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Rhinoplasty

About the Procedure | Why is it performed? | Before the procedure | After the procedure (Recovery) | Risks | Outlook (Prognosis) | FAQ’s

Rhinoplasty is surgery to repair or reshape the nose.

About the Procedure

Rhinoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the exact procedure and the patient’s preference. It may be performed in a surgeon’s office, a hospital, or an outpatient surgery center. Complex procedures may require a short hospital stay. The procedure usually takes 1 -2 hours, but may take longer. With local anesthesia, the nose and the area around it is numbed. You will probably be lightly sedated, but awake during the surgery (relaxed and not feeling pain). General anesthesia allows the patient to sleep through the operation, and is typically used in children.

The surgery is usually done through a cut made inside the nostrils. In some cases, the cut may be made from outside, around the base of the nose. This type of cut is used to perform work on the tip of the nose, or if you need a cartilage graft. A splint (metal or plastic) may be placed on the outside of the nose. This helps maintain the new shape of the bone when the surgery is finished. Soft plastic splints or nasal packs also may be placed in the nostrils to keep the dividing wall between the air passages (septum) stable.

Why is it Performed?

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. It can be used to:

  • Reduce or increase the size of the nose
  • Change the shape of the tip or the nasal bridge
  • Narrow the opening of the nostrils
  • Change the angle between the nose and the upper lip
  • Correct a birth defect or injury
  • Help relieve some breathing problems

Nose surgery is considered “elective” when it is done for cosmetic reasons. In these cases, the purpose is to change the shape of the nose to one that the patient finds more desirable. Many surgeons do not like to perform cosmetic nose surgery until the nasal bone has finished growing (around age 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys).

Before the procedure

Before scheduling rhinoplasty, you must meet with your surgeon to discuss important factors that determine whether the procedure is likely to work well for you. This meeting generally includes:

  • Your medical history. Your doctor asks questions about conditions you have or have had, as well as any current medications. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, you may not be a candidate for rhinoplasty.
  • A physical examination. Your doctor conducts a complete physical examination, including any laboratory tests, such as blood tests. He or she also inspects your skin and the inside and outside of your nose. The physical exam helps your doctor determine what changes need to be made and how your physical features — for example, the thickness of your skin or the strength of the cartilage at the end of your nose — may affect your results.
  • Photographs. Someone from your doctor’s office takes photographs of your nose from different angles. Your doctor uses these photos for before-and-after assessments, reference during surgery and long-term reviews.
  • A discussion of your expectations. You and your doctor should talk about your motivations and expectations. He or she explains what rhinoplasty can and can’t do for you and what your results might be.

After the procedure (Recovery)

You will usually go home on the same day as your surgery. Immediately after surgery, your nose and face will be swollen and painful. Headaches are common. The nasal packing is usually removed after 3 to 5 days and you will feel much more comfortable.

Risks

The risks of any anesthesia are:

  • Reactions to medications
  • Problems breathing

The risks of any surgery are:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Bruising

After surgery, small burst blood vessels may occasionally appear as tiny red spots on the skin’s surface. They are usually minor, but are permanent. There are no visible scars if the rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose. If the procedure narrows flared nostrils, there may be small scars at the base of the nose that are not usually visible.

Rarely, a second procedure may be needed to fix a minor deformity.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Full recovery takes several weeks. Healing is a slow and gradual process. The tip of the nose may have some swelling and numbness for months. You may not be able to see the final results for up to a year.

FAQ’s

What is the duration of stay for Rhinoplasty?
The total duration of stay for Rhinoplasty is 9 days. The patient needs to spend 2 days at the hospital to undergo the surgical procedure and spend the remaining 7 days outside the hospital for post procedure recuperation.

What is the cost of the procedure & the expected cost savings for a medical tourist?
Rhinoplasty costs approximately USD 3000 in India. For a medical tourist, this translates to savings of around 50% to 60% depending on the country of origin.
Note:
1) The price quoted above is a very close estimate of the actual cost. The actual cost will vary based on the hospital, the condition of the patient and the time of admission.
2) The procedure cost does not include the price of airfare and hotel booking. We can help you get the best deals for airline and hotel bookings at no extra costs through our travel partners.
Source: MedLinePlus and Plasticsurgery.org