Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a ‘nose job,’ is the surgical procedure completed to reshape the nose as a means of improving function or appearance. If you are considering rhinoplasty, it is essential to understand what occurs during the procedure.
Breaking Down the Process: How Does Rhinoplasty Work?
So, how does rhinoplasty work? Before the procedure, your surgeon will discuss the specifics around what you need to do to prepare for surgery. Many patients will stock up on recommended medication, ice packs, loose clothing, and prepaid meals to aid in the recovery process once the surgery is complete.
On the day of surgery, your doctor will undergo several steps to complete the rhinoplasty.
Step 1: Anesthesia
Generally, rhinoplasty is performed under a general anesthetic, and you will be asleep for the duration of the surgery.
Step 2: Incisions
Your surgeon will make incisions to access the nasal bones and cartilage. The location of your incisions will depend on your procedure. For example, open rhinoplasty will see the incisions made across the strip of tissue between the nostrils, whereas closed rhinoplasty involves incisions hidden inside the nostrils.
Step 3: Accessing the nose
The incisions will allow the surgeon to gently raise the skin covering the nasal bones and cartilage.
Step 4: Reshaping the nose
This step will vary based on your circumstances and the end goal of your procedure. Once the skin is raised, the surgeon will reshape and resize the nose by altering and removing bones and cartilage. This step may also include straightening a deviated septum and removing any projections in the nose to improve breathing.
Step 5: Closing the incisions
Once the nose has been reshaped, the nasal skin and tissue are redraped, and the incisions are closed.
Step 6: Recovery
Most patients will go home the day of their rhinoplasty to begin the healing process.
Finding a Surgeon You Can Trust
For more information on how rhinoplasty works or start your rhinoplasty journey, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sedgh today. With over 20 years of experience, he is renowned for his surgical precision and attention to detail.
Posted on behalf of Sedgh Plastic Surgery