Cosmetic Surgery - Rhinoplasty Explained

By James P Wilkinson

The shape of our noses is something we have little control over as it is part of our genetic programming. Some may suffer fractures which leave a lasting impression on the shape of their noses and their facial symmetry. Whatever the reason for disliking your nose there is of course something you can do about it and this is where nose surgery or Rhinoplasty (to give it its proper name) comes in.

The bone and cartilage that make up the nose can be altered in their size and shape to fix the appearance and enhance facial symmetry. This is of course something you should give careful consideration to before making a decision, but the results can be well worth the money you spend on it.

To change the surface shape of the nose the underlying bone and cartilage needs to be altered and this is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic. Small incisions are made inside the nose or sometimes in the skin beneath the nose and the Surgeon is then able to start work. The size and shape of the cartilage and bone is adjusted to create the new enhanced shape you desire and, if necessary, a small piece of bone or cartilage is taken from elsewhere in the body (usually the hips or ribs) to help build up the nose.

In the majority of cases the surgery is performed under general anaesthetic but it is also possible to be given local anaesthetic and, in some cases, sedation may be given so that the patient remains conscious during the operation. This enables the procedure to be administered as a day case so you can go home the same day.

For more extensive work you may need to stay at the hospital for 1 or 2 nights to allow monitoring of your recovery. During the consultation process you should be asked to undergo some simple health checks and pictures will be taken to allow comparison after the surgery. You will also be asked to sign a form of consent to allow the procedure to go ahead.

If you are considering nose surgery make sure you search for an accredited surgeon to ensure that this and any other cosmetic surgery procedures you consider run smoothly. BAPRAS and BAAPS are two such plastic surgery governing associations.