Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty): What is it, Why is it done, Methods and Treatment

All surgical operations performed to change the shape of the nose are called rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty operations are frequently used to obtain a more pleasant-looking nose structure, to make shape changes in accordance with personal wishes, and to eliminate deformities that negatively affect nasal functions such as breathing and smell. While a healthy nose structure can be achieved with the procedures performed on the nasal bone and cartilage tissues, changes can be made in the appearance of the nose to ensure the ideal facial proportion. Nowadays, with the help of developing medical technologies, nose surgeries are performed in a much simpler way than in the past, using closed techniques or small incisions whenever possible. When visually disturbing nose hump, nasal tip sagging, nose size and many other problems are eliminated with these operations, patients can live their lives in a much more comfortable and healthy way psychologically.

What is Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty)?

Surgical operations performed on these tissues in the nose, which include bone and cartilage tissues, are called rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty, also known as rhinoplasty or nasoplasty, is frequently preferred both in the treatment of structural disorders in the nose caused by congenital or subsequent trauma and in correcting the undesirable appearance. Many rhinoplasty operations combine both treatment and cosmetic purposes. Because most of the deformities that cause an undesirable appearance in the nose also negatively affect respiratory function. However, aesthetic operations on the nose can be performed only to cause visual discomfort to the person. In rhinoplasty, which is the most frequently preferred aesthetic operation, after the person decides to undergo surgery, he/she must undergo a medical examination and get an opinion on whether the nose structure is suitable for rhinoplasty. Even the smallest intervention in the nose, which directly affects the appearance of the face, brings significant results. Therefore, it is very important to choose changes and operation techniques suitable for the nose structure and to have the operation performed by experienced surgeons.

How is Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty) Done?

The process of rhinoplasty begins with the first examination performed by a specialist doctor. The patient’s complaints, the desired visual changes and whether they are suitable for the nose or facial structure are determined by an exchange of views between the doctor and the patient during this examination. At the same time, a detailed examination can determine whether there is any problem in the nose that may prevent the rhinoplasty operation. If no structural problem is observed, general health checks should be performed and the presence of conditions that may prevent surgery, such as bleeding diseases, should be investigated. It is very important for the doctor and the patient to establish good communication and for the patient to explain his/her expectations to the doctor in terms of the shape changes to be made in the nose in patients who are determined to be suitable for the operation. In this way, undesirable consequences can be prevented and the possibility of needing correction operations can be minimized. By taking photographs of the nose from various angles, an approximate image of the targeted changes can be obtained on a large screen. The use of such visual techniques during the planning stage is very useful in ensuring correct communication between the doctor and the patient.

On the day of the operation, depending on the type of surgery, local anesthesia is applied if simple interventions are performed, and general anesthesia is applied if a large-scale operation is to be performed. Surgery duration also varies depending on the procedures to be performed. On average, a rhinoplasty operation is expected to take approximately a few hours. After the operation, which is performed by choosing the most suitable open or closed method for the patient, the patients are discharged after being kept under observation for a certain period of time.

Why is Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty) Done?

Rhinoplasty; It can be performed in many different situations for a health problem or unwanted deformities in the nose. However, common problems that may answer the question of why rhinoplasty is performed include:

• Congenital or acquired deformities in the nose
• Presence of curvature or protrusion in the nasal bone
• Complaints such as breathing problems and snoring due to structural disorders
• The person is uncomfortable with the appearance of their nose or needs any shape change
• Nose too big or too small
• Problems with the angle of the nose
• Nostrils being smaller or larger than normal
• Presence of problems such as drooping, upturned, pointed, congested or asymmetrical appearance at the tip of the nose

To whom can Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty) be performed?

Rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly performed surgical operations that many people want to have for various reasons. An important point to consider in rhinoplasty applications is that the age factor should be taken into account in patients who want to have rhinoplasty due to visual concerns only. If there is no functional problem in the respiratory and olfactory functions of the nasal organ, and if an operation is requested solely due to aesthetic concerns, full cartilage development should be waited. Therefore, in such cases, the period recommended by the doctor should be waited between the ages of 15 and 18, when the development of bone and cartilage in the nose is completed. However, if there is a functional disorder or if there is a problem that will negatively affect the child’s psychological development, rhinoplasty can be performed at younger ages, with the physician’s approval.

