One in three people on the planet has thought about correcting the nose at least once. 70% of patients choose rhinoplasty because they are 100% dissatisfied with their appearance and want to solve aesthetic problems: remove the bump, make the nose thinner, smaller, smoother. 30% of patients opt for rhinoplasty for medical reasons - nose injury, difficulty breathing, deviation of the nasal septum or frequent sinusitis.
Problems with the shape of the tip of the nose are not uncommon. But don't be shy, anything can be fixed. If the figure defects can be corrected with clothing, diet or sports, you should contact a plastic surgeon to correct your nose or lips.
We will talk about all the features of the procedure, preparation for plastic surgery and other important steps in this article.
Indications and contraindications: medical, aesthetic, indirect, absolute
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that lasts 1 to 2 hours. As a result, the patient's appearance changes, and the face becomes more attractive. Before making the plastic, it is necessary to agree on all points with the doctor and to prepare well for its implementation: pass the tests, follow a diet, give up smoking and at least alcohol. one week before the operation.
Indications for surgery
The indications for the procedure are congenital and acquired.
The congenital indications for plastic surgery are various aesthetic and physiological defects: hook-shaped, forked, thick or drooping tip, its lateral displacement, nostrils that are too wide or narrow.
The operation may be necessary after injuries or illnesses in which a curvature of the nose appears, as well as in case of breathing difficulties due to the structure of the organ or to age-related changes (aging of the skin). The above information is taken for granted.
To restore or correct the tip of the nose, you need to see a surgeon. If surgery is required, the density of the cartilage, the thickness of the skin and tissue, the length, width of the nose and other factors will be taken into account. The wishes of the patient are always taken into account and also realized as much as possible, but the final decision is made with the doctor, since excessive removal of cartilage can lead to poor health.
Before the operation, you need to examine the nasal cartilage, and also make sure that the skin in the area of the respiratory organ is healthy - there is no inflammation and no signs of infection.
Contraindications to surgery
Correction of the tip of the nose is a serious procedure, it must be approached consciously. What are the contraindications to the procedure?
- Age.The operation is performed from the age of 18. At this age, tissue formation occurs completely. However, surgeons recommend correcting the tip of the nose between the ages of 20 and 35. This is when the formation of bones and cartilage is complete, the skin is elastic and regeneration after the procedure is active.
- Problems with blood clotting.When a patient has poor blood clotting, the risk of surgery is higher than usual and therefore it is better to refuse to perform it.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases.Surgeons do not recommend performing an operation during an exacerbation of diseases. It is better to wait for the state of health to normalize and have an examination. It is only in case of positive test results that one can decide on rhinoplasty.
- Viral diseases, infections, inflammations.It should be remembered that if there are at least minimal health problems, it is better to postpone surgery until full recovery.
- Oncology.Rhinoplasty is contraindicated in patients with oncology.
- Menstruation.The operation is contraindicated during menstruation. It is desirable that the correction be made within two weeks of the end of the period.
It is also contraindicated to perform plastic surgery during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before the operation, the patient should be examined and tested in order to provide the necessary preparation for rhinoplasty.
Other means of correction. Why rhinoplasty is the safest method
To correct the nose, surgeons use different surgical techniques depending on the client's wishes and the outcome the patient expects to receive. However, you can find other methods to correct the tip of the nose on the net.
Pliers
In online stores you can find the so-called "nose pliers". Manufacturers assure that when you wear correctors 2-3 times a day, the effect will be noticeable, comparable to that of surgery. But, of course, this is far from the truth. For nose correction, no clip or other pseudo-specialist device will work. If there is any effect, it will be short-term - for 2-3 weeks, and the correction is insignificant.
Exercises
There is a set of exercises for the face that allows you to correct its shape. These exercises are helpful in maintaining muscle tone, cheekbones, and double chin, but they won't work in correcting the shape of the cartilage. The effect after systemic exercise persists for 2 weeks.
Correction with wires
The threading technique is carried out by a specialist with a special needle thanks to micro-perforations. Specially designed serrated threads are inserted into the skin of the nose, which form a frame. The threads are inserted through small perforations and the frame holds it in place. After two days, the doctor removes the ends of the threads and the patient sees the final result, which lasts about 3 years.
