Rhinoplasty
Markus Fichtl is a freelance writer in the medical department.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.A nose correction (rhinoplasty) is a surgical procedure to change the outer shape of the nose. The procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon. A rhinoplasty can be useful for various reasons, for example many patients have their nose made smaller. You can find out more about the reasons for a rhinoplasty and the possible risks of the operation here.
What is a nose job?
The shape of the nose is determined by various anatomical structures. Every person has a unique nose thanks to the combination of cartilaginous, bony and soft tissue parts.
The aim of rhinoplasty is to change the outer shape of the nose by removing, repositioning or replacing tissue.
When to do a nose job
A nose job (rhinoplasty) is performed for different reasons:
- Aesthetic reasons: nasal surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgical interventions. A nasal reduction or narrowing, the correction of a saddle or crooked nose or the narrowing of the nostrils are often desired.
- Functional reasons: If the natural shape of the nose hinders breathing, this can in some cases be remedied by a rhinoplasty.
- Reconstruction of the nose: In rare cases, a natural nose shape has to be restored after injuries or unsuccessful previous operations.
What do you do with a nose job?
Before each nose operation, the attending physician must talk to the patient in detail about his or her wishes and ideas regarding the new nose. The surgeon will examine the nose carefully to find out how a good aesthetic result can be achieved. It is important that the "new" nose does not cause any functional problems (breathing!) And that it fits the entire face. For example, a small snub nose in combination with a broad, angular chin would look rather strange.
The procedure is usually carried out on an outpatient basis. In aesthetic nasal surgery, the shape and size of the nasal bones and cartilage are changed through small incisions in the skin until the desired result is achieved. In some cases it is also necessary to introduce additional cartilage material. The surgeon can easily remove this from other cartilage tissues on the body, shape it into the desired shape and attach it to the affected area with very fine sutures. Cartilage tissue from the nasal septum, an auricle or a rib is often used. Once all the shaping measures have been carried out, the nourishing mucous membranes are put back exactly and sewn with fine, self-dissolving threads.
In the field of reconstructive nasal surgery, so-called flap grafts or split skin are often used. This is the patient's own skin, which is taken elsewhere and used to cover the defect.
Rhinoplasty: duration and cost
What and how much has to be changed at which point is just as individual as the shape of the human nose. The duration of the operation and the costs are accordingly variable. The latter are also heavily dependent on the surgeon's expertise and reputation.
In contrast to a nose operation for medical reasons, the costs of which are usually covered by health insurances, a purely aesthetic nose correction has to be paid for out of pocket.
Rhinoplasty without surgery
Sometimes hyaluronic acid is used for rhinoplasty. This filling and supporting substance also occurs naturally in the human body and has been used as an anti-wrinkle agent for a long time. After specialist advice from a dermatologist, he injects the hyaluronic acid gel into the corresponding regions of the nose. The gel hardens over several days.
The rhinoplasty with hyaluronic acid must be repeated every one to two years, as the filler substance introduced is broken down by the body over time. In addition, this type of rhinoplasty is not suitable for all nose shapes. Typically, it is used, for example, on a prominent nasal hump or a sunken tip of the nose. The advantage of the method lies in the lower risks (because no surgical intervention) and the lower costs.
A nose reduction without surgery is not possible.
What are the risks of a nose job?
As with any surgical procedure, there are also risks associated with a nose job. There is often mild pain after the operation, and bruising and swelling develop, but these soon subside.
In rare cases, bleeding, decreased sensitivity to touch, circulatory disorders of the inner mucous membranes and infections occur. Sometimes nasal breathing is hindered by the aesthetic procedure. It is not uncommon for the operation to result in bumps, asymmetries or other undesirable shapes of the nose, which make a new nose operation necessary.
Important anatomical structures such as the tear duct, the olfactory nerve or the sensory nerves are very rarely injured during the procedure.
Overall, however, the rhinoplasty is a relatively safe operation with few side effects.
What do I have to consider after a nose job?
After a nose operation, the "new" nose must be adequately supported and protected for some time. For this purpose, silicone tubes are inserted into the nose in the first one to two weeks and a splint or plaster of paris is put on from the outside. Blowing your nose, sneezing, grimacing, talking frequently or other strain on the nose should be avoided whenever possible. If possible, wearers of glasses should use contact lenses or facilitate the follow-up treatment by attaching a special lifting bracket. Even if after a few weeks nothing is visible from the outside and there is no longer any pain, you should still take appropriate care of yourself, as cartilage only heals very slowly and can therefore shift even after months. This would then make a new rhinoplasty necessary.
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