Authored by Revere Health

How a Rhinoplasty Can Boost Your Confidence

May 19, 2016 | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

woman touching her nose

There are a couple of reasons why people choose to have a rhinoplasty, which is more commonly called a nose job. One might be for cosmetic reasons, to change the size or shape of the nose. The other would be for medical reasons, so the form or function of the nose can be improved.

This could involve a problem that the person has had since birth, or something that came about from disease, accident or injury. If you’re thinking about whether a rhinoplasty is right for you, there are some things you’ll want to consider.

Who is a Good Candidate for Rhinoplasty?

Good candidates for rhinoplasty are those who need surgical correction to improve the function of their nasal passages, including those who have been injured in an accident.

You could be a good rhinoplasty candidate, for example, if you need a birth defect corrected or if your nose has been badly broken or otherwise damaged. You may also be able to get a nose job to make breathing problems easier or to reduce the size of your nose, narrow your nostrils, or change your nose’s overall shape.

There are a couple of reasons why people choose to have a rhinoplasty, which is more commonly called a nose job.

What Are the Possible Outcomes, and What Will be Different After Surgery?

According to WebMD, the most common outcome is a positive one. However, there are also some risks. The most common of these are bruising and bleeding, both of which are usually short-term issues that aren’t serious. There are some more serious risks, though, which include infection and reactions to anesthesia or other medications. These issues are rare, and most people are very happy with the way their nose looks and how well they can breathe once surgery is complete and the nose has fully healed.

How Long is the Recovery Time, and What Can You Expect After Surgery?

After the procedure you’ll have some recovery time. This is common with plastic and reconstructive surgery, and to be expected. You can generally heal faster and feel better if you carefully follow the instructions your doctor gives you. Most people who have a rhinoplasty go home the same day, and you will be swollen. Your nose may hurt, and you may have headaches as you heal.

After three to five days, the nasal packing will be removed, but full healing will take several weeks to occur. Final results can take one year, and the tip of the nose can have numbness and swelling for months.

You can generally heal faster and feel better if you carefully follow the instructions your doctor gives you.

The US National Library of Medicine states that the average rhinoplasty takes one to two hours, but may take longer in certain circumstances. If you have a complicated case, are having other work at the same time or if the surgeon encounters complications, you may need to have a longer procedure performed. In some cases the surgeon won’t know that your surgery will take longer until they are performing the procedure.]

What Are the Benefits?

There are a number of benefits to rhinoplasty, depending largely on why you’re having the surgery. If you’re doing it for cosmetic reasons you may feel much more confident in your appearance. If the surgery was performed for medical reasons, you may breathe more easily, and that can make a significant difference in the quality of your life.

WRITTEN BY:

The Live Better Team

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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.