The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says…

Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures.  Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip.  It may also correct a birth defect or injury or help relieve some breathing problems.  ^  If you’re considering rhinoplasty, this brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect.   It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon.  Please ask your surgeon about anything you don’t understand.

The best candidates for rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently.  Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
            The best candidates for rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look.  If you’re physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes-to correct  birth defects or breathing problems.
            Age may also be a consideration.  Many surgeons prefer not to operate on teenagers until after they’ve completed their growth spurt-around 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys.  It’s important to consider a teenager’s social emotional adjustment, too, and to make sure it’s what they, and not their parents, really want.

After your surgery             

After surgery-particularly during the first twenty-four-hours-your face will feel puffy, your nose amy ache, and you may have a dull headache.  You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.  Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for the first day.

            You’ll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days.  Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better.  In any case, you’ll feel a lot better than you look.   Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks or so.   (Some subtle swelling-unnoticeable to anyone but you and your surgeon-will remain for several months.)

            A little bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, an you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks.  Your surgeon will probably ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the tissues heal.

            If you have nasal packing, it will be removed after a few days and you’ll feel much more comfortable.   By the end of one or , occasionally, two weeks, all dressings, splints, and stitches should be removed.

6-To improve the nasal airway, the shape or position of the septum may be altered. Or, the deviated portion of the septum may be partially removed.

7-A splint made of tape and an overlay of plastic, metal, or plaster is applied to help the bone and cartilage of the nose maintain their new shape.

Getting back to normal

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery.  It will be several weeks, however, before you’re entirely up to speed.

            Your surgeon will give you more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities.  They’re likely to include these suggestions: Avoid strenuous activity (jogging, swimming, bending, sexual relations-any activity that increases your blood pressure) for two to three weeks.   Avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned, for eight weeks.   Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics.

            You can wear contact lenses as soon as you feel like it, but glasses are another story.  Once the splint is off, they’ll have to be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks for another six to seven weeks, until your nose is completely healed.

            Your surgeon will schedule frequent follow-up visits in the months after surgery to check on the progress of your healing.  If you have any unusual symptoms between visits, or any fquestions about what you can and can’t do, don’t hesitate to call your doctor.

Your new look

In the days following surgery, when your face is bruised and swollen, it’s easy to forget that you will be looking better.  In fact, many patients feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery-it’s quite normal and understandable.

            Rest assured that this stage will pass.  Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve.  Within a week or two, you’ll no longer look as if you’ve just had surgery.

            Still, healing is a slow and gradual process.  Some subtle swelling may be present for months, especially in the tip.  The final results of rhinoplasty may not be apparent for a year or more.

8-After surgery the patient has a straighter bridge, a well defined nasal tip, and an improved angle between the nose and upper lip.

            In the meantime, you might experience some unexpected reactions from family and friends.  They may say they don’t see a major difference in your nose.  Or they may act resentful, especially if you’ve changed something they view as a family or ethnic trait.   If that happens, try to keep in mind why you decided to have this surgery in the first place.  If you’ve met your goals, then your surgery is a success.