Rhinoplasty

About your treatment

The aim of this procedure is to improve/alter the external shape of your nose.

This operation is often combined with a Septoplasty if you are experiencing both blockage of the nose in addition to being unsatisfied with the external appearance of your nose (see separate information sheet on Septoplasty). The procedure is then called a Septorhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty following trauma is usually covered by your private health insurance, while purely cosmetic Rhinoplasty is not. Most private hospitals have fixed rates for cases not covered by insurance.

Before your operation

Your surgeon would have discussed the operation with you.

Inform the surgeon if you are taking any medications that may affect blood clotting such as Aspirin, Warfarin and Clopidogrel (Plavix).

Stop all Garlic tablets or any other natural remedies containing Garlic at least one week prior to surgery as this increases the risk of bleeding during and immediately after surgery.

The Surgery

This is done under General anaesthetic and can take between 40 minutes to 2 hours on the complexity of the procedure.

The operation is performed through the nose in most cases; however in some complicated or revision cases a small skin incision is required. This heals very well and is hardly noticeable.

After your operation

Your will wake up with a hard plaster on your nose (Plaster of Paris or something similar), and a dressing inside your nose. The dressing inside your nose will be removed after a few hours or the next day, while the firm external plaster will be removed after one week.

After leaving hospital

You will have varying degrees of bruising around your eyes (black eye). This will resolve over the following 2 - 3 weeks. Your nose will feel very blocked for the first 2 weeks. During this period there will be minimal bleeding which will soon turn to clotted blood. You will also experience crusts in the nose which will slowly clear over the following 2 - 3 weeks.

You will be given analgesia (pain killers) to take home along with instructions on nasal douching which is a very effective method for clearing the crusts and clots in your nose.

Do not strain or blow your nose for two weeks.
We recommend two weeks off work and three weeks away from heavy non-contact exercise. Contact sports are not recommended after Rhinoplasty due to the risk of nasal collapse.

Length of stay

Depending on what time the surgery takes place you may either go home on the same day (Day Surgery) or stay in hospital overnight.

Complications

1. Bleeding
The nose has a very large blood supply. Troublesome bleeding is therefore the commonest complication of any nose or sinus surgery. Should this occur please contact the hospital for advice or go to your nearest A&E department.
2. Infection
If you experience increasing pain or green discharge from your nose after surgery, you may have an infection and should take a course of antibiotics.
3. Smell
Sense of smell may sometimes be affected. This is usually temporary.
4. Shape of the nose
It takes a few weeks for the bruising and swelling in and around the nose to completely resolve.
As with all cosmetic surgery, whilst the surgeon will try his best to achieve the nose you want, one must have reasonable expectations and the final result may not be exactly what you expected.

If you are really unhappy with the final result, do not hesitate to discuss this with your surgeon, as occasionally it may require more than one procedure to achieve your final desired appearance