Rhinoplasty

The Procedure

There are several types of Rhinoplasties. In most cases, a closed Rhinoplasty is performed. This is when the Plastic Surgeon performs the surgery through the nostrils. In this case there will be no scars visible on the outside of the nose.

An open Rhinoplasty is performed by making a small incision on the outside of the nose. The scar is as big as this incision.
In case of a full Rhinoplasty, a splint will be placed over the nose.

When only the tip of the nose is changed, there will be a scar on the bottom of the nose. You will only get a bandage at the bottom of the nose in this case.

Anesthesia

A Rhinoplasty is mostly performed under general anesthesia. It is possible to do the procedure (a nose tip correction for instance) under local anesthesia. The Plastic Surgeon will discuss the type of anesthesia that fits the procedure during the initial consultation.

It is possible that you are reluctant to be operated under general anesthesia because of the unpleasant feeling after the surgery. It is good to know that the Plastic Surgeon, Anesthesiologist and nurses will stay with you until you are fully fit to go home.

Location of the procedure

A Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure which will be done in a sterile environment. The procedure will take place in a hospital contracted by OCP, close to the clinic. Even though the procedure takes place at a different location, all your consultations and all contact goes via OCP.

After the procedure

The Plastic Surgeon will assess your condition after the procedure and will decide, together with the Anesthesiologist, if you are fit to go home. The pain after the procedure differs for each patient, but Paracetamol will suffice in most cases. Your nose will be very swollen after the surgery and it will be very difficult to breathe through your nose during the first two weeks.

Results

The best candidates for a Rhinoplasty are men and women with realistic expectations of the result. The procedure always provides significant improvements, but this does not mean that your face is suddenly perfect.

Shortly after the procedure, little change of the nose can be seen. The bruising usually disappears approximately ten days after the procedure, the swelling needs several weeks to fade. When most the swelling has faded, you will be able to see the biggest part of the result. The shape of your nose shall improve over the next few months, however the final result can be definitively reviewed after a year.

The incisions made to perform the Rhinoplasty will be stitched as good as possible. The scars are hidden on the inside of your nose or are practically invisible; hidden in the crease of the wings of your nose. Only when an incision is made along the center of your nose, small scars can be slightly visible. The first few months scars will be red, but with time they will change to the color of the skin. In time, it will be nothing more than a small, white line.

Risks of an Liposuction

As with most cosmetic surgeries, there is a risk of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia, disinfectants or plasters. Also, even though the procedure is done under sterile conditions, the area could be infected. Chances to this are very small though.

Sometimes patients experience a disturbed healing of the wound or post-operative bleeding. This does not have to cause any negative consequences for the result of the procedure. A very specific complication after a Rhinoplasty is that the tip of the nose might feel numb for a prolonged period of time.