Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) Surgery

Rhinoplasty (or “nose job”) is a surgery that is designed to enhance or change the shape of the nose. A rhinoplasty surgeon can increase or decrease the size of the nose, reshape the tip, alter the angle between the nose and the upper lip, or narrow the nostrils. A rhinoplasty is most often conducted as a " closed rhinoplasty," with incisions hidden inside the nose. If a revision to previous rhinoplasty surgery is required, the new nose job procedure is known as a “secondary rhinoplasty.”

The Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) Procedure

Rhinoplasty , or " nose job" surgery, is usually an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. There are generally two types of nose surgery, differentiated by the way the surgeon accesses the interior of the nose. The surgeon begins the procedure by either making an incision inside the nose ( closed rhinoplasty) or across the columella (open rhinoplasty); the columella is the thin strip of tissue that separates the nostrils.
Talk to your doctor to decide which of these nose surgeries is best for you.

Open Rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty surgery allows the surgeon the least restricted access to the cartilage and bone of the nose but is also more likely to cause scarring. The incision across the columella makes it possible for the doctor to lift the skin off the tip of the nose and shape the cartilage very precisely. When healed, the incision leaves a very small, almost unnoticeable scar on the underside of the nose. Despite this drawback, some surgeons feel that the open nose job procedure is the best option in many cases.

Closed Rhinoplasty

For many patients, the closed rhinoplasty procedure offers all of the traditional nose job benefits without the risk of external scarring. Incisions in this operation are made inside the nostril, where they will be completely invisible after healing. While it may not offer quite as much freedom to the surgeon, the closed rhinoplasty surgery still allows plenty of reshaping possibilities. Bone and cartilage can be removed or, in some cases, taken from another part of the patient’s body and added in for better shape or support. In other instances, the surgeon may decide that an artificial implant is the best way to give the patient the nose appearance he or she desires.

Since the difference between these two types of nose surgery comes down to one small cut, the preparation for the nose job procedure is largely the same for both. Likewise, open and closed rhinoplasty both usually entail general sedation, though some doctors may recommend only local anesthetic. The extra cut does not significantly alter the nose job recovery process after the open surgery since the skin heals faster than the bone and cartilage underneath. In the end, then, the decision between these nose surgeries comes down to a question of whether the surgeon will have enough access without the cut and whether getting that access will be worth the tiny scar it will leave.

Nasal Packing

Once the nose has been redesigned, the incision will be closed and a splint will be applied to help it retain its new shape. In some cases, nasal packing — pieces of gauze that fill the nostrils — may be placed in the nose to keep the septum (the tissue that divides the air passages within the nose) in place and keep bleeding under control. The nasal packing will usually be removed within a few days, and the splint and stitches should be removed after one or two weeks. Since the nasal packing is associated with a moderate increase in pain after the rhinoplasty surgery, many surgeons try to avoid using it unless necessary.

Locate a Surgeon in Your City or State

If you are interested in either an open or closed rhinoplasty, let DocShop help you find a talented surgeon. A rhinoplasty "nose job" procedure performed by a qualified rhinoplasty surgeon can give you the results you desire — speak with a surgeon in your area to learn more about the surgery.