What is Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty)?
Nose aesthetics, or rhinoplasty, is the name given to surgical operations performed to change the shape of the nose.
If there is a broken nose as a result of an accident, if there is a genetic or congenital problem, if there is a breathing problem, rhinoplasty can be performed.
What is Nose Structure?
The upper part of the nose consists of bone and the lower part of cartilage, covered with skin. It has an important place in the respiratory system.
How is Nose Aesthetics Performed?
Rhinoplasty can change the bone, cartilage tissue, skin layer or all three, as deemed necessary. When planning rhinoplasty, the patient’s expectation is asked. The doctor makes the necessary explanation. As every surgical operation has risks, there may be complications in this operation.
Risks of infection, bleeding, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia are always present.
The most important question the doctor will ask is about the individual’s motivation and goals for surgery. At this stage, the most important detail for the final results to be as desired is the expression of wishes and goals in a completely honest way.
The surgeon will clearly explain to the rhinoplasty candidate what rhinoplasty can and cannot gain.
After that, he will collect information about nasal congestion, past surgeries and medications used. Individuals with a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia may not be candidates for rhinoplasty.
During this process, the doctor will perform a complete physical exam, including laboratory tests such as blood tests. He will also examine the facial features of the rhinoplasty candidate and the inside and outside of his nose.
In this way, it is possible to determine what changes need to be made and how physical characteristics such as skin thickness or cartilage strength at the tip of the nose can affect the results.
Physical examination is also important to determine the effect of rhinoplasty on breathing.
You will stay in the hospital the night of the surgery. The next day, the hospital is discharged. For the last control, an appointment is made 3-4 days later.
Preparations Before Nose Aesthetics
If there are drugs used continuously two weeks before the operation, they should be left under the supervision of a doctor. You should definitely talk to your doctor about drugs that are impossible to quit. Some types of medication can increase bleeding. Only drugs approved or prescribed by the nasal surgeon should be used.
Also, herbal remedies, natural remedies, and supplements should be avoided. It is necessary to stop or take a break from smoking. Smoking slows the healing process after surgery and increases the chance of getting an infection.
What Happens During Nose Surgery
The shape of the nasal bones or cartilage can be changed by the surgeon in various ways depending on how much the nasal tissue should be removed or how attachments should be made, the structure of the nose and the available material.
If the wall between the two nostrils of the nose, namely the septum, is crooked or twisted, this can be corrected by the surgeon to improve breathing. However, this operation is different from rhinoplasty and is called septoplasty.
For minor changes, the surgeon may use cartilage from the deeper points of the nose or ear. Larger changes may use cartilage from implants, ribs, or other parts of your body. Upon completion of these changes, the surgeon places the nasal skin and tissue back and sutures the cuts.
After Nose Surgery
Usually, internal dressings stay in place for one to seven days after surgery. The surgeon may also tape a splint to the nose for protection and support.
This usually stays in place for about a week. To reduce bleeding and swelling after rhinoplasty, it is necessary to rest in bed with the head higher than the chest. Swelling and bruising can be minimized with post-operative ice application. The nose may become blocked due to swelling or from splints placed during surgery.
It is common for 3-4 days after surgery to continue to bleed with mucus and accumulated blood, along with slight bleeding, until after removing the dressing.
The doctor tells the patient about some precautions to be taken so that the nose is not bleeding or damaged again.
These will include avoiding strenuous activities such as aerobics and jogging, blowing the nose, turning to fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation, avoiding excessive facial expressions such as smiling or laughing, brushing the teeth softly to move the upper lip less, and wearing front-opening clothes such as shirts. .
In addition, glasses or sunglasses should not rest on the nose for at least four weeks after surgery. It is possible to tape the glasses to the forehead until the nose heals. Sunscreen with factor 30 should be used outside, especially on the nose. Too much sun during this period can cause permanent discoloration of the nasal skin.
Two to three days after rhinoplasty, temporary swelling or black-blue discoloration of the eyelids may occur for three weeks. It may take even longer for the nasal swelling to subside.
Staying away from sodium during feeding will help the swelling go down faster. It would be best to take a week off after the surgery.
Rhinoplasty Results
Rhinoplasty is not a simple but a difficult operation. There are many reasons for this. First of all, the nose is a three-dimensional and complex shape located in the middle of the face.
Although the changes made during rhinoplasty are very small, these changes can make a big difference in the appearance and functioning of the nose. Since these changes are small, the margin of error is also high.
It should not be forgotten that after the surgery, the nose changes throughout life, as in the rest of the body.