Use of hormonal drugs
To correct the tip of the nose, you can also take a course of hormonal drug administration. First of all, you need to consult an endocrinologist. If there are no contraindications, hormonal medication can be administered. This procedure is performed to remove excess soft tissue and lift the tip. For the correction, you need to complete a course of procedures, which will last from 2 to 3 weeks. It is worth noting that the drugs have a temporary effect - from 3 months to 2 years, depending on the chosen drug.
Surgical correction
According to experts, rhinoplasty is the most reliable and effective means of correction. Unlike previous methods, rhinoplasty offers a lifelong result. The operation lasts 1 to 2 hours under local or general anesthesia. The main advantages of the operation:
- all possible correction options (lowering or raising the tip, reducing, straightening or narrowing the tip of the nose);
- elimination of respiratory problems;
- lifetime result;
- correction of injuries, birth defects.
3 Techniques for performing the operation. What is the difference
There are several types of rhinoplasty: classic closed, open and hybrid methods. Surgeons have different types of plastic surgery depending on the outcome, the shape of the nose, the position of bone and cartilage tissue, and other factors.
A feature of classic closed plastic surgery is that it can be used to correct the back of the nose, but the correction of the tip will be more difficult than that of open surgery. In the case of this method, incisions are made inside the nasal passages and access to the tip is only possible when the cartilage is removed in the incision. But there are also advantages - no visible scars remain after the operation. Closed plastic is suitable for removing a lump or correcting bone tissue in the event of a curvature.
In open surgery, the surgeon makes an additional incision between the nostrils. This contributes to better access to the structures of the nose, to wide possibilities of changing its size and shape. The scar after the procedure will be almost invisible and small. With this method, you can reshape the tip of the nose more effectively (compared to the closed method). Its disadvantage is the possible formation of a small scar on the outside of the nose and a longer recovery period. The scar becomes smaller after a few months after the operation and can also be removed with the help of additional wound healing agents and creams, which the surgeon will recommend, if necessary.
Since the above methods have their drawbacks, surgeons have developed a combined plastic technique. When using it, incisions are made inside the nose, characteristic of both methods, but unlike the open method, there is no external incision on the skin.
The combined method (also called "hybrid") has been developed taking into account all the advantages and disadvantages of closed and open methods.
The main advantages are the possibility of modifying the structure of the nose as much as possible and not leaving visible scars. Recovery after the combined method occurs within 2 weeks and there are no visible scars on the skin.
When using the hybrid method, the surgeon has the opportunity to make corrections during the operation, as well as to control the desired result, thus avoiding the possibility of over or under correction. The combined method has only one drawback: it is more complicated from a technical point of view.
A few words on something important. Prepare for surgery
Before performing rhinoplasty, you must undergo training. You will need to see a plastic surgeon to discuss the desired changes. The surgeon examines the nose and explains the reality of achieving the desired result. During the consultation, questions about the limitations, the operation, the peculiarities of its preparation, rehabilitation after it, as well as possible complications are discussed.
Before the operation, the patient should be examined to ensure that there are no contraindications and to pass the following tests:
- blood for HIV infection and hepatitis C and B;
- clinical blood test;
- biochemistry of blood;
- laboratory analysis of urine;
- analysis of the prothrombin index;
- fluorography;
- electrocardiography;
- tumor marker test;
- radiogram.
In addition, the patient should listen to the doctor's recommendations and adhere to them. Avoid drinking alcohol a week before the operation, stop smoking, do not use blood thinners, do not drink water or eat food for five hours before the operation. It is important to refrain from spending active time and walking in the scorching sun a few days before rhinoplasty.
On the progress of the operation and its main stages
Rhinoplasty is performed under general or local anesthesia. The choice of the type of anesthesia depends both on the client's wishes and the peculiarities of the operation, and on the method the plastic surgeon will use to perform it. The patient can always share his wishes for anesthesia, but the final decision is made by the doctor. The process and quality of rehabilitation after rhinoplasty also depends on the choice of the type of anesthesia.
Local anesthesia is used for minor correction of the nose with hormonal injections, fillers or threads. These correction methods do not cause severe pain, so general anesthesia is not necessary in most cases. But this type of anesthesia is hardly used in rhinoplasty, when the surgeon needs to touch the bones of the nose or the cartilage.
General anesthesia is used by the surgeon in most cases. This type of anesthesia allows you to completely avoid pain during the operation, and the patient will have no memory of the operation.
The operation lasts 1 to 2 hours. After the anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the skin or the mucous membrane. Depending on the wishes of the patient and the specific case, the doctor selects an open or closed method for the operation.
During rhinoplasty, the doctor separates the soft tissue in the nose from the bone and cartilage in the nasal cavity. Then he performs the movement of cartilage and bone fragments, models a new shape of the nose. After the manipulations, the plastic surgeon applies absorbable sutures to the skin or mucous membranes, depending on where the incision was made. The next step is to dab the nasal passages with large gauze pads. The last step of the operation is the imposition of a fixing plaster.
The type of incision is chosen by the surgeon depending on the structure of the nose, the complexity of the procedure, and the surgeon's preferences in the job. The cut can be axial, perpendicular, oval or angled.
Rhinoplasty itself is performed by three main methods: open, closed and combined. The characteristics of each of the methods are described in the "types of operations" paragraph.
The choice of method of plastic surgery is presented directly to the patient, but doctors recommend choosing the methods with the lowest level of trauma. Surgeons say that the least traumatic methods are closed and combined, because in the case of their use, the incision is small, and recovery after surgery is faster.
Recommendations of the surgeon in the postoperative period. How to avoid complications
Rehabilitation after surgery lasts an average of 20 to 25 days. If the rhinoplasty was performed under general anesthesia, the patient should also be hospitalized for 24 hours after surgery.
For three days after the operation, gauze or cotton swabs should be in the nasal cavity to ensure the immobility of the new forms and to prevent swelling. On the 5-8th day (depending on the speed of healing) after the plastic surgery, the suture material is removed. After a week or 10 days, the patient is removed from the cast, the hematomas and swelling begin to gradually disappear.
Doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period:
- Sleep on your back, be sure to use a high pillow.
- To reduce the level of discomfort associated with dry mouth (as one of the possible consequences of the procedure), use special solutions or pastes to soften.
- Do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
- Refuse trips to baths, solariums, saunas.
- Do not wear glasses.
- It is forbidden to burden yourself with physical activity.
- Temporarily stop eating hot foods and drinks.
- Don't touch, knead, or smell your nose.
Possible complications
Complications after rhinoplasty are rare. Some of them appear immediately after correction, while others occur at later stages of healing. Natural complications include edema and bruising. The external signs of puffiness disappear within a week of plastic surgery, the deep pockets disappear after six months. The difficulty in breathing goes away on its own 10 days after the operation.
In order to protect yourself as much as possible from possible complications, it is important to carefully choose a specialist, clinic and provide full information about your condition, injuries or illnesses, if applicable. The final result of the performed operation also depends on strict compliance with the recommendations of the doctor during the rehabilitation period.
Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is used by women and men of all ages. Surgeons advise performing surgery to correct the tip of the nose at a young age and not postponing it. It is important to have a full examination to make sure there are no contraindications to plastic surgery. The most common indications for rhinoplasty are:
- correction of the tip of the nose (large, pointed or round);
- a long nose;
- wide nasal bridge;
- lift or narrow the tip of the nose;
- elimination of asymmetry;
- shortness of breath;
- elimination of the consequences of an injury or poor-quality rhinoplasty;
- correction of the tip of the split nose.
If the patient has a small defect, the operation is performed under local anesthesia. In 90% of the other cases, rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure itself takes from one to two hours. The method of carrying out the procedure (open or closed) is based on many factors. These include the complexity of the nose defect and the wishes of the client. But the final decision rests with the plastic surgeon.
The quality of rhinoplasty and the end result directly depend on the choice of specialist and clinic, so this should be thoroughly approached.