Nose surgery consists
of removing the excess cartilage and gently filing down the
excess bone.
The scars are hidden inside the nose. If it
is necessary to decrease the size of the nostrils, a tiny scar
is left at the base of each nostril.
Frequently, implants made of a synthetic
sponge-like material may be used to augment parts of the nose
and to improve the final result of the surgery. Infection of
these implants is possible but uncommon. If an infection does
occur, the implant is removed and replaced again a few months
later. All stitches are absorbable.
To prevent pain, a new type of absorbable
pack, like gelatin, is placed inside the nose and will gradually
dissolve during the first week following surgery. On the
average, nose surgery is performed within one to two hours.
At the end of the operation, a small plaster
cast is applied to the nose. After a week, the cast is
painlessly removed. Most of the swelling and discoloration
around the eyes tend to disappear within the following week.
Your nose will continue to improve for at
least a year following surgery. Therefore, do not expect to see
your final result when the cast is removed. Do not be alarmed if
the shape of your nose keeps changing during the first few
months.
On the average, you are presentable and may
return to work one to two weeks after surgery. Numbness of the
upper teeth and mild nasal blockage may be experienced for a few
days to a few weeks following surgery. Thick nasal skin makes
the surgery more difficult, limiting somewhat its final result
and prolonging recovery. This is because thick skin does not
shrink as much as thin skin (therefore the nose cannot be made
much smaller).
Often, the use of a synthetic implant, like a
sponge, is required to achieve a superior result. In rare cases
of extreme skin thickness, thinning the skin by sanding may be
added to the surgery. Special medications may be administered
following surgery in order to shrink the skin.
If you have thick nasal skin, your nose may
be improved by surgery, but you must be patient while awaiting
the final result and realistic in your outlook. In the case of
revision surgery when the nose has undergone one or more
previous unsuccessful operations, improvement is possible but
the surgery is technically more difficult and the results more
limited than in the case of a virgin nose.
In some cases, the appearance of your nose
may also be influenced by some weakness in the features that
surround it, such as flat cheeks, thin lips, a recessed
forehead, a double chin, etc. These features can be corrected at
the same time or shortly after nasal surgery to enhance the
final appearance of your nose. Even a slightly weak chin can
make your nose look bigger. In such a case, increasing the size
of your chin by a few millimeters is recommended to improve the
appearance of your nose.
Weak chin
A weak chin has an immense effect on your other facial
features. Your nose looks larger and your lower lip seems
droopy. A receding chin also affects your facial expression by
conveying a "weak" look. This is sensed rather than seen! To
correct it, a small incision is made beneath the chin. A
synthetic implant, like a sponge, is then introduced inside the
chin to enlarge it. Infection of the implant is possible but
uncommon. Some numbness of the lips may be experienced for a few
days to a few weeks after surgery.
