Rhinoplasty is the medical term for nose reshaping and it is one of the most frequently performed of all plastic surgery operations. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose; it can change the shape of the nose’s tip or bridge; it can reduce the distance between nostrils; and it can change the angle between the nose and upper lip.

One of the most common procedures that is performed together with rhinoplasty surgery is a septoplasty. Septoplasty aids in keeping the nasal passages sufficiently open so as to facilitate the free passage of air.

Rhinoplasty can be performed by using a small incision at the base of the nose. This is called open rhinoplasty. However with increasing frequency, contemporary rhinoplasty is being carried out employing incisions that are well-concealed within the nostrils. This is known as a closed rhinoplasty.

Our surgeons perform most of their rhinoplasty procedures using the closed rhinoplasty technique, however in some cases, due to the extent of the procedure, an open rhinoplasty may be required in order to achieve the desired result. At the consultation, your surgeon will discuss which option is most suited to your needs.

Who is suitable for rhinoplasty surgery?

• Those who are unhappy with the current shape and size of their nose
• Those with a bump on the bridge of the nose
• Those with a drooping nasal tip
• Those who possess a thickened and enlarged nasal tip
• Those with excessively wide nostrils
• Those with an off-centre or asymmetrical nose
• The nose normally continues growing until the age of about 16. Therefore, most surgeons recommend postponing surgery until at least this age

What to consider at this stage

Before you see the surgeon, it is important to consider exactly what you are trying to achieve from your surgery. In many ways, when considering rhinoplasty this is of particular importance, since many patients will have been self-conscious about their nose for many years. Being the most central prominent feature of the face, the nose can create all kinds of emotions. The object of nose reshaping surgery is to make the nose more acceptable in the eyes of the patient. Therefore, before consulting a surgeon, it is advisable to be totally certain about what it is about your current nose that concerns you. It is only when the surgeon knows precisely what you wish to achieve that he is able to determine whether this is technically possible.

It is also important to consider that, in addition to the nose, other facial features also have implications for the overall appearance of your face. So in order to keep your face in proportion, your surgeon might additionally advise altering the chin, cheek or other facial feature.

How is rhinoplasty surgery performed?

• It is possible for rhinoplasty to be performed under a local anaesthetic with sedation. However, most frequently patients will have a general anaesthetic.
• Incisions are made inside the nostrils. There are no external incisions. Both bone and cartilage are removed to make the bridge of the nose straighter. To make the nose narrower, an incision is made at the junction of the nose and cheek.
• The operation takes about 60 minutes.
• The majority of patients remain in hospital overnight for 1 night.
• For those not engaged in physical work, you can expect to return to work within 1 or 2 weeks.
• Expect returning to normal physical exercise within 4 to 6 weeks.

After the operation

As is the case with all surgery, after rhinoplasty surgery you must expect to feel somewhat bruised and sore, particularly around the eyes. Patients are advised to maintain their head up as much as possible. In order to hold the nasal bones in their new position, it will be necessary to wear a splint over your nose for about 7 to 10 days. Most patients report that the operation is surprisingly painless. In the majority of cases, it takes 3 to 6 months for the swelling to subside completely and the appearance of the new nose to appear.

Risks & Complications

Cosmetic surgery is amongst the safest of medical procedures. However, patients must understand and accept that no surgical procedure is totally without risk.

For further information concerning the risks and complications associated with Nose Reshaping, please refer to Risks and Complications of Rhinoplasty.

At your consultation, your surgeon will discuss these risks with you.

How long will the results of your rhinoplasty surgery last?

The result of rhinoplasty surgery is permanent. However differential skin thicknesses and irregularities in internal scarring can all affect the outcome of the surgery, thus rhinoplasty does have a slight higher revision rate than most other procedures. However these revisions are still relatively infrequent, and in most cases minor. If revision surgery is needed, it will most likely take place after the healing process is complete. We advise waiting for at least one year.

For details about procedures and treatments or for a consultation, advice and prices from our Dubai clinic please call  +971 4 431 2396 or use our online form.