Although cosmetics have come a long way in the last few decades, it is still virtually impossible to change the appearance of the shape or size of our nose. This central feature cannot be hidden behind hair or altered using non-surgical procedures. As such, rhinoplasty surgery remains one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery in the United States.
Rhinoplasty can be successful in altering common complaints including:
A nose that is too large or small and seems out of proportion with the rest of your facial features.
Nostrils that are abnormally large or small.
A bump on the bridge of the nose.
A tip of the nose that is upturned, downturned or otherwise unsightly.
A flattened nose, that can either be natural or caused by injury.
Rhinoplasty is far from the simplest of surgeries, but by choosing a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, you can be sure to achieve the changes to your nose that you have been dreaming of.
What will happen during my rhinoplasty surgery?
Exactly what is involved in rhinoplasty will depend on the changes that you wish to make to your nose. Your surgeon will also have to take into the account how your surgery will affect your breathing since your nose forms an essential part of your breathing. If the changes made compromise the flow of air through the nose to your lungs, you may find it difficult to breathe. In fact, many people who seek rhinoplasty procedures do so with the intent of opening up the airway so that breathing is easier than before.
All rhinoplasty procedures are performed under general anesthetic, which helps ensure you aren’t in any pain or are asleep for the duration of the process. Your surgeon will ensure that incisions are placed inside the nose wherever possible which helps to reduce visible scarring. Any external incisions will be made into folds of the nose to ensure that any scars are hidden. Doing so helps to improve the overall appearance of your nose after your procedure.
Rhinoplasty procedures are typically divided into the following categories based on the types of changes a patient wishes to make:
Reduction
Unsurprisingly, these procedures aim to make elements of the nose, or the nose as a whole, smaller. Many patients who opt for this procedure do so because they feel that a part of their nose is too distinctive or that their nose is out of proportion with the rest of their face. Reduction rhinoplasty typically involves filing down some of the bone and/or cartilage and reshaping the tip of the nose.
Augmentation
Augmentation rhinoplasty refers to reshaping the main framework of the nose, and often requires bone and cartilage to be taken from other areas of your body and grafting them on to your nose. This can make your nose larger and open up the airway so that you can breathe more easily. Augmentation rhinoplasty is typically chosen by patients who have a flattened nose, which can be genetic or due to a trauma such as break.
Septorhinoplasty
Sometimes patients need surgery to address the septum, which is the small piece of cartilage that separates the nostrils. This is known as a septorhinoplasty and can be performed in conjunction with other rhinoplasty procedures listed here.
Rhinotip
If you are looking to have just the shape or size of the nostrils and the tip of the nose altered to improve their physical appearance, you will be said to be undergoing rhinotip rhinoplasty. Rhinotip patients typically leave the rest of the nose untouched.
If you would like more information about what is involved in a rhinoplasty procedure, or if you would like an appointment to discuss your candidacy for the procedure, please speak to our reassuring and dedicated cosmetic surgery team in San Antonio, TX today.