What are the Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty) Methods?

Rhinoplasty surgeries are basically performed with one of two main techniques: open method and closed method. Apart from these, some special aesthetic surgery techniques can also be used depending on the type of problem to be treated in the nose. The main features of the two basic operation techniques are as follows:

Open Rhinoplasty

These are rhinoplasty operations performed through a small incision made under the part between the nostrils. The surgeon’s wide field of view is the most important reason why open rhinoplasty is safer and more frequently preferred in large-scale operations. The surgeon’s control over the operating area is greater than in closed surgery. In this way, millimetric calculations and important changes can be carried out safely. The healing process is longer than the closed method.

Closed rhinoplasty

In closed rhinoplasty, the operation is performed by making an incision on the inside of the nose, so there are no visible stitches, wounds or scars from the outside. An incision is made on the inside of the nose instead of the wing parts, and the area under the cartilage, bone and skin is accessed. After the desired interventions are performed, the incision is stitched and the operation is completed. Although the working area is limited compared to open surgery, it offers advantages such as a shorter recovery time for minor interventions (since the tip of the nose is not opened) and a reduced risk of scarring.

Apart from the two main rhinoplasty techniques above, nose surgeries performed with the help of a piezo device, which is an ultrasonic bone cutter, are called “piezo rhinoplasty”. Since nasal tip corrections constitute a large part of rhinoplasty surgeries, they involve unique approaches and surgical techniques. These operations are called nose tip aesthetics or type rhinoplasty. If the laser technique is used in rhinoplasty applications that require the reduction of the nasal concha, called turbinates, in the nose, these operations are called laser rhinoplasty. In addition to all these, additional operations planned to treat ongoing problems or errors that need to be corrected after rhinoplasty surgery for any reason are defined as secondary rhinoplasty surgery.

Nose Aesthetics (Rhinoplasty) Treatment Process

During the rhinoplasty treatment process, both the pre-operative and post-operative periods require more meticulousness than many surgical operations in terms of the success of the operation.

Preoperative Process

The preoperative process actually begins with the patient being informed of the need for surgery by his physician or the patient deciding to have rhinoplasty for visual reasons. One of the most important issues in this process is surgeon selection. Since nose aesthetics are very meticulous procedures, they should be performed by experienced surgeons to achieve successful results and prevent unnecessary correction operations. One of the issues that patients frequently focus on is the surgical technique. Although open and closed methods are often the subject of discussion among patients, the technique to be applied may be different for each patient.

As a result of the examination performed by the physician, it should be decided which method will give more successful results, taking into account factors such as the procedures to be performed on the nose and the nose structure. Since both open and closed operations have their own advantages and disadvantages, and not every method may be effective or suitable for every operation, the choice in this regard should belong to the surgeon, not the patient. After the targeted changes are decided and the surgery day is determined, the patient is explained how to prepare for the operation. If you are using blood thinners, their use should be discontinued one or two weeks before the surgery, as recommended by the physician. The use of cigarettes and tobacco products should be strictly avoided as they negatively affect wound healing. Apart from such precautions, rhinoplasty operations do not require large-scale special preparation. It is sufficient for patients to be present at the relevant center on the day of surgery, taking into account the recommendations given by their physicians.

Postoperative

It is of great importance to protect the surgical area after the rhinoplasty operation in order for the nose shape and the treatment performed on the nose to be successful. Therefore, any trauma that will negatively affect the shape of the nose should be avoided. Apart from trauma, it is extremely important not to use glasses, lie on your side or apply pressure to the nose area for a while. After the surgery, adequate rest, especially for the first two or three days, and avoiding strenuous activities for a week will accelerate the healing process. In addition, if there are medications prescribed by the doctor, these should also be used regularly. Control examinations should not be interrupted, and if there is a dressing recommendation, these should be done regularly or had to be done by a healthcare professional.

If you want to undergo rhinoplasty surgery or get information about the rhinoplasty process, you can consult your doctor, undergo an examination and get an opinion from your doctor about the surgery.