Rhinoplasty – Nose Surgery

Rhinoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia. However, in some cases, local anesthesia with sedation may be sufficient. The choice of the technique will be made between you, your anesthesiologist and your surgeon.

A consultation with your anesthesiologist will take place a few days before your procedure.

The technique chosen by your cosmetic surgeon will vary depending on the identified defects and the strategy selected to correct them.

Incisions are most often made inside the nostrils or under the upper lip, and the scars remain invisible. When an external incision is required, it may be made through the columella (the pillar separating the two nostrils) or at the base of the nose if the size of the nostrils needs to be reduced.

The osteo-cartilaginous infrastructure can then be shaped according to the desired goal: narrowing a nose that is too wide, removing a bump, correcting a deviation, refining a tip, shortening a nose that is too long, or straightening a septum. Sometimes cartilage or bone grafts are used to fill a depression, support a portion of the nose, or improve the shape of the tip.

The incisions are then closed with small sutures, most often absorbable. The nasal passages may be packed with various absorbent materials. A molding dressing is often applied to the surface of the nose and reinforced with a molded support and protective splint fixed to the nose.

Depending on the surgeon and the extent of the improvements to be made, the procedure can last from 45 minutes to two hours, or occasionally longer.

Recovery from rhinoplasty is generally not very painful. The inability to breathe due to the presence of packing is the main discomfort during the first few days.

Swelling appears, sometimes accompanied by bruising, the extent and duration of which vary from one individual to another. It is recommended to rest and refrain from exertion in the days following the procedure.

The packing is removed between the 1st and 5th post-operative day. The splint is removed between the 5th and 8th day, often replaced by a new, smaller splint for a few more days.

The nose still appears swollen due to edema, and breathing difficulty will still be present. The situation will gradually improve, allowing a return to normal social and professional life after a few days (10 to 20 days depending on the case). Sports and intense physical activities should be avoided for the first 3 months.

The result is appreciable after two to three months. However, the final appearance will only be achieved after six months to one year of slow and subtle evolution.

The procedure generally provides significant morphological and aesthetic improvement as well as considerable psychological benefit.

The goal of this surgery is to bring an improvement and not to achieve perfection. If your wishes are realistic, the result should give you great satisfaction.