Anyone who tells you that they’re entirely unintimidated by the prospect of surgery is very likely exaggerating. Being concerned about even the most basic medical or cosmetic operations is perfectly normal.
It’s been said that the greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. So in the interest of allaying your worries about rhinoplasty, we’ve prepared a post that breaks down the rhinoplasty procedure into simple details. If you’ve marveled about rhinoplasty before and after pictures, but have felt scared to take the plunge, hopefully we can show you there’s nothing dangerous about the process.
Step 1: Anesthesia
Let’s get one big fear out of the way to start. Yes, most rhinoplasty procedures happen under general anesthesia. Unless it’s a very minor rhinoplasty procedure, it’s ideal for you and your surgeon to have you sleep through the whole process. So no, you won’t be awake for the rhinoplasty, and no, you don’t have to worry about the anesthesia wearing off. The exact type of anesthesia and method of delivery will differ from clinic to clinic, so if you are concerned about allergies, make sure to ask.
Step 2: The Incision
At this point, the approach your rhinoplasty expert takes depends on if this is a closed or open rhinoplasty. A closed rhinoplasty is one that can be performed entirely “in nostril”, within a couple small incisions. This sounds like a cramped working condition, but it comes with the significant benefit of minimal exterior scarring.
An open rhinoplasty is a bit more complicated – but not as extensive as you might think. Incisions are made just at the bottom of the nose, and the skin pulled back to allow the surgeon to work. While there will be scarring, most will be at the bottom of the nose, which is more discreet than say, the bridge.
Step 3: Reshaping the Nose
Once the incisions have been made and the rhinoplasty surgeon has access to the interior of the nose, it’s time for the most important part of the rhinoplasty procedure to begin. The goal of any rhinoplasty procedure is, of course, to change the shape of the nose. This is often for cosmetic reasons, but could be for functional purposes as well, such as making it easier to breathe.
Exactly how reshaping works depends very much on the goal of the specific rhinoplasty. To give a generalization, the cartilage (and sometimes bone) within the nose will be shaped – either reduced or altered in position. By changing these “pillars” of the nose, the entire structure can be adjusted.
Step 4: Closing the Incision
And that’s it. No, really! We’re certainly oversimplifying the process of Step 3. As mentioned, every rhinoplasty procedure is unique, and will attach adjusting cartilage in a different way. But once the structural changes are finished, all that’s left is to sew up the incisions. This stage isn’t just about cleaning up, however. While most of the changes will have been complete, the closing of the incisions can have a major impact on how the nostrils will look after the rhinoplasty healing process.
Step 6: The Recovery Process
It’s tempting to think that when you’ve woken up, the rhinoplasty is over. However, there is one final step – which is the longest step of all. A rhinoplasty, like a good bottle of wine, will improve as it ages. This means that it can take awhile for your rhinoplasty to “settle” into its final stage.
The rhinoplasty recovery is a lengthy process, with many distinct “sub-steps”. Firstly, you’ll hang out at the clinic immediately after the procedure, as you recover from the anesthesia. You’ll have gauze and bandages on your nose provided by your surgeon, and instructions on follow-up visits. Beyond this, much of the rhinoplasty recovery timeline is your own responsibility.
So how long does it take a rhinoplasty to heal? Well, it depends how well you take care of it! Generally, the first two weeks after a rhinoplasty will involve bruising and swelling. You’ll want to take it easy, and avoid spicy foods, alcoholic drinks, and smoking. After about a week, you should be able to go out and about with makeup.
However, your rhinoplasty might still be changing up to six months after you left the clinic. This is why it’s always a good idea to invest in Step 0. We kept this one for the end – but before anything else, you can come in for a consultation and use advanced digital imagery to see what your final rhinoplasty will look like. All you have to do is contact us to set up that consultation today!