Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a surgery in which the shape of the nose is changed. The reason for rhinoplasty may be to change the nose’s appearance, improve breathing, or both.

The upper part of the nose structure is bone, and the lower part is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can change the bone, the cartilage, the skin, or all three. Talk to your surgeon about whether rhinoplasty is right for you and what it can accomplish.

When planning rhinoplasty, the surgeon will consider your other facial features, the skin on your nose, and what you would like to change. Then, if you are a candidate for surgery, the surgeon will develop a customized plan for you.

It may take several months for the swelling to completely disappear and up to 1 year – and sometimes longer – for the result of the surgery to be fully defined. While the results of nose surgery are almost always permanent, the cartilage can continue to change shape and move tissue, which could change the final result over time.

To further decrease the chance of bleeding and swelling, your doctor may ask you to follow precautions for several weeks after surgery. For example, your doctor may ask you to do the following:

Avoid strenuous activities, such as aerobic exercise and jogging.

Take baths instead of showers when you have bandages on your nose.

Do not blow your nose.

Eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables to avoid constipation. Constipation can cause you to strain, which puts pressure on the surgical site.

Avoid intense facial expressions, such as smiling or laughing.

Brush your teeth gently to limit upper lip movement.

Wear clothing that closes and opens in the front. Do not wear clothing that pulls over the head, such as T-shirts or sweaters.

Also, do not wear glasses or sunglasses over your nose for at least four weeks after surgery to prevent pressure on your nose. After that, you may wear your glasses to rest on your cheeks or tape the drinks to your forehead until your nose has healed.