Did you know the most common facial plastic surgery procedure, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is rhinoplasty? Commonly described as nose reshaping or simply as a nose job, this procedure is done in numbers close to 220,000 every single year—and for a variety of reasons. While some patients undergo rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons to achieve a more balanced appearance, others are seeking to improve their breathing or correct an injury.
Medical vs. Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
It might surprise some people to know that the shape of their nose affects the ability to breathe. In many cases, this is the result of a genetic abnormality or birth defect, such as a cleft lip, Treacher Collins syndrome, Apert syndrome, or craniosynostosis. For babies and children with these conditions, rhinoplasty is only an option after they are finished growing, usually in their teens or early 20s.
Even in adulthood, trouble breathing can arise for some patients if they suffer a traumatic injury like a broken nose. An obstructed nasal passage results in trouble with exercise or other physical activity, as well as sleep disturbances like snoring or sleep apnea. Rhinoplasty serves to open up the nasal passages so air can flow freely again.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty has its benefits as well. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery describes nose reshaping as “a rewarding and life-enhancing procedure” because it gives patients better proportion and symmetry to one of their face’s more prominent features, thus helping them achieve confidence in their appearance.
In situations of medical rhinoplasty, where a patient seeks nose reshaping to achieve better function, the procedure is often covered by their health insurance. Cosmetic rhinoplasty, on the other hand, which is simply done to improve a patient’s appearance, is considered an elective procedure and often must be covered out of pocket.
How It Works
Patients undergoing rhinoplasty should start by working with a surgeon to determine the new nose shape they want to achieve. This first step is especially important in the case of medical rhinoplasty because a surgeon must evaluate how a patient’s starting nasal structure affects their airflow and their ability to breathe.
Once the patient has undergone anesthesia, the doctor begins the procedure by making an incision along the columella, the strip of tissue that goes between the nostrils. This gives the surgeon access to the cartilage and bone they can then reshape to change the structure and shape of the nose. When the surgeon is done, they’ll make small stitches to close up the incision.
Challenges to Expect
Although rhinoplasty is a fairly short procedure—usually taking only an hour or two, with patients able to leave the surgical site that day—there are some challenges that come with the recovery process.
Patients will leave surgery with a nose splint, and they should expect to see some bruising and swelling in the very beginning. This bruising and swelling will subside once the splint is removed.
Patients should plan to take at least a week off work or school for recovery, during which time they will need to take care in icing their nose and keeping it clean. After the first week, most patients will be able to resume normal activities, although it will take a few more weeks for minimal scarring to completely disappear.
As with other plastic surgery procedures, finding a qualified professional is vital to ensuring your well-being and achieving the results that you want. To find a surgeon certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, visit find.plasticsurgery.org.
