A nose job or rhinoplasty is a delicate surgery, performed for reshaping the nose. Although most people undergo this surgery to enhance their appearance, there are also cases where this surgery helps in relieving breathing problems. The process involves reshaping of nasal tissues, and modifications are done to the cartilage and nasal bones. A single surgery will suffice, if the procedure is carried out by an expert surgeon having good understanding of facial aesthetics.

Do You Need a Nose Job?

It depends on individual’s perception of facial beauty. However, sometimes the imperfection can be quite glaring, or the nose could be deformed, or injured in an accident. The nose is an important facial feature, and a small change done to it can enhance facial beauty considerably. The individual has to be at least sixteen years old to undergo this surgery, and proper examination and tests have to be carried out to ensure safety.

Points to Consider before Rhinoplasty

Individuals planning to undergo a nose surgery should be clear about the modifications they require. It could be reducing the flare of the nostrils, getting rid of a bump, shortening the nose tip, or augmenting the bridge of the nose. However, the most important part is to select the right surgeon, who is not only qualified, but also has a fair amount of experience in this procedure.

Rhinoplasty is not a standard procedure, and has to be individualized, according to the person’s features. After the surgery, the “new” nose, however beautiful, should appear natural, and blend with the face, giving no clue whatsoever that a nose job has been done. An expert cosmetic surgeon will evaluate your requirements; take into account your unique facial structure, your skin thickness and age. He will then give you a fair assessment of what is possible, and the risks involved. Many surgeons now have computer imaging software, where they are able to show you graphically the possible changes that are going to take place.

Possible Risks

Rhinoplasty has become quite a common procedure, but there are certain risks involved, as in any surgery. Complications are possible and they include nosebleeds, infection, or adverse reaction to the administered anesthesia. However, all these risks can be minimized, when you choose a good surgeon, and follow all his instructions.

Most people planning a nose job are afraid of scarring. The nasal surgery is usually done from the inside, and hence there will not be any scars. However, in certain circumstances, an external technique might be required, and the result could be minor scarring. The level of scarring will again depend on the expertise of the surgeon, and his ability to mask it. Most surgeons will have “before and after” photos of their previous work, and it is a good idea to go through them, to have an idea of the possible outcome.

Although a single surgery is sufficient for a lifetime, there are cases when even the best surgeons need to perform a second procedure, as a corrective surgery. Sometimes this can extend to multiple procedures if the modification required is very complicated.

Secondary surgeries might also be required if the first surgeon has done a bad job. The most common mistake is making the nose too small in proportion to the face. This type of corrective surgery is quite complex and time consuming, and hence it is important to get the proportions right the first time.

What to Expect after the Surgery

A regular rhinoplasty takes about an hour, and it can be uncomfortable after the surgery, for about a week. After the nose job, the person’s face will be bandaged for a few days; however, the tape used can be of flesh color to make it less noticeable.