Different Types of Nose Surgery or Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty or nose surgery is a very common facial aesthetic treatment. Individuals choose for a nose job or rhinoplasty for a variety of reasons such as breathing trouble, injury to the nose, birth defect or for aesthetic reasons. People could become too under confident due to the structure, shape and size of their nose and would prefer a nose surgery for aesthetic reasons. A crooked nose could also cause difficulties in breathing, sleep-related issues and loud sounds while breathing. A nose plastic surgery aims at relieving individuals from such health issues by performing a nose surgery to correct the septum. A septoplasty is the most common procedure used to correct the midline or septum and make it straight. Rhinoplasty is a more extensive procedure that involves strengthening the nose by using cartilage grafts. Depending on the level of difficulty in breathing a doctor would advise the right procedure. On the other hand, nose cosmetic surgery is purely done for aesthetic reasons where the individual prefers a correction of the structure of the nose to improve appearance. As per studies conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgery, around 2,20,000 surgeries are conducted each year. This makes rhinoplasty a very common facial aesthetic procedure around the globe.

Let’s take a deeper look at rhinoplasty, non-surgical rhinoplasty, the costs, recovery, pre-procedural and post-procedural care to be considered.

To start we must address the first question – ‘what is rhinoplasty?’

Rhinoplasty or nose surgery is a corrective procedure to straighten the nose for medical or cosmetic reasons. The surgery could intend to bring a change to the nose bone or cartilage. The procedure can be done by creating a cut under the skin on the nose. It can also be done inside the bone and the structure of the bone or cartilage is adjusted as intended. The procedure usually takes anywhere between 1.5 to 3 hours and the procedure can be completed without the need for the hospital stay. Nose jobs are not very painful though there can be some after-effects such as redness or swelling.

It is highly important to find an experienced surgeon to perform rhinoplasty surgery. In India, rhinoplasty was performed as early as the 1790s. Britishers, in fact, took the procedure from India to England and it was widely known in that time as the ‘Indian Nose’. As the pioneers of this procedure, we can take it in writing that some of the best cosmetic surgeons for rhinoplasty would be from India. Most metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai have the best plastic / reconstructive surgeons to perform this procedure. One must make sure to get treated under a board-certified surgeon to be assured of great results.

A rhinoplasty is a permanent procedure that leaves the patient with a restructured nose for a lifetime. Though with age there could be slight changes, it is majorly a one-time procedure with long-lasting results. On the other hand, there is also a non-surgical rhinoplasty that is performed in the world of cosmetic treatments. This procedure is done using hyaluronic acid which changes the shape and structure of the nose. This procedure is temporary and would last for only about 6 months.

• Nasal surgeries/rhinoplasty is broadly classified into four different types, each done for a single purpose.
• Reduction Rhinoplasty – this procedure primarily aims at reducing the size of the nose along with changing the shape in some cases. It is done by removing out cartilage/bone as per the reconstructive requirement.
• Post-traumatic Rhinoplasty – this procedure is done post-trauma to the nose either by accident or burns.
• Augmentation Rhinoplasty – this procedure aims at the opposite of the reduction rhinoplasty. Individuals who want to enlarge the size of their nose seek the procedure.
• Corrective rhinoplasty – this procedure is done to correct a birth deformity/injury and can be done for medical reasons such as breathing difficulties.

Rhinoplasty recovery is usually around a week’s time. Individuals would be able to perform daily activities almost immediately after the treatment, however ample rest is advised to help healing. In two months’ time, a noticeable change to the nose is seen. In some cases, the swelling of the nose tends to heal only by around 6 months.

Rhinoplasty before and after images

The cost of a rhinoplasty procedure in India would begin at about INR 40000 and would go up to INR 1.8 lakhs depending on any additional procedures selected. The cost would also vary from city to city and depending on the types of the clinic. The cost of rhinoplasty in Chennai ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 lakhs. 

Rhinoplasty surgeries are relatively safe and have very minimal complications or risks. People who are healthy and below the age of 45 often are ideal candidates to undertake the procedure. However, there could be rare cases of blood loss, infection and adverse side-effects to anaesthesia. Other temporary discomforts would include difficulty in breathing, pain, swelling, redness, scarring and others. 

