Corrective nose shaping – formally known as rhinoplasty – is the second-most popular type of plastic surgery. Perhaps that’s because the face is the first thing people notice about one another, and the nose is in the center of the face.
Noses can vary tremendously in size and shape, but sometimes those characteristics are out of proportion with the rest of the face. Sometimes noses have specific details that make them seem less proportionate to the rest of the face – a bump on the bridge or a too-broad tip, for instance. They're not quite as pronounced as they could be.
Rhinoplasty is extremely popular because a talented, experienced plastic surgeon can make such improvements, giving the patient a newly-shaped nose that better fits their face and makes them look and feel better. In that sense, the best plastic surgeons are medical artists.
Significant change is certainly possible, but often nose reshaping is more subtle because even small changes can make a big difference in the way one’s facial features come together to create a desired look.
But There Are Other Benefits to Getting Rhinoplasty
Undergoing a nose reshaping procedure for cosmetic reasons can make a remarkable difference in a person’s quality of life. Often, however, there are more clinical reasons to choose nasal surgery, and the results can be equally beneficial for individuals who have trouble breathing. Breathing problems can be caused by genetic abnormalities or accidents that damage the nose structurally, such as a deviated septum.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Rhinoplasty?
Women and men who are between 18 and 65 years of age, in good general health and don’t smoke are ideal prospects for nose reshaping procedures. The first step is a personal consultation with the plastic surgeon, to discuss the desired outcome. Since the nose is literally front-and-center on a person’s face – and because the results will last a lifetime – it is essential to choose a plastic surgeon who is board certified and who has performed many nose reshaping treatments, with proven success.
Well established plastic surgeons always have a series of before-and-after photos showing actual patients, so prospective patients can see for themselves the quality of results and also the range of changes possible with this type of surgery. The best surgeons also use computer imaging to show patients what their new face could look like compared to their current facial features.
Rhinoplasty involves very exacting procedures. Especially if surgery is needed for more than cosmetic reasons, it’s important to look for a plastic surgeon with medical training and experience focusing on nasal reconstruction to improve breathing function.
Recovery Can Be Surprisingly Fast and Pain-Free
Nose reshaping can be performed under general anesthetic or intravenous sedation, or even with a local anesthetic, depending on the extent of work to be done. Nearly all nasal surgery is performed from the inside of the nose, so there’s virtually no visible scarring. This technique also eliminates the need for the once-traditional nose packing following the surgery, which greatly reduces bleeding, swelling and pain.
Instead, patients wear a cast for a maximum of ten days and can go back to work or resume other everyday activities – looking good -- within a week. Although the last vestiges of swelling may take a little longer to go away, the results can be seen and enjoyed sooner than one might expect.
The shape of one's nose or the way it sits on their face can make them feel uncomfortable. And if a nose doesn’t function the way it’s supposed to, breathing and even sleeping can be difficult. Either way, plastic surgery can correct the problem and give patients a more beautiful and more comfortable future.
