Together the plastic surgeon and the patient analyse the unwanted changes to the nose and the possibilities for a nose correction (rhinoplasty). The planned profile is sketched on the basis of photos. The most frequent aesthetic corrections are: removing a hump on the nose, narrowing the bridge, narrowing a fat tip of the nose or lifting a drooping tip of the nose, and reducing the size of the nostrils. If breathing through the nose is impeded, this is considered a functional problem; this must be remedied as appropriate for its cause by straightening the nasal cartilage, removing an over-large head of the middle nasal concha in the nostrils or strengthening the weak alar cartilage. In rare cases, the health insurance will cover some of the cost of a nose correction operation (upon request) if the patient is suffering functional difficulties.
2 - 3 hours
3 - 4 hours (in complex cases)
General anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation (half-sleep).
1 night.
The nasal passages are tamponaded for 24 hours; in the case of surgery on the nasal bones, a nasal cast must be worn for 1 week. Swelling and bruising occasionally occurs around the eyes. The sutures are removed from the columella after 4-6 days, the swelling at the start decreases within 10 days, a residual swelling may persist for several months depending on the thickness of the skin.
Haematoma, infection, under- or over-correction: subsequent corrections are required in 5-10% of cases. Loss of sensation occasionally occurs in the top of the nose, although this disappears within 6-8 weeks.
Work: 1-2 weeks (office). Physical exertion: 2-3 weeks. Avoiding exposure to strong sunlight or extreme cold: 6-8 weeks. Final outcome: after 1 year.
Permanent.