After undergoing nose surgery, patients must ensure that they follow appropriate post-operative care. This will help in reducing complications and infections. One must adhere to the below steps to ensure care.  

• Enough rest must be taken and the patient must lie down in a slightly elevated position for a couple of weeks. 
• Pain medications, antibiotics and home remedies for pain relief like ice compress must be taken upon advice by a professional.
• Very mild exercise or activities must be done on the day of surgery and for over two week’s post-surgery. 
• The area of the incision and correction would be covered for at least a week and necessary hygiene must be maintained while changing the bandage. 
• Driving must be avoided until medications are stopped. This is to ensure that the patient does not feel dizzy and uncomfortable while on the wheels. 
• Patients who have travelled to a new city for treatment must ensure to find accommodation around the same place for at least one week following the procedure. 
• It is important to have the doctor’s or related health worker’s contact details handy for clarification and assistance. 

Individuals with concerns regarding their nose, whether cosmetic or medical, must take consultation and treatment from board-certified doctors. Rhinoplasty is a procedure that requires great skill and attention because even the smallest changes done to the nose could result in major differences. The risks versus benefits of the procedure will differ from patient to patient. It is important to analyze these taking into consideration the patient’s health conditions, age and treatment requirement. 

FAQ

Let’s now address some of the most frequently looked for questions in the world of cosmetic nose surgery. 

How many types of nose surgeries are there? 

As discussed, there are four types of nose surgeries or rhinoplasty, namely reduction, augmentation, post-traumatic and corrective. Each of these surgeries addresses a specific need and aim at a specific result. 

What is a nose surgery called?

Nose surgery is often called rhinoplasty, nasal surgery or nose job. 

What type of nose is the most attractive?

Each individual is blessed with a different shape, structure and size of the nose and that is absolutely fine. A medium-sized straight-edged nose with a nasal tip rotation of 106 degrees is considered to be the most attractive around the world. 

Is nose surgery safe?

Nose surgery is considered to be a safe procedure even for elderly patients. It is usually performed under general anaesthesia and patients would be asleep during the procedure. There are no major complications that are noticed, although in some exceptional cases there could be bleeding or infection. 

How much is a nose reconstruction?

A nose reconstruction surgery would cost anywhere between INR 40,000 to INR 2 lakhs in India. The amount will be dependent on whether the individual is also choosing a reduction, augmentation or corrective procedure along with the intended reconstructive treatment. 

How long does nose surgery take?

Nose surgery is usually an outpatient procedure and the patient should be able to leave the hospital post-observation on the same day itself. The procedure would take between 1.5 to 3 hours and the exact time would depend on how extensive the treatment needs to be. 

Is nose surgery permanent?

Yes, nose surgery is a permanent solution. Once a patient undergoes rhinoplasty, the results would stay for the entire lifetime. Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a temporary solution with results lasting for only a few months to a year. 

How long does nose surgery take to heal?

A nose surgery would require 6 to 8 weeks for complete recovery and a period of about 3-6 months to get the desired treatment results. 

How can I reshape my nose?

A nose job or rhinoplasty is the only permanent solution to restructure the nose. Though a quick search on the internet would suggest methods such as exercises, there is not much proof for these. A non-surgical rhinoplasty would also help reshape the nose only temporarily. 

What is the best age to get a nose job?

Age is not a constraint for a rhinoplasty procedure. However, to be on the safer side cosmetologists suggests that individuals in the age of a group of 16 to 45 years are ideal for the procedure. 

Can I reshape my nose without surgery?

The shape of the nose cannot be changed without a permanent solution such as rhinoplasty. Exercises and other non-surgical methods can give little to no changes. 

What should I avoid after rhinoplasty?

After undergoing rhinoplasty treatment, individuals must take ample care for the first month. Patients will be advised to not perform strenuous exercises, avoid make-up, going out in the sun and wearing glasses. Smoking and consumption of alcohol must be avoided during the recovery period. Individuals must also take medications, nutrient-rich food and enough rest to improve healing and recovery. 

How do you take care of a nose job?

Every surgery requires postoperative care and so does rhinoplasty. Patients must be cautious of the care and rest they get during the recovery period. It is best if an adult could accompany the patient and monitor him/her for at least 24 hours post the procedure. Post the treatment, medications and home remedies for pain relief are advised to be taken.