Nose Surgery, Here's What You Should Know

rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty is a procedure to correct or change the shape of the nose. Nose surgery can be performed to treat certain abnormalities of the nose or to improve appearance.

Nose surgery is performed by modifying the bones, cartilage, and skin in the nose. The goal can be to change the shape of the nose to make it more attractive, repair a broken nasal bone due to an injury, or to treat breathing problems due to a nose deformity.

rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty It is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgery procedures. This operation is quite complicated and the results may not be as desired. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before undergoing rhinoplasty.

Nose Surgery Indications

Nose surgery can be performed for the following purposes:

Reduce the size of the nose (nose reduction)
Increase the size of the nose (nose augmentation)
Changing the shape of the base or top of the nose
Changing the angle between the nose and the upper lip
Correcting nasal deformities due to birth defects or injuries
Overcome respiratory disorders

Please note, rhinoplasty should not be performed on people with the following conditions:

Suffering from mental disorders
Have a blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia
Using cocaine inhaled through the nose
Had rhinoplasty in the last 9–12 months or had too many rhinoplasty
Have very thick nasal skin, so it can cause a permanent swollen nose after surgery
Have a high risk for complications after surgery

Warning Nose Surgery

Nasal surgery for aesthetic reasons is performed when the nasal cartilage is fully developed, i.e. at the age of 15 years and over. However, if the goal is to treat respiratory problems or certain conditions, rhinoplasty can be performed at a younger age.

Before Nose Surgery

Before undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure, patients need to first consult with a plastic surgeon. In the consultation session, the doctor will explain the benefits, risks, and complications that may occur after undergoing rhinoplasty.

After that, the doctor will provide a form that the patient must sign. This is to ensure that the patient understands the entire procedure and the risks or complications that may occur after rhinoplasty.

If the patient is deemed suitable for rhinoplasty, the doctor will perform the following series of examinations:

Examination of medical history, including medical history, surgical procedures that have been undertaken, and medications that have been or are being used
Physical examination, especially on the structure of the nose, skin thickness, conditions on the inside and outside of the nose, and the condition of the cartilage at the base or top of the nose
Taking photos of the patient's nose from various angles, followed by the use of computer software to show the approximate shape of the nose after surgery
If needed, the doctor can also do a blood test

In addition to the above examination, there are other things that patients need to do before rhinoplasty, namely:

Avoid taking pain relievers containing ibuprofen or aspirin, 2 weeks before and after rhinoplasty, because these drugs can slow the blood clotting process and increase the risk of bleeding after surgery
Stop smoking, because smoking can slow down the healing process
Asking family or friends to accompany you during the operation and a few days after, and to take the patient home after surgery

Nose Surgery Procedure

The rhinoplasty procedure generally lasts 1–2 hours, but it can also take longer. Some of the stages in the rhinoplasty procedure are:

1. Give an anesthetic

The doctor will inject a local anesthetic into the nose and give a sedative through an IV. Doctors can also give general anesthesia in the form of inhaled drugs or by injection. The type of anesthesia that will be given depends on how complicated the rhinoplasty is going to be.

2. Make an incision in the nose

The incision can be made open or closed. In closed surgery, an incision is made on the inside of the nose. While in open surgery, an incision is made in the columella, which is the outside of the nose that separates the nostrils.

Through this incision, the skin covering the nasal bone and cartilage is slowly removed, allowing the surgeon access to reshape the structure of the patient's nose.

3. Reshape the nose structure

The doctor will remove the bone and cartilage in the nose in patients who want to shrink the nose. Meanwhile, in patients who want to enlarge the nose, the doctor will perform cartilage grafts from the ear or breastbone to the patient's nose.

4. Fix the crooked nasal septum

If the position of the septum, which is the septum that lines the two nostrils, is crooked or not right in the middle of the nose, the doctor will straighten it to improve breathing function.

5. Close the incision

After the doctor shapes the patient's nose to the desired shape, the skin and nasal tissue will be returned to their position, then the incision will be closed.

After Nose Surgery

After the rhinoplasty is complete, the doctor will place a plastic or metal brace on the patient's nose to protect and maintain the new nasal structure during the recovery process.

Doctors will also monitor the patient's condition in the recovery room for several hours after surgery. If the patient's condition is stable, then the patient is allowed to go home on the same day. However, if the rhinoplasty is complicated enough, the patient may have to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days.

During the first few days after surgery, the patient may experience some confusion, difficulty concentrating, and a slowed response. Therefore, patients should be accompanied by family members to help and care for patients in the recovery period.

The patient may also experience pain, headache, swelling in the nose, difficulty breathing through the nose, numbness in and around the nose, or nosebleeds. To reduce these complaints, there are several things that patients can do, namely:

Rest in bed with head higher than chest
Be careful when bathing so that the bandage on the nose does not get wet
Do not compress the nose with cold compresses after surgery
Not blowing air through the nose or picking up dirt in the nose
Don't smile, laugh, chew, or make other expressions that involve excessive nose movement
Not wearing glasses for a while, but if you do need glasses, it's a good idea to use adhesive to attach the glasses to the forehead, so the glasses don't press against the nose
Brush your teeth slowly to limit movement of the upper lip
Avoid dusty or smoky places
Avoid strenuous activities, such as jogging, aerobics, or swimming
Wear shirts that button the front to avoid touching the nose
Eat high-fiber foods to avoid constipation, because constipation can cause pressure on the surgical area
Limiting salt intake to reduce swelling

The stitches are usually removed 7 days after surgery, while the nose pad is usually removed after 1-2 weeks.