Rhinoplasty or Plastic Surgery of the Nose: Procedure and Pre-operative precautions

Rhinoplasty is the plastic surgery of the nose and is commonly known as a nose job. It is performed either for cosmetic reasons or to improve nasal function after an accident or sometimes congenital for a condition that affects breathing causing difficulties during sleeping or doing exercise.

Rhinoplasty is usually performed on patients with no further facial growth to prevent any change appearance or function of growth. The girls above 16 years old while, boys above 18 years old can undergo this procedure.

How to prepare for this procedure?

Before the procedure, the doctor conducts a health evaluation of the patient. The consultation is mostly about:

• Taking the medical history of the patient which includes, questions regarding the history of nasal obstruction, any past surgeries and about the medicines taken by the patient. The doctor also enquires if the patient has any disease and especially any bleeding disorder.
• Physical examination includes complete physical examination including blood tests and other laboratory tests if required. Physical examination helps the doctor to determine the thickness of the skin and the strength, of the nose cartilage. It is also done to decide that there is difficulty in breathing post-surgery.
• Photographs taken from a different angle helps the patient gets an idea about their looks post-surgery. The doctor also uses these photographs for post-surgery assessment before and after the surgery.
• During the pre-surgery consultation, the doctor and the patient talk about the expectations from the surgery and the look post-surgery.

Know more about Cosmetic Surgeons in India.

Pre-operative precautions:

The pre-operative precautions taken before the surgery is:

• Avoid medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen as it prevents blood coagulation easily.
• Avoid smoking at least seven days before the surgery and do not smoke until the wound heals.
• Do not take any over the counter drugs or any herbal remedies before the surgery.

What to expect during the procedure?

The procedure is usually performed with the help of general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The nature of surgery defines the choice of the type of anesthesia. If the surgery is complex the doctor goes with general anesthesia.

Rhinoplasty is either inside the nose or a small incision is made at the base of the nose, between the nostrils. The surgeon thus adjusts the bone or cartilage or both that lie underneath the skin. The surgeon decides the amount of cartilage that is required to be added or removed to get the expected look. Then the skin of the nose is placed back and incisions are stitched if required.

After the procedure:

After the surgery, the nose is usually blocked either because of the swelling or because of the splints inserted during the surgery. The doctor asks to follow some precautions after surgery. They are:

• Rest but keep your nose at least above the chest to prevent bleeding.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or any activity till the wound heals completely.
• Avoid showers till the dressing is not removed.
• Do not blow your nose
• Eat fiber-rich food to prevent constipation
• Avoid wearing clothes that require pulling over your head,
• Avoid laughing or smiling till the wound heals
• Brush the teeth gently.
• Do not apply an ice pack on nose post-surgery.
• Use sunscreen before going in the sun as sun rays may cause irreversible damage to the skin of the nose.
• Do not rest the sunglasses on your nose for at least a month after the surgery to prevent applying pressure post-surgery.

The complications of this surgery are very rare.