Nose Job (Rhinoplasty)

Cosmetic surgery has long been the choice for people wanting to enhance their facial features. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, getting a nose job or rhinoplasty surgery became the most popular plastic surgery in 2003. In fact, some 350,000 patients underwent the procedure in the United States alone.

Reasons for Undergoing Rhinoplasty
Often, rhinoplasty is performed for the nasal alteration in terms of size and shape for better aesthetic results. Discontentment over one's physical appearance usually makes people consider undergoing rhinoplasty. However, difficulty in breathing and inborn defects or accidents resulting to disfigurement may also be reasons for having the procedure.

Before undergoing rhinoplasty however, people are advised to consult a licensed surgeon who will discuss with them the procedure and how the possible results would meet their expectations depending on their facial features. People planning to undergo this procedure must also be healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. They should also understand that perfectly shaped noses are non-existent simply because the shape of one's nose compliments only his unique facial features. Facial beauty is relative not only to the shape of one's nose but also to his other facial features like the chin or the lip.

The Actual Procedure
Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, is a procedure which is done either with a local or a general anesthesia administered to an outpatient. Under a local anesthesia, the patient is made to relax with the help of sedatives and the nose is numbed. Under general anesthesia on the other hand, the patient is put to sleep throughout the whole procedure.

After the patient is subjected to anesthesia, he shall then undergo either of the two types of rhinoplasty surgery: closed rhinoplasty and open rhinoplasty. Closed rhinoplasty is performed for minor alterations of the nose. After administering anesthesia, the areas inside the nostrils are incised. When the skin has been separated from the bones, the cartilage is removed for reshaping, augmentation or rearrangement that would lead to the desired shape. After this, the nasal tissues are reattached onto the altered nasal structures and the incision is closed.

In case the patient decides to undergo rhinoplasty without having major alterations on his nasal shape, then structure rhinoplasty is recommended. In this procedure, only a minimal amount of cartilage is taken with the shape and strength of the nose maintained as healing occurs.

Open rhinoplasty, on the other hand, is done for major nasal alterations. Instead of having the incisions on areas inside the nostrils, these are made in the exterior areas of the nose. The incisions are done in the columella, the base of the nose which separates the nostrils. To achieve the patient's desired shape, the cartilage and inner bone are molded to an improved form.

After the Procedure
After undergoing rhinoplasty, the patient is usually asked to wear a nasal splint during the first week to maintain the nose's new shape. The splint also protects the nose while it is healing. Inflation and contusions found in areas near the eyes will heal after the third day and will usually last for two weeks. After this, the patient will develop only a minor inflation often times noticeable only by him and his surgeon. The inflation will recede after six months and the altered shape of the nose will be visible after healing completely.

While waiting for the incisions to heal, the patient is strongly advised to avoid strenuous activities for three to four weeks. The patient must also avoid rough contact with his nose. He must also refrain from blowing his nose. When the patient appears to have not undergone surgery, he may then return to his daily activities.