return to completely normal levels of exercise after 4 weeks.

Takeaway!

Rhinoplasty is excellent for patients who want to enhance the appearance of their nose or correct the function. The procedure usually takes around 1.5 to 4 hours to complete. It is not particularly painful for most patients, but you should follow the above after-care tips for a faster recovery. However, the recovery process is different for each patient.

You should consult with experienced and reputable rhinoplasty surgeons in the UK. It’s recommended to check out their testimonials, patient satisfaction rate, qualifications and ask questions regarding the procedure to ensure the surgeon has good knowledge about rhinoplasty